SERIES: Not A Fan

TITLE: Rules or Jesus?

TEXT: John 8:1-11 (p.894)

“I like your Christ.  I do not like your Christians.  Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”  Ghandi

I.  RULES CAN BE CUMBERSOME

Pharisees- the (legalists) of the bunch

Sadducees- the (liberals) of the bunch

If Jesus had been a rule-keeper like the other religious leaders, there would have been no way He could have extended (grace) like He did.

II.  RULES DON’T INSPIRE GRACE

Grace sent this woman home a (free) woman.  Grace (broke the chains) that held her down. Grace blew apart the (rules) of the religious leaders.

A fan follows the (rules).  A Follower follows (Jesus).

III.  RULES DON’T KEEP US AROUND

If kids grow up thinking Christianity is keeping a (moral code) rather than having a (relationship with Jesus), they will walk away from both.

If all we do is program people like computers, we will teach them (what) to think, but not (how) to think.

Christianity is defined as following (Jesus) not following (rules).

“The grace-given give grace.”  Max Lucado in “Grace”

NEXT WEEK:   Special Guest Rob Grandi concluding “Not a Fan” series