12/21/2017
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When you are
asked what is our “Religious” preference how do respond? Do you talk about your
Denomination or do you talk about your Savior Jesus? Today’s lesson will hopefully
teach you how to tell the difference in BEING MISLED by Religion or Religious
practices and BEING LED by JESUS through the Holy Spirit teaching you the TRUTH
of God’s Word.
What “Religion”
do you follow? “Religion” created by mankind or the Freedom from Religious
Bondage through Following Jesus. You see, Jesus was a very Religious Man who
taught about the Laws of God only from a view point of LOVE and not
Condemnation like the Religious Sect {Pharisees, Sadducee's, Scribes} of His
time.
Owe nothing to anyone except to love and seek the best for one another; for he who [unselfishly] loves his neighbor has fulfilled the [essence of the] law [relating to one’s fellowman]. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,” and any other commandment are summed up in this statement: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor [it never hurts anyone]. Therefore [unselfish] love is the fulfillment of the Law. Romans 13:8-10
You have been severed from Christ, if you seek to be justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with God] through the Law; you have fallen from grace [for you have lost your grasp on God’s unmerited favor and blessing]. For we [not relying on the Law but] through the [strength and power of the Holy] Spirit, by faith, are waiting [confidently] for the hope of righteousness [the completion of our salvation]. For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love. Galatians 5:4-6
The scribe said to Him, “Admirably answered, Teacher; You truthfully stated that He is One, and there is no other but Him; and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to [unselfishly] love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered thoughtfully and intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that, no one would dare to ask Him any more questions. Mark 12:32-34
And a certain lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law] stood up to test Him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this habitually and you will live.” Luke 10:25-28
Just because a person is part of a
church doesn't necessarily mean he or she is a follower of Jesus. For some,
being part of a church is [the “IN”] thing to do as long as it is the “Right”
church of course. So many [“IN” or “HAPPENING”] churches have sprung up in the
last few years that it makes it hard to decide where to go. The only way a TRUE
FOLLOWER of JESUS will get FEED the WORD of GOD is for them to learn the
difference between CULTURAL [“In”, “HAPPENING”, “FAKE”] church and an AUTHENTIC
[TRUE, Genuine, God Fearing, People Loving, Bible Teaching] church. Many people
today are being deceived to think being a cultural Christians is the
way to go, when Jesus is actually looking for authentic Christians.
Isn't that a convenient bit of twenty-first century revisionism?
No, it goes right back to Jesus himself.
Here are a
few reasons Jesus HATES what Religion
does to people (And You Should Too)
Originally
this lesson was entitled 9 Reasons Jesus Hates Religion (And You Should Too) by
Jefferson Bethke. Since Jesus
did NOT actually Hate Religion just the arrogant Religious Sect known as the
Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribe who held themselves in high esteem above
everyone else because they had “great” knowledge of the Law, I have revised
Jeff’s 9 points for a better understanding that Jesus HATES what Religion does
to people, not Religion itself. Jesus being the Son of God knew everything
about the Law also yet shared it with the people in LOVE not condemnation like
those Religious Leaders of His time. Still today we have these Religious
leaders who are more worried about the Law than the Saving Grace of Jesus.
Jesus
was a very religious Jew. He went to temple and he offered sacrifices. He
participated in the feasts and holy days. He was baptized and He taught his
followers to baptize. He knew the Torah and how the people of His day
understood it. In fact, He modeled many of His actions around motifs found in
the Torah, and His later followers interpreted His actions through this lens.
Like the Hebrew prophets before Him, He challenged the abuse of religion. But He never rejected it.
I
really get concerned when Jesus gets used as a poster-boy for people who want
some mystical connection with Him, but dislike the practices of others. It is
like saying, “I don’t want to go to church because there are all those
hypocrites there.”
Jesus
isn’t against you being a Religious person as long as your Religion and
Religious practices don’t interfere with your Relationship with Him. The answer
is not to become irreligious it is to become more aware of your need for a
Savior because of your sinful and anti-God behaviors. Jesus is against worship
of false gods which religion could be a tool for, He is against us abusing
others, our self-centered ways, our greed, our gluttony and any practices that
dehumanize us. Jesus is against FALSE RELIGIONS. He is NOT against RELIGION in itself.
I pray you will have a better understanding of what
it means to FOLLOW JESUS and not MANKIND after reading through this lesson.
Hey,
I know what you are thinking. And I agree with you. I am just as tired of the
religion versus Jesus conversation as you are. I mean, how many ways can you
milk a cow (don’t think too hard about that)?
And,
let’s be real, at its very core Christianity is a religion. By
definition, religion is “an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies,
and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods.”
Sounds like Christianity,
right?
But
by that definition, almost anything can be a religion – Atheism – Islam -
Marriage.
Get
the idea?
