Rev. A.J. Ogden

When we think of the old time churches having revivals in buildings without air conditioning, electric lights, and no sound systems, we are amazed at the number of souls that got saved. Yes, we are astonished at how many really got revived and actually turned from their sins. Today we have everything convenient, but few conversions.

Today we have tape recorders, computers, and controlled heat in the winter and new cars for transportation instead of riding a horse, or coming in a buggy when it’s raining. We have padded pews, modern rest rooms, and kitchen and dining rooms. We do a lot of meeting and eating, but for the most part win very few or no souls to Christ. We have much equipment, but little is accomplished spiritually in most cases. What do you think is our problem?

My brethren, we all know that something is wrong when we have so much and do so little of what really counts for God. The old folks of fifty or seventy five years ago did not have much to work with, but somehow they had something we are missing today. They had so little and did so much. We have so much and do so little.

We could all think of men like Billy Sunday, D. L. Moody or Spurgeon who won thousands when they didn’t even have a microphone, radio, TV, or palatial auditoriums to preach in. Their transportation was very poor compared to our fast planes, and trains and cars.

I do not profess to know the answers, but I believe the scripture speaks loud to us who are in such a struggle today. Ephesians 4:30, “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Far too often we grieve Him and He cannot work through us.