The Religion of the Samaritans 2 Kings 17

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 fear FEAR 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 fear FEAR 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 fear Proper 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 fear Proper 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 fear Perfect 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: 2223) • Rituals, without the heart!

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

A religion of ritual Every 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 compromise God 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?