INTRO – What Is The Issue?

Many people have been burned by religion or religious people which often creates a ‘death zone’ between them and God.  This kind of toxic religion can cause many wrong attitudes about God including seeing God as critical and un-accepting or totally unapproachable.  Because of this wrong thinking you might find yourself seeking out other activities that in reality are non-life giving sources instead of Christ who brings life.  Toxic religion can be summed up in the statement by comedian D.L. Hughley – “I don’t have anything against Jesus…It’s his people I can’t stand.”

• Have you ever been burned by religion or religious people?  How did that experience affect you?


• Do you ever feel God is inaccessible?  Why do you think that happens?


• Do you ever seek a cure for life problems or issues from a non-life giving activity, i.e. food?  What do  you go to most often?

THE PROBLEM – READ JOHN 5:8-18 & Matthew 16:6-12

Even though Jesus had done a great work in the life of the invalid man, the religious leaders immediately attacked the man for carrying his mat on the Sabbath.  In Matthew, Jesus warns against this kind of toxic teaching that literally strips the good news from the Gospel he came to proclaim.  The Gospel in many churches is no longer good news of life in Jesus Christ but the gospel of ‘You can’t do that.”  You then no longer see God as a giver of life and life purpose but as some kind of cosmic cop waiting to strike when you do wrong.  This results in a guilt-ridden or boring existence that Jesus never intended life to be.

• When you think of church do you typically think of rigid rules and stifling life regulations?  Do you ever think of God as a cosmic cop?


• Do you consider yourself a lover of life?  Has being ‘religious’ ever caused you to see life as boring?
  
  
• How has your “church experience” affected how you view Jesus?

THE WRONG RESPONSE – “You’re Not The Boss Of Me!”

Re-read John 5:14. Even though some continue to live in a guilt-ridden avoidance of God, many turn in the opposite direction of relativistic liberalism saying “I’ll do whatever I want.”  This too is very dangerous because God is a moral God who designed the universe with absolute moral boundaries and laws.  Just as you can’t jump off a building without falling, you also can’t flaunt spiritual laws and not get hurt.

• Without much description how rebellious have you been, doing whatever you wanted to do?  Did your view of God affect your decision to “do life” your own way?


• Do you remember the first time you realized there are spiritual truths and laws you must follow? How did it happen?

THE RIGHT RESPONSE – “I Give Jesus Authority Over My Life”

Read Mark 7:18, John 1:14 & Re-read John 5:17-18.  In answering the question, ‘Who is the boss of me?’ you basically have 3 responses:  Self and self interest, Human tradition which often mixes folk religion, biblical knowledge, and personal prejudice, and thirdly Jesus Christ.  In response to the religious leaders – Jesus clearly claims the authority of God but does so with both grace & truth for all who believe in him.  Jesus is both Savior and Lord and you should look to him for all instruction and direction.

• Have you ever asked the question, “who is the boss of me?”  What was you initial answer?
  
  
• Do you consistently seek the counsel or instruction from your true boss, Jesus?  How do you do that?
  
  
• What will you do today to better seek Christ’s direction and grace in your daily life?