Authentic or Synthetic

Authentic or Synthetic
Mark 3:31-35

Authentic = genuine; original; real
Synthetic = NOT reak; artificial

1. God's Rule or Self Rule
Mark 3:33-35; Matthew 10:35; Matthew 8:34-35
Self Rule will never lead to satisfaction.

2. Repent or Retreat
Mark 1:14-15
God's grace without our repentance doesn't work.

3. Genuine faith or Imitation faith
Mark 10:14-15
Synthetic Christianity prays to a God and doesn’t expect an answer.
God, I believe you know what you’re doing, even when I do not.

4. Discipleship or Desertion
Not outward appearance, but inward
Mark 2:114
John 6:66-67

5. Evangelism or Evacuation
“Institute for American Church Growth” supplies the following statistics about percentages of how people have come to be saved
Special needs 2%
Walk in (to a church) 3%
Through a pastor 6%
Visitation 1%
Sunday School 5%
Crusade 5%
Programs 3%
Friend/Relatives 75%

Mark 1:17-18

6. Dynamic church or Dying church
Mark 7:6-8

Conclusion: Where are you lacking?

Breaking out of the Religious Straight Jacket

Breaking out of the Religious Straight Jacket - Mark 2:1-3:6

Introduction: Martin Luther hiked 700 miles to Rome. He climbed the Palace steps on his knees and said the Lord's Prayer on each step. As he reached the top he thought, "Who knows if it's true?".

Read Mark 2:5-11 The Paralyzed Man

Pastor's Quote:
"Religion is man's attempt to know God though man's own will"

I. Religion is sterile while Christianity is spiritual
Religion says things like:

Can't use different Bible Translations
Can't appreciate different styles of music
People are condemned based on their outward appearance

II. Religion is filled with pride, Christianity loves people. (Mark 2:16-17)

III. Religion focuses on form, Christianity focuses on function. (Mark 2:19)

IV. Religion is based on rules, Christianity is based on relationships. (Mark 2:23-38)
Pastor's Quote:
"Rules without a relationship always results in rebellion."

V. Religion is fault-finding, Christianity is faith-building. (Mark 3:1-6)

Conclusion:
God's Grace is FREE!
God's Love is UNCONDITIONAL!