THE COMMON MAN VS THE PHARISEE

At the beginning of this year, I left behind the smells and bells of liturgical worship. I entered the evangelical praise and worship church environment with heavy doses of Bible study and expository preaching. Raising our hands heavenward as we sing praise songs of worship to Jesus.

I have now watched three seasons of the show called The Chosen, which is about the earthly ministry of Jesus and his followers. It hit me this past week of the vast differences between denominations and non-denominational churches by watching that show and what I am now experiencing in my faith life.

Jesus called the common person on the street in daily life to minister with him. Jesus did not require expensive years of schooling. Jesus did not require special clothing to preach and do the work of the Lord. Jesus used the ordinary things of life to build faith in others.

I used to believe I needed to have clergy apparel on and preach and teach from the hard-to-understand versions of the Bible like the KJV or NASB and then I would appear really smart when I would break down what the Bible was saying. This was all about me feeling I had to prove myself worthy of being a pastor.

Now I reflect and realize it is better to minister in everyday clothing and use the NLT or NIV versions of the Bible to make plain the story of salvation. Let the Holy Spirit and love of God minister from me and not be showy. I don't prove my worth I just share Jesus.

I know that symbols are important in faith but when we lean on symbols more than Jesus himself we run the danger of worshipping the symbols and not Jesus.

Let's not be religious like the Pharisees. Let us be followers of Jesus like the disciples, blue jeans and all.

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