Signs of the Sham of Modern Christianity Introduction: The picture of so-called Christianity is not a pretty one, because it is actually a facade, a thin veneer that hides what is below the surface. What you see is really a sham, a false front. Defined: Sham- an ornamental cover. A cheap falseness. An imitation or counterfeit purporting to be genuine. The condition that we describe has been developing for many years, as a result of the deteriorating faith. Each one should examine himself against this description, because of what has happened to Protestantism and Catholicism can also overtake the rest of us. That which is presented to the world as Christianity is not the real thing. What do people of other faiths think of when they think of Christianity? Muslims say, You claim to be followers of the prophet Christ, but your women go naked in the streets. Others see the gross immorality, the murder of millions by abortion, the sexual promiscuous TV shows and movies. They see a nation racked with drug abuse, alcoholism, and lack of self-control. What they see is a sham of Christianity. What do others in the world see in the churches of America, claiming to be Christian? They see homosexual priests and ministers. They see members talking the talk, but not walking the walk. They see the gross hypocrisy in churches and THEY have no problem seeing the Sham of Modern Christianity. Why can t we see it? I. CRUMBLING FOUNDATIONS A. A lack of genuine faith. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, NKJV
1. A lack of faith in God. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. NKJV 2. A lack of belief that Christ is divine. John 8:24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins. NKJV 3. A lack of faith that the Bible is inspired, all-sufficient, and the inerrant word of God. B. There is widespread unbelief. 1. Many teach that God is defined by man. 2. Many teach the Christ idea, rather than Christ. 3. Many teach that man is the crowning product of evolution, leaving God out of the picture. C. Religious surveys in recent years prove the startling unbelief among religious leaders. In a Theologian conference in 2000, these comments were made by two prominent theologians: God s image is going to have to change for all faiths if religion is to survive. We can t enter the 21 st century with the idea of the God we learned in Sunday school (Eck). The God I grew up with had an image of a stern lawgiver and judge who required obedience within a system of rewards and punishments a monarchical model of God that has turned many people away from the Christian faith (Borg). I find it literally incredible that the God of the whole universe has chosen to be known by one religious tradition.
In Charles Swindoll s book, Come Before Winter, (printed in 1985) Swindoll reports the astonishing results of a survey of future ministers. The seminary survey learned the following from the survey. o Do you believe in a physical resurrection: NO 54% o Do you believe in the virgin birth of Christ: NO 56% o Do you believe in a literal heaven and hell? NO 71% o Do you believe in the deity of Christ? NO 89% o Do you believe in the second coming of Jesus Christ? NO 99% Psalm 11:3 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? NKJV Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall. NKJV II. ERRATIC GUIDANCE A. Refusal to accept the scriptures as inspired. One s direction is no better than the guidance that he follows. The inspired Scriptures are adequate for guiding one in all of God s will and ways, but a watered-down Bible is almost without value. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. NKJV B. Refusal to accept the scriptures as inspired, leads to attacks of verbal inspiration and inerrancy. When man is considered as the source of the Bible, then all of his imperfections and failings pave the way for a Bible in which God s word is not considered essential and the truth of Jesus Christ is not present.
C. Attempts of many to discredit the Bible, miracles, etc. Such groups as the Jesus Seminar have tried to take the Bible apart, miracle by miracle and saying by saying, in the last few decades, leaving people little to hold to and to believe. III. DILUTED MORALITY A. True morality is rooted in God s nature and character. Many times I have said, I m thankful that the God we worship is good. Indeed, He defines morality. Not only does he define morality, he shares with man His word which cleanses the soul of man. Psalm 19:7-12 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. NKJV B. When man is the highest court of appeal, then morality amounts to no more than the accumulated ideas and ideals of our past, leaving little room for any moral absolutes. Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! NKJV C. Everything is gray, with nothing being black and white. IV. MATERIALISTIC MISSION A. The social gospel has become the emphasis in most religious groups.
The preaching of the gospel has given way to the attempt to improve people s earthly lot. The work of the church has focused on this world. Carnal lures and rewards have become the rage in efforts to draw people to the church. B. God s way emphasizes the gospel as God s power to save. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. NKJV C. It is God s teaching that saves, not man s plan for partying and playing. John 6:44-45 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught by God. Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. NKJV V. WEAKENED COMMITMENT A. When people have little faith in God, Christ, or the Bible, they have little motivation to dedicate themselves to the Lord s cause. Religious practice for many has degenerated to the outward observance of religious festivals/holidays, as was true in ancient Israel religious formalism. B. They can enjoy this life without the extreme commitment that Christ calls upon all to make in following Him. C. Following Jesus requires TOTAL commitment. Matthew 8:19-22 Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go. 20 And Jesus said to him, Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. 21 Then another of His disciples said to Him, Lord, let me first go and bury my father. 22 But Jesus said to him, Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead. NKJV
Matthew 10:34-39 Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her motherin-law ; 36 and a man s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. NKJV Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. NKJV VI. TIMID DISCIPLESHIP A. Quiet, passive, almost fearful discipleship is the result of the diversity and pluralism that have been incorporated into modern Christianity. Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly (KJV-fearful,) unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. NKJV B. What else can you expect when people have been taught: 1. There are different saviors. 2. There are different paths to God. 3. There are different religions all acceptable to God? Attend the church of your choice.
C. Modern Christianity offers the world little that is definite, or distinctive. But Jesus still claims to be the world s only Savior, his church the only acceptable body of believers, and the Bible his only way (Jn. 14:6). John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. NKJV VII. DOUBTFUL REWARD A. Many Christians profess some belief in heaven ( maybe ), but virtually none in hell ( no ). Remember earlier the statistic that 71% of those in the Seminary Survey, believed in a literal heaven or hell. I imagine there are many more who believe in heaven than hell simply because man doesn t want to believe in hell and he wants to believe in heaven. B. Their faith has become more of a doubt than anything else. Because of persistent attempts of religious leaders to undermine true faith and to weaken the basis of commitment. This is inevitable when Christ s deity if denied, God s personal existence is doubted, and the Bible is trashed. C. Jesus died, arose, and ascended to make our access to heaven possible, and He promises a great reward to the faithful but condemnation to the wicked. John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And where I go you know, and the way you know. NKJV
Matthew 5:12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. NKJV John 5:28-29 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. NKJV Conclusion: The picture that we see in the modern religious world is a poor imitation of the genuine article depicted in the N.T. Man always tends to replace the genuine with the counterfeit, but people faithful to God must remain committed to the faith of the apostles and prophets (Jude 3). How do you measure up in these areas?