|
|
What Is Needed: Transparency In Religion Introduction:
A few weeks ago
we were studying about honesty and it occurred to me that we were talking about
transparency in religion! We hear the term transparency in business. Accounting
is supposed to be transparent, meaning that it is to reveal and not conceal.
Transparency is to show those interested and those infected what the situation
really is. I)
What Is Transparency in religion? A)
To know what God says, what He expects of man B)
To allow people to make educated decisions based upon knowledge and not
tradition or superstition C)
To eliminate t he element of surprise II)
Is Religion To Be Transparent? A)
Some don’t think so 1.
They see religion as being purely superstition or beyond reason and revelation 2.
Some admit that religion is confusing and we hear terms such as the truth as you
see it. 3.
Caused by subjective feelings and not going by the Bible. 4.
Caused by quoting various scholars and theologians B)
If religion is to be transparent 1.
Must go by the Bible, spend time reading it 2.
Have book, chapter, and verse for what you believe. 3.
We must not be defensive as many are when it comes to religion. Luke 10.25-37 gives us the parable of the Good Samaritan. The
reason for the parable is in verse 29 the man was trying to justify himself
instead of being justified by God. III)
Transparency In Religion A)
The God in the Bible is a transparent God 1.
I know Isaiah 55.8-9 is often
interpreted to mean that we can not understand the mind of God. Is that actually
what it says?
a. God thinks and acts in ways beyond man’s knowledge
b. However, God reveals to us what does pertain to us and our
salvation, 2 Peter 1.3 2.
God has revealed Himself to mankind, through the Prophets, Jesus, and the
Apostles.
a. God told Adam and Eve to not eat the forbidden fruit before
Satan came.
b. The man that picked up sticks and was
stoned in Numbers 15
knew it was wrong to break the Sabbath.
c.
d. The word of God plainly tells us who will and will not go to heaven
before we die. 3.
The word of salvation has been brought down to man, Romans
10.5-8 B)
Jesus was transparent in His ministry 1.
At His trial Jesus pointed out the public nature of His ministry, John 18.19-21 2.
The Samaritan woman by the well went back to her people and said, “come see”
John 4.28. 3.
Which is almost exactly what Philip said to his brother Nathanael, John 1.46 4.
Christianity is a “come and see” religion. One that is open to study and
examination. C)
We as Christians are to be transparent 1.
Matthew 5.16 you can not be much more transparent than light 2.
We are to be ready to explain what we believe and why we believe it. 1 Peter 3.15 3.
We are to be honest before all men, 2
Corinthians 7.11 IV)
What Does This Really Mean? A)
As elders and preachers 1.
We are to be ready to talk to the congregation 2.
We are to be living according to the qualifications given in 2 Timothy 2.1ff.
a. church
finances should be transparent
b. how much you pay the preacher, balance in checking, etc.
c. More importantly what we believe and teach should be
transparent B)
As members of Christ’s body 1.
We are to be justified by the blood of Christ, Romans
3.21-26
a. Being justified means we acknowledge we have sinned against
God, v. 22a – 23
b. Being justified means we receive God’s grace and have
redemption that is in Christ, v.
24
c Being justified means we live by faith in Christ Jesus, v. 26 2.
Be honest, Matthew 5.33-37 3.
Guard your heart (thoughts), Matthew
5.21-22, 28 4.
Admit your faults, James 5.16 5.
Show concern for one another (transparency will not allow us to build up walls)
we will pray for one another and we will tell people when we need their prayers.
6.
Make sure we are doing what the Bible says and in the way the Bible says, Acts
17.11; 1 Peter 4.11 V)
We Are All Transparent Before God A)
God sees and knows everything we do, Psalm 19.12-13 1.
Joseph understood that principle in his life 2.
David realized his sin with Bathsheba was known by God 3.
Even the most carefully concealed sin is clearly seen by God B)
We all need God’s grace in order to go to heaven 1.
God is transparent: if you love Me keep My commandments 2.
God is transparent: this is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased 3.
God is transparent: Those that obey Him will have eternal life and those that do
not will have eternal damnation. Conclusion:
At times we think of transparency as bad. The phrase “I can read him like a
book” means that you can see right through the veneer and see what that person
is really like. But if we are what we claim to be we will want people to see
through us and know us. Paul said to be imitators of me as I am of Christ. That
should be our goal. Transparency does not make us obey God but it allows each
one of us to examine God’s word and decide who we will follow.
|