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The Good Old Days

Intro.

Eccl.7:10 tells us not to gloat over the former days.
There is good along with not so good over the former days of old.
The Judds sing a song about the old days. (See words at end of outline)
Sometimes you wonder if the author had a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other.
I have been converting photos and slides to digital. It has been fun to see the old hair styles (and color) and fashion of years past.

THERE IS MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR TODAY.
1. A long time since a world war has occurred.
  1. Just think of WW I, then WW II.
  2. I can’t imagine what a WW would be like.
  3. Total chaos.
  4. Yes, we should be thankful for that (1 Tim.2:1-3; cf. 1 Cor.7:26).
2. The future seems to be bright for the prepared.
  1. Those who study and prepare seem to be making it.
  2. There may be harder times than others. No promise there.
  3. We must always do Mt.6:33.
3. Yet there are some down sides.
  1. Forbes Magazine notes that Americans are better off today financially but feel worse about the future.
  2. Americans can’t handle credit cards.
  3. Making a lot of money BUT spending a lot of money.
  4. The church seems no better off.
  5. We still let money stand in the way of the works of the church.
4. Today we can get more Bible.
  1. We have more Bible programs than before.
  2. We can take classes on line.
  3. Listen to preaching on line.
  4. My website – about 150,000 see outlines every month.
  5. Are we more informed?
WE HAVE MOVED AWAY FROM THE TRUTH.
1. What motivates men for living?
  1. Many think all moral choices are situational.
  2. What motivates you do do right? The hope of heaven; and the fear of hell.
2. Dalton Key, “Our lives are hectic and schedule-driven. Our days are ruled by clocks and calendars, our joy hinges on time off and free time, yet we foolishly ignore the book of timeless treasure, the volume of divine truth which prepares souls to live beyond life and travel past time into the bliss of endless, heavenly eternity.”
3. Truth is no longer an absolute.
  1. Lines are becoming grayer and grayer. No more debates. Everything is relative. No body says anything to anyone for fear of getting shot.
  2. Jesus brought us truth (John 1:14, 17; 8:32).
  3. Worship to God must be in truth (John 4:24).
  4. Jesus said He was the way of truth (John 14:6).
  5. The Spirit was going to deliver us the truth (John 16:13).
THERE WAS (IS) A STANDARD ON MORALS.
1. Hollywood.
  1. The movie of “The Bridges of Madison County.” It was a movie of adultery, but voted as the most touching love story of the year.
  2. TV and movies will send the kids all kinds of messages about right and wrong. The home and church must be strong on what the Bible teaches.
2. We must keep our word.
  1. Ephesians 4:25ff.
  2. Colossians 3:9.
  3. We have made a covenant with God.
  4. Our word is our bond and means of judgment (Mt.12:34-37).
3. Be careful with your time.
  1. Ephesians 5:15; Colossians 4:5-6.
  2. God must be number one. Family must realize we can’t get too busy. We must stay strong.

Lyrics to song – sung by the Judd's.

Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good ole days;

Sometimes it feels like this world's gone crazy.

Grandpa, take me back to yesterday;

When the line between right and wrong,

didn't seem so hazy.

Lovers really fall in love to stay,

Stand beside each other come what may.

A promise, really something people kept;

Not just something they would say.

Families really bowed their heads to pray;

Daddies really never go away.

Oh, Oh, Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good ole days.

Grandpa, everything is changing fast;

We call it progress, but I just don't know.

And Grandpa, wander back into the past;

Then paint me the picture of long ago.

Main outline borrowed from a source I have lost. If this is your outline – let me know so I can give you credit. Thanks, Manly