You
see, saying religion and Christianity are two sides of the coin are
theoretically true, but it’s not true in reality. It’s true on paper, but not
in life. It’s like saying Duke (or Wisconsin) will win the National
Championship in basketball because it has the best team on paper. Everyone
knows stats and conclusions based on paper don’t win National Championships.
The
same is true with Christianity. Christianity is much more than a set of beliefs
used to worship God. Christianity is about a person and His name is Jesus.
Religion
breeds wars. Jesus breeds love. Religion says try harder. Christianity says
stop trying. Religion says reach up to God. Christianity says God reaches down
to us. This is why another post about religion versus Jesus is necessary. We
need to be reminded and OFTEN. While Christianity is a religion on paper, it is
much more than a religion in reality.
Maybe
you have drifted towards religion. Maybe you have always lived there. Maybe you
have been hurt by religious people masquerading as Christians that have told
you that you do NOT belong in church because of your sexuality {LGBTQI+}. Maybe
you want to know how to love God more intimately and follow Jesus more
passionately. Regardless, the dividing lines between religion and Jesus are
clear.
Here
are 9 reasons Jesus hates what religion does to people (and you should too).
1.} Religion sees people as the
enemy. Jesus sees sin as the enemy.
Religion
turns every argument and disagreement into an “us versus them.” Religion
doesn’t allow for dialogue or open communication. If we look in Romans
3
we learn that TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS comes from God, through Jesus Christ. We learn
that NO ONE other than Jesus has TRUE Righteousness. Mankind’s righteousness is
based on knowledge and works, so righteousness is a product of self, not God.
And when righteousness is a product of self, everyone must think like
you. It breeds pride and arrogance. It is the pride and arrogance of the
Religious [self-righteous] men that has caused so many wars, not Religion
itself. The more someone disagrees with you, the more offended and upset you become.
Eventually the anger and pride pore over into persecution and even murder.
But true, authentic Christianity has never started a war. It
has never killed another person. Jesus didn’t come to draw battle
lines between people. He came to draw battle lines between God and Satan.
He came to destroy sin. Because sin is the enemy, not people. Too many times
Christians fight the battle against the wrong enemy. Jesus loved people.
Jesus loved ALL people; Even those people who hung Him on a cross (Luke
23:34).
Any action, thought, or decision that doesn’t view sin as the enemy is fake religion.
2.}
Religion grades righteousness on a curve. Jesus grades righteousness on a
cross.
I
remember when I was in high school when a teacher would grade the class on a
curve. Everyone who did not study for a test would beg the smartest person in
the class to not make the grade. Everyone knew the teacher would only give you
the amount of points the smartest person in the class missed. You see, with a curve you don’t actually have
to pass the class or know the material. Just know enough to be average.
This
is what religion says. The standard is those people closest to you. So, as long
as Jane or John don’t go “Jesus Freak” on you, everyone is good. In fact,
religion secretly hopes some people fail. Religion is secretly okay if Jane or
John bombs every test. It lowers the curve.
With
Jesus, however, righteousness is measured by the cross. When righteousness is
graded on the cross, everyone looks strikingly similar - Murderers - Candy
thieves - Liars. When you realize the cross alone is the standard for
righteousness, you will run to it and praise God for taking your filthiness and
replacing it with his perfectness. And you will encourage others to run with
you.
“He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].”
With
God there is no curve. There is only a cross.
Learn
more about the Righteousness of God from Pastor Bob Deffinbaugh,here.
3.} Religion says showing grace is
dangerous. Jesus says, “I know.”
In
the Evangelical Christian Church you rarely here a Teacher or Preacher talking
about Grace.
Here’s why.
Grace is scandalous. It’s like a wild animal that can’t be
tamed- Except the animal is full of love, mercy, and forgiveness, not huge
claws, sharp teeth, and a big appetite. But religion doesn’t care. It just sees
something uncontrollable. And religion doesn’t deal with uncontrollable. It’s
too dangerous - Even if the uncontrollable is God Himself.
So, religion keeps grace in a cage. Religion puts conditions
on grace. It can only be seen during business hours. And if the weather’s bad,
don’t even bother. This is how God intends Christians to use grace, right?
Wrong.
Grace is unconditional. Grace is uncontrollable. Think about
it. God totally exposes Himself and makes Himself vulnerable because He knows this
type of grace is the only thing sufficient to truly transform hearts. Nothing
else will work. True grace has the potential to be abused, but without this
layer, it wouldn’t be grace. It wouldn’t transform. And it couldn’t save us.
A
good example is the lesson we learn from Paul in 2
Corinthians 12:7-10 about the abundance of GRACE poured out upon you when you
are at your weakest. Paul pleaded with God to take the thorn [messenger of
Satan] that continually tormented and harassed him away. I love God’s response
to his plea, {9} “My GRACE is sufficient for you [ My
lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough – always available –
regardless of the situation]; for [My] POWER is being perfected [and is
completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” So Paul
had to make a decision, either TRUST GOD or give in to the FLESH by being angry
or retaliating against the one tormented him. {10} “So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults,
with distresses, with persecutions, and with
difficulties,
for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am
strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].”
