Religion Killed the Christ (and it's killing our Community as well)

Introduction

What I am going to give to you today is not a message for the faint of heart. And by the time it’s all said & done, you will either thank the preacher for preaching the truth, or you might kick the preacher out. And as I prayed to God asking Him to help me preach the truth in love, I was reminded that Jesus always preached the truth.

Sometimes it was delivered more gently

(as with the woman at the well)

Other times it wasn’t delivered gently at all

Matthew 16:21-23 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Or when He said to the Pharisees: Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

Today I fear will be one of those times where the truth will be preached, but more pointedly rather than gently - and the reason is that it became extremely apparent to me that we are in trouble. I’m not talking about America - that’s a given. I’m not talking about New York & California - that’s a given. I’m talking about our community right here in Pleasants County.

The Bible tells us: Matthew 26:14-16 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, 15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. 16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

This short portion of Scripture tells us how 2,000 years ago, a man by the name of Judas conspired to kill Jesus. And most if not all of you know what happens next - Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss in the garden, the band of soldiers from the chief priests, take Jesus and try Him illegally at night when most were sleeping, take him unto Pilate the next day to force Pilate to execute Jesus.

So what you see is how that Satan used Religion & Religious people to kill Jesus - and the amazing thing is that old dog hasn’t learned any new tricks, because Satan is using Religion to kill Christianity today.

The Title of the message that I’m going to preach to you today is ‘Religion killed the Christ (and it’s killing our Community as well)’

Now understand my perspective, as it is probably if not unique, certainly different from most of you. I was not born & raised here, so to many, I would be labeled an outsider. However, I didn’t just get off the boat either. This month marks 4 years that I have lived in this community, I’ve gotten to know many in the community. I’ve knocked on the majority of doors in Belmont & St. Mary’s. I have had ample time to witness & observe patterns, reactions & lifestyles. I also know what the perception is of most of the residents concerning the community as well.

(Ill.) A while back in Sunday School I believe it was, I asked the question ‘What percentage of people in this community are truly Christians?’ And the responses ran the gamut from somewhere like 33%, Half, some even said 80-90%. This church would certainly indicate a high view of this community - and not without good reason. This is a good community, filled with moral people. Church, but what you need to know is that ‘good’ and ‘Godly’ are two totally separate things - and if what I witnessed on Friday night is an indication of where this community stands Spiritually, it may be a ‘good’ community in the eyes of man, but it is ANYTHING BUT A GODLY COMMUNITY.

We have a RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY - we have churches on every corner.

We may have a GOOD / MORAL COMMUNITY - as the sins of the flesh aren’t as amplified as they maybe in other places

But church, what I witnessed Friday night at the high school was not godly - in fact, it was ungodly.

(Ill.) Friday night I went to my first ‘meet the team’ event. My son is playing soccer for the high school and so we attended, and I want to share with you my perception of this event.

I was first off very DISTURBED that a school would allow young girls to parade around in ‘Daisy Dukes’ with their hind ends are hanging out.

I was DISAPPOINTED that so many parents would allow that of their children in the first place.

I was DISGUSTED with the ungodly music blaring over the speakers.

But church, what I hope to get you to see today is that we did not get here overnight. Our Schools are the way they are because the church is the way it is. We have a RELIGIOUS community, but we don’t have a Godly community… and unfortunately, we’re getting more and more religious, and less & less Godly.

(Background)

In our text today we have one of the seven churches that God spoke of in Rev. 2-3 named Sardis. I believe this church to be the example of a religious, but lifeless church that breeds a community such as what we have in Pleasants County today.

I found a survey from 2017 concerning the mentality concerning God by state. West Virginia was ranked #6 in the country of religious minded people, stating that 68% of respondents ‘prayed daily’ and 77% ‘believe in God with absolute certainty’. If I had to guess, I’d say that Pleasants County would rank in the higher portion of counties within the state. That being said, WV is a very ‘religious’ state. But guess who landed the top spot… Utah. Utah is #1 because of the large population of Mormons. But church, the god of Mormonism is not the God of the Bible. They are a religious people, but their religion is as in vain as was the Egyptians or Moses’ day.

As we Examine the Destructive nature of Religion, the first thing that we need to look at is The Witness

I. The Witness

The Author (v1c - These things saith He...)

We see that the one who is the ‘Witness’ is the one who is in control. This is assuredly the Christ - the God of Heaven and earth.

The one to whom every knee shall bow & every tongue shall confess.

The one to whom the earth & heaven will flee away

The Way, Truth, Life, Door, Shepherd, King of kings & Lord of lords!

Let me tell you something - when Christ speaks, you better listen!

Sometimes when I’m up here preaching, I can see when your attention has waned. After all, who am I, right? But church here in Rev. 3, the one who is addressing the church at Sardis is the God of Heaven & Earth! That means something!

When we get to Heaven, I don’t think that Jesus is going to have any problems getting our attention...

The Accountable (v1b - …He that hath…)

Without getting into great theological debate as to who the seven Spirits and the seven stars are, I want to focus on the few words that precede it being ‘He that hath’. Because we need not only acknowledge the Author - the Creator God, we need to also acknowledge those that are accountable unto Him, and we’re going to look at two different entities that are accountable unto the LORD.

