The Lure Of Religion, Part 1

Today on Fellowship in the Word pastor Bill Gebhardt challenges you to become a fully functioning follower of Jesus Christ.

It doesn't matter what religion is when you find in history. Religion has to motivation fear and guilt. Those are the dual motivations of all the if you don't do this and this is going to happen, always using fear always using intimidation joining us today on this additional Fellowship in the Word pastor Bill Gebhardt Fellowship in the Words the radio ministry of Fellowship Bible church located in Metairie, Louisiana. Let's join Pastor Bill Gebhardt now is once again he shows us how God's word are oral Google term fishing wars you would find. First of all, that there are over 6 million sites dedicated to fishing wars on a lot this week reading a couple of sites I want is is that the fishing wars have been around for 4000 years, and there are many different kinds. There are surface floors. There are spoon floors their crank baits or called plugs. Whether spinning blades etc. but we really get down to it, all fishing lures are exactly the same every single fishing or has exactly the same purpose and that is is designed to deceive a fish it is to make a fish think that the Lord is actually food for the fish and when the fish responds accordingly. He's hope and once he is hooked he pays an enormous price for his mistake.

That's the way it is for almost all human beings since Cain and Abel. There have been two ways to live life there has been the way of Cain, which is the way of religion and there is been the way of able which is the way of relationship with God through faith. And we really stop and think about it the entire history of the Old Testament has those two parallel lines Cain, who offers a sacrifice of his own choosing. Abel, who offers the God what God is.

Ask one commentator wrote this when Cain offered his sacrifice of grain to the Lord. He sinned both by disobedient me bringing the wrong kind of an offering and by offering it in the wrong way. Rather than bringing in animal sacrifices got it obviously commanded. He brought the fruit of his own labor and then probably supposing that this offering of disobedience was just as acceptable to God as the one he was told to bring he was the first back of religion, the forerunner of every such act ever since his time every person of every error who was ever tried to come to God on the basis of their own merits works or by some humanly design religious prescriptions has followed in the unbelieving gate grace rejecting steps.

Cain and Abel.

On the other hand, by obediently offering a blood sacrifice. But God required in faith leapt across the centuries, and touch the cross got accepted his offer, not because it had any spiritual benefit in itself, but because it was presented in faith and obedience since the time of Cain and Abel. The two divergent lines of works and faith have characterized all of man's religious life. The person who follows the way of man, whatever it is is simply religious. The person who follows God's way, follows the way of able the way of grace and forgiveness. That's really what it comes down to it, it's interesting when you read through the Old Testament immediately.

You see those who are following Cain.

They build the tower of Babel, and they decided they will build a tower so large it so impressive that they will walk into heaven on their own terms. A tremendous religious act. God, that the way of Noah by grace Noah and his family are delivered all the way through the Old Testament you run into the-ites there everywhere, Canaanites, Amalekites termites, everybody, like everywhere and every one of the-ites have exactly the same inherent quality there incurably religious. They simply want to show religious acts in order to earn their way with God. God countered that with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Abraham justified by his faith even when Jesus Christ showed up. Pharisaism the pinnacle of Judeo stick religiosity in Jesus Christ spend most of his earthly ministry countering and confronting those people you see, the wars are so good that even believers, even believers can be enticed and often even believers take hook line and sinker and doing to our own peril.

It can happen to the very best of us. Open up your Bibles to Galatians chapter 2 verse 11 but when Cephas that's Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned, while pretty strong.

I I opposed him to his face will read on a moment here. It was a private pulse appear only to stand up for the whole church and then I'm going to take you down, I meant opposer to face and notice what he said.

He said because he stood condemned he said about Saint Peter's mistaken about Saint Peter's entitled to his own opinion. I'm Saint Peter is condemned.

From my point of view because of what he's doing. In other words, Peter couldn't be more wrong. I seems awful harsh judgment. I mean, by the way, traditionally in certain traditions wasn't Peter the first hope in an interesting that Peter is being taken down by Paul publicly now you would think that if you were, they absolutely the Vicar of Christ on earth, how would someone dare take you down. Why think it answers for itself. The apostle Paul took him down because he was condemned because he was wrong. Peter's wonderful man. He's a great guy but he bit into the lower religion and he never should have went you hold your place or go to acts chapter 10 with me. The book of acts chapter 10 we get it insight into Peter, and I think one of the reasons Paul is so upset. Verse nine on the next day as they were on their way approaching the city. Peter went up in the housetop about the sixth hour to pray that's noon and he became hungry and was designed to eat.

But while they were making preparations. He fell into a trance. Now that's not exact, like a trance urine now it's it's a different trance. This one comes from God. I don't know where yours comes from okay but Peter is in a trance and he saw the sky opened up an object like a great sheet coming done lower by four corners of the ground and there were in it, all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth, and birds of the air and a voice came to him and said get up, Peter, kill and eat them step Peter's point of view what's in the sheet pork no doubt about reptiles and amphibians and even birds of prey, something us Cajun smorgasbord cages have no trouble. This Peter is not Cajun is Jewish.

