Walking the Ancient Paths

This is what the Lord says:
“Stand at the crossroads and look;
    ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
    and you will find rest for your souls.
    But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Jeremiah 6:16

Some of you are probably at a crossroad in your life. 
Closing a chapter in your life
Or in a new chapter in your life....

Beware of busyness without stillness 
1. Stand by the ways and see
Stop and look at the larger picture. Come back in real life and don't rush any longer.
Go back to The Lord.

Start with your Stop Doing List.
Stop, examine and Look.
Beware of knowledge without wisdom.

2. Ask for the Ancient Paths

At times, we assume we know.
We don't think we are lost.
We assume we would be able to find a way out.

Wisdom is acquired by asking.

"Where the good way is"
"Tov" - excellent, great, praiseworthy

What is the Ancient paths?
Ancient - "olam"
describe distance - far far away
describe  time - long long ago
It means eternal. Concept is timeless. Distant past and future.

Many directions 
Timeless word
Timeless God in timeless scripture.

This is the ultimate reality. 

Why ask Paths-plural?
Because God understands that from our perspective, life is complex. 
God has a timeless revelation for every contingency and turn of life.
God has a timeless principle or path that will help us walk in this way.

This is relevant and pertinent. It is not jut accumulating knowledge.
Knowledge is applied.

The deficit of wisdom starts from failing to apply knowledge and accountability.

Beware of talk without action.

3. "...and WALK therein..."
Walk is the way you conduct and direct your life. It is the way you make inspired choices and take decisive actions.

Truth doesn't change lives.
Teach them to observe, do, live all things.
It is Truth applied that changes lives.

Discipleship is the Walk of Truth in Our Lives.

Implications for discipleship today:
1. It's all about rooted ness.
Go back to the timeless scriptures.

2. Ivan Illich - the key to societal change 

He is an educator, caregiver and disciplinarian. 

Key to societal change:
reform or revolution?
Eternal: tell a story that is compelling and irresistible.

The scripture points us to Jesus.
It's all about Jesus!
It's fundamental and imperative!
Live it out!
Rev. Edmund Chan with Trisha Sebastian in the Global Discipleship Congress
Rev. Edmund Chan with Trisha Sebastian in the Global Discipleship Congress

3. When you are at a cross road in life,
Return to the CROSS road.

The Holy Spirit enlightens us to the Word of god.
The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out the Word of God.

It is a Redemptive calling
A Redemptive mission...
It's a love relationship!

When people pointed to your walk, is it congruent to the word of God?

Your purpose in life?

"But what about you? Who do you say I am?" - Jesus 

The Gospel is not Nothing, it is everything to us.

Rest. Look up to Him and allow Him to live His life to us.











Walking the ancient paths by Rev. Edmund Chan