Embracing Change — Making Room For Pure Religion

“Embracing Change — Making Room for Pure Religion”

Authentic Worship, Missional Evangelism, and the Call to Genuine Relationship

Todays Scriptures:

• James 1:27

• Matthew 4:19-22

• Acts 10:34-35

• John 4:23-24

• Matthew 28:18-20

Change Isn’t a Threat—It’s a Call

Change is never easy. But in the Kingdom of God, change is often the doorway to growth. The Church has always been called to adapt—not by compromising truth, but by shedding old forms that no longer serve the mission.

Jesus never asked His disciples to add Him to their lives. He called them to drop everything and follow Him. That included leaving behind the religious forms, comforts, and structures they had grown up with.

Why? Because God doesn’t inhabit man-made religion. He inhabits obedient hearts, authentic worship, and sacrificial mission.

1. The Disciples Dropped Familiar Religion to Follow Jesus Through relationship

Matthew 4:19-22 – “Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.”

Jesus didn’t come to patch up the old system. He came to fulfill it and usher in something new.

Following Jesus meant abandoning the comfortable rhythms of tradition for the radical, Spirit-led life of a disciple.

• Peter, James, and John didn’t just leave boats. They left family traditions and religious expectations.

• Jesus often said, “You have heard it said… but I say to you…” He was not interested in keeping up appearances. He was forming a new people.

Change is not the enemy— stagnation is. Jesus called His disciples to change because He was introducing a new way of living, worshipping, and reaching the lost.

2. What Is Pure Religion? (James 1:27)

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

Pure religion isn’t about ceremony, style, or tradition. It’s about compassion, action, and holiness.

Two Core Qualities of Pure Religion:

1. Care for the Vulnerable – Community outreach, generosity, missions.

2. Personal Holiness – Integrity, sincerity, and Christlike love.

This is a radical shift from performative worship to transformative living.

3. Authentic Worship Makes Room for the Spirit (John 4:23-24)

Jesus told the Samaritan woman, “True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.”

Worship is not about style. Its not about the place you worship. It’s about spirit-led truth and a truth-filled spirit.

Authentic Worship Requires:

• Letting go of cultural preferences to pursue God’s presence.

• Prioritizing His voice over our performance.

• Welcoming change if it means a clearer reflection of Christ.

You can’t worship God in truth while holding onto a form that no longer honors His mission.

4. Evangelism and Missions Require Relational Risk

Acts 10:34-35 – “God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right.”

Peter had to change his worldview. The Gospel wasn’t just for Jews. It was for Gentiles too. That change came with:

• Discomfort.

• Criticism.

• A new vision for God’s Kingdom.

Authentic Evangelism Requires:

• Stepping into someone else’s world like Jesus did.

• Letting go of superiority and stepping into humility.

• Not merely inviting people to church—but being the Church in their lives.

This is the heart of missions—going beyond your norm to show God’s love in someone else’s context.

5. The Great Commission Requires Flexibility (Matthew 28:18–20)

“Go and make disciples of all nations…”

This is not a come and see Gospel. It’s a go and be Gospel.

Three Mission-Minded Shifts the Church Must Embrace:

1. From church attendance to community engagement.

2. From programs to personal discipleship.

3. From tradition-preservation to Gospel-transformation.

If our goal is to be comfortable, we won’t obey the Great Commission. But if our goal is Christ’s mission, we must embrace Spirit-led change.

6. Application: Three Ways to Embrace Change for the Sake of the Gospel

1. Prune Dead Forms

Let go of things that once worked but no longer bear fruit.

Ask: Is this helping us reflect Jesus and reach others?

2. Pursue Authentic Relationships

Don’t settle for shallow greetings. Get close enough to carry someone’s burdens.

Evangelism is not a script—it’s a conversation.

3. Practice Missional Living

Be intentional in your community—at the store, on the sidewalk, or overseas.

Missions is not just a trip—it’s a lifestyle.

Conclusion: Don’t Fear the New — Follow Jesus Forward

The early Church changed everything to obey Jesus.

• They shared meals instead of maintaining religious separations.

• They worshipped in homes instead of temples.

• They preached to Gentiles instead of keeping to themselves.

And the Lord added to their number daily.

What would happen if we let go of every form that hindered the mission, and pursued Christ with authenticity, compassion, and obedience?

Let’s be that kind of Church.

Prayer