TOXIC—5

TOXIC RELIGION

Toxic—anything containing poisonous material capable of causing serious sickness or even death.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7

pervert: metastrepho (met-as-tref'-o); to pervert, to corrupt, to distort or to poison.

TOXIC RELIGION
FOCUSES ON THE EXTERNAL RATHER THAN ON THE INTERNAL.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Matthew 23:25

its so easy for the purity of the gospel to be reduced to a list of dos and don'ts.

PROMOTES SPIRITUAL PRIDE.
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men — robbers, evildoers, adulterers — or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get’.” Luke 18:9-12

THE GOOD NEWS

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known…22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe… Romans 3:20-22

its about the message not the package!!!

1) YOU CANNOT EARN GOD’S ACCEPTANCE BY OBSERVING THE LAW.

we cannot earn God's acceptance by obeying the law!

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law… Romans 3:20

2) THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW IS TO SHOW YOU YOUR NEED FOR A SAVIOR.


…no one will be declared righteous…by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. Romans. 3:20

3) RIGHTEOUSNESS WITH GOD COMES BY FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE.

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe… Romans 3:22

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14 I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God…” Luke 18:13-14

TALK IT OVER
What are some things you’ve done to try to earn God’s free gift of grace?
Pride is difficult to see in the mirror. What can you this week to help uncover it in your own life?
Reread Romans 3:20-22 together. Discuss what this scripture means to you.
What steps will you take to eliminate the poison of toxic religion? Talk It Over on Facebook. Get more resources from www.lifechurch.tv/talkitover.