Without
the scandalous grace God offers and Jesus models, we are left with lifeless,
“follow the rules” religion. It is actually by GRACE we are saved not by
“following Laws [rules]”.
“For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God; not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].”
“For the [remarkable, undeserved] grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this present age, awaiting and confidently expecting the [fulfillment of our] blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who [willingly] gave Himself [to be crucified] on our behalf to redeem us and purchase our freedom from all wickedness, and to purify for Himself a chosen and very special people to be His own possession, who are enthusiastic for doing what is good.” Titus 2:11-14
Learn more about
the GRACE of God so you only teach others the TRUTH {2
Timothy 2:15} by studying
these scriptures:
Hebrews
4:16, 1
Peter 4:10, 2
Peter 1:2, John
1:14, Romans
1:1-5, Acts
6:8, Ephesians
4:7, Hebrews
13:9, James
4:6, 2
Corinthians 8:7, Romans
6:14, Romans
11:6, Acts
15:11
4.} Religion makes God the boss and
you the employee. Jesus makes God the Father and you the son.
Religion
is like a contract. Contracts have conditions. Do the right things, you are
fine. Do the wrong things, you will be looking for another job. There is no
intimacy or relationship. Often times, there is no dialogue. Just do your part
(act right) and God will do his (allow you into heaven).
Jesus
says God is your father and you are his son or daughter. Children don’t have
contracts. As a parent you do not draw up contracts with your children, you
discipline them and teach them how they should respond to society. You are
there for them no matter what craziness they get themselves into. This is why
Jesus tells the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke
15:11-32).
God not only allows His children to come home if they abuse His goodness, He
throws them a party! A party!
Now,
that sounds like a God I want to serve!
5.} Religion says only listen to,
attend, and watch “Christian” things. Jesus says look for truth everywhere.
Religion
says anything that doesn’t have Jesus written squarely across the building,
song, or movie is sinful. So, only go to Christian schools. Listen to Christian
music. Watch only Christian movies. And go to church events. And I am not
against any of these things. I praise God for Christian schools and music.
With
Jesus there is no such thing as Christian or non-Christian schools, music, and
movies. It’s interesting that many Christians say a sign on the outside of
a building doesn’t make a church. Yet, these same Christians (myself included)
turn around and say a school or movie is Christian because “Christian” is
somewhere in the title.
Schools
and events become Christian when followers of Jesus are present. Music
becomes “Christian” when truth is present, even if the singer isn’t “Christian”.
“But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way,
Whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.” Philippians 1:18
Christians
like to create distinct lines between secular and sacred, but those lines
aren’t anywhere in the Bible. Neither are the terms.
The
REALITY is this:
There is only one difference between Christians and non-Christians: Christ.
This is the most important difference, and Jesus wants us to recognize it.
As Christians, it's OK to sometimes be sad
and down, and we weren't created to constantly be on a 24/7 emotional high —
there's a season for everything.
Instead of admitting our fears, anger, guilt,
shame, and sin, Christians often pretend that everything is perfect because
we've been incessantly told that we’re meant to stand out, live radically, and
"be a light to the dark world." Thus, we would rather lie to
ourselves and everyone around us rather than fail or be honestly transparent.
This is where a Christian often goes wrong.
We idolize goodness, morality, and actions while completely ignoring
Christ.
Because without actually starting a
discussion, talking about faith and spirituality, and purposefully finding out
if a person has a relationship with Christ, you won't be able to tell the
difference between a Christian and non-Christian simply through observation. Nobody, not even a Christians,
have the market cornered on goodness, morality, and ethical behavior.
Yes, theology matters, our actions matter, or
attitudes matter, and the example we set for others matter, but in the end,
none of these things are more important than Jesus Christ — this is what
Christians need to be promoting: Jesus.
Instead of putting ourselves on a pedestal,
we need to realize that everyone is created in God’s image, and that God loves
ALL of creation — EVERYONE {LGBTQI+ included}. The point is to have a
relationship with Christ. Are we working on knowing Jesus better, or simply
working on trying to visibly act like we do?
This
means we need Christians everywhere: Secular schools – Music – Movies -
“Christian” schools - Law firm – Hospitals - Everywhere. God doesn’t create
lines between “Christian” and non-Christian. Everything He creates is good. And
every inch of the earth He wants to restore.
Jesus
told His Disciples before He went to be with the Heavenly Father; “I am giving you
a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you
too are to love one another. By this everyone
will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” John
13:34-35
How is the WORLD
supposed to know you are a FOLLOWER of JESUS if you are PROMOTING HATE towards
everyone who does NOT fit your perfect mold or RULES and REGULATIONS? Here is
where I refer you back to point 3, JESUS promotes GRACE and so should His
followers.
