THE ONLY THING THAT COUNTS (5 OF 8)
Scripture: Galatians 5:1-6
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The Only Thing That Counts (5 of 8)
Series: Galatians: Free At Last
James Merritt
Galatians 5:1-6
Introduction
1. He is thirty-five years old, from California, and has no use for the church or modern day Christianity. When asked why, this was his response, ''Christians have become political, judgmental, intolerant, weak, religious, angry and without balance. Christianity has become a nice Sunday drive. Where is the living god, the holy spirit, an amazing Jesus, the love, the compassion, the holiness? This type of life, how I yearn for that.''
2. Whether we think that is fair or not, there is an increasing antipathy, apathy, and antagonism toward the church and modern day Christianity unlike anything we've ever seen in our nation's history. Being frank and honest, a big part of it is our fault and it is exactly why a man named Paul wrote a book called ''Galatians'' to a church in Asia, two-thousand years ago, because there was a danger that a church that had been taught the liberty with trusting Jesus, was being tempted to replace it with legalism that comes from trying to keep the law. That problem has never left us and it is alive and well today.
3. Seventy-percent of people in America now describe themselves as ''Christian.'' but, when you dig deeper, only one out of every five individuals say that Christianity is simply about trusting in Jesus Christ and having a personal relationship with him. The other eighty percent associate being a Christian with certain lifestyles and behaviors. Many equate the term with religious practices such as ''attending church'' or ''being religious.'' in other words, the vast majority of Christians believe that to be a Christian you have to add something to Jesus like ''do's and don'ts.'' you have to add rules, regulations, rituals, and yes, religion.
4. I grew up in churches like that. You are going to think this is hilarious, but back in the day churches said there were many churches that taught that you coul ...
Series: Galatians: Free At Last
James Merritt
Galatians 5:1-6
Introduction
1. He is thirty-five years old, from California, and has no use for the church or modern day Christianity. When asked why, this was his response, ''Christians have become political, judgmental, intolerant, weak, religious, angry and without balance. Christianity has become a nice Sunday drive. Where is the living god, the holy spirit, an amazing Jesus, the love, the compassion, the holiness? This type of life, how I yearn for that.''
2. Whether we think that is fair or not, there is an increasing antipathy, apathy, and antagonism toward the church and modern day Christianity unlike anything we've ever seen in our nation's history. Being frank and honest, a big part of it is our fault and it is exactly why a man named Paul wrote a book called ''Galatians'' to a church in Asia, two-thousand years ago, because there was a danger that a church that had been taught the liberty with trusting Jesus, was being tempted to replace it with legalism that comes from trying to keep the law. That problem has never left us and it is alive and well today.
3. Seventy-percent of people in America now describe themselves as ''Christian.'' but, when you dig deeper, only one out of every five individuals say that Christianity is simply about trusting in Jesus Christ and having a personal relationship with him. The other eighty percent associate being a Christian with certain lifestyles and behaviors. Many equate the term with religious practices such as ''attending church'' or ''being religious.'' in other words, the vast majority of Christians believe that to be a Christian you have to add something to Jesus like ''do's and don'ts.'' you have to add rules, regulations, rituals, and yes, religion.
4. I grew up in churches like that. You are going to think this is hilarious, but back in the day churches said there were many churches that taught that you coul ...
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