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Just say No to religion, and Yes to Jesus. 4-18-10. Matthew 14:34-15:20. He was out healing. There were people surrounding Him with real needs, real afflictions, and real pain His focus was on meeting those needs What was his motive – Matthew 9:9-13. That ugly religious spirit.
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He was out healing • There were people surrounding Him with real needs, real afflictions, and real pain • His focus was on meeting those needs • What was his motive – Matthew 9:9-13
That ugly religious spirit • Why don’t you do it the way we think you should do it? • We think you should do it this way, we think you should do it that way • Well the Bible says you shouldn’t put a stumbling block in front of another person, so you should be more like me….
We’ve got it too • Ever notice how people not like you cause you to feel a little uncomfortable? • What about when someone acts in a way that you would never dream of acting • How bout the believer who smokes, drinks, has tattoos, has a little more liberty than you are comfortable with?
So how do you identify it? • Check your motive • Check your motive again • Check it one last time • Was it out of love for that person, that situation, that damaging behavior • Was it out of a desire to justify yourself?
Christ’s motive • The Israelites expected that the Messiah would come, overthrow the government, and establish His thrown over the nations • The Father had a much different plan – He sent His only Son to love them with every last bit of all that His earthly form would allow • He had every right to tell people how right He was and how wrong they were. The only ones He pointed that toward were the religious
Jesus cuts loose twice • There are only two times in scripture where Jesus showed His frustration with the creation • The misuse of the temple – Matt 21:12-13 • Matthew 23 • What was His motive?
The antidote to religion • Don’t forget who you used to be • Matthew 18:23-35
Closing thought • There are more hurting people in the world now then there were in Jesus time • Over 6.7B people in the world today • His mission and motive were very clear - He more than tolerated me through my stupidity, He loved me • I owe it to the world to do the same