The Ancient Paths

Jeremiah 6:16-21

Introduction

1.      The incredible accumulation of new things in our times

2.      “New and improved” is the watchword of our age

3.      Sometimes the “old” is the better  

Discussion

1.      The ancient paths were the ways of God

a.       God has always made known the way for people to live  

b.      Consider the events that led to the giving of the Ten Commandments (See Exodus 1-20)  

c.       Consider the details of the Law of Moses (622 laws spread through Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy)  

d.      The history of Israel in departing from the ancient paths – (Judges through 2 Chronicles)  

e.       Paul warns against departure – 1 Tim 4:1-2  

f.       The second coming of Jesus to follow the “apostasy” – 2 Thess 2:3  

2.      The ancient paths are often “overgrown” and neglected

a.       The ancient path may become difficult to detect because the departure has come so long ago  

b.      The discovery of the “book of the Law” during renovations of the temple in the days of Josiah  

c.       Josiah’s call to observe the Passover – 2 Kings 23:21-23  

d.      Jesus condemns the Pharisees and scribes – Matt 15:7-9  

3.      The ancient paths are the “good way”

a.       The ancient path of the way of salvation – Acts 2:17-41 – we need the same message and the same response  

b.      The ancient path of baptism – see Acts 8:35-39 – we need to be dead, buried and raised in response to Jesus  

c.       The ancient path of worship – Eph 5:15-19 – we need to worship in truth as well as spirit  

d.      The ancient path of prayer – Luke 11:1-2 – we need to address the Father  

Conclusion

1.       The old is not better because it is old, nor is the new better because it is new

2.      The path can only be evaluated in when we know where it leads

3.      God’s path leads to heaven

4.      Each of us daily stand at a crossroad, with a choice of paths in which to walk – Will you walk in the path that was laid out by God?