Pastor Josh Weisbrod – September 8, 2019

Key Idea: God never said: “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere.” // Key Passage: John 14:6 - I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

SUMMARY: All people, not just Christians, are drawn to the sacred—sacred things, sacred places, sacred acts—because we love the feeling the sacred stirs deep within us. There is a desire in our culture to be good and to be sincere, but there is also a difference between the sacred things and sacrifice, and all religions are not the same.

TEACHING:

Many people claim to be spiritual but not religious. Being spiritual or believing in a “god” or a higher power is not controversial. Jesus makes it controversial because Jesus makes an exclusive claim. Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) If we skip who Jesus claimed to be, we skip what makes God’s message so powerful and strong.
Aren’t all religions the same? No.
- Buddhism – no one god; no forgiveness of sins but an endless cycle of action and work; karma
- Hinduism – a lot of impersonal gods; approach gods through idols, places, or sacred moments; no forgiveness of sins; karma
- Islam – a very personal god-Allah; personal relationship with god; total ban on idols; no reincarnation; access to eternity and god is through works and devotion
- New Age – there is no god or you might become god; united with universal consciousness
- Christianity – very personal God; relationship not based on devotion or works; forgiveness of sins and eternity are based on God’s love and goodness.
A logical person would tell you that all religions aren’t the same.
1. Consider Jesus Christ Jesus did not come to start a religion but a relationship. There is one way to God, to salvation, and to new life in Christ.
2. Consider the ministry of Jesus Mark 2:15-17 – Jesus didn’t come for military or political power, but for the unclean, unwanted, and outcast—those the world rejected. He came for the hurting and the needy. He opened blind eyes, deaf ears, mute tongues and healed the untouchable. He fed 5,000 hungry people, raised the dead, and walked on water. His critics did not deny Jesus did these things, they didn’t like that He said He was God.
3. Consider the resurrection of Jesus God loves me and hates sin. Jesus lived a blameless and pure life, without sin. He went to the cross for my sin. The Creator was mocked by His creation. Jesus on the cross asked His Father to forgive those who crucified him (Luke 23:34). He also said as he hung on the cross that it was finished (John 19:30). When Jesus dies and the earth trembles and shakes and the veil in the Temple is torn from top to bottom, a centurion who was not a Christian says, “Surely he was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54). Three days later the tomb is empty. Jesus rose from the dead.
The disciples were eye-witnesses to the resurrection. That’s why Peter can say, “You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.” (Acts 3:15) The ideas that the Romans or the disciples stole the body of Jesus is not realistic considering a trained Roman military guard and the outcome for the disciples of poverty, exile, persecution, and death.
Conclusion
One person in all of history defeated death, hell, and the grave. Romans 3:22-24 – We are made right with God by faith in the son of God, not in works. Jesus Christ + nothing else = Real Christianity In Christ alone we are made whole. God loves and accepts me because He is good, because of who He is. You can’t earn His love or work for His love, you already have all of His love. He who knew no sin, became sin for us. That’s why it is called the gospel, or good news.
It really does matter what I believe!

Reflection:

Throughout the week in your own time with the Lord, you can use these reflection questions as a way to deepen your relationship with God. Reflect on these questions in the presence of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to shine a light into your heart.

1) Jesus makes an exclusive claim: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Is this a claim that is easy or difficulty for you to embrace? Why?

2) What goes through your mind when you hear the idea: All religions are basically the same and they all point to the same God? Logically if you look at what each religion believes, they are not basically the same and in fact have some distinct differences that cannot be reconciled. What did you hear in this week’s message that directly reinforced or changed your ideas about this statement?

3) If we consider the ministry of Jesus and how He treated people, how can we use His example to speak the truth in love to the hearts of those who believe that being sincere is enough even though they do not believe in Jesus?

4) Understanding an idea intellectually in our minds is different than understanding and believing something in our hearts. How easy or difficult is it for you to believe and accept the following: God loves you and accepts you because He is good. You can’t earn His love by working harder or doing certain “religious” things. You already have all of His love.

FAQs:

I want a relationship with Jesus, but I’m not sure how to do that.

You can pray a simple prayer from your heart, no matter where you are or what you are doing.

Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

The next step is to tell someone. Talk to someone at church who is wearing a “Team Member” badge on Sunday, or share in your small group, that you prayed that prayer. They can make sure you get a Bible and support you in beginning your new life with Jesus.

I want to read the Bible but I’m not sure where to start. I don’t have a Bible.

If you are not familiar with the Bible and you aren’t sure where to start, you can always start reading about the life of Jesus in the book of John in the New Testament. If you don’t have a Bible, let someone who is wearing a “Team Member” badge on Sunday morning that you don’t have a Bible and would like one.

Full Podcast Episode: http://banner.church/podcast/2019/9/8/god-never-said-that-it-doesnt-matter-what-you-believe-as-long-as-youre-sincere-9819