What Does Your Religion Mean to You? Matthew 15:1-9

Introduction Religion can become mere ritual It should make a difference in life –Blind man (John 9:24-38) –Eunuch (Acts 8:39) –Jews on Pentecost (Acts 2:47) –Paul (Acts 21:13) –Stephen (Acts 7:59, 60) How about you?

Purity of Life (Hebrews 12:1, 2) Do you guard your heart? –Flee youthful lusts (2 Timothy 2:21, 22) –Why do you do what is right? Tradition?

Purity of Life (Hebrews 12:1, 2) Doing what is right gives meaning to life –Otherwise, “we are of all men most miserable” (1 Corinthians 15:19) –Parents restricted us for our own good

Purity of Life (Hebrews 12:1, 2) On what do we dwell? –Hopefully, the right things (Philippians 4:8) –A daily walk (Ephesians 4:29) –Same person around everyone?

Sense of Direction (Matthew 7:13, 14) Many don’t know where they are headed –Increase in suicide –Moses made a choice (Hebrews 11:24-26)

Sense of Direction (Matthew 7:13, 14) Be an example –Timothy (2 Timothy 4:12) –A wife’s example (1 Peter 3:4) –Don’t be a friend of the world (James 4:4) –“Once saved always saved” is not true

Sense of Direction (Matthew 7:13, 14) Make a difference by making the right choice –Esther (Esther 4:14) –Change the course of history

No Fear of Failure (Numbers 13, 14) Need not fear failure –Some fear driving or flying –Be like Joshua and Caleb

No Fear of Failure (Numbers 13, 14) Paul’s approach –Do all through Christ (Philippians 4:13) –Confidence (2 Timothy 4:6-8) –Increased amount of work in the church

No Fear of Failure (Numbers 13, 14) Overcome the fear of failure –“Turn the world upside down” (Acts 17:6) –With God’s help –Depends on what our religion means to us

Accept Challenge (Revelation 3:15-18) Laodiceans saw no challenge –Lukewarm –Did not see their actual condition

Accept Challenge (Revelation 3:15-18) Bible examples –Israel at Jericho (Judges 6:12-20) –Joseph (Genesis 39:12) –Challenge of working for God (Titus 2:14)

Place of Refuge (Romans 6:23) For those in Christ –Great blessing (Romans 8:1, 2) –No security in the final hour for an atheist –Robert Ingersoll, an atheist, facing death: “God, if there be a God, save my soul, if I have a soul, from hell, if there is a a hell”

Place of Refuge (Romans 6:23) Paul’s confidence –Knew what was ahead (2 Timothy 4:6-8) –Knew in whom he had trusted (2 Timothy 1:12) –Endured for the sake of others (2 Timothy 2:10)

Conclusion Would you accept the challenge? Then you can have security