Religion: an organized system of beliefs and teachings,
of rules, regulations, and rituals, used in the worship
of a god or a group of gods.
CHRISTIANITY
According to World Christian Encyclopedia: 34,000 separate Christian groups
We are part of the United Methodist Denomination
Rules, regulations, and rituals are important:
The problem: When religion becomes more important than the relationship
Mark 3:1-6 (The Message)
Then he [Jesus] went back in the meeting place
[the synagogue] where he found a man with a crippled hand.
The Pharisees had their eyes on Jesus to see if he would heal him,
hoping to catch him in a Sabbath infraction. He said to the man
with the crippled hand, “Stand here where we can see you.”
Then he spoke to the people: “What kind of action suits the
Sabbath best? Doing good or doing evil? Helping people or
leaving them helpless?” No one said a word. He looked them
in the eye, one after another, angry now, furious at their
hard-nosed religion. He said to the man, “Hold out your hand.”
He held it out – it was as good as new! The Pharisees got out
as fast as they could, sputtering about how they would join
forces with Herod’s followers and ruin him.
Mark 12:30 (New Revised Standard Version)
‘…you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind,
and with all your strength.’
Mark 12:31 (New Revised Standard Version)
The second is this,
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
There is no other commandment greater than these.
Connection’s Mission: Connecting People with Jesus and the Life He Offers.