February 12, 2006

Christianity and World Religions

Jesus vs. Islam

Roman 5:1-9

Opening Words: This is sermon number four in a six-part sermon series I have called Christianity and World Religions. When this series is complete we will have looked at the five major religions in the world today, including Christianity. What we are really doing is looking at some basic Christian theology. Our core beliefs are far different from any other religion. Islam illustrates that fact perfectly. I have called this message Jesus vs. Islam. This is my question for you today why are you not a Muslim?

Could you answer that question without revealing to the world one of your prejudices? Can you answer that question without mentioning your heritage? Could you give me one theological reason why you are not a Muslim? Let me give you a little help. One of the major differences revolves around the little word savior. Islam believes Jesus was truly a man from God. According to them, next to Mohammed, Jesus was the greatest of the prophets. However, we believe Jesus is more than a prophet. Jesus was God incarnate. That made him the perfect sacrifice. He is our Savior. For us it begins and ends with Jesus. With this in mind let us look at this morning’s scripture lesson together.

Introduction

D.M. Stearns was preaching in Philadelphia. At the close of the service a stranger came up to him and said, "I don't like the way you spoke about the cross. I think that instead of emphasizing the death of Christ, it would be far better to preach Jesus, the teacher and example." Stearns replied, "If I presented Christ in that way, would you be willing to follow Him?" "I certainly would," said the stranger without hesitation. "All right then," said the preacher, "let's take the first step. He did not sin. Can you claim that for yourself?" The man looked confused and somewhat surprised. "Why, no," he said. "I acknowledge that I do sin." Stearns replied, "Then your greatest need is to have a Savior, not an example!"

I love that story because it emphasizes the fact that we (every one of us!) need a Savior. Peter T. Forsythe once said, "The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master." Even Jesus’ name means “God Saves.” The need for a Savior is unique to Christianity. That is one of the reasons you are not a Muslim. Let me state the obvious.

Lately, the news has been dominated by Islam. Three international stories demand our attention. First, radical Inman Abu Hamza al-Masri was convicted in London. He encouraged his followers to kill all non-Muslims. Second, the radical Islamic movement Hamas won a large majority in the new Palestinian parliament. They are officially at war with Israel. The chances for peace in the Middle East seem impossible. Third, the entire Islamic world seems to be rioting over a Danish cartoon image of the Prophet Mohammed. According to the Koran, such images are forbidden. Let me say something clearly. I don’t believe those three stories are a true representation of the Islamic faith. However, I will say the Islamic faith is a growing force in our world today.

Of the six billion people in the world today, 1.3 billion are Muslims. In the decade between 1990 and 2000 the Muslim faith grew by 110% in our own country. Did you know there is an Islamic Society of Greater Youngstown on Harman Avenue? Who are these people and what do they really believe?

Body

Islam began with a single man. His name was Mohammed. He was born in Mecca in 570. At a young age his mother, father and grandfather all died so Mohammed was raised by an uncle. His family was both respectable and poor. Mohammed never learned to read or write. However, that does not mean Mohammed was not intelligent. He learned a great deal about the world from Mecca. He learned how to work with the merchants of that commercial giant and he learned about many faiths.

Most of the people that came to Mecca were a combination of tribal polytheism. Only two tiny groups believed in one true God, the Christians and the Jews. Mohammed found himself being drawn to them and their scriptures. He believed in one true God. In his native language the one true God is translated the Allah. Influenced by his Christian-Jewish beliefs Mohammed practiced both prayer and meditation. According to the story one day in a cave overlooking Mecca the angel Gabriel came to Mohammed. He offered Mohammed letters from God but Mohammed could not read or write. It was at that moment that Gabriel reached into Mohammed’s chest and placed those sacred words on his very heart.

For the rest of his life Mohammed would sink into a trance periodically and make proclamations. Those words became the Koran. That holy book teaches complete submission to Allah. It is only when you are completely submissive to Allah that you find peace. Islam means submission. A Muslim is one who is submitted. Five times a day Muslims face Mecca and pray to Allah. They touch the ground for two reasons. First, it reminds them to stay on the path Second, it is an act of submission.

In time, Mohammed accepts an invitation to move to Medina and becomes a political force. His visions become much more violent and he forms a religious-state. At his first opportunity he attacks and conquers Mecca, itself. Determined to wipe out those tribal polytheist religions he imposes his beliefs on Mecca’s people. Mohammed understood it as an act of submission to Allah. He died at the age of sixty-three. In the next hundred years the faith that Mohammed taught spread throughout the Middle East and Northern Africa. So what do Muslims believe? Let us just look at three basic Muslim beliefs.

First, Muslims believe in Allah. Christians and Muslims have the same understanding of God. The only thing that is different is the word. The Arabic word for God is Allah, just like the Spanish word for God is Dios. Christianity, Islam and Judaism all begin with the God of Abraham. We all believe there is the one true God!

Second, Muslims believe in the Koran. It is the holy book of Islam. Over a twenty-three year period Mohammad had a series of visions or revelations. Those words were recorded and Mohammed taught that those words were the exact words of Allah. The true Koran is written in Arabic because they believe that Arabic is the language of Allah, himself. They believe the Koran is the final edition of our Bible, without any imperfections. We believe in the Bible. We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God. It is a living testimony of how God changed touched lives and a reminder of how God can change our lives.

Third, Muslims believe in Mohammed. He was the greatest of all the prophets. Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet, the second greatest prophet. Mohammed taught Allah forgives us of our sins and magnifies our good works. In other words, Mohammed taught we have no need for a savior because we can save ourselves. We believe we need a savior because we can not save ourselves.

This morning’s scripture lesson said it clearly. These words were written in the spring of the year 57. They were written to the Christians in Rome but they still ring true today. Verses one and eight of Romans five says,”Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.” In other words, we are saved by grace and by grace alone. He is our Savior and the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Your good deeds will not save you but your goods works will say, “Thank-you for saving my sin sick soul!” We are saved by grace and by grace alone! And all of God’s people said, “Amen!” Let me end with a little story.

Conclusion

The University of Al Azhar in Cairo, Egypt has been graduating students for more than a thousand years. It is a quality school with high standards. Even the entrance exam is demanding. There are 20,000 students at the University Al Azhar. Each one of the incoming freshman is required to recite the Koran from memory. That sacred text of Islam is about the size of our New Testament. It takes each one of the incoming freshman about three days. However, each one of the 20,000 students on that campus has done it. It is a sign of submission to Allah.

Could you recite twenty pieces of scripture from the Bible? Could you recite ten pieces of scripture from the Bible? Could you recite five pieces of scripture from the Bible? Could you recite just three pieces of scripture from the Bible? It is for this reason that I am glad I am not a Muslim. Learning and memorizing the Bible is important but here is the good news! Our faith is not built on submissive tasks like memorizing the Bible. Our faith is built on Jesus, our risen Lord and Savior! When we are standing before the judgment seat, God is not going to ask us how much scripture we know! He is going to ask us if Jesus is our Lord and Savior. We are saved by grace and by grace alone! And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”