RELATIONSHIP OR RELIGION (4 OF 15)

RELATIONSHIP OR RELIGION (4 of 15)
GROWING CLOSER AND GOING DEEPER WITH GOD
Dr. Rick E. Ferguson
JOHN 17:1-3, 20-23

Series Verse: BUT GROW IN THE GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE OF
OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST (2 PETER 3:18).

Question: Would you describe yourself as a
"religious" person?

Question: Which word best describes your
understanding and feelings about God and spiritual
things...
RELIGION or RELATIONSHIP?

Which word describes best what you have
experienced so far in this service...
RELIGION or RELATIONSHIP?

Have you gone through the motions of religion or
have you gotten in touch with God?

Would you be surprised if I told you I don't want
to be a "religious" person? The fact is, I don't have
any time or interest in religion. Truthfully... I
don't need religion.

But I'll tell you something. I am desperately
interested in and desperately in need of a
RELATIONSHIP with God.

Would you be surprised if I told you that the
greatest enemy of your true spiritual well being,
fulfillment, and ultimate happiness may very well be
RELIGION? Because a lot of people get an inoculation
of religion that makes them immune to the real thing
which is a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus Christ!

Would you be surprised if I told you Jesus Christ
never had any intention of establishing a RELIGION?
Jesus came not to establish a religion but to
establish a RELATIONSHIP with people just like you and
me, who were separated and estranged from God by our
own sinfulness.

God does not desire you to be religious. He has
no interest in seeing you perform:
- Empty ritual
- Meaningless ceremony
- Speak empty words
- Pray prescribed prayers.

God does not want you to be religious.
God wants you to have a relationship with Him.
He wants you to know Him not just know about Him.

He wants you to:
- Fellowship with Him
- Commune with Him
- Walk with Him
- Love Him.

He does not want you to simply ...

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