CAN YOU RECOMMENDYOUR RELIGION?

CAN YOU RECOMMENDYOUR RELIGION?

Psalm 66:16Psalm 66:16

Introduction:Introduction:

David was sure of his religion! David was sure of his religion!

• “Come and hear all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Ps. 66:16).

• “Come and hear all you who fear God, And I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Ps. 66:16).

• He could recommend his religion, for he knew it came from God.

• He could recommend his religion, for he knew it came from God.

He tasted God’s word. He tested His word. He now trusted in that word.

He tasted God’s word. He tested His word. He now trusted in that word.

??• Is it a matter of conviction or of convenience with you?• Is it a matter of conviction or of convenience with you?

• Is it worth declaring and sharing with the world?• Is it worth declaring and sharing with the world?

• Daily, we either recommend or renounce our religion by whether we live and uphold it!

• Daily, we either recommend or renounce our religion by whether we live and uphold it!

Are you as sure of your religion as David was his? Are you as sure of your religion as David was his?

Let me begin by asking this question. Let me begin by asking this question.

Can You Recommend Your Religion In The Light Of The Scriptures?Can You Recommend Your Religion In The Light Of The Scriptures?

If something is approved by God, it can surely be proved by the word of God!

If something is approved by God, it can surely be proved by the word of God!• We are told to “prove all things,

and hold fast to that which is good” (I Thess. 5:21).

• We are told to “prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good” (I Thess. 5:21).

• “…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (I Pet. 3:15).

• “…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (I Pet. 3:15).

• Can you personally turn in the Bible and find there the church of which you are a member?

• Can you personally turn in the Bible and find there the church of which you are a member?

• Is it possible that you may be a member of a “hearsay church,” but not sure firsthand?

• Is it possible that you may be a member of a “hearsay church,” but not sure firsthand?

What of the doctrine you embrace? What about the name you wear? Can you show beyond a doubt that you are a true disciple of the Lord?

What of the doctrine you embrace? What about the name you wear? Can you show beyond a doubt that you are a true disciple of the Lord?

• These need to be investigated in the light of the New Testament!• These need to be investigated in the light of the New Testament!

Recommending the church… Recommending the church…

• Bible speaks only of one (Eph. 4:4; Eph. 1:22-23).• Jesus bought it with blood (Acts 20:28).• Christ built it (Mt. 16:18).• He is the head of it (Col. 1:18).• God adds the saved to that church (Acts 2:47).• God is glorified through it (Eph. 3:21).

• Bible speaks only of one (Eph. 4:4; Eph. 1:22-23).• Jesus bought it with blood (Acts 20:28).• Christ built it (Mt. 16:18).• He is the head of it (Col. 1:18).• God adds the saved to that church (Acts 2:47).• God is glorified through it (Eph. 3:21).

• Be warned!• Be warned!

“Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted” (Mt. 15:13).

“Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted” (Mt. 15:13).

Recommending the doctrine… Recommending the doctrine…

• Another caution: • Another caution:

“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 Jn. 9).

“Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 Jn. 9).

• Can you turn to the New Testament and find a “thus saith the Lord” for everything that you teach or believe?

• Can you turn to the New Testament and find a “thus saith the Lord” for everything that you teach or believe?

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Any doctrine not found in God’s Word is not the doctrine of Christ.

Any doctrine not found in God’s Word is not the doctrine of Christ.

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8).

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8).

Recommending the name… Recommending the name…

• “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

• “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

That name is Christ. That name is Christ.

His followers will refer to them- selves as “Christians,” nothing more, nothing less. The Bible knows of no different kind of Christians.

His followers will refer to them- selves as “Christians,” nothing more, nothing less. The Bible knows of no different kind of Christians.

Recommending our discipleship… Recommending our discipleship…

• Assurance of discipleship requires that we abide in the word of our Lord!• Assurance of discipleship requires that we abide in the word of our Lord!

“If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:31-32).

“If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:31-32).

Can you turn to the scriptures and find authority for all that you do religiously?

Can you turn to the scriptures and find authority for all that you do religiously?

Can You Recommend Your Religion ByThe Way You Live?Can You Recommend Your Religion ByThe Way You Live?

Actions DO speak louder than words! Actions DO speak louder than words!

• Paul said, “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work” (Titus 1:16).

• Paul said, “They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work” (Titus 1:16).

• People are much more interested in demonstration than discussions.• People are much more interested in demonstration than discussions.

