1 JOHN 4:13-18
This morning ---Talking about FEAR FROM RELIGION
Religion in it’s simplest Greek meaning----
Doing out of Duty
Martin Luther, “even in it’s most sincere form, Religion is man made.”
You can religiously do a lot of things
Drink religiously
Diet religiously
Be rude religiously
“I GO TO CHURCH RELIGIOUSLY”
So as Christians if our goal is to be religious-----DOING IT OUT OF DUTY
In the more literal translations: NKJV, NAS, NIV, KJV,---The world religion only used 5 times----IN THE WHOLE BIBLE
Of those 5 times---Acts 25&26---Talking about Judaism—all out of DUTY
Colossians 2--- Self imposed religion---Out of DUTY
2 times in James, WE”LL GET TO THOSE IN A MINUTE
All Religion does is INTERFERE with a RELATIONSHIP
I have given up trying to live my life out a duty
And have given my life to HAVE a relationship WITH JESUS CHRIST
So this morning---WE ARE LOSING OUR RELIGON!!!!!
1. If you think God just wants your obedience---need to lose
Don’t hear what I’m not saying
But if Your only link to God is reading BIBLE----
Have no relationship
Relationship comes from getting to know someone----ONE on ONE
Prayer, Listening, Quiet Times, Worship
Romans 2:17-24
Stolen---joy, peace, ---Adultery---Look, lust, put things before God---Rob---Giving of yourself, resources,,Keeping those to yourself---Throw the Bible in peoples face---You’re NOT DOING IT ALL
Most people think BIBLE’S a big book of Do’s & don’ts
And for the most part----- it is
The Lord say, “Keep my commandments” “Obey me” “Follow me”
RELIGION IN YOU SAYS TO DO THOSE THINGS---HE SAID SO
Jesus says, “This is eternal life, That You know me” JOHN 17:3
If you know Him, Obedience will take care of itself
Christians carrying a Bible---Like that’s a way to have a relationship
We become about the Bible----Like The Jews were about the Law
Because religion and Law, Is easier that knowing, loving, ONE ON ONE
DON’T HEAR WHAT I’m NOT SAYING
You can learn of Jesus his Goodness and YOU SHOULD READ AND STUDY
He didn’t say, “This is eternal life…..READ ABOUT ME”
When you have a relationship----It’s easy to live this life as a CHILD OF GOD
James 1:26-27----Not saying, DO THIS AND YOU’LL BE HOLY
What you should do out of duty is: widows, orphans, out of the world
No relationship involved, DO IT---CUZ I SAID SO
2.If your salvation no longer Brings You JOY---
Need to lose/ religion
Psalm 52:12----Isaiah 12:3
People don’t hear what you say------
People hear what they see
If you have seen your Spiritual life go from joy---
To turmoil and confusion
Religion Has robbed you---There is no turmoil or confusion in JESUS
So you’ve lost your relationship----LOST YOUR JOY
Bro Shane, “how are you so fired up, SUN after SUN---
My relationship with JESUS—Let’s me keep the joy of my salvation
I don’t Focus rules, There are rules---I don’t focus on duties, there are duties
I focus on teaching you to have a relationship with JESUS CHRIST
Then YOUR JOY WILL BE FULL
On the Road to Damascus SAUL gave up religion TOOK UP RELATIONSHIP
Paul thought he know it all, studied it all
Philippians 3:1-11
He tells them to rejoice---then tells why He’s rejoicing
3.If your too stubborn to love---Lose/ religion
Romans 14:13-23
We should be assembling ourselves, despite differences
We should be sensitive to people, despite our beliefs
Religion makes us bull headed,
If we don’t agree on every little point, TAKE OUR MARBLE AND GO
That’s not how Christ works
That’s not how Paul worked
Freedom Fellowship is not a non denominational church
Inter---We are sensitive to all, and want to be a stumbling block to none
“What do you stand for then” ---Jesus Christ, Him crucified, Loving God, Loving each other----BY that all will know we are his disciples
Religion can’t make you victorious---JESUS CAN
Religion can’t forgive Your sins------JESUS CAN
Religion can’t rise from the dead ----Jesus CAN
Religion can’t set you free------------JESUS CAN
Religion can’t give you eternal life—Jesus CAN
That’s why---LOSE OUR RELIGION----BEGIN OUR RELATIONSHIP
