The Ultimate "Rule-book"

Series Intro

Rules aren’t normally thought of as things that make your free

BUT...

In a world where Jesus reigns, rules do much more than keep us safe

EVERYONE needs to know that the right rules can set you free

Texas A&M Marching Band

Lets take a look at a group of people engaging with a STRICT set of rules

--- Marching video ---

Their routine is VERY complex

Knowing the correct, steps, turns, notes, etc… helped this group accomplish their end goals

In the same way, if we hold tight to “our rules,” we too can live a life that accomplishes “our end goal”

What are rules?

Before we go any further…

Official Google Definition: A set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct within a particular activity or sphere.

You should not follow a rule if:

- Someone (you or someone else) does not benefit from the rule

- The rule is not backed by specific facts (support), giving it validity (the quality of being logically or factually sound; soundness or cogency)

The Bible consists of principles governing conduct of Christ followers BUT that’s not the only thing the Bible does. It provides:

Life

A soul-saving story

Connection (to God and His people)

If we can trust its validity and know what it provides, THAN WE SHOULD accept this configuration of documents as our rules!

What do we do with our rules? (James 1:19-22)

Lets ask James!

We can assume that he knew a few things, you know… being the half-brother of Jesus; you might pick up a thing or two

James wrote a book in the Bible and has a lot to say about rules AKA “our rules” — the bible

(v19-21) — Before James even speaks about the rules, he knows that it is crucial that Christ followers have COMPOSURE

The story of Christ without Composure means absolutely nothing

When we are constantly trying to rid ourselves of all of the FILTH of this world, we are showing this world who the LIGHT is.

(v22) — But be DOERS of the word

--- Listening demonstration ---

You cant do something if you don't know what it says!

Our ability to follow God’s rules is closely related to how often we read his “rule-book”

--- Bible reading talk ---

How do the rules help us? (James 1:23-25)

(v23-25) — When we engage with Gods rules, they set us free