ASK FOR THE OLD PATH

JEREMIAH 6:16

INTRODUCTION

The days of Jeremiah’s Ministry to the people of Israel were days of deep spiritual wickedness just like our days. The people had sinned against God to the point where God was ready to give them up into captivity. In a few years from the time Jeremiah wrote this verse, Judah was taken into Babylonian captivity. Yet even when they were at the verge of judgement God’s desire for them was to see them turn back to Him in repentance. Today we have been given an image of a traveler who has come to a cross road. He has an opportunity to go anyway he desires, but God tells him to ask for the “old paths, where is the good way”. Instead of travelling blindly on, this traveler is to stop and ask for directions.

Youth people, please stop and ask for the old paths. There is right path and a wrong path. There is right worship and wrong worship, right and wrong associations etc. it is the distinguishing feature of the good old way that in it we find rest for our souls. How do you discern the false from the true.

• Rest was the promise of the Savior, “I will give you rest”.
• Rest was point at which the Law of Moses failed. The law cannot give rest, Moses could not lead them to Canaan.
• Rest is enjoyed by believers- Born Again people
• Rest is never enjoyed apart from the gospel and living faith in Jesus Christ.
• Rest comes not from wealth, health, honor, fame or any other earthly thing.
• The “old paths” is the “good way”

Let us learn:-

I.  IN “ THE GOOD WAY” WE FIND REST IF WE WALK THEREIN.

• We walk by faith in the gospel way and are rested.

1. The way of pardon by an atonement gives rest to the conscience.
2. The way of believing the word as a little child gives rest to the understanding.
3. The way of trusting our affairs with God gives rest to the mind.
4. The way of obedience to divine commands gives rest to the soul.
5. The way of communion with Christ gives rest to the heart.

• The gospel, promises and precepts of God rests our desires, fears, regrets and questionings.

II.  REST FOUND BY WALKING IN “THE GOOD WAY” IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL.

• Some forms of rest rust and injure the soul, but this does not.

1. It brings satisfaction, but not self-satisfaction.
2. It brings a sense of safety, but does not lead to presumptuous sin.
3. It creates contentment, but also excites desire for progress.
4. It removes legal fears, but also supplies motives for holiness.

III.  A REQUIREMENT

1. Do not allow yourself to be led astray by the false prophets and leaders of their day.

• You are to look back to men like Abraham, Isaack, Jacob, Moses, Abel, Enoch, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, Paul etc. they walked the path of obedience and holiness.

1. Take the time to find the right path, that old, well-trodden path

• During the Second World War (W.W II), in the battle of the Bulge, a group of German soldiers dressed in the uniforms of the allied forces. These German soldiers used American vehicles and went throughout German changing the road signs where the American troop came to various crossroads. They were misdirected- the German almost won.
• Today Satan has changed the road signs

1. Salvation through the blood (Heb.9:22)
2. Belief in the scriptures (2 Tim.3:16, Ps.119:89)
3. Love for the church (Heb.10:25)
4. The reality of heaven and hell (John 14:1-3, Ps.9:17)
5. The soon return of Jesus (rev 20;12, I Thess.4:13-18)
6. The Holiness of God (Isa.6:3, I Peter 1;16)

IV.  REST OF THIS KIND SHOULD BE ENJOYED NOW.

1. You should be in the way, know that you are there (Rom.5:1)
2. You should have no doubt that the way is good and that it is the way of the Lord.
3. You should lay aside all anxious care- He cares for you
4. Be satisfied with Jesus Christ as your all in all.

CONCLUSION

• It is called the “good way” it is not the easy way.
• It is called the “Narrow way” therefore you must off-load.
• It is called the way of holiness and peace, only fools can get lost here!
• In this “old paths” you will find rest for our tired soul.
• Others have followed the “old path” and have found rest for their souls to their destiny in God.