6.} Religion is fueled by fear and
punishment. Jesus is fueled by love and mercy.
The problem with
fear-based Christianity is we only obey when the fear is present. Love,
however, produces lasting joy. Jefferson Bethke
Religion
uses fear and punishment as primary motivators. “You better do all the right
things or God’s wrath is waiting for you. Come to Jesus or you will burn in
hell forever.”
Religion
paints God as an angry, spiteful cynic who sits around with the angels waiting
for someone to screw up so he can turn them into salt or something.
But
Jesus’s life and actions were driven by love. You see, what makes God amazing
is not His infinite power. What makes God amazing is He chooses to love
relentlessly even though He has infinite power.
In
2016 I heard a Television Evangelist
from Texas tell people if they did not vote for and support Donald J. Trump as
President would be held accountable for it. He said, “You’re going to be guilty
of murder, you’re going to be guilty of an abomination of God and you’re going
to be guilty for every baby that’s aborted from this election forward.”
This same Evangelist said beyond a shadow of doubt that God called Ted Cruz to be the President. Oops…
REALLY!!!
This kind of NONSENSE being AIRED and SPOKEN by a MAN who CLAIMS to be a
“CHRISTIAN”, PROMOTES the PROSPERITY GOSPEL and has even said “CHRISTIANS are
little gods” should never be allowed on air, except of course to PROVE that
these kinds of “PREACHERS” are FAKE. These FAKE Preachers are bringing in
millions of dollars a year because people are falling for their FAKE TEACHINGS.
Peter said it best in Acts 8:20 when a
man tried to pay them for the gift of the Holy Spirit, “May your money
be destroyed along with you, because you thought you could buy the [free] gift
of God with money!”
In Titus
1:9-16 Paul warns the
people about the “Empty talkers [just windbags] and deceivers who were teaching
FALSE DOCTRINE for their own personal FINANCIAL GAIN.”
“Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.”
I
get so angry (holy anger, of course) when I think about the way these preachers
drive people to God through manipulation and scare tactic. And once people are
scared into Christ, every decision is filtered through whether or not God will
strike them dead or put some kind of curse on their life.
I
wonder if many Christians (myself included) will have to answer for not erring
on the side of love instead of fear. Fear creates lifeless religion. Fear
creates Christians who only want God so they can escape hell. And eternity with
God is not a place for those scared of hell. Jesus told His Disciples the
heaven is a place for those who believe in and follow Him.
“Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. And [to the place] where I am going, you know the way.” Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; so how can we know the way?”Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had [really] known Me, you would also have known My Father. From now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father and then we will be satisfied.”Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time, and you do not know Me yet, Philip, nor recognize clearly who I am? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words I say to you I do not say on My own initiative or authority, but the Father, abiding continually in Me, does His works [His attesting miracles and acts of power]. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe [Me] because of the [very] works themselves [which you have witnessed]. John 14:1-11
7.} Religion is safe and practical.
Jesus is radical and unpredictable.
With
religion, there is no need to take risks. Maybe you will go on a mission
trip once in your lifetime. But, generally speaking, just do the right thing.
Religion is very practical. It makes sense. There are no surprises. Five steps
to salvation. And you attend church the same time every week. Religion doesn’t
ask much from you. It doesn’t deliver much either.
Jesus
however is not so rigid and exact. If Jesus had a middle name, it would be
“Unpredictable.” Jesus kept everyone on their toes.
Just look at the accounts of Jesus’ healing ministry. He would
touch a leper who needed to feel His compassion (Mark 1:40-42), put
His own saliva on a mute man’s tongue while placing His fingers in his deaf
ears (Mark 7:31-37),
allow His healing power to flow out through the desperate touch of a bleeding
women (Mark 5:25-34), cure
a feverish woman by lifting her out of bed by the hand (Mark 1:29-31), and
then heal blind Bartimaeus simply by His commanding word (Mark 10:46-52).
This sampling of gospel stories brings into sharp relief something so
important about Jesus. There is no pattern, no formula with Him because He
is no formula. He comes as a Person to meet us personally, individually,
with a different script for our own healing as men. There is no one right way. The
only right way is whatever Jesus does.
He comes as a Person to meet us personally, individually, with a different script for our own healing as men.
He
ate with tax collectors. He scolded the religious people. He interceded on
behalf of prostitutes. He claimed to be… (Wait for it)…God
And
ultimately God died on a cross - For me - And you. Now that’s radical.
Jesus really is maddeningly, wildly
unpredictable.
8.} Religion says if you follow God,
He will bless your life. Jesus says if you follow God He will give you
life.
Religion promises to prosper your life.
Jesus promises to give you life.
