Brother and sisters,
Happy Monday to all! As we worshipped yesterday, we remembered the Lord Jesus by taking the Lord’s Supper together and celebrating His great sacrifice for our salvation. As we sang, we remembered this, “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.” Then, from Mark 2 and 3, we thought about the dangers of deadly religion. We see the Pharisees who opposed Jesus have a deadly and dangerous religion. If we are not careful, we can even start making the way we live our lives more deadly than lifegiving. If we focus on keeping list of do’s and don’ts; if we focus more on performance before God than the forgiveness and grace of God; if we focus more on doctrine and theology than the glory of God and the beauty of the Savior, our Christianity can become life-taking instead of life-giving. Do not fall into the trap of deadly religion. Deadly religion cares more about obeying rules and rituals than truly meeting human need. Deadly religion cares more about perpetuating institutions than bringing life and health to people. Jesus sets us free from deadly and dehumanizing religion to love and serve God and others.
We will have a potluck luncheon next Sunday, May 21, 2023, after morning worship. Bring enough food for you family and a little extra for any guest we might have.
Remember to keep praying continually for each other.
Love being your pastor!
Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church