Why Religion Can't Save You

Sermon from CCM Ladybarn

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LISTEN

This sermon was preached by Andy Brownlee at the Ladybarn site of Christ Church Manchester on Sunday 18th February 2018.

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SERIES

This message was part of the ‘SERIES NAME’ series, preached at Christ Church Manchester’s church in Withington in EARLY/MID/LATE YEAR. The full series included the following sermons:

BIBLE VERSES

This sermon was based on Romans 2: 17-29.

God’s Righteous Judgment

17But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

25For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?

27Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

KEY POINTS

Religious people depend on a label

  • ‘Now you, if you call yourself a Jew.’ — The Jews of the time clung to the label of being a ‘Jew’, believing that that was what would get them to heaven.
  • What is your label? Evangelical? New Frontiers? Anglican? Have you ever met someone who has said ‘Our church is the one true church’?

Religious people have a condescending attitude

  • Religious people believe that they are the teachers, the guides, the way.
  • As such, they dictate to others what they believe is right as if it is gospel, often doing so in an extremely condescending manner.

Religious people don’t always practice what they preach

  • Religious people tend to be a little boastful, as Paul points out.                                                                                           
  • That means that they tend to produce a facade, a public, outward picture that is not necessarily representative of their lives.
  •  Often times, it is Christians that actually hide Christ: Mahatma Gandhi: ‘I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians.’

Religious people rely on rituals

  • Circumcision is a sign of someone’s faith, like a wedding ring is a sign of marriage. 
  • But the ritual is worthless without the commitment to it
  • What are the things that we do as ritual, not out of relationship? Baptism? Worship? Communion?

MORE SERMONS

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