Yesterday, I focused on "communion" with God in my message. I will link the audio soon. I taught on how Jesus was the Great High Priest. The outline is below.

During my message, I briefly mentioned legalism and recommended Grace Awakening by Chuck Swindoll. The book was on my mind becuase I recently read an interview with Howard Hendricks and Chuck Swindoll where Swindoll defined the legalism problem as:

...when we get into areas that are not set forth in Scripture, either in precept or even in principle. These may be such things as length of hair, tattoos and other body piercings, skirts or pants for women, makeup or no makeup. Those are not scriptural issues. Sometimes these issues are cultural, and you do have to address them when you are in that particular culture. But I think legalism begins when you do or refrain from doing what I want you to do or not do because it’s on my list and it’s something that I am uncomfortable with.

Then, he gives his blunt advice:

The problem with legalists is that not enough people have confronted them and told them to get lost. Those are strong words, but I don’t mess with legalism anymore. I’m 72 years old; what have I got to lose? Seriously, I used to kowtow to legalists, but they’re dangerous. They are grace-killers. They’ll drive off every new Christian you bring to church. They are enemies of the faith. Other than that, I don’t have any opinion!

So, if I am trying to force my personal list of no-no’s on you and make you feel guilty if you
don’t join me, then I’m out of line and I need to be told that.

Download the interview here.

Here is the message outline:

New Years Revolutions
Communion: Connection People to God

Hebrews 4:14-16

1. He is the Right High Priest…

“14 Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to the confession.”

Hebrews 5:1-3 (HCSB) 1 For every high priest taken from men is appointed in service to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. 3 Because of this, he must make a sin offering for himself as well as for the people.

2. Because of Who He Was…

“15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin.”

1 John 3:5 (HCSB) You know that He was revealed so that He might take away sins, and there is no sin in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (HCSB) He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

3. And He Invites Us Into Relationship with Him.

“16 Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.”

2 Peter 1:3-4 (HCSB) 3 For His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 By these He has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desires.

How?

a. Right Understanding “Therefore let us approach the throne of grace…”

b. Right Attitude
“…with boldness…”

c. Right Expectation
“…so that we may receive mercy…”

d. Right Solution
“…and find grace…”

e. Right Help
“…to help us at the proper time.”