When Our Religion Becomes a Religion of Donts

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A Religion of Donts
Dont be like the Pharisees!
Unless your righteousness exceeds the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you
will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
(Matt. 520)
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We are to be doers of the word!
Luke 1124-26

• Where is our emphasis?

I dont smoke, drink or cuss.
This church doesnt.
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Consider these examples

• What does James 127 teach?
• What does Eph. 519 teach?
• I havent killed anybody.
• Do I hate anyone?
• Do I pray for and bless my enemies?
• I dont steal.
• But do I give to the poor?
• Show hospitality?
• Contribute like I should? (Robbing God?)

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Consider these examples

• I dont lie or gossip.
• Do I speak the truth to my neighbor?
• Teach my friends the gospel?
• Give praise to others?
• Ive never been unfaithful to my spouse.
• But are we faithful to them and their needs?
  (1 Cor. 7)

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A Starved Religion

• like her who fancies herself a virtuous woman
  only because she is not a prostitute or him who
  dreams he is an honest man merely because he does
  not rob or steal. May the Lord God of my fathers
  preserve me from such a poor, starved religion as
  this. (John Wesley)

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