Relationship or Religion

I. What religion is and is not.

• Religion is not Christianity.
• Anti-religion is not Anti-church.

II. Religion can be bad or good.

• Religion is bad when...
• It is built on false teaching.
• It becomes empty and loses its meaning. (Amos 5:21-23; Mark 7:5ff)
• It is not matched by our life. (Matt. 23; Lk. 11:37ff; Rom. 2:19-24; James 1:26)
• It becomes prideful. (Lk. 18:9-14)
• It is viewed as a vehicle for salvation. (Rom. 1-3)
• It becomes an end in itself. (Col. 2:6ff)

III. Biblical religion was always intended to enhance our relationship with God.

• God's eternal desire. (Gen. 1-3)
• God's misunderstood plan.
• God's gracious invitation. (Acts 2:36-41)
• God-ordained practices. (Acts 2:42)
• God-centered unity. (Acts 2:44ff)
• God-centered relationships. (Heb. 10:19-25)

Is your hope in religion or in Jesus Christ?