The Church

This is the church - the body of professing believers found in Sardis back in Johns day that the LORD is addressing.

The church is accountable unto the Christ.

We are a purchased possession: The Bible tells us in Act. 20:28 that Christ ‘purchased with his own blood’ the church. Paul said in: 1 Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

We are an accountable possession: 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

The Church is accountable - do you know who else is? ERRYBODY

Everybody Else

The Bible says: Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

This includes you.

The Ambassador (v1a - Unto the angel...)

Lastly concerning the Witness, I want you to notice something. Though the words came from Jesus - from the Witness Himself, He did not write them Himself. Pay careful attention to the wording at the first ‘unto the angel of the church...’ the angel that God is speaking of in this passage of Scripture is referring to one in whom the letters are written. And in this case they are not ‘angelic beings’, but they are simply ‘messengers’ - the pastors of the churches.

So we see that the Witness is God, but God used John to pen down a letter to the pastor to relay unto the congregation. God used ment to convey truth to people.

Let me tell you something - I’m glad that we have the Word of God today, but God still uses Godly men to convey truth unto the people!

This is what I’m trying to do today - give you truth. But you’re going to have to be the one to employ discernment concerning the message today.

We see the Ambassador

In speaking of the Destruction of Religion, we see first the Witness. Secondly, we’ll look at The Works. What was it that God Witnessed?

II. The Works

Their Appearance (v1d - …thou hast a name that thou livest…)

The Bible tells us ‘You have a name - there’s something that you’re known by - this is people’s perception of you’

Their Actuality (v1e - …and art dead)

There’s a way in which people might perceive a thing, but it doesn’t make it so. I want you to notice something that’s mentioned in v1.

He says first ‘I KNOW’

God knows! God doesn’t think, wonder or consider - GOD KNOWS!

Secondly He says ‘THY WORKS’

God not only KNOWS, He knows WHAT IS DONE & WHAT THE RESULT IS!

Notice that God is not concerned with ‘intentions’, He’s concerned with ‘actions’ - and what those actions bring.

(Ill.) Over the last 20+ years a phenomenon has taken hold in our country called the contemporary church. It is discernable by several distinct markings:

The preacher is oftentimes ‘hip with the times’. They often wear ‘stylish’ clothes, and look as though they are a worker at ambercrombie as opposed to representing the God of Heaven

The messages are often shorter in length, softer in tone, focused less on substance and more on style

They employ what they call a worship team - where the men & woman are dressed as if they are at the club - speaking of ‘at the club’...

The music is indistinguishable in sound from trash you would hear there - as well as the atmosphere itself with the light show & fog machines.

The goal is to give you an emotional experience - church, THIS IS NOT OF GOD, IT’S GARBAGE - IT’S RELIGIOUS, BUT IT’S NOT RIGHTEOUS!

And unfortunately, our community is getting more RELIGION in this form by a satellite warehouse church.

Some will surely say ‘Preacher - how can you say that?’ - Well, I’m glad you asked.

We’re called to be different: 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

We’re called to be separate: Isaiah 52:11 Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.

We’re called to be HOLY: 1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Do you know what the opposite of Holy is? It’s Worldly… which is exactly what that garbage is. Worldly religion.

Not only this, but since the emergence of the contemporary church, we’ve seen a decline of Godliness in America - church, this is not a coincidence - THIS IS EVIDENCE!

You might say ‘Preacher is just throwing off on other churches’ - No, I’m trying to get you to see that all that glitters is not gold, and just because it promotes the name of Christ DOES NOT MAKE IT OF CHRIST! What did Jesus Himself say? Mark 13:21-22 And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.

We see the Works - there is an appearance, but in actuality it’s different.

In speaking of the Destruction of Religion, we see first the Witness. Secondly, we see The Works - God saw that regardless of an Appearance of living, they were in fact dead. Lastly, we’ll look at The Warning.

III. The Warning

Recognize (v2 - Be watchful…)

What I am giving you today is nothing unusual. It’s not rocket science. All you have to do is open your Spiritual eyes!

You can let Satan tell you ‘Oh that preacher, he’s just a little too serious about this Jesus thing… This stuff that he’s talking about is no big deal’ and just go on about your way - not concerning yourself, OR you can ask God to open your eyes & give you Spiritual Discernment

The Bible tells us: 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

If you’re a Christian, you should examine EVERYTHING through a Spiritual lens - constantly! Paul said: 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

We must Recognize our Need to Watch

Remember (v3a)

The Truth of the Scriptures. There’s REASONS why God commands us to be LIVE out our faith. To be separate. To be Holy. We’re instructed: 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

We need to go back to the Word of God - trust what it says & cling to it with all that we have!

We msut Remember God’s Instructions - and REPENT

Repent (v3b)

Turn back unto Him! Completely.

We must Repent, or Risk Judgment

OR Risk Judgment (v3c)

God is longsuffering, but church there’s going to come a day that religion alone will catch up to you. Religion can’t save you. Religion can’t make you right in the sight of God - but Jesus can. Emotions can’t make you Holy, but the Word of God can!

Conclusion

Ezekiel 12:1-2 The word of the LORD also came unto me, saying, 2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.