Religion
says if you behave, God will give you prosperity, a new house, and the hot
guy or girl across the street. And Americans love to get stuff. Look no further
than the two most important days on the Christian calendar - Easter and
Christmas. Ironically (not really) these are also the two most materialistic
days on the calendar. Jesus is overshadowed by Santa Claus and the Easter
Bunny? Why does the God of the universe have to share His birth, death, and
resurrection with presents and candy? How would you not conclude prosperity is
dependent upon behavior?
Jesus
came to bring you life, not stuff. And to follow Jesus for any other reason than
new life is to belittle the cross.
I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance[to the full, till it overflows]. John 10:10
You
see, all of humanity was dead before Jesus. No life. No hope. And this is what
Jesus came to give - New life. This is the greatest gift you could receive.
He who leans on and trusts in and is confident in his riches will fall,But the righteous [who trust in God’s provision] will flourish like a green leaf. Proverbs 11:28
Houses,
cars, and bank accounts are never totally yours. Once you die, someone else
gets them. But new life is a gift that lasts for eternity. I’ll take the latter
- EVERYTIME.
All
Earthly possessions are inferior to the heavenly ones, will be destroyed, can’t
be given in exchange for your soul, should be used to help others, worthless
compared to a good name and can choke the desire for God right out of you. Colossians
3:2,
2
Peter 3:10,
Matthew
16:26,
Luke
16:19,
Proverbs
22:1
and Luke
8:14
9.} Religion says come to church and serve. Jesus says go
into the world and serve.
Two
things circulate over and over in my mind when it comes to the church. The
first is Jeremiah 29:7. “ Seek
peace and well-being for the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to
the Lord on its behalf; for in its peace
(well-being) you will have peace” The
second is this question I heard a pastor ask the church several years ago. “If
your church closed its doors today, would the community even know (or care)?”
Religion
doesn’t care about either of these. Religion says come to church. Serve in
church. Protect your house. Don’t worry about anything outside the walls;
especially not those bad sinners outside the walls. While I think it’s great to
serve in church, this isn’t where the church’s responsibility ends.
In
Matthew
16:18,
Jesus tells Peter the gates of hell will not prevail against the church. Now, I
am just thinking out loud here. But it seems for gates not to prevail,
something (or someone) must be in a position to knock them over. This is where
God’s people come into the picture. Christians are to go into the darkness and
push down the gates of hell wherever they are. This is why the Great Commission
tells us to “Go.” There is a direct relationship between the church’s mission
of going out and hell’s gates coming down.
Now I say this, believers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit nor be part of the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (mortal) inherit the imperishable (immortal). Listen very carefully, I tell you a mystery [a secret truth decreed by God and previously hidden, but now revealed]; we will not all sleep [in death], but we will all be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed], in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at [the sound of] the last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [who believed in Christ] will be raised imperishable, and we will be [completely] changed [wondrously transformed]. For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us that is capable of dying] must put on immortality [which is freedom from death]. And when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the Scripture will be fulfilled that says, “Death is swallowed up in victory (vanquished forever). O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin [by which it brings death] is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord [always doing your best and doing more than is needed], being continually aware that your labor [even to the point of exhaustion] in the Lord is not futile nor wasted [it is never without purpose]. 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
__________________________________________________
Knowing
how to spot a FALSE RELIGION by Joseph Mattera overseeing bishop of
Resurrection Church, Christ Covenant Coalition in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Every
church and/or organization has a corporate culture with norms, rules and
expectations that pressure participants to conform. Some cultures are good and
some bad.
That
being said, there are particular attributes that characterize false religions
or become the norm during religious decline in a true faith such as
Christianity. For example, "Every religious system in the world is
centered upon a temple (or a sacred place) and has rites and ceremonies, has
hierarchies and titles distinguishing men from one another, and has holy days
and holy celebrations" (quoted from a teaching I heard from Pastor Tommy
Moya several weeks ago).
The
Old Testament prophets such as Isaiah, Micah and Amos decried religious ritual
that was without true righteousness, humility and love for neighbor (Is. 1:10-17;
58; Amos 5:21-24; Mic. 6:8). The line of prophets arose starting in the 8th
century B.C. primarily because Israel had a tendency to focus more on adhering
to the temple ritual worship of the Levitical system than the ethical lifestyle
required by the Law of Moses as found in the Ten Commandments. For this, the
prophets pronounced judgment upon the nation, and God dispersed the people and,
on two occasions, let enemies destroy their temple.
We
have the same issue in today's church, irrespective of the denomination or
expression of the body of Christ. (Many Pentecostal, charismatic and
evangelical churches have these same issues.) Not only that, but all leaders
(including me) have to constantly grapple with some or all of the following
issues internally to make sure we are never sucked into this false system.
The
following are 10 of the characteristics of false religious systems as taught by
Jesus in Matthew 23:
1.
There are
onerous rules and regulations some call legalism (Matt. 23:1-3).
