Introduction:

I just recently watched this message by Donnie Swaggart.  I didn’t realize the first time I watched that this message was preached in 2004, but I believe that these messages were somewhat prophetic because while he was preaching that they were in the beginning of “The Great Apostasy”…I believe that we are now today IN the days of The Great Apostasy.  I believe that we’ve gone and strayed further from the Word of God, and listening again to this message while drawing to a conclusion our series on “Why Read The Bible?”…it further drives home the point that there is a direct relation to the decline of the moral fabric of the church and the turning away from the Word of God.

Look at the scriptures that were referenced in this message:

• “ Has a nation changed its gods, Which are not gods? But My people have changed their Glory For what does not profit.”  Jeremiah 2:11 (NKJV)
• “Thus says the Lord: Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk in it.”  Jeremiah 6:16 (NKJV)
• “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV)

I would like to encourage you to give this message a listen, and take a moment afterwards to reflect upon what was preached.  I know that what’s preached in this message is harsh, and there’s a lot of strong preaching here.  However, I believe that we need to do like is written in Jeremiah 6:16 (NKJV) and 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV).

Conclusion & Prayer:

I submit to you that not only was Donnie Swaggart right then, but he’s right now.  As I think of what he preached in light of what we’ve been talking about in the “Why Read The Bible?”  series…I can’t help but to think that this is a right on time word to drive home the point and importance of reading the Word of God.

We need a revival of the Word of God, and it’s got to start with us.  We have to know about the “Greed Gospel”, and some of the other doctrines that are invading the body of Christ because the modern-day apostles don’t believe the old way of doing church just won’t work anymore.  I’m blessed to attend a church with a pastor that still believes in the ways of the Old Paths…and that they are just as valid today as the were in the old days.

So, join me in humbling ourselves to seek His face…and also taking a stand for the Old Paths.  By the way, Christlike Ministries NWA still believes in the Old Paths, and we don’t believe that there is a need for at “new way to do church”.

Oh Lord, how far we have fallen.  As in the days of Jeremiah, we are living in the midst of this apostasy, and the only thing I know to do is humble myself and seek Your face, Lord.  I ask that You would always keep the Old Paths before this ministry, and help us to withstand whatever persecution comes our way.  I love You Lord, and I love Your Ways, Your Word, and I am so thankful that You have given us the way for the church to succeed.  There isn’t some new path needed…but a return…a return to the old ways of doing church.  In Jesus’ name…Amen & Amen.