MORNING DEW: 26-10-2018
TOPIC: ARE YOU A RELIGIOUS PERSON OR A CHRISTIAN?
TEXT: ACTS 10:1-8
“Now in Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He was a devout man who feared God, as did everyone in his home. He gave many gifts to the poor among the people and always prayed to God. One day, about three in the afternoon, he had a vision and clearly saw an angel of God coming to him and saying to him, Cornelius! He stared at the angel in terror and asked, what is it, Lord? The angel answered him, your prayers and your gifts to the poor have arisen as a reminder to God. Send men now to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter. He is a guest of Simon, a leatherworker, whose house is by the sea. When the angel who had spoken to him had gone, Cornelius summoned two of his household servants and a devout soldier, one of those who served him regularly. He explained everything to them and sent them to Joppa.”
DEFINITION OF RELIGIOUS
According to Chambers 21st Dictionary, religious person is someone;
Following the rules or forms of worship of a particular religion very closely;
Pious; devout
Taking great care to do something properly;
It is done this way.
It is done that way.
This is how it was done.
This is how our forefathers did it. Let’s do it that way.
Religion!
Being a religious does not make you a Christian. Paul was very religious (Acts 9). Read what Jesus asked him:
“… why do you persecute Me?”
The Pharisees and the Sadducees were very religious. They would not allow Jesus to operate.
Paul thought he was doing God some service, but rather it was disservice.
John 3:1-4 says; “And there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles which you do unless God is with him. Jesus answered and said to him, truly, truly, I say to you, Unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Nicodemus was one of the Pharisees, very religious but wasn’t a Christian. He didn’t even know the meaning of being born again yet he was the preserver of the Law of Moses. We have many people in our churches today who don’t know Jesus yet they handle positions in church, they sing, they teach Bible studies.
A religious person will say:
As far as this denomination is concerned this is how we do it.
We close at this time; we came and met it – tradition goes on.
We pray that same prayer anytime we meet. That is how it used to be.
But I pray every day, a religious person will say. Cornelius used to pray more than you are doing yet he was not a believer.
Look at the Verse five; “And now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, whose last name is Peter. He is staying with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside. He will tell you what you must do.”
Peter was to preach the Good News to him and lead him to Christ
Good deeds do not make someone a Christian.
A Christian is someone who;
Believes in, and follows the teachings and example of Jesus Christ after the person has accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and personal Saviour.
Someone of Christian qualities
Do you just follow or you are a participator?
Be a Christian and not a religious person.
STOP DECEIVING YOURSELF!
Prayer: I want to be a Christian, Lord, not a religious person, hence help me Holy Spirit,
Amen!
Rev. John Wundengba
0209422159
