LifePointe Christian Church
Speaker: Chris Delfs, Senior Pastor
We can accidentally OPPOSE the priorities, values and heart of God
Dark Side of Spiritual Passion: God’s grace only available to the deserving
Luke 18:11 NIV
Messy Grace by Caleb Kaltenbach
“Church needs to be a place where you can belong even before you believe.” - Caleb Kaltenbach
Whose on your Luke 18:11 “Thank God I’m not like them” list?
Dark Side of Spiritual Passion: Mercy gets crowded out and cast aside
Legalism leaves little room for mercy
Breaking the Sabbath: Jesus’ favorite rule to violate
Micah 6:8 NIV
Mercy: Compassion, kindness, tenderheartedness, gentleness
Sabbath: Exodus 20:10 On it you shall not do any work.
Pharisees rules were based on logic and reason and scripture. Rules were based on a deep commitment to follow and obey God’s Laws
It appears Jesus was flippant about obedience to Scripture
Matthew 12:10, John 5:1-18, John 9
Mercy over sacrifice every time
Matthew 9:12-13 NIV
The Law forbids harvesting (Exodus 34:21)
Jesus tells story about King David (Matthew 12:1-8)
David ate the forbidden bread
Accidental Pharisee: Has hard time offering mercy to people (people will take advantage or use it as an excuse)
“Hate the sin, love the sinner”
“In the world, but not of the world”
Terrible phrases!
“They” already know you hate their sin
“They” do not know if you really love them
Matthew 9:36 NIV
John 13:34 NIV
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Romans 2:4 NIV
Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
1 Thessalonians 5:14 NIV
Galatians 6:2 NIV
1 Peter 4:8 NIV
We need someone to come alongside us to help, support and encourage us
“Mercy toward the lost does not soften the law or the Gospel, it softens the sinner!”