Remember the Old Ways

     I went to the fall rally service at a local church this afternoon. As the pastor was introducing the special speaker, he said something to the effect that there are not that many 'old time pentecostal preachers left'. He went on to say that 'we younger guys are a different breed'. He said it as if the old ways were not acceptable anymore. As if the 'old guys' don't have the cutting edge anymore. It bothered me.
     Just this morning I read:
Jer 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. I believe the Lord wanted me to read that scripture this morning because He knew what I would hear this afternoon.
     Rev. Sterling Penney was the special speaker and he did a fantastic job. He delivered a great message on respecting the past because that is how we began. He even said in his sermon that today's ways are different and there are different methods to reaching the lost of today but that the one thing that must remain the same, was the Word of God. That doesn't change and we need to preach it.
     What a message! He said we live in an age where a sin is called a problem. We live in a victim society. He called all of us to call sin what it is and not to try to whitewash it. Instead of laying on a padded couch, we need to be at the foot of the cross.
     Yes it was a good sermon. But afterwards I thought again of the opening comments by the host pastor and I grieved for this generation. We are in an age where not only do the people want their ears tickled with self help and self improvement sermons but we are in serious trouble when the man/woman behind the pulpit only wants to give those marshmallow sermons.
     I remember growing up in a Pentecostal church and being so challenged to live right and to live a Christ like life. I couldn't wait to rush to the altar to confess my sins and ask for forgiveness from the Lord. My heart was soft and I wanted the correction because without it how could I grow in the Lord? I still enjoy a sermon that challenges me.
    That pastor was wrong when he grouped all young pastors together as being 'a different breed'. We still have a few pastors who preach without fear or favour, who preach the undiluted Word of God. They may only be the remnant but I believe that God will bless them for preaching and teaching what is right. If you have a pastor who preaches straight from the hip, give him an encouraging word. Support him and most of all pray for him.
     Today I sat next to my husband who kept saying under his breath "I thought I was all alone, I thought I was all alone." My 21 yr old son, who has been pastoring for two years now, sat behind us. I was proud of the stand these two preachers in our family have taken. There are two here who will not dilute the Word of God. There are two here who walk in the old paths. There is still a remnant.