Brothers and sisters,
Happy Monday to all! It is wonderful to be part of the family of God at East Madison! Yesterday we discovered this once again as we observed the Lord’s Supper and remembered that Jesus gave His body and shed His blood for us, so that our sins could be forgiven. As we took communion together we were reminded that we are part of one another, joined together by Jesus and all He has done for us. We celebrated the high school graduations of Emily, Kayt and Savannah as their church family. We looked from Matthew 12 how we avoid rule-keeping religion. Truly following Jesus frees us from rule-keeping religion and provides rest and peace. Rule-keeping religion focuses on others supposed failures instead of our personal need for forgiveness and rest. Rule keeping religion loses sight of the hurts and needs of people and emphasizes rules and rituals. Rule-keeping religion cares more about defending itself than about helping those crushed by life. Rule-keeping religion ultimately crushes and destroys us and others. Truly resting in Jesus and His forgiveness and seeking to love Him more and love others more helps us avoid rule-keeping religion.
Love being your pastor!
Bob Ray, Pastor, East Madison Baptist Church