Religion Kills

Luke 20:39–47 NKJV

Then some of the scribes answered and said, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” But after that they dared not question Him anymore. And He said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is the Son of David? Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?” Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

Main Idea: Great religion brings great condemnation.

Motivating Idea: God desires for you to guard against religion.

Key Question: Have you become religious?

1. Religion kills the relationship. (v. 41-44)

Luke 20:41–44 NKJV

And He said to them, “How can they say that the Christ is the Son of David? Now David himself said in the Book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ Therefore David calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?”

They possessed the right knowledge, but their religion blinded them from clear fulfillment.

Matthew 15:14 NKJV

Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”

Romans 2:17–19 NKJV

Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,

2. Religion kills authenticity. (v. 45-47a)

Luke 20:45–47 NKJV

Then, in the hearing of all the people, He said to His disciples, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

The longer you have been saved the harder you must work to fight against religious piety.

Matthew 23:5 NKJV

But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.

Matthew 6:5–6 NKJV

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

3. Religion kills. (v. 47)

Luke 20:47 NKJV

who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

Notice the “greater” condemnation comes to the religious not the “heathen”

Matthew 11:22–24 NKJV

But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”