How Religion Stole My Joy

God's Rule Extended... (p20–21)

6/15/26

"Our faith is not a matter of hearing what Christ said long ago and trying to carry it out. Rather, the real Son of God is at your side."

Jesus, I don't do this in my own strength.

On my own.

You are here with me.

In me.

I can't do this.

I can't be who you want me to be, who you created me to be.

But we can.

Work in me.

Through me.

Transform me.

Empower me.

Let's do amazing things together.

I'm willing.

What A Kingdom Is (p21–22)

This is really interesting.

"We each have a kingdom. This is the core of what it means to be the image of God. The basis of our destiny, what we were made for."

We have creative dominion in our realm.

Not to rule over others.

But to act as God acts within the range of our effective will.

Also, anything we do to limit the domain of another steals their ability to live out their destiny, mar the image of God in them, and therefore robs their joy and purpose in life.

"Thought control is the worst way to do this."

This is what religion does.

Specifically, Reformed theology.

This is what MacArthur did to me.

He controlled my thinking and therefore my life.

He taught me I was worthless.

A worm that deserved misery.

Only a slave to do what I was told.

No freedom.

No worth.

No value.

And I hate that I allowed myself to be duped.

That I multiplied his lies and control into the lives and souls of others.

God, your message is freedom and joy.

This is what we will proclaim in the CV.

Use us to bring life.

To work against those who use thought control to take away the kingdom of others.

A Harlot Crashes the Party (p17–19)

This prostitute

"was moved to believe that she too was loved by him and by the heavenly Father of whom he spoke."

Incredible!

She's still a prostitute even!

Not a "former prostitute."

This is amazing love.

She gets it.

The religious guy missed it.

So many religious churches today miss it.

Simon would rather accept a Jesus who isn't a prophet than a Jesus who accepts a prostitute.

"It never occurred to him that Jesus would know exactly who the woman was and yet let her touch him."

But what does Jesus actually see?

A woman who

"loved him much." (Luke 7)

"Simply that is now the key of entry into the rule of God."

This changes everything!

I'm not accepted by God based on my upright life.

He accepts me (and more: he loves me and celebrates me!) and my failures, my past, my pride, my stubbornness.

All of it.

And I'm not going to be used of God in powerful ways because of my training, my degrees and papers, my biblical knowledge, my doctrine, or my theology.

God is and will do miraculous things in and through me because I love him much.

The church today is like Simon.

They have no category for a Jesus who accepts prostitutes.

Who sees her great love for him and celebrates it.

They turn away from the true Jesus just like Simon did.

But not me.

Not Passion Church.

Jesus is for everyone.

All are truly welcome.

He accepts a messed-up, selfish, confused, Satan-worshipping fool like me who has missed many and misrepresented him.

But he sees how much I love him.

And he fills me with his presence.

Oh God, help people in PS and DHS see how much you love them.

Bring thousands into an experience of who you really are!