DISPOSABLE RELIGION
INTRO
A. We live in the Disposable Age.
B. Disposable diapers, razors, paper plates and even contact
lenses are only a small part of the disposable products in our
society.
C. Unfortunately, items of convenience are not the only mark of our
passion for the disposable.
D. Disposable marriages, families, commitments, and ethics are all
problems with which we are very familiar.
E. Where have we gone wrong?
It almost seems there are no solutions to these problems. Are
these problems so great that we can't solve them?
I. Some time back, a man on T.V. was discussing the drug abuse and crime
which plagues many neighborhoods in our country.
A. He requested that everyone pray to God for assistance in the
problems we face.
B. I was struck by the man's insight in sizing up the problem.
C. Many people realize that a lack of God is the source of
problems; But what is many time missed is that God is the
solution.
D. Both those for and against Christianity recognize the positive
force Christianity can have on society.
E. However, knowing this to be true, why is it that while large
numbers of people in the United States claim to believe in God,
we are still confronted with such overwhelming problems?
F. Perhaps the answer lies in our obsession with the disposable.
II. A few years ago we noticed how many of the modern day religions were
scrambling to recover from a series of revelations about the
improper behavior of some prominent evangelists. Those men who were
caught up in and engaged in all sorts of sins. While preaching of
the horrors of sin, they were engaged in extremely sinful deeds and
associations.
A. From the pulpit as well as the pews, there is a lack of
adherence to the teachings of Christ among those who claim to
follow Him.
B. Regretfully, many followers of Jesus Christ have adopted a
disposable religion - one that is used when needed or desired
and quickly disposed of when it becomes old and tired and
burdensome.
C. The teachings of Jesus are not suggestions - they are commands.
Luke 14:26-33
D. The level of dedication is clear. We simply cannot choose WHEN
we want to be Christians. The level of dedication is very clear.
It is all or nothing. Either one is a Christian or we are not.
There is middle ground in serving Christ.
III. One of the most helpful inventions of the modern age is the modern
restaurant. You can just look at my waistline to see how helpful
(or harmful) it is to me.
A. At almost any time, day or night, you can go to one of these
wonderful places, sit down in a comfortable chair, and have a
polite, helpful person wait on you hand and foot!
B. Most of us have our favorite restaurant or eating places where
can go and enjoy a fine meal or a quick snack.
C. But, when we leave there, we don't think much more about it.
D. We leave the busboy to clean up the table we used, the
dishwasher to clean up the plates we used, and the waitress to
wait on someone else hand and foot.
E. Do you get what I'm driving at?
F. Some people see worshipping God as being like a restaurant.
G. Christianity is dished out according to their schedule and their
physical and emotional condition.
H. Everything is great while they're at services, but when they
leave, the Lord is forgotten until another worship service rolls
around.
I. However, NOTICE what Jesus tells His followers, Lk 9:23-26
IV. American is truly a remarkable place to live. We often speak of the
"American Way of Life" and are constantly seeking to improve our
standard of living. Nothing wrong in this.
A. Part of this "improvement" involves the casting off of old
things for the adoption of new ways and ideas.
B. Don't get me wrong, Progress is not a bad thing. Without it, we
wouldn't be looking forward to air conditioning on those hot,
summer days, or warm houses during the cold winters.
C. BUT, When it comes to the doctrine of Christ, "progress" is not
a good thing.
D. The teachings and standards of Christ are not disposable.
E. When biblical teaching arises that makes us uncomfortable, some
respond by ignoring the word of God.
F. In effect, they take their pencils and mark through the
offensive verses, making their own ineffective standards.
G. I am reminded of Jehoiakim in Jer. 36:23: "And it came to pass,
when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, that the king cut it
with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was in the
braizier, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was
in the brazier." Isn't that a remarkable statement!!! If you
do not like what God has said, just cut it out and cast it into
the fire. Oh, we would not be so calloused as that, but we would
refuse to do it if it did not suit our own fancy.
H. Have you ever read God's Word, but make no effort to do it? Rest
assured, we shall meet that Word when we stand before God in
judgment.
I. NOTICE Heb 13:8 What a wonderfully comforting thought.
J. But Jesus expects no less of us. We are to be consistent -
in action and in application of His word to our lives.
K. NOTICE also James 1:17: James says that God is...
L. This is our example. There must also be no shifting or variation
in our lives as disciples.
M. Isaiah tells us that the word of God does not perish. (Isaiah
46:8-11.) We can try hard to ignore the teachings of Christ and
pretend they do not apply to us, but, in the final analysis, all
of Christ's words must by heeded.
Conclusion
A. We can get all upset over the situation in the world today.
B. We can complain hour after hour about how bad things are.
C. However, until we realize that God's standard is the only
solution to our problems AND that it is an unchangeable
standard, we are doomed to failure!
D. God's way is the only way. Jesus said, "I am the Way....."
E. God desires all men to know Him, but only by His unalterable
way.
F. Let us pray that we will overcome our disposable religion and
worship according to the true will of God!
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