Religious Seeker - Lesson #1

At least 60% of America’s religious people are depending upon their good works, religious church system or some form of self redemption to get to heaven. Let's look at what the Bible says about this .

A. Characteristics of the Religious Lost found in Scripture - Matt. 21:23-32

1. Religious service - Luke 18: 10 - 14

2. Good works - Romans 9: 30 - 33

3. Religious workers - Matt. 7: 21 - 23

4. Legalists & Traditionalists - Matt. 15: 1 - 20 

B. Characteristics of the True Believer are  found in Scripture - 1 Tim. 1: 5

1. Saved from sin by Grace through faith - Ephesians 2: 8 & 9;  Romans 3: 19 - 24

2. Born and Led by the Spirit of Christ - Romans 8: 9 - 17; Galatians - 5: 22 & 23

3. Produce the works of the Spirit - Colossians 3: 12 - 15; Ephesians 2: 10; Titus 3: 5 - 9

4. Listen and Depend only on His Word - Col. 3: 16; John 10: 1-31; 2 Timothy 3: 13 to 4: 4

5. Knew the gravity of their sins and how much they needed salvation - John 3: 36

6. Know the gravity of continued sinning and how much they need restoration - 1 John 1: 9

C. The Church is Founded by the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 1: 5

1. Jesus picks the Apostles ( Gospels )

2. Jesus Trains the Apostles ( Lord’s supper, baptism, leadership, giving, service, etc. )

3. Jesus sends the Apostles to the whole world ( Gospels & Acts )

4. The treasury of Apostolic truth is found only in the Bible - Gal.1:7-9, 2 Pet. 2; Rev 22:18-19

D. Characteristics of the Church in the Bible - Matt. 16: 18-19: 21: 42

1. Dress was to be moderate, not special for leaders - James 2: 1 - 10

2. All believers were of the Royal Priesthood - 1 Peter 2: 1-10

3. We all have heavenly access through Jesus - Heb. 4: 14 - 16

4. Qualifications for leadership - 1 Timothy: 3: 1 - 13; Matt. 20: 20 - 28; 1 Peter 1: 1 -5

5. Jesus names the Church - Matt. 16: 18 - 19

6. Teaching and Preaching the Word of God  - 2 Timothy 4: 1-8

7. Teaching through Songs and Hymns - Col. 3: 16

8. Lord’s supper, baptism, leadership, giving, service - New Testament

E. Church Concepts not in the Bible - Revelation 2: 14 & 20

1. Praying to anyone but the Lord - All of Scripture - 1 Timothy 2: 5

2. Calling anyone Holy Father other than God - John 17: 11

3. God having a mother  - Luke 8: 19 - 21 ( immaculate birth promoted first by

British Monk Eadmer around 1120 AD was rejected by Aquinas, Bonaventure , Lombard and Alexander )

4. Celibacy for all spiritual leaders - 1 Tim 3: 1- 7 & Titus 1: 5-6

5. Salvation by keeping Church rules or systems - Philippians 3: 2 - 9

6. Statues & other objects to aid worship - 10 Commandments

7. Purgatory & Communion as a sacrifice - Hebrews 10: 5 - 25