Feb. 09, 2025
Series: Transformed 2-9-25
The Dark Side of Religion
(Romans 2:17-29)
Categories of People who have Sinned:
The ________________ (1:18-32) They rebel outwardly & reject God
The ________________ (2:1-16) They say, “I’m a law-abiding citizen”
The ________________ (2:17-29) They’re trusting religion to save them.
RELIGION: Man’s best attempt to get to God.
RELIGION is _____________! (spelled: D-O)
CHRISTIANITY is a relationship! (spelled: D-O-__-__)
HOW TO IDENTIFY A RELIGIOUS PERSON:
1. They Depend on a ___________________.
Romans 2:17 (MSG) 17 If you’re brought up Jewish, don’t assume that you can lean back in the arms of your religion and take it easy, feeling smug because you’re an insider to God’s revelation, a connoisseur of the best things of God, informed on the latest doctrines!
- The JEWS thought their name was an instant ____________ to Heaven.
- The Word “JEW” (first used in 2 Kings 16:6) comes from the word
“JUDAH” - “Praise to God”
- A JEW was one who “_____________ God”
2. They Rely on ___________ and Regulations.
Romans 2:17 17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;
John 5:39–40 (ESV) 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
- THEY were MISSING the ____________!
(The Law was Never Designed to Save them,
but rather, Lead them to God!)
3. They think they have a Special ___________ with God.
Romans 2:17 17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God
- The Jews bragged about their _____________ Relationship to God!
4. They Maintain a High __________ Standard.
Romans 2:17-18 17 …if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God 18 If you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law;
- Values & High Standards are good but won’t get you to ___________!
5. They have a Condescending _______________toward others.
Romans 2:19-20 19 If you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth
Billy Graham Defined Evangelism as:
“One beggar sharing with another ___________ where to find bread.”
6. They don’t always _________________ what they Preach.
Romans 2:21-23 21 You, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?
- What do all these words have in common? (All from the _________!)
Romans 2:23 (MSG) You can get by with almost anything if you front it with eloquent talk about God and his law. (JUST LIP SERVICE!)
Isaiah 29:13 The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” (JUST LIP SERVICE!)
Ezekiel 33:31 My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. (JUST LIP SERVICE!)
7. They Cause Others to ______________________ God’s Name.
Romans 2:24 As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
- We need to be careful about our ___________ toward Non-Christians!
Chuck Swindoll says, “Religion is a CURSE, not a __________!”
8. They Rely on _________________.
Romans 2:25–29 (MSG) Circumcision, the surgical ritual that marks you as a Jew, is great if you live in accord with God’s law. But if you don’t, it’s worse than not being circumcised. The reverse is also true: The uncircumcised who keep God’s ways are as good as the circumcised—in fact, better. Better to keep God’s law uncircumcised than break it circumcised. Don’t you see: It’s not the cut of a knife that makes a Jew. You become a Jew by who you are. It’s the mark of God on your heart, not of a knife on your skin, that makes a Jew. And recognition comes from God, not legalistic critics.
- OUTWARD vs. INWARD
A wedding ring is only worth as much as the ________ behind it!
CONTRACTS: are ____________ when one party Fails to Keep the Promise.
COVENANTS: are Never ____________ by the one who made it!
Genesis 17:13 13 My covenant in your flesh is to be an everlasting covenant.
Isaiah 49:15 Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
- ABRAHAM: with Isaac on the Alter…
- Prodigal Son: Dad says, “Kill the fattened calf…”
The Father is “_______________” a New Covenant!
Luke 22:20 20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
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