Removing Religion
Philippians 3:2-11
Introduction: Is
Christianity a religion? Most people will give a resounding yes to that
question. Well this morning I am going to split hairs with you and argue the
opposite. You see by definition “Religion is a cultural system that
creates powerful and long-lasting meaning, by establishing symbols that relate
humanity to truths and values.[1] Many
religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning
to life or to explain the origin
of life or the universe.
They tend to derive morality, ethics,
religious
laws or a preferred lifestyle from their ideas about the cosmos and human nature.” (wikipedia) Now by definition “The
word Christianity is the label that has been widely accepted by the secular and
church-world to describe the practice of faith by the followers or disciples of
Jesus Christ.” (wikipedia)
Christianity comes from the word Christian and means Christ like. Paul knew
this and from our passage today he was writing to the Church at
Illus. Values can be completely reversed in certain circumstances. You may have heard the story of how when the "Titanic" was sinking, a rich lady was in her cabin when the order to abandon ship was given. There was no time for packing possessions. She noticed two things on her dressing table - her jewel box and a bowl of oranges. She made a rapid assessment of what was most valuable to her in the situation she was in now. Wisely she abandoned her jewels and quickly grabbed some oranges that might give nourishment on the open sea but where jewels would be valueless. The same sort of realization came to Paul. The things that he believed to be his glories were in fact quite valueless when it came to facing his God. "But what things" states Paul, the ritual, the race, the religion, the righteous - things, says Paul, "that were gain, those I counted loss for Christ."
Religion has no value for you and I, This morning lets you and I look at Paul’s advice for Removing Religion from our lives.
For Paul childhood circumcision meant he had been raised in strict Jewish home. Paul looked good and sounded good religiously but he was far from God. To many Church members are in that same condition today, they are all churchy on the outside but our life shows no sign of Christ.
Many people could claim Abraham as their descendent father, the Ishmaelites came through Ishmael, the Edomites came through Isaac but the Israelites came through Jacob who wrestled with the Lord and won. Paul was proud of his denomination from Abraham; it gave him certain privilege among the Jews.
Many today cling so tightly to their denomination they do not know anything of Gods word outside of denominational teaching, which is wrong. While I am a Southern Baptist and I don’t have any reason not to be, I recognize there are many other denominations that claim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, preach from the Bible and are just as biblically right as I am. It is sin for anyone to cling to a denomination so tightly they limit walk with God.
Paul knew his lineage too, he was from the tribe of Benjamin one of the two most influential of the twelve tribes.
I have been in too many churches where family name guaranteed you a place of influence within the church. God doesn’t recognize a family name, He recognizes individual obedience. True this can be practiced from one generation to another and that isn’t what I am talking about. I am referring to popularity, prestige or the influence of personal wealth.
Paul had a true blue blood line of Jewish heritage. This was something he used to obtain favor before his conversion.
The only heritage God is interested in is one that continuously serves Him across many generations. Other types of heritage may look good in man’s eyes they will harm the work of God when they are wrongly applied within our churches.
Paul was a Pharisee, in matters that came before him he had final authority. Paul could use the written law, the oral law or any combination of the many other forms of law available to him. Simply put Paul could make the Jewish religion fit any solution he wanted.
We see that same attitude practiced in churches all across
The Jews didn’t agree with the Christians, therefore the Christians were persecuted, or discriminated against. Paul helped with this, by not only wrongly prosecuting some to death, he helped arrange for denial of food, goods and services.
If Christians have a biblical reason to stand against something i.e. abortion, homosexuality or corruption; we should, however if we simply don’t like it or like those who are participating in it we are wrong to deny access to it or condemn those who participate in it.
Before his conversion Paul fit right in with the religious crowd, they could find no fault in him because they could find no fault in themselves.
One sad fact about Churches today is that a lot of them are nothing more than social clubs for the Sunday morning crowd. They gather together, tell each other how good they are and what a blessing they are to each other and never have time for worshipping God or serving God.
All of the popularity, power, prestige and prominence Paul had was cast a way when he found Jesus Christ as Lord and savior. He gave away a lot of gain as the KJV calls it.
How many times have you heard someone say they would accept Christ and get saved if it wasn’t for giving up something they really didn’t want too. I’m going to paraphrase Jesus here, what good does it do for someone to have the whole world but loose their soul? Is that sin you cherish do deeply really worth eternity in hell? I realize that is strong wording this morning but I believe it is necessary to shake us to awareness of our need for Jesus Christ today.
It is a loss worth taking, trust me, and trust Paul this morning, if you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior don’t leave this building until you do.
The last four verses are the claims of the cross. In these verses Paul shows us a few things.
Ø The personal relationship with Jesus
Ø The worthlessness of religion
Ø True righteousness through Jesus
Ø The power of His resurrection
Ø The fellowship of His suffering
Ø The association of His death
Ø The resurrection to eternal life
Conclusion: Coming to Church should never be just something else to do. Coming to Church should be your time to share your faith in Jesus Christ with likeminded Christians through fellowship, worship and service. I didn’t come here today to be seen or heard but to proclaim with sincerity and enthusiasm the living word of God, and share with likeminded people the presence of His Glory. Can you say the same today? I hope so, if your Church time has degenerated into religion, well today you can change that. Close as the Lord leads…