THE OLD FASHION PATH
Jeremiah 6:16

(Prov 14:12)  "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Introduction:      The days of Jeremiah's ministry to the people of Israel were days of deep spiritual wickedness. Yet, even while they perched on the edge of judgment, the Lord desires to see them turn back to Him. Here we are given the image of a traveler who comes to a fork in the road. God tells him to ask for the "old paths, where is the good way". ( Ill. Many are too filled with pride to stop and ask, and as a result, they waste much valuable time seeking their way.) It is my opinion that the Lord would still have His people to ask for the old paths. I want you to know that there is a right path and there is a wrong path. We must be sure we are walking the one which God has ordained, the one that He can bless, and the one that honors Him.

I.          THE LORD’S REQUIREMENT (“…stand…see…ask…and walk therein”)   

A.        Take A Stand

The command that God is issuing to His people is for them not to allow themselves to be lead astray by the false prophets and leaders of their day. They are to look back to men like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and others who walked the path of obedience and holiness before the Lord and they are to seek that path for themselves.

B.                 Look And See

God's command is that they not just go anyway, but that they take the time to find the right path, that old, well-worn path that represents the best way. The problem Israel faced is a problem people have faced down through the ages. (Illus: German soldiers changing road signs in the movie “The Battle of the Bulge.”)

C.                 Stop And Seek 

Just like those German soldiers caused confusion and death by changing a few signs, so many in our day are leading millions off into Hell because they are changing some of the road signs of the faith. Allow me to share a few of the road signs that are being changed in our day.

·         Salvation Through The Blood - (Heb 9:22 ) "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."(Lev 17:11 )  "For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." (Illus: Grandpa Jimmy)

·         Belief In The Scriptures - (2 Tim 3:16 ) "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (Psa 119:89) "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." (Ill. 66 books, 1,189 chapters, 41,173 verses; 774,746 words; 3,566,480 letters in the Bible. It is every ounce the infallible, inerrant, inspired Word of God.)

·         Love For The Church - (Heb 10:25 ) "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

·         The Reality Of Heaven And Hell – (John 14:1-3; Psa 9:17 ) "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."

·         The Value Of The Human Soul - (Mark 8:36 -37) "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? {37} Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

·         The Soon Return Of Jesus – ( Rev 22:12 )  "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."; I Thes 4:13 -18)

·         The Holiness Of God - (Isa 6:3) "And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory."

Man tries to bring God down to man's level. He is holy. (Ill. Regardless of which signs the world changes, it does not change the road! The Word of God is still settled in Heaven. We still know the "old paths". There is no question about what way is the right way. And, God's requirement has not changed: ask for the old paths and walk therein!)

II.         THE LORD’S REWARD (“ye shall find rest for your souls”)

A.        God’s Promise Of Serenity

God's promise to those who walk in His paths is that they will find rest for our souls. In His paths, we can be assured of three great truths.

1.       We will arrive at the proper destination! When we take the Lord's highway, we can be sure that it will end in His presence!

2.       We can travel in safety knowing that the Lord is guarding our way. Not only will we end up where we want to be, but we will get there in the safest, most peaceful manner possible.

3.       We can know that while we are on the Lord's path, the deepest needs of our soul will be met! There will be fellowship with Him and joy in His presence at the end of the way!

B.         God’s Promise Of Security

When we turn our backs on the way God has chosen as the right way we will find that the way is difficult, there is no peace or safety and the destination is ever in question. There is a reward for those who will walk in the Lord's pathway!

III.       A FOOLISH REFUSAL (“We will not walk therein”)

A.        Because Of Insolence

Some decided that they would not walk in the Lord's path. The result of their choice is chastisement and destruction, v. 17-30. There is a high price to pay for refusing to walk in the Lord's will!

B.         Because Of Indifference

We are living in a day when many are refusing to walk in the old paths.

Either the old way is too narrow, or they feel that God just doesn't know that what He is talking about. Yet, no matter what the world does, let us, the people of the Lord, stand tall in the old way. Let us be unashamed of who we are. Let us hold our heads high and walk in the way God has ordained without apology and without backing down. Let us be everything the Lord commanded us to be in His Word, (1 Cor 15:58) "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

Conclusion:       The old fashion way isn't the popular way! It is being abandoned daily by people who have decided that new is better. They are leaving the Bible, the old songs of the faith, old fashioned worship, praising the Lord, and preaching. Seeker services are replacing old time worship of the Lord. Yet, God has not changed, (Heb 13:8) "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."  
I can find no room to change myself. I think I'll ask for the old paths and walk in them. How about you? The enemies are changing the signs, but the Lord knows the way. Let's ask Him and He will lead!