Our text for 2002

In a consumer society we are very conscious of the customer and what is in popular demand. This is what underlies the thinking of the church growth movement and seeker sensitive services (so called). What are people's felt needs? What do people want? Of course, what people want from church is that which is light and cheerful, friendly and encouraging. What they do not want is to hear that we are hell-deserving sinners saved only by the grace of God. To be offered the unconditional love of God sounds attractive, but the exclusive demands of the gospel and the holy commandments of God appear as things unwelcome and oppressive.

The text deals with the things for which we ask. It is quite appropriate to ask for things - to have expectations - of church life, worship and the ministry. The trouble is that Christians are likely to be influenced by the same considerations as the world and by the world itself. One article published recently suggested that since people are attracted by services where there is much laughter, we ought to have plenty of fun and and joking in our services. Let us have what people want, it was suggested. No. Let us ask not for what is demanded by the sinful flesh, but what is right before God. (This is not to say that there is anything wrong with humour and laughter in themselves.) Too easily we react against the harsh dogmatism of some of our forefathers or the legalism of some expressions of old evangelical religion. We say, "There is nothing wrong with...", naming: cinema, alcohol, dancing, and so on. We want to enjoy all that the modern world offers. Yet our forefathers were godly in a way that is rarely seen in Christians today. Surely we are called to sacrifice and separation. Our expectations of Christian life and worship should be moulded by the express will of God and not the emptiness of this world.

Let us ask for the old paths. To some this may sound reactionary and be regarded as a call to obscurantism. Actually it is far from that. There is no point in going off on some "new evangelical" path if that way is a dead-end or even leads to destruction. We need to take the road which leads to glory, even if that path is narrow and difficult. ".. Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:14) The piety of the reformers and of the puritans usually reflected the mind of Christ. The religion of Victorian evangelicalism and the life of believers forty years ago has a great deal to teach us today. There is much good that we have simply forgotten. It is not that we have necessarily moved on (as in: forward), but in some respects we have moved away (that is, off course). We have been distracted and taken a wrong direction. We desperately need to get back on course.

The old paths are ones of earnest belief in biblical doctrine, God-honouring worship and obedient, holy living. All these things are spelt out clearly and explicitly in the Bible. We need turn to God's word for correction in these things. We need to be instructed in Christian faith and practice. We need to submit to the word. We need to return and walk in this way - the way that leads to life. Let us actually demand such things. Let us expect such things of those who lead and who preach. Happy will be the pastor of whom is demanded biblical doctrine, straight forward evangelism, and instruction in uncompromising godliness. Ask for the old paths.