You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about Me, yet you refuse to come to Me to have life. (John 5:39-50). The religious leaders knew what the Bible said but failed to apply its word to their lives. They knew the teachings of the Scriptures but failed to see the Messiah to whom the Scriptures  pointed. They knew the rules but missed the Saviour. Entrenched in their own religious system, they refused to let the Son of God change their lives. Don't be so involved in religion that you miss Christ. The present day church is entrenched in its own religious system like what the religious leaders were doing during the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. People are refusing to let Jesus change their lives. They are refusing to let Jesus increase in their lives, as a result, many are religious & not righteous. They know the stories which are recorded in the Bible, they even preach the Word to others, BUT they do not know the God behind those stories. Christianity is a relationship with God through Christ. It is a movement, an organism sort of. Today we now have what I would call:  Christian religion. Religion at best makes people religious. Jesus makes people righteous. Righteousness comes from God on the basis of our faith in Jesus Christ. God credits our faith as righteousness. Religion is a mixture of the Lord's commandments & man made rules. It talks about God but underplays Christ & the Holy Spirit. It also distorts, twist, adulterate the Word of God & quote the Scriptures out of context. People know more about their prophets, & apostles than they do about Christ. People know more about their own denominational church rules than they do about Christ. Christian religion is dividing the Body of Christ. It is bringing confusion & disorder in the church. The Bible commands us to draw all men unto Christ. It commands us to commit people to God & to the Word of His grace, which is able to build us up & to give us an inheritance among those who are sanctified. (see Acts 20:32). Religion is drawing people to their own sect or denomination. In its practice, it compromises the Scriptures a lot. It preaches heresy, etc. People are mainly faithless. Unbelief & negativity is dominant in their lives or its operations. Church, note than unbelief is SIN. The majority of the people have no Christian character. They are not true to God. Some ACT Christianity. When you come near them you will see that they are fake; they do not practice what they say. Lord Jesus, help us. Amen. Church, what I am saying is true. It is happening on the ground.This is why I have used it as a practical example in this message. Let me go to the solution. Church, I believe that many of us have failed the test. Jesus loves you. He died for your sins on the cross. I love you as well. Do not condemn  yourself, grace is still available. Rise up from your fallen state, repent, make peace with God & begin to do the right thing. Begin to walk humbly with God. Operate strictly by the authority of the Word of God. God is faithful & just to forgive us our sins if we confess them. He will also purify us from all unrighteousness. Your tomorrow will be alright.  Thank you Jesus. Good morning Holy Spirit. Prayer: Father, your Word says: He who has the Son has life, he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. Jesus, you are the way, the truth & our very own life. You Word says: Let Jesus increase in our lives & let self reduce.  Help us to be true to You & to align our lives & words to Your Word. Forgive our sins. Wash us by the blood of Jesus. Purify us from all unrighteousness.  Lead us in the way everlasting. Revive your church today. Holy Spirit convict your church of today first in regards to sin, righteousness & judgement, then convict the world. Refine us. Those who are doing right, prune us so that we bear more fruit. Restore faith in your church. Restore power & glory in your church. Restore Christlike character in the church. Make us humble & teachable. Release a teachable spirit in your church. Help us to go back to the BASICS & to proclaim a SIMPLE Gospel. Release those who are bound. I set them free in the name of Jesus Christ. I declare in the name of Jesus Christ:  You are free. In Jesus mighty name we pray & believe, Amen.  Grace & peace be with you.