From Religion to Relationship: Embracing Grace and Mercy

Summary

Today’s gathering began with a joyful celebration of fathers, a reminder of the unique and vital role dads play in our families and in the kingdom of God. We honored the men among us, recognizing both the cultural challenges they face and the spiritual calling they carry. As we prayed over our fathers, we asked for God’s strength, protection, and a deeper pursuit of Him in the coming year.

Turning to the Scriptures, we explored the trials of Jesus—how He was brought before Annas, Caiaphas, the Sanhedrin, and ultimately Pilate. These were not just legal proceedings, but a profound moment in history: God Himself, in the person of Jesus, was put on trial by His own creation. The religious leaders, driven by envy, fear, and a desire to maintain control, orchestrated sham trials in the darkness of night, violating their own laws in the process. Their outward piety masked an inward emptiness, a hypocrisy that prioritized ritual over relationship, and rules over mercy.

We reflected on the contrast between the counterfeit high priest, Caiaphas, and the true High Priest, Jesus. While the former sought to preserve a system, the latter came to fulfill it—offering Himself as the mediator between God and humanity. Jesus, fully God and fully man, endured betrayal, violence, and injustice, not as a distant deity, but as one who knows our pain and intercedes for us even now.

This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts for traces of religion—where we substitute rules, traditions, or our own performance for genuine relationship with Christ. Religion keeps score, seeks approval, and is motivated by fear; grace, on the other hand, flows from identity, love, and the finished work of Jesus. We are reminded that it is possible to be surrounded by spiritual activity and yet miss the very presence of God.

We must be careful not to put God in a box, nor to judge others by outward appearances or labels. True discernment comes from the Spirit, not from religious categories. Whether in our families, our church, or our workplaces, we are called to see people through the eyes of Jesus—offering mercy, grace, and forgiveness, just as we have received. Let us repent of any religious pride, and ask God to give us hearts that are soft, humble, and hungry for Him above all else.

Key Takeaways

- God on Trial: The Scandal of Religion vs. Relationship
The trial of Jesus reveals the tragic irony of religious leaders putting God Himself on trial. Their zeal for tradition and control blinded them to the very presence of the Messiah in their midst. This warns us that religious activity, even when fervent, can become a barrier to encountering the living God if it is not rooted in humility and relationship. [01:04:26]

- The True High Priest: Jesus as Our Mediator
Jesus stands as the ultimate High Priest, not only representing us before God but also fully understanding our weaknesses, pain, and temptations. Unlike the counterfeit priesthood that sought to maintain power, Jesus mediates with compassion, having suffered and been tempted in every way, yet without sin. Our access to God is not through our performance, but through the finished work and ongoing intercession of Christ. [01:20:44]

- The Subtlety of Religious Pride
Religion often masquerades as devotion but is rooted in self-righteousness, comparison, and outward performance. It keeps score, seeks approval, and is motivated by fear or guilt, while grace is about identity, love, and freedom. Even seasoned believers can slip into this mindset, measuring spiritual health by activity rather than intimacy with Jesus. [01:29:50]

- Discernment Over Labels: Seeing with Jesus’ Eyes
True spiritual discernment is not about labeling things as “Christian” or “secular,” but about being led by the Spirit and seeing the heart. God often works outside our categories, and we must be careful not to dismiss or ostracize those whom God is calling or using. Our role is to cultivate hearts—especially in our children and those around us—that are sensitive to the Spirit, not just compliant to rules. [01:36:36]

- Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment: The Heart of the Gospel
The religious spirit is most offended by mercy, grace, and forgiveness—yet these are the very things at the heart of God’s kingdom. We are called to extend the same compassion to others that we have received, refusing to discard or judge those who struggle or don’t fit our expectations. Repenting of religious pride opens us to the transforming love of Christ, enabling us to love others as He does. [01:48:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[42:49] - Father’s Day Quiz & Celebration
[49:55] - Honoring and Praying for Dads
[01:00:23] - Setting the Scene: Jesus’ Trials
[01:02:28] - The High Priest and the Sanhedrin
[01:04:26] - The Godfather of Religion: Annas’ Role
[01:07:44] - Sham Trials and Hypocrisy
[01:12:13] - The Irony of Religious Purity
[01:15:12] - Pilate’s Dilemma and Roman Justice
[01:16:58] - The Charges Against Jesus
[01:17:44] - What Offended the Religious Leaders
[01:19:29] - The True and Counterfeit High Priests
[01:20:44] - Jesus, Our High Priest and Mediator
[01:23:32] - The Offense of Mercy and Grace
[01:27:21] - Religion vs. Relationship: A Heart Check
[01:29:50] - The Subtlety of Self-Righteousness
[01:36:36] - Discernment, Labels, and Loving Like Jesus
[01:40:11] - Hank Williams Sr.: A Story of Grace
[01:47:21] - Fathers, Parenting, and the Religious Heart
[01:48:21] - Repenting of Religion and Embracing Grace
[01:49:30] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: God on Trial—Religion vs. Relationship

