Beyond Symbols: Living Out True Religion
Pastor Scott Lisea
September 13, 2024
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Main Topics Discussed
Introduction: Setting the Scene
Open with a dramatic retelling of the Monty Python sketch where a shoe becomes a symbol for an entirely new religious practice.
"A shoe! A shoe is the sign!" (imitate the humor and absurdity in a lighthearted way to engage the audience).
Reference the chaotic scene: some want to follow the shoe, others want to throw it away, and some insist on making it sacred.
Draw a parallel between this fictional scenario and real-life instances where people have built practices, beliefs, and religions around misinterpreted signs or symbols.
Purpose of the sermon: To contrast the absurdity of focusing on material signs with the true essence of religion as defined by scripture.
Misinterpretation of Symbols in Religion
Monty Python Example:
Highlight how the comedy sketches illustrate how easily people can turn simple things (like a shoe) into objects of worship.
Compare this to how society can often misunderstand and misrepresent religion.
Cultural Perception of Religion:
How does popular culture portray religion? Ask the audience for responses.
Common answers: Foolish, constraining, fake, uptight, intolerant.
List out responses like "dogmatic, ignorant of science, guilt-inducing, hateful, motivated by fear."
Acknowledge that these views often stem from how people have seen religious practices reduced to rigid traditions or misunderstood symbols.
Reflection Question:
Are we, as followers of Jesus, participating in the narrative of being intolerant, foolish, or narrow-minded?
Are we guilty of reducing our faith to a set of rituals or signs, just like the Monty Python followers?
The Biblical Perspective: True Religion Defined
James 1:27: "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows and refusing to let the world corrupt you."
Explain that true religion is not about symbols, rituals, or superficial practices but about the heart and action.
True religion cares for the most vulnerable and seeks to live unstained by the world.
Matthew 25:34-40:
Jesus tells us, "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat... I was a stranger, and you invited me in... I needed clothes, and you clothed me."
Explain the deeper meaning behind these words: when we serve others, especially the most vulnerable, we are serving Christ himself.
This is the essence of true religion: not in symbols, but in compassion, service, and love.
Acts 2:44-45:
Describe the early Christian community: they held everything in common, sold their possessions, and gave to anyone who had need.
Point out that the early Christians didn’t follow signs or rituals, but demonstrated their faith through radical generosity and care for each other.
The Historical Impact of True Christianity
Transition from the biblical examples to the impact that true religion has had throughout history.
Medical Care: The establishment of hospitals was driven by Christians seeking to care for the sick and vulnerable. Hospitals were born out of Christ’s command to care for others.
Feeding the Hungry: Many of the world’s largest hunger relief organizations were started by Christ-followers who saw it as their mission to feed the hungry.
Orphan Care: Christ-followers have historically led efforts to care for orphans and vulnerable children.
Care for the Elderly and Dying: Early Christians often cared for the elderly, while pagan societies tended to discard them.
Education and Human Rights:
Universities like Harvard, Princeton, and Yale were founded by Christians seeking to pursue truth and knowledge under God.
Christian movements were key in the abolition of slavery, women’s rights, and human dignity.
Contemporary Examples of True Religion in Action
Brian Stevenson: A modern example of a follower of Christ dedicated to ending mass incarceration and advocating for justice for the wrongfully convicted.
Reference his book Just Mercy and the film that highlights his life’s work. Connect his fight for justice to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 25.
International Justice Mission (IJM): Discuss how IJM rescues people from slavery and sex trafficking and provides legal assistance to prosecute perpetrators.
These modern-day Christians are living out the call to care for the vulnerable, aligning with James 1:27.
New Hope Uganda: Founded by Jay and Vicky Danger to care for orphans in Uganda, providing them with education, healthcare, and a home.
This example of orphan care fulfills James’ call to care for widows and orphans.
Local Ministries:
Highlight local examples of Christians living out true religion in the community.
Food banks, homeless shelters, programs for immigrants, and ministries helping addicts recover.
Share personal stories of people within your own church community who are engaged in these efforts.
The Fruit of the Spirit as Evidence of True Faith
Galatians 5:22-23: "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
Explain that true religion is evidenced by the presence of the Holy Spirit working within us, producing these fruits.
When the Spirit fills us, it is impossible for it to remain hidden; it must overflow in acts of love, kindness, and compassion.
Personal Reflection:
Ask the congregation to reflect on their own lives: Are these fruits evident in their relationships? Is their faith producing visible, transformative results?
