de·fine/di ' fīn/ What defines us? Do we have any say in it?

Big Idea: Being defined by beliefs Or by lifestyle Is not the same As being defined by a Relationship with God

What defines us Enslaves us Or sets us free

Sunday School Lessons Religious Moralism

Sunday School Lessons Pride, Self-effort, Comparison

Sunday School Lessons Pride, Self-effort, Comparison God owes me!

Sunday School Lessons Disillusionment

Intellectual Church Believe the right theology No connection to lifestyle

Intellectual Church Walked an aisle Gone through Catechism Classes But never experience God's Presence

Intellectual Church Tied to beliefs, not Jesus

The 2 great Errors Of "Christian" society: Moralism and Beliefism (Secret Faith)

Jesus burns both…

Sermon on the Mount "Here's how my kingdom operates"

“You are the salt of the earth.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men"

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven"

2 Problems: Salt that can be seen but Isn't salty Light that is shining But can't be seen Outward Morality vs. Secret Faith

Salt can lose its saltiness Salt marshes full of impurities

Salt can lose its saltiness - Looks like salt - Feels like salt - Sounds like salt But seasons nothing Preserves nothing Makes no one thirsty

Religious Moralism… Votes Positions on issues Majors on minors Good without God (Self-centered, Self-effort)

Religious Moralism… No inner life to match The outward persona

Religious Moralism… Provides no seasoning Preserves nothing but culture Makes no one thirsty for Jesus Because it's an outward expression With no inner reality

Salt without Saltiness Treacherous: - Turns people off

Salt without Saltiness Treacherous: - Turns people off - Leads to disillusionment

Salt without Saltiness Treacherous: - Turns people off - Leads to disillusionment - Deceptive

Salt without Saltiness Treacherous: - Turns people off - Leads to disillusionment - Deceptive - Self-centered

"…how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men"

Religious Moralism Is a lie people tell themselves "I'm good because of me…"

“You are the light of the world" Light can be hidden But it's a perversion of The nature and purpose of light

Light can be hidden But only by intentionally Keeping it from others

Light can be hidden But only by intentionally Keeping it from others - Misses the purpose of light

Light can be hidden But only by intentionally Keeping it from others - Misses the purpose of light - Ignores light as a gift to be shared

Light can be hidden But only by intentionally Keeping it from others - Misses the purpose of light - Ignores light as a gift to be shared - Is unloving

Light can be hidden But only by intentionally Keeping it from others - Misses the purpose of light - Ignores the gift of having light - Is unloving - Is self-centered and self-deceived

Faith without works is…?

Beliefs without lifestyle Is self-deception "Me and Jesus have an understanding"

2 Problems: Outward Morality (Salt)= Throw it out START OVER Secret Faith (Light)= Let it out IF IT'S REAL, IT'S NOT HIDDEN

"For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven"

"For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven" Led Zep, Bose, Cadillac, Harley

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’

Outward Morality= Don't Kill Secret Faith= I know it's wrong to murder Jesus= "Not even close…"

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.

"Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell"

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’

Outward Morality= Sexual Faithfulness Secret Faith= I know God wants purity Jesus= "Gimme a break!"

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Looking great on the outside isn't enough Having the right beliefs won't do it

…Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven" - Matthew 5

The Pharisees looked great The believed the right stuff They weren't part of the Kingdom

What's the answer? Try to be salty? Try to show more light?

What's the answer? Be Defined: Not by outward moralism Not by right beliefs By Jesus

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me - Galatians 2:20

Unless your righteousness surpasses…

What's the answer? Surrender to Jesus That is lived out by his power In his presence For his glory Because of a changed heart

“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds” - Hebrews 10 God does the changing Sets us free from self-centered faith

What should define us Is not our relationship with morality Nor our relationship with an experience or belief But a relationship with our God

Am I outwardly moral? Am I someone with beliefs But no connection to lifestyle?

You are salt: Are people thirsty for Jesus around you? You are light: Do people glorify God because of you?

Press in to Jesus - Pray - Handle the Ancient Scriptures - Let God change your heart and your life 6 days, 1 chapter each day Ephesians