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### Bible Reading

1. John 18:13-24, 28-32
(Jesus before Annas, Caiaphas, and Pilate; the sham trials and religious hypocrisy)

2. Hebrews 4:14-16
(Jesus as our great High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses)

3. Matthew 23:1-7, 23-28
(Jesus rebukes the religious leaders for hypocrisy and missing the heart of God)

---

### Observation Questions

1. In John 18, what illegal or hypocritical actions did the religious leaders take during Jesus’ trials? What details in the passage or sermon highlight their motives?
[[01:04:26]]

2. According to Hebrews 4:14-16, what makes Jesus a different kind of High Priest compared to the religious leaders in the story?
[[01:20:44]]

3. In Matthew 23, what are some of the specific behaviors Jesus calls out in the religious leaders? How do these behaviors show up in the story of Jesus’ trial?
[[01:23:32]]

4. The sermon described the religious leaders as being careful not to enter Pilate’s headquarters to avoid being “defiled,” even while plotting to kill Jesus. What does this reveal about their understanding of purity and sin?
[[01:12:13]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon contrasts the “counterfeit” high priest (Caiaphas) with the “true” High Priest (Jesus). What does this contrast teach about the difference between religious systems and genuine relationship with God?
[[01:20:44]]

2. Why do you think religious activity and tradition can sometimes blind people to the presence and work of God, as it did for the leaders in Jesus’ trial?
[[01:27:21]]

3. The sermon says, “Religion keeps score, seeks approval, and is motivated by fear; grace, on the other hand, flows from identity, love, and the finished work of Jesus.” How does this difference affect the way someone approaches God and others?
[[01:29:50]]

4. What are some modern examples of “putting God in a box” or judging others by outward appearances, as warned against in the sermon?
[[01:36:36]]

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### Application Questions

1. The religious leaders in the story were so focused on their rules and traditions that they missed God standing right in front of them. Are there any “religious routines” or traditions in your life that might be keeping you from a real relationship with Jesus? What would it look like to change that?
[[01:27:21]]

2. The sermon challenged us to repent of religious pride and to ask God for soft, humble hearts. What are some signs of religious pride in your own life? How can you take a step toward humility this week?
[[01:48:21]]

3. Jesus, as our High Priest, understands our pain and intercedes for us. Is there an area of your life where you need to remember that Jesus truly “gets it” and is praying for you? How can this truth change the way you pray or face challenges?
[[01:22:34]]

4. The message warned against judging others by labels or appearances. Think of someone in your life who doesn’t fit your expectations or “box.” How can you see them through the eyes of Jesus and offer mercy or grace this week?
[[01:36:36]]

5. The sermon gave examples of how the church sometimes pushes people away because they don’t fit religious expectations (like the story of Hank Williams Sr. or the Jonas Brothers). Have you ever felt pushed away or judged by religious people? How did it affect your faith? How can you help make our group or church a place of grace instead of judgment?
[[01:40:11]]

6. In your family, workplace, or church, are there ways you tend to focus on outward behavior instead of the heart? What is one practical way you can encourage someone’s heart this week, rather than just correcting their actions?
[[01:47:21]]

7. The sermon said, “We can be surrounded by spiritual activity and yet miss the very presence of God.” What helps you personally to stay focused on Jesus and not just on “doing Christian things”?
[[01:27:21]]

---

Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for soft hearts, freedom from religious pride, and the ability to see others with the eyes of Jesus. Ask God to help each person move from “religion” to real relationship with Him this week.

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, Our True High Priest and Mediator

Jesus stands as our true High Priest, not just a religious figure but the one who fully understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us before God. Unlike the counterfeit high priests of his day, Jesus faced every temptation we do, yet did not sin, and now invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace for mercy and help. He knows what it feels like to be betrayed, misunderstood, and alone, and he continues to pray for us, offering a relationship that is personal and full of compassion. No matter what we face, we have a Savior who is not distant, but present and empathetic, making a way for us to experience God’s love and forgiveness every day. [01:22:34]

Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV)
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel misunderstood or alone? How can you bring this honestly to Jesus today, trusting him as your compassionate High Priest?