You see, that's his background, watch how he responds and by the way, you would think when God should be a vision he gave you commandment what should you responsibly.

Yes, Lord, S. I. Peter's notice Peter said by no means Lord, absolutely not, for I have never eaten anything unholy or unclean. Again a voice came to him a second time.

Several God is cleansed no longer consider unholy. Let me clarify Peter.

It's not unholy. You sure I'm God, I'm pretty sure the watch this happen 3×3 times they had this discussion. Three times Peter said no no I get on a good Jewish gun kosher and I'm I can get into that God said there's nothing unclean. Peter read it. No, God is good reason for this we see is a read on number. Peter was greatly perplexed and mine is the what the vision which he had seen might be what else could it be God told you know foods unclean.

So religious and his background is like I just don't know this doesn't make sense to me. He says behold, the men would been sent by Cornelius having us directions for Simon's house appear at the gate and calling they were asking whether Simon who was also called Peter was staying there while Peter was reflecting on the vision. The spirit said to him, behold, three men are looking for you he says but get up and go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them myself. Peter went on the men and said, behold, I am the one who are you looking for, he said, what is the reason for which you've come.

And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man, well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you and to come to you to his house and to hear a message from you and so he invited them in and he gave them lodging God had bigger fish to fry than just simply Peter's appetite. See Peter viewed certain foods, unclean. He also viewed Gentiles is unclean gleam. He viewed the centurion is unclean. God says there's no uncleanliness here you go to the centurion's house not Peter got this vision from God beside the fact that he was taught by the Lord did the Lord say things.

Nothing that goes into a person can evolve a person is only what comes out of the person they can defile the person but Peter was sorta steep in his religiosity and he still struggling, but let's go back to Galatians and Paul picks up the story. He says for prior to the coming of certain men from James. These are the Judaizers coming from Jerusalem.

He used to eat with the Gentiles, but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof. Why while his responses. The response that every person throughout all the centuries since Cain is the why fear, fearing the party of the circumcision, why did Peter eat the meat with the Gentiles fear. He was afraid of them in that amazing.

It doesn't matter what religion is or when you find in history. Religion has two motivations. Fear and guilt. Those are the dual motivations of all religion. If you don't do this, then this is going to happen to you.

Always using fear, always using intimidation and that's exactly what they do to Peter. It's hard to imagine that apostle like Peter would be intimidated by religious Judaizers, but he is and it gets worse. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. Now the other Jews who believe in Jesus Christ morning would Gentiles.

Notice what God calls a person who was saved by grace through faith and then decides to act religiously a hypocrite.

Use the twice they are hypocrites. One who wears a mask on one side, but the reality is, on the other side. He said Peter is a hypocrite and Barnabas is a hypocrite and Barnabas. By the way might be even more impressive than Peter Holger Pl., Ernest go back to acts chapter 11 and give you some insight into Barnabas and what he was like, acts chapter 11 in verse 19 so then those who were scattered because of persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen the first martyr made their way to Phoenician Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except the Jews alone remember Christianity was born in Judaism in the beginning it's only messianic Jews. Everyone was in the church were Jewish, but now they been dispersed. Remember what Jesus said you be my witnesses first in Jerusalem and then Judea, then Samaria and then of the uttermost parts of the world. While the Jewish point of view. They said I would really understand Jerusalem and we kinda like Judah, but I don't think we want to go to Samaria or anywhere else but that was the commission of Christ by this martyrdom of Stephen Jesus forced their hand. Notice some of them men of Cyprus and styrene who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also preaching the Lord Jesus.

The gospel in the hand of the Lord was with them in a large number who believed turned toward the news about them reach the years the church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas off Antioch to check it out and then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God. Notice he witnessed the grace of God among the Greeks, the Gentiles, he rejoiced and he began to encourage them all. With resolute heart to remain true to the Lord for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit in faith, and considerable numbers were brought to the Lord, and he left then for Tarsus to look for Saul who becomes his comrade in arms, Barnabas, and oppressive men.

He says he's a good man for the Holy Spirit. But when Peter joins into the religious hypocrisy. It says in Galatians 213. It says even Barnabas was carried away.

You see, it's easy to be religious.

It really is it's really easy to start thinking the religious activity somehow are very very instrumental in the believing Jesus is fine but I need to do something else, some other lessons in those first few verses one is the past victories are no guarantee of future success when it comes to the law, religion in your life. Remember we are incurably religious in our fallen state. One of the worst things about humanity. We believe we can invent a religion that will impress God so much that on the basis of how impressive we are. He would want to have a relationship with us.