Encourage them to think of ways they can better demonstrate these fruits in their communities.
The Call to Action: How True Religion Shows in Our Lives
Our Actions Reveal Our Belief:
“Actions speak louder than words.” If we truly follow Christ, our lives must reflect it. True religion isn’t just a private belief but a public act of love and service.
Reflection Questions for the Congregation:
What is coming out of me as evidence of true religion? Am I caring for the most vulnerable?
How am I working to remain uncorrupted by the world, as James commands? How am I setting myself apart from the cultural noise around me?
Psalm 139:23-24:
Invite the congregation to pray this prayer of self-examination: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Conclusion: True Religion is a Life of Love and Action
Summarize the message: True religion isn’t about symbols, rituals, or practices like holding up a shoe, but about living out a life of love, care for the vulnerable, and staying unstained by the world.
Reiterate the call to live a faith that is visible, compassionate, and aligned with the teachings of Christ.
Close with a prayer, asking God to help each person in the congregation live out true religion in their daily lives.
Biblical References
James 1:27 – "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and keeping oneself uncorrupted by the world."
Defines true religion as caring for the vulnerable and living a life untainted by worldly corruption.
Matthew 25:35-36 – "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat... I was a stranger, and you invited me in... I was sick, and you looked after me."
Highlights that serving others, especially the vulnerable, is serving Christ.
Acts 2:44-45 – "All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need."
Early Christians modeled generosity and communal care.
Acts 4:32-35 – "No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had."
Reinforces the communal spirit of the early church in meeting the needs of others.
Galatians 5:22-23 – "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
True religion produces the fruits of the Spirit.
Psalm 139:23-24 – "Search me, God, and know my heart... See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
A prayer for self-examination and spiritual guidance.
Reflection Questions
What symbols or rituals in your own life or church experience might be distracting you from the true essence of your faith?
Consider if any practices have become more about tradition than about genuine relationship with God and others.
How does your life reflect the call in James 1:27 to care for the most vulnerable, like orphans and widows?
In what ways can you actively serve those in need, and how does this align with your understanding of true religion?
When you look at how popular culture portrays religion, how does your personal faith counteract or reinforce those stereotypes?
Are there areas where your faith could be seen as rigid or judgmental rather than compassionate and Christ-like?
What fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) are most evident in your life, and which areas might need more attention and growth?
Reflect on how the Holy Spirit is working in and through you to bring about love, joy, peace, and the other fruits.
How are you remaining "unstained by the world," as James 1:27 commands, while still engaging with the needs and challenges of the world around you?
Think about how you balance living out your faith authentically while navigating the pressures and distractions of modern culture.
Daily Activities
Serve the Vulnerable
Activity: Spend time volunteering at a local shelter, food bank, or outreach program that helps the marginalized in your community.
Application: Reflect on Matthew 25:35-36. How can you embody the call to serve the hungry, homeless, and needy? After your volunteer work, journal about how this experience connects to the heart of true religion—serving others as if serving Christ.
Declutter for Generosity
Activity: Go through your home and identify items—clothes, household goods, or possessions—you no longer need. Donate these items to a charity.
Application: Inspired by Acts 2:44-45, which describes early Christians selling possessions to support others, consider how decluttering your life can lead to a greater focus on generosity. How can sharing your resources reflect the spirit of communal care?
Examine Popular Culture
Activity: Choose a film, song, or piece of media that portrays religion in some way. Watch or listen to it, then write a reflection on how it depicts faith, and contrast it with what true religion means according to James 1:27.
Application: Reflect on how popular culture may distort or misunderstand faith. How does your life challenge or confirm these portrayals? Consider how you can embody a more genuine, Christ-like form of religion in everyday life.
Fruit of the Spirit Reflection
Activity: Spend time meditating on Galatians 5:22-23. Choose one fruit of the Spirit (e.g., love, joy, peace) that you feel is lacking or underdeveloped in your life. Commit to intentionally practicing it throughout the day.
Application: Journal about the challenges and successes of embodying this fruit. How does the Holy Spirit help you reflect these qualities in your interactions with others? Consider how true religion is about bearing this fruit in daily life.
Self-Examination Prayer
Activity: Set aside 30 minutes for a quiet time of self-reflection using Psalm 139:23-24. Pray for God to reveal any areas where you may be "stained by the world" or where your faith has become more about rituals than love and action.
Application: After praying, write down any insights or convictions that come to mind. Make a plan to address these areas in the coming weeks, asking for God’s guidance and strength to live out a purer, more genuine faith.
