Religion: an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods.
Empty religion: following the beliefs, ceremonies and rules without knowing God.
Hypocrite: person who pretends to have morals or beliefs that they don't actually possess.
Mt 21:23-32, “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ “ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. v 28-30
1. Empty religion does not impress God. The second son gave the right answer, but didn't follow through, he represents empty religion. Isa 1:11-15 They took what should've been a beautiful thing and made it into a ritual. Mt 15:7-8
2. Empty religion is a dangerous substitute for a relationship with God. The first son represents relationship, he changed his heart and mind and followed his father's instructions.
3. God wants a relationship with us, not empty religion from us. Empty religion trusts in our work, not in God's work. Chase a relationship with Jesus. Jn 14:6; Eph 2:8-9.
How do you know God? Mt 21:32 Repent from your sin and believe in Jesus Christ.
Repent: turn from your sin. Jesus hung out with sinners, and most often it changed them forever.
Believe: understand that there is a God who loved us and sent his son to live a perfect life, take our sin and die on the cross, and rise again and ascend into heaven.
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