In the contemporary church, there are numerous man-made traditions
and requirements that never arose from the Word, which have become an
unnecessary burden upon believers. For example, in many Pentecostal churches
the emphasis is on outward holiness related to attire, makeup, the cutting of
hair, jewelry and other regulations. I have spoken to numerous young people who
stopped attending church because these regulations made them feel weird in
front of their unchurched friends. Fundamentalists in the past forbade any form
of entertainment, including watching movies, listening to the radio, watching
television, etc. These are legalistic efforts to bring holiness that have
resulted in numerous churches losing their next generation.
2.
The church
leaders serve to receive prestige from men (vv. 5-7).
God makes it clear in His word that some religious leaders
love the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:42-43). The
judgment of God is against the leaders who are constantly posturing themselves
within their denomination to attain the highest seats of authority and places
of honor among men. Truly, some of the greatest people of God in the earth
today are hidden from the public eye.
3.
The
leaders crave titles and moving up the ranks of hierarchical religious systems
(vv. 8-11).
Today's church is replete with people who use titles to
validate their ministries. I can't tell you how many people I have met with the
title apostle, bishop, doctor or archbishop on their business cards who have
very little influence in the church and secular world. Truly God doesn't care about
an apostolic title; God looks more at apostolic function and fruit. I have
found that, the more a person speaks about their academic achievements and
ecclesial titles, the more insecure they are as a person and about their
ministry accomplishments.
I say this as a person who has been consecrated both a
bishop and apostle and who flows in circles with leaders who use these titles.
There is nothing wrong with these titles (both are biblical) as long as we
don't flaunt them, crave them and depend upon them for validation and/or to
hide that we do not have real apostolic function and fruit. Many of the
greatest leaders in the church world do not insist upon people referring to
them with a title.
4.
The
leaders have an entitlement mentality (vv. 11-12).
I believe in the biblical principle of serving the people of
God as a prerequisite to being qualified to function in the same ministry as
they do. For example, Joshua was called the servant of Moses; Elisha served
Elijah; David served Samuel and Saul, and the 12 apostles served Jesus.
That being said, there has also been abuse of this principle
since many people desire to become leaders partially because it enables them to
be waited upon. I believe younger ministers should serve older, more mature
ministers out of honor and proper protocol, but at the same time older
ministers should not demand it or become abusive if they do not receive it. We
do not receive titles in the kingdom so we can be waited upon but so that we
can have greater opportunity to serve in the church.
The more mature a Christ follower is, the more they will
celebrate service as the highest form of ministry and leadership. God resists
those leaders who emotionally abuse and/or lord it over those under their care
(1 Pet. 5:3).
5.
The
leaders become a stumbling block to others seeking the kingdom (vv. 13-15).
It has been evident the past 30 years in both the
evangelical and Roman Catholic churches that leaders can become huge stumbling
blocks instead of assets to the kingdom. Whether it is lavish lifestyles,
sexual misconduct, abuse of power, or other forms of narcissism, many believers
have been turned off from Christianity by those who are supposed to represent
it. Truly those who handle the Word of God will receive the most scrutiny at
the judgment seat of Christ (James 3:1).
6.
The
leaders value and love money and wealth more than anything else (vv. 16-17).
While I do not believe church leaders should live in
poverty, nor do I believe they should receive salaries from their churches that
are greatly disproportionate to the average income of their congregation and/or
community. The religious leaders Jesus denounced seemed to value gold more than
the glory and honor of God. Leaders should never serve primarily for money but
for the love of God and His people (1 Pet. 5:2).
7.
The
weightier matters of the Word are neglected (vv. 23-24).
Although I believe and practice the principles of tithing,
fasting, church attendance and the like, they should never be an excuse for me
to think I have fulfilled all of my Christian duties. Jesus says here that we
ought to continue to tithe but also include in our lifestyle the practice of
treating others with justice, mercy and faithfulness.
For example, if we tithe but treat our spouse poorly,
neglect the poor in our midst, or mistreat others, our tithe will not do us any
good. Then we are just like the Pharisee Jesus describes in Luke 18:10-14.
8.
Ritual is
valued more than inner transformation (vv. 25-28).
In the church we all have our traditions and rituals; whether
it is the high-church liturgies of the Roman Catholic, Orthodox or Anglican
churches, and/or the more informal gatherings of the Pentecostals and
evangelicals. The tendency for human beings is to fall into a routine and
equate our routine with true worship. Jesus told the Samaritan woman that she
worshipped what she did not know (John 4), which means that people can worship
in ignorance and/or without a true experience with God.
Whether it is the sacraments of denominational churches or
the shouting, shaking and tongue talking of the Pentecostals, human nature has
a tendency to fall into habit patterns of outward worship bereft of the
life-changing dynamic of encountering the living God. We do not have to do away
with these rituals, sacraments and traditions but should integrate them with
true heartfelt worship and passion for our Lord.
9.
They honor
the departed saints without living like them in the present (vv. 29-32).