Day 2: The Danger of Religious Hypocrisy

Religious hypocrisy is when outward actions and rituals are prioritized over genuine relationship with God, leading to a focus on rules, appearances, and judgment of others while missing the heart of mercy, grace, and forgiveness. The religious leaders who put Jesus on trial were careful to avoid ceremonial defilement, yet were plotting injustice and murder, showing how easy it is to miss God while appearing spiritual. True faith is not about keeping up appearances or earning God’s love, but about humbly receiving his grace and extending it to others, refusing to let pride or self-righteousness blind us to our own need for mercy. [01:13:49]

Matthew 23:27-28 (ESV)
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

Reflection: Is there an area where you are more concerned with appearances or rules than with loving God and others? What would it look like to let go of that today and choose authenticity?


Day 3: Grace Over Religion—Relationship, Not Performance

God’s love and acceptance are not earned by our performance, religious activity, or good works, but are freely given through Jesus. Religion tries to keep score, focusing on what we do or don’t do to feel worthy, but grace invites us to rest in our identity as beloved children of God. When we serve, read the Bible, or go to church, it’s not to earn God’s favor, but because we love him and want to know him more. The freedom of grace means we don’t have to strive or hide our failures; instead, we can run to God with our mess, knowing he welcomes us with open arms. [01:32:22]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Reflection: Where do you find yourself striving to earn God’s approval or feeling like you’re never enough? How can you rest in the truth of God’s grace today?


Day 4: Seeing with Jesus’ Eyes—Breaking Out of Religious Boxes

God calls us to see people through the eyes of Jesus, not through the narrow boxes of religious tradition or judgment. It’s easy to categorize people as “in” or “out,” “clean” or “unclean,” but the Spirit leads us to discernment, compassion, and love that goes beyond labels. Whether it’s someone at work, in your family, or even in church who doesn’t fit your expectations, ask God to help you see their heart and be a light to them. The world needs believers who are led by the Spirit, not by fear or religious pride, willing to love those who are hurting and misunderstood. [01:48:21]

1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you’ve put in a box or judged by outward appearance? How can you ask God to help you see them with his eyes and respond with love this week?


Day 5: Repenting of a Religious Heart and Embracing Freedom

Every believer is susceptible to developing a religious heart—one that replaces intimacy with Jesus with routines, guilt, or pride in spiritual performance. God invites us to repent of this mindset, to lay down striving and self-righteousness, and to embrace the freedom and joy of simply loving him and loving others. When we let go of trying to be our own mediator and trust Jesus as the only bridge to God, we find rest, peace, and a renewed passion for authentic relationship. Today, let your prayer be for God to strip away any religious spirit and fill you with his love and grace. [01:48:21]

Galatians 5:1 (ESV)
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Reflection: In what ways have you let religious routines, guilt, or pride take the place of simple love for Jesus? What is one step you can take today to return to freedom and wholehearted relationship with him?

Quotes

This is God on trial by his own creation think about that for a second hebrews one says is he talking about jesus is the radiance of the glory of god the exact imprint of his nature he upholds the universe by the word of his power this is god in the flesh fully man fully god man has put him on trial and this jewish officer was the first person to strike god in the face i don't know i gotta take that in for a second when i think about it i'm sure there was blood beginning to pour down in his face after that hit him in the mouth [01:07:56] (45 seconds) Edit Clip

They've got this sham trial, illegal with the son of God, false witnesses, no desire to get to the truth, no fair trial, just away with them, kill him. But they're careful that we do not go into the governor's headquarters that we might defile ourselves. Hypocrisy of religion. [01:13:30] (19 seconds) Edit Clip

So he goes to the Father as our mediator and makes intercession for us. Do you understand? We don't have a God who's far off. We don't have a God that's the big man in the sky. He's a God who came down and suffered with us and yet he's perfect. [01:22:42] (18 seconds) Edit Clip

Do you understand? We don't have a God who's far off. We don't have a God that's the big man.in the sky he's a God who came down and suffered with us and yet he's perfectand we can boldly go to the throne of grace in our time of need we can enter in guys that's so amazing [01:22:47] (21 seconds) Edit Clip

We have to be wise and discerning that we don't say well that's got a Christian name on that must be good this does not have a Christian name on it must be bad we got to discern everything as we're walking through this life what is from God and what is from not because you know what there's some Christian movies that I have watched that did not have a Christian tag on them and I got really ministered to by the Lord and there are some songs that I've heard on the radio that are Christian songs that I feel no anointing on [01:36:02] (33 seconds) Edit Clip

Fathers it's my one father's day thing i'll say we have to be careful because we can have a religious heart with our kids we could be so focused on them doing the right thing that we don't look at their heartand try to cultivate the heart and recognize if the heart changes that the actions change [01:47:37] (24 seconds) Edit Clip

The religious spirit is like a wet blanket thrown over the fires of god in a churchit will snuff it outwe could totally miss godwhat if someone falls on the ground here and begins to cry out loud and that's outside of our box can we just say i don't maybe god is bigger than my box i don't know what god's doing down there but i'm not going to be led to defend me [01:48:03] (38 seconds) Edit Clip