Powerpoint - June 2, 2011

Why obedience is better than religion

June 2, 2011

“Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”

1 Samuel 15:22

I was driving down the street one time and I saw one of those little bumper stickers on the back of a car that said, “Honk if you love Jesus.”  So I honked, and it infuriated the fellow driving! He shook his fist at me and had apparently forgotten all about his bumper sticker.  I wanted to go lift that bumper sticker off and put on there, “Honk if you love Buddha” or something if that’s the way he was going to act. 

In today’s society, it can be easy to fall into ‘Pop Christianity’. I know for a fact that it’s often beneficial to your image and social status to be seen as someone who follows Christ. But the reality is that it makes it more and more tempting to simply give lip service to the Gospel without truly being committed to the cause of Christ.

Even the ancient Israelites fell into that pattern of behavior. So God made it clear in today’s passage that a real relationship with him wasn’t about just going through the motions, but it was about true obedience.

So if you feel yourself going through the motions of mindless and heartless religion, remember your first priority, above all else, is to trust and obey your Lord. That’s the mark of a true believer.

WHEN YOU’RE TEMPTED TO ONLY APPEAR RELIGIOUS, REMEMBER THAT GOD REQUIRES FULL TRUST AND HEARTFELT OBEDIENCE TO HIM!

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Dear Friend,

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In this booklet, I share how the tragedy of my father’s murder revealed to me God’s steady comfort during times of trial. And I share in this booklet the four promises God makes as you search for comfort in the midst of your doubts.

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