The Religion of the Samaritans

2 Kings 17:24-41

• Israel carried away captive by Assyria (2 Kn. 17:5-6)

• Samaria was resettled with captives from Babylon, etc. (17:24)

• They brought with them their gods.

• The LORD sent lions in the land • They consulted to determine

“the rituals of the God of the land” (27)

• They appointed priests for the high places from every class of people, (2 Kn. 17:32)

• But they served their own gods (17:33-34)

•“However they did not obey, but they followed their former rituals. So these nations feared the LORD, yet served their carved images; also their children and their children’s children have continued doing as their fathers did, even to this day.” (40-41)

A religion of fear• At first they did not fear (2 Kn. 17:25), until they faced consequences

• They did fear the retribution of the Lord – 32-33, 41

• In following their idols they did NOT fear Him – 34-40

A religion of fearFEAR is where our faith begins

•Psalm 111:10, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Prov. 1:7, 9:10•Realizing our sinful condition ought to provoke fear 2 Cor. 5:10, Heb. 10:31; Matt. 10:28

A religion of fearFEAR should not paralyze us!

•It ought to provoke a response. Cf. Acts 16:29-30, Prov. 19:23, “The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.”

A religion of fearProper FEAR leads to obedience

•Eccl. 12:13-14•Phil. 2:12•2 Cor. 7:1, “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”

A religion of fearProper FEAR keeps us faithful

•Heb. 4:1•1 Pet. 1:17, “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;”

A religion of fearPerfect faith – not FEAR but

reverence•Fear and reverence are related. Terror vs. respect •Heb. 12:28, 2 Tim. 1:7•1 John 4:18-19

A religion of ritual•“They feared the Lord, yet

served their own gods” (17:22-23)

•Rituals, without the heart!

A religion of ritualCan we be guilty of this?

•How we worship and serve IS important• But so is our attitude, Matt. 15:7-9Psa. 138:1“I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You.”

A religion of ritualEvery act of worship involves the heart

•Col. 3:16 – singing•2 Cor. 9:7 – giving•1 Cor. 11:27-29 – Lord’s Supper•James 5:16 – prayer•Ac. 10:33 - preaching

A religion of compromise

•They worshipped their own gods (29-33) and sought the favor of the Lord at the same time.

A religion of compromise

We are living in a time of compromise•Many want to serve God and the world – Matt. 6:24, Jas. 4:4•Others seek compatibility with all religions•Some brethren compromise God’s word for sake of unity

A religion of compromiseGod NEVER accepts compromise!

•He has always been very specific as to how He is worshipped•Deut. 6:4-5, 14•Jeremiah 25:6•Matt. 4:10•Gal. 1:6-9•1 Cor. 10:14-22

Are we standing true to God’s word?