I have found that it is much easier to study about revival
than to actually work hard for it. It is much easier to study church history
than it is to make history. Every denomination and expression of the church has
its Christian heroes of the past, but very few denominations, churches and
adherents attempt to emulate the life, passion and sacrifice of the saints of
old (for example: Ignatius, Tertullian, Cyprian, Augustine, Luther, Calvin,
Francis, Whitefield, Wesley, Edwards, Finney, Spurgeon, Moody, Hudson Taylor,
John G. Lake, Wigglesworth, Maria Woodworth-Etter, Francis Schaeffer and more).
Jesus wants us to honor the prophets of old by living like
them, not merely by building and revering their tombs.
10.
They
reject the prophets and wise men who confront their false systems (vv. 33-37).
Those who are captivated by a religious system will never
listen to those speaking for God who are not of their denomination and/or do
not have acceptable academic credentials.
Sound
familiar? The Pharisees and Sadducees rejected Jesus (John 7:14-18) and Peter
(Acts 4:13) for the same reason. It is not an accident that in Luke 3:1-2 it
shows that the Word of God came to John in the wilderness and not to an already
established institutional leader. Thus, God bypassed the litany of prominent
political and religious leaders and their systems (3:1) because they were so
corrupt.
When
a leader is captivated by their religious system or dead institution they
become blind to the pure Word of the Lord. God has to bypass them and speak
prophetically through those outside the dead institution. Those who are humble
and have ears to hear (as Nicodemus in John 3) will recognize and receive the
people God sends to them, irrespective of their institutional affiliation.
Truly,
God cannot be contained in a temple, an institution, a denomination or any one
religious system. He is Lord of all and will seek after those who worship Him
in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).
May
God help us to avoid these 10 judgments!
__________________________________________________
The following is a list of Scriptures to help you learn what TRUE RELIGION that honors God actually looks like.
True Religion Is
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but
deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure
and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in
their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit,
according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world,
and not according to Christ.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through me.
2 Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who
has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord
require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with
your God?
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of
righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
1 John 2:1-29
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may
not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus
Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours
only but also for the sins of the whole world. And by this we know that we have
come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but
does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but
whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may
know that we are in him:
John 13:35
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have
love for one another.”
1 Peter 2:1-25
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow
up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come
to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and
precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual
house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
through Jesus Christ.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but
Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in
the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Matthew 24:1-51
Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to
point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see
all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one
stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” As he sat on the Mount of
Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these
things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the
age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will
come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. .
2 Timothy 3:5
Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such
people.
Colossians 3:11
Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
1 John 3:8
Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has
been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to
destroy the works of the devil.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would
draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek
him.
1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared
to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in
you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Exodus 20:4
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of
anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is
in the water under the earth.
1 Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see
him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled
with glory,
Acts 4:12
And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under
heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
1 Timothy 2:4
Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the
truth.
Revelation 1:1-20
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his
servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his
angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the
testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who
reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who
keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches
that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is
to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus
Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings
on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
1 Peter 2:5
You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual
house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
through Jesus Christ.
Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of
the law.
Acts 20:28
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the
Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he
obtained with his own blood.
1 Corinthians 2:1-16
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you
the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing
among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness
and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in
plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that
your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. ...
John 14:15
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Hosea 6:6
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God
rather than burnt offerings.
1 John 4:9
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his
only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
1 Peter 2:24
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to
sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
Hebrews 2:14
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself
likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the
one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Deuteronomy 10:12
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God
require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in
all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul,
1 Timothy 2:1-15
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions,
that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires
all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is
one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
John 3:16-18
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send
his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might
be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever
does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name
of the only Son of God.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
James 1:27
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to
visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained
from the world.
Isaiah 1:1-31
The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and
Jerusalem in the days of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the Lord has
spoken: “Children have I reared and brought up, but they have rebelled against
me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does
not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with
iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have
forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of
Israel, they are utterly estranged. Why will you still be struck down? Why will
you continue to rebel? The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint.
Colossians 1:1-29
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our
brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to
you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ
Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope
laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the
truth, the gospel,
2 Kings 1:1-18
After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. Now Ahaziah fell
through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent
messengers, telling them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether
I shall recover from this sickness.” But the angel of the Lord
said to Elijah the Tishbite, “Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king
of Samaria, and say to them, ‘Is it because there is no God in Israel that you
are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? Now therefore thus says
the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which
you have gone up, but you shall surely die.’” So Elijah went. The messengers
returned to the king, and he said to them, “Why have you returned?”
Ecclesiastes 12:13
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his
commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
2 Thessalonians 2:15
So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were
taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
Hebrews 1:1-3
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by
the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he
appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is
the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he
upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for
sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
John 3:1-36
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the
Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you
are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless
God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one
is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How
can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's
womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is
born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ...
Matthew 28:19-20
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the
end of the age.”
Amos 5:21
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn
assemblies.
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole
world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Isaiah 43:10
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and
my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand
that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me.
