Losing My Religion

Religion Needs No God

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-

mint, dill and cumin

But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-justice, mercy andfaithfulness

You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the

former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel"

- Matt. 23

God…does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served

by human hands, as though he needed anything…

…since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything- Acts 17:24-25

But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-

justice, mercy andfaithfulness

Justice- oppressed, poor, in need

Mercy- compassion for others

Faithfulness- committed to God

He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To do justly and

to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God

- Micah 6:8 (LG/LP)

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who

are oppressed

…to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor”- Jesus, Luke 4

James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and

Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized

the grace given to me

They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised

All they asked was that we should continue to remember the

poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along

- Galatians 2

You give a tenth of your spices- mint, dill and cumin

You should have done the former

God doesn't need anything

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…

No one can serve two masters- Jesus, Matthew 6

"God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment

...do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share" - 1 Timothy 6

Generosity:Time and Love

Prayer and ConcernHelp and unseen Selflessness

Truth and owning choices

Generosity:Money ceases to be security

Generosity:

As I manage what God ownsGod promises to meet My daily needs

Generosity:

I own my choices instead of Complaining about notHaving anything (God provides)

Generosity:

I get to see God use meAs a conduit to help othersWithout worrying about me

Religion:Just tell how much to give

The Faith:Spirit-led relationship

Leading to life of generosity

God wants more for youThan you want for yourself

Begins with letting goOnly open hands receive

What do my use of time, attentionMoney, material possessions

Concern for others Say about my heart?

What does Christ need to change?

As a churchWe will make a differenceAround the worldAnd in our Valley for JesusBy giving away what Belongs to Jesus

Q and A

Parents and Youth Meeting

Christmas Decorating

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