This is religion and it's been that way through the history of mankind.

Secondly, there's something else we learn right teaching or truthful teaching or right doctrine without right behavior is hypocrisy. Peter knew the truth.

Barnabas know the truth but they acted differently.

They said no. I still want to go through the ritual.

I still want to be religious, like a good Jewish boy. And thirdly, we learn this from the apostle Paul truth is more important in harmony when it comes to the gospel of Jesus Christ, you can say what can we all just get along. No melena comes the gospel of Jesus Christ, comes the grace of God there are a lot of ways were places where we need to show great tolerance for one another, but not for the truth of the gospel, not for the grace of God, so it's easy to be religious as Peter. Secondly, religion needs to be confronted by truth. Just ask Paul. That's what he does. Starting in verse 14 he says when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, not that's a nice way of saying it. Paul said when I saw that they weren't straightforward about the truth of the gospel, not when you're not straightforward about the truth when we have we have another word for that lie. That's what he saying he so when I saw that Peter is a liar.

When Peter was lying and Barnabas is when I saw there lying he said I had to do something about it. I said to Cephas in the presence of everybody. If you being a Jew, live like the Gentiles, and not like the Jews. That's how you came to faith. You came in the freedom you had the vision. He says how is it now that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews, why would you want to put religious joke around her neck now why would you do that and the reason is because were incurably religious.

I was on assist look we are Jews by nature are not sinners from among the Gentiles.

Look, I understand were Jewish women live past lives like these people did I understand were Jewish.

Peter, I get it I'm more Jewish than you are.

And he really was. He says I was the jewel Jews.

Paul understands that he says but nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law.

You and I know that Peter you know that no man could be justified means to be declared righteous or want to put it another way, justified means you get your ticket punch for heaven. He said we know that no man is declared righteous by God. No man is justified by the works of the law. He said, but through faith in Christ. Even if we have believed in Christ, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law since by the works of the law no flesh will be justified. Pulses I can't say there's any clear Bremner try, let me just keep repeating myself over and over again. You can't be justified before a holy God by works of the law, you can't.

There's no religious scheme by which you will ever be justified by God never. You're only justified by God by the grace of God through faith in Christ. He said Peter you gotta know that you got to know better than that, how can you possibly say those kind of things.

It is a tremendous statement.

One of the great books and I been reading through the story, the study of Galatians is I was able to download and you can for free. Martin Luther's English translation of his commentary in Galatians. If you want a Kindle you could download a free, it is a wonderful thing to read the realize that this man is writing this nearly 500 years ago and it is his awareness of what happens in this book. That leaves the great Reformation is Franciscan monk reads the truth in these passages, and changes the world. The yoke of religiosity. He takes off. Luther said when he read that verse. He said this, he said the truth exploded in my heart. He said it was like seeing the sun at noon day. He said once I understood what was really said there he had been taught. His whole life that Amanda saved through religiosity that a person is saved by good works that a person is saved by going through the sacraments. If you don't do that you don't have right standing around. Luther said I saw it. It changed everything. Remember his original intent was not to leave anything. His original intent was the reform the church. That's why he pounded the theses on the doors of Wittenberg. He said look, these are the changes we have to make. According to the word of God, but you try to hunt them down and execute them for that now. This is what John MacArthur writes about that verse.

He said all claims that salvation is through belief in Jesus Christ plus something else blasphemous. They are lies. There can be no effective or acceptable human addition to the work of Jesus Christ.

This passage is a forceful and unequivocal statement of the doctrine of salvation by faith alone is you will find in the New Testament is a Paul said Peter you know this.

You know what you were saying. By this, you understand it is not finished, he said, Peter. Let's look at it this way then he said, but it verse 17 but if while seeking to be justified in Christ we ourselves also been found. Sinners and what he means by that is this Peter if I'm wrong.

If the gospel of Jesus Christ gave me which is faith in Christ alone. He said if that's wrong that I'm a sinner. I'm the one sending here is that I understand that but he said look, he said if that's the case then is Christ, and a minister of sin in Jesus Christ.

Is this the minister of sin because Jesus Christ gave me this gospel if the Judaizers arrived in its Jesus plus something. It's a religious approach, the God that not only am I a sinner, but Jesus Christ is the minister of sin and of course any rights Megan Neutra may it never be one of his favorite phrases. Absolutely not. Verse 18 free set of I rebuild that which I once destroyed I prove myself to be a transgressor. He said I would be the worst kind of sinner exhibits it and so the goes, the next question and for through the law I died to the law so that I might live the God. In other words, the question is will then why the law to the religious person could ask them why the law imposes neutral simple is not only here but talks about in other places.

Why did God gives the love. If we are justified before Mike even though I want to give it to us should never be justified based. If you ever miss one of our broadcast or maybe you just like the message one more time.

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