Saturday, April 27, 2024

Speaker: Ben Snyder, Lead Pastor

Title: The Way Religion Distorts How We View Others

Theme Verse: Romans 6:14 (NLT) Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

Key Text: Luke 18:9-14 (NLT) Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: "Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people - cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’"But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."

Four Lies:

1. We should prioritize behavior before belonging.

2. We should move away from sinners.

3. We should lecture others about their behavior.

4. We don’t need anything from God.

Bottom Line: It is not our sin that keeps us separated from God - it is our self-righteousness.

Indicators that "religion" has distorted our view of others:

• Have you separated yourself from others who are considered "broken and messy"?
• Have you ever said, "Glad I am not like those people"?
• When broken and messy people get good things, are you happy for them?

Additional passages: James 4:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21

References & Resources:

LCBC, Losing my Religion - framework used with permission

Song Links:

Raise a Hallelujah - YouTube // Spotify

King of Kings - YouTube // Spotify

Death Was Arrested - YouTube // Spotify

Discussion Questions:

Icebreaker: What is something you are good at?

How can confidence in our own righteousness distort our view of God?

Read Luke 18:10-14. Compare and contrast the two men in the story. What do you learn about God? What role does humility play?

Have you ever been tempted to separate yourself from those considered "broken" or "messy"? Explain.

In what area(s) do you need to humble yourself before God? What is one way you can do that today?