Ruth 1:1-22
In the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a
man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his
wife and his two sons. The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his
wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were
Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and
remained there. But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left
with her two sons. These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and
the name of the other Ruth. They lived there about ten years, and both Mahlon
and Chilion died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her
husband.
Genesis 12:1-20
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country
and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And
I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name
great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and
him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth
shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told
him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed
from Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all
their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired
in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the
land of Canaan,
Romans 16:16
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet
you.
Micah 5:2
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the
clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in
Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God
our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. We ought always to give thanks to God for
you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the
love of every one of you for one another is increasing. Therefore we ourselves
boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all
your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. This is
evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of
the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—
Romans 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present
your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your
spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Luke 6:9
And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do
good or to do harm, to save life or to destroy it?”
Isaiah 40:1-31
Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned, that
she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her
sins. A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted
up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become
level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord
shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Isaiah 29:13
And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and
honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of
me is a commandment taught by men,
2 Timothy 1:1-4:22
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the
promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank
God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember
you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to
see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a
faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now,
I am sure, dwells in you as well.
Romans 13:8-10
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves
another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit
adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and
any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the
fulfilling of the law.
Acts 17:10-11
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea,
and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were
more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all
eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
Matthew 5:14
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
James 4:4
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world
is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes
himself an enemy of God.
James 1:26
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but
deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
1 Thessalonians 2:14
For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ
Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own
countrymen as they did from the Jews,
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is
no law.
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness,
2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising
themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises
himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also,
disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to
their deeds.
1 Corinthians 15:22
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
John 17:1
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and
said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify
you,
Matthew 22:37
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind.
Revelation 18:1-24
After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great
authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. And he called out with
a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling
place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean
bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast. For all nations have
drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality, and the kings of the earth
have committed immorality with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown
rich from the power of her luxurious living.” Then I heard another voice from
heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins,
lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God
has remembered her iniquities.
Revelation 1:1
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his
servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his
angel to his servant John
2 Peter 2:1-3
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be
false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even
denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth
will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words.
Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not
asleep.
James 2:1-26
My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing
comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and
if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit
here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,”
or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves
and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God
chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the
kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?
Hebrews 13:1-25
Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to
strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those
who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated,
since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and
let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and
adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what
you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but
having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their
own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off
into myths.
Ephesians 4:11-14
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds
and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the
body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge
of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by
the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by
craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your
own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may
boast.
Galatians 6:16
And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and
upon the Israel of God.
2 Corinthians 3:17
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there
is freedom.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of
your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is
good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 6:9
We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again;
death no longer has dominion over him.
John 17:3
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and
Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
John 6:44
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I
will raise him up on the last day.
John 3:16-17
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send
his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might
be saved through him.
Matthew 25:36
I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in
prison and you came to me.’
Matthew 24:24
For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs
and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of
heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that
day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and
cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then
will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of
lawlessness.’
Malachi 3:10
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my
house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of
hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a
blessing until there is no more need.
Revelation 10:1-5
Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a
cloud, with a rainbow over his head, and his face was like the sun, and his
legs like pillars of fire. He had a little scroll open in his hand. And he set
his right foot on the sea, and his left foot on the land, and called out with a
loud voice, like a lion roaring. When he called out, the seven thunders
sounded. And when the seven thunders had sounded, I was about to write, but I
heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said,
and do not write it down.” And the angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on
the land raised his right hand to heaven
Revelation 3:8
“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which
no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have
kept my word and have not denied my name.
James 1:5-6
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to
all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with
no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven
and tossed by the wind.
1 Timothy 3:14-16
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so
that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God,
which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the
flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations,
believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
2 Thessalonians 1:8
In flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and
on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming
from us, but our sufficiency is from God,
Romans 3:18
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Acts 3:19-21
Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,
that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he
may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until
the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his
holy prophets long ago.
Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and
dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice
and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting
the others.
Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate
is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by
it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and
those who find it are few.
Let me congratulate you for making it all the way to the end
of this lesson. This lesson is NOT an indictment on Christians. This lesson is
however an indictment on what RELIGION and RELIGIOUS PRACTICES do to turn
people away from JESUS by focusing on those practices.
Again, Christianity is a “Religion” on paper. However in
reality, Christianity and “Religion” are polar opposites.
Jesus did NOT go to the cross so we would follow some
doctrines and commands. Jesus did NOT die on a cross so we would escape the
evils of the world and “hopefully” end up in heaven.
Jesus died to give us LIFE. Jesus died to put the SCANDAL of
GRACE and LOVE on FULL DISPLAY. Once we experience this SCANDAL, our lives will
NEVER be the SAME.
I love you all. To God alone is the glory FOREVER. AMEN!!!
Blessings and Peace,
Email me, Rainbow Pastor David
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