• “Therefore by their fruits you will know them” (Mt. 7:20). • “Therefore by their fruits you will know them” (Mt. 7:20).

“Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (Jas. 2:18b).

“Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (Jas. 2:18b).

Before faith can be seen, it must express itself in some deed. Before faith can be seen, it must express itself in some deed.

Do your life and religion complement each other? Do your life and religion complement each other?

• “If a man’s religion does not change him, he needs to change religion.”

• “If a man’s religion does not change him, he needs to change religion.” We are to “grow in the grace and

knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).

We are to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).

“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel…” (Phil. 1:27). “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel…” (Phil. 1:27).

• “A man’s weekday self and his Sunday self are two halves of a round trip ticket; not good if detached.”

• “A man’s weekday self and his Sunday self are two halves of a round trip ticket; not good if detached.”

Can You Recommend Your Religion ByThe Way You Support It?Can You Recommend Your Religion ByThe Way You Support It?

• The way that you give to it is a true demonstration of your true evaluation of it.

• The way that you give to it is a true demonstration of your true evaluation of it.

What support do you give to it? What support do you give to it?

• Paul wholeheartedly gave himself to that which he believed.• Paul wholeheartedly gave himself to that which he believed.

“I believed, and therefore did I speak” (2 Cor. 4:13). “I believed, and therefore did I speak” (2 Cor. 4:13).

The amount of the gift of self to it is your price-tag of values. The amount of the gift of self to it is your price-tag of values.

Aaron & Hur supported the work of God by holding up Moses’

hands so Israel could be victorious in battle.

Aaron & Hur supported the work of God by holding up Moses’

hands so Israel could be victorious in battle.

When the religion of Christ means everything to you, it will cause you to make it mean something to someone else!

When the religion of Christ means everything to you, it will cause you to make it mean something to someone else!

Can You Recommend Your Religion ByThe Way It Works For You?

Can You Recommend Your Religion ByThe Way It Works For You? Some religions are rather shallow

and empty. Some religions are rather shallow and empty.

• Can you recommend your religion during times of sickness, death, great loss, sadness, loneliness, and discouragement?

• Can you recommend your religion during times of sickness, death, great loss, sadness, loneliness, and discouragement?

• Does your religion help bear your burden or add to your burden?• Does your religion help bear your burden or add to your burden?

Israel’s gods could not save, but burdened their weary beasts and could not help them in time of trouble (Isa. 45:20; 46:1, 7).

Israel’s gods could not save, but burdened their weary beasts and could not help them in time of trouble (Isa. 45:20; 46:1, 7).

Paul’s God was different, it gave consolation, “My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

Paul’s God was different, it gave consolation, “My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

It will support us if we will it! It will support us if we will it!

• Our religion should truly work.• Our religion should truly work.

“…all things work together for good to them that love the Lord” (Rom. 8:28).

“…all things work together for good to them that love the Lord” (Rom. 8:28).

We have access to every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:43). We have access to every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:43).

“What manner of love…be called children of God” (I Jn. 3:1). “What manner of love…be called children of God” (I Jn. 3:1).

“More than conquerors through him that loved us” (Rom. 8:37). “More than conquerors through him that loved us” (Rom. 8:37).

Great help comes when “Casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).

Great help comes when “Casting all your care upon him, for he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).

Conclusion:Conclusion:

Are You Sure Yours Is The Religion Of Christ? Are You Sure Yours Is The Religion Of Christ?

• Our belief and our behavior must be based solely upon the Word.• Our belief and our behavior must be based solely upon the Word.

• Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).• Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).

• Has your faith in Christ caused you to be baptized into Him?• Has your faith in Christ caused you to be baptized into Him?

For the removal of sin (Acts 2:38). Have you been buried according to the scripture (Rom. 6:4). Recognized it as necessary for salvation? (1 Pet. 3:21). Embraced the thought that it enables us to walk a new life (Rom. 6:4-5).

For the removal of sin (Acts 2:38). Have you been buried according to the scripture (Rom. 6:4). Recognized it as necessary for salvation? (1 Pet. 3:21). Embraced the thought that it enables us to walk a new life (Rom. 6:4-5).

The religion of the Bible is based on evidence.

The religion of the Bible is based on evidence.

Is your belief and your behavior being so lived that you are recommending your religion

to the world?

Is your belief and your behavior being so lived that you are recommending your religion

to the world?

Is your faith based upon that?Is your faith based upon that?