255- Higher Ground 257- I Need Thee Every Hour 383- Oft We Come Together

1. Songs For Today 255- Higher Ground 257- I Need Thee Every Hour 383- Oft We Come Together 388- One Step at a Time 288- Jesus Paid it All 10- I Surrender All

2. Discount Religion

3. Introduction Black Friday. Closeout. Clearance. It motivates people to shop because they can get huge discounts on popular merchandise without having to pay full price for it. Many people expect it and some will not purchase something unless it is on sale. This is fine when we are discussing economic activity because God wants us to be good stewards. But sadly, this mindset creeps into religious matters.

4. Discount Religion God’s word appeals to our basic needs. (life, security, peace, happiness, understanding) God has given mankind the offer of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life only through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We want it. We need it. But when does it go on sale. In this lesson, we will discuss three things that discount religion (DR) does that leads to stumbling blocks so that people don’t obey the truth.

5. DR Discredits the Price Paid for the Church People have been taught that one church is as good as another and to choose the church of your choice. They have the mindset that church is about what I want, not what God wants. (Is. 55:8) Many do not see any value in the church. But what was the purchase price for the church? It was paid with the blood of Christ. (Ax. 20:28) We weren’t redeemed with things that perish but with His precious blood. (1 Pet. 1:18-19)

6. DR Discredits the Price Paid for the Church The church has not been purchased by the blood of religious leaders (Pope, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Graham, etc.) but many will discount the words of Christ and submit to them. (1 Cor. 1:10-13; 2 Cor. 11:2-4) The church was according to God’s eternal purpose of which Christ is the head over all things to it and which there is only one. (Eph. 1:22-23; 3:10-11; 4:4) Discount religion discredits (or destroys confidence in) the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ by telling lies instead of the truth.

7. DR Cheapens the Value of the Soul Our souls are of great value because of the price that was paid for it. (1 Peter 1:18-19) DR cheapens the value of the soul by offering people physical things rather than the spiritual that feeds their soul. Jesus exposed the motives of believers who wanted the food which perishes rather than the words of eternal life. (John 6:26-27) When they didn’t want it, did Jesus offer them a discount? No, he rebuked them and they quit following Him. (John 6:60-66)

8. DR Cheapens the Value of the Soul In the same way today, DR will offer people food, fun, and frolic that satisfies the flesh, but starves the soul. What will that profit in the end? (Matthew 16:26) Peter and the apostles understood the value of the soul and were willing to give up all they had because they knew Jesus had the words of eternal life. (John 6:67-69; Luke 18:24-27) If we truly realize the value of our souls we will give up all that we have to go to heaven. (Matthew 13:48-50; Luke 14:33)

9. DR Belittles our Responsibility to the Lord DR will tell people that all you have to do is accept Christ as your personal Savior and once you are saved you are always saved. If that was true, then you wouldn’t have any responsibility to the Lord’s teaching. Jesus asks a pertinent question, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46) We learn from the example of Abraham that he was saved by his works of faith while “faith without works is dead.” (James 2:21-24)

10. DR Belittles our Responsibility to the Lord Abraham could have said, “I already believe Lord, and I’ve waited 25 years for this son whom I love too much to sacrifice him for you. And how will you fulfill your promise to the world if I kill him?” But he obeyed! (Gen. 22:18) DR was taught when Jeroboam offered a feast that would make it convenient for people to worship how they wanted. (1 Kings 12:27-33) DR today will make worship convenient today with concerts, choirs, entertainment, rather than tell us that we must worship God in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24)

11. DR Belittles our Responsibility to the Lord DR will not preach the true grace of God which teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires. (Titus 2:11-12) DR will not emphasize that we will all have to give account for the deeds done in the body whether good or bad in the Judgment Day. (2 Corinthians 5:10) DR will not tell us that many will follow the broad way that leads to destruction while only few will follow the difficult way that leads to eternal life. (Matthew 7:13-14; 21-23)

12. Conclusion Many do not realize that DR cheapens the price paid for the church, the value of the soul, and our responsibility to the Lord. If Jesus had the same commitment towards us that we had towards him, would He have died on the cross? NO Thankfully Jesus willingly paid the price for our salvation in full on the cross. (John 10:17-18; Romans 6:23) Jesus told us the conditions of forgiveness and we have no right to change or discount them.

13. Conclusion Faith only will not save a person just like works only will not save anyone. Jesus is the author of eternal life to all who obey Him. (Heb. 5:8-9; Rom. 6:16-17) When we have done that, we have not earned our salvation but are still unworthy slaves. (Luke 17:10) We have been commanded by the Lord to hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized for the remission of sins. (Rom. 10:17; John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Matt. 10:32; Mark 16:16)