Great Hope Christian Fellowship​
  • New Direction
  • Updates/Reports
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mission | Purpose | Vision
    • What We Believe
    • Membership
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
  • Know Jesus?
  • Good News
  • Sermons
  • Online Giving

"Small-Minded" Rules - Really? (by Pastor Mark Parsons)

9/30/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture© www.sharefaith.com
The Tampa Tribune printed an article on September 23, 2013, regarding Pope Francis’ remarks on gays, abortion, and contraception. The Pope remarked that, “the church has become too focused on ‘small-minded rules’” regarding these issues of today. Many applauded what they heard as a “message of inclusion.” One elderly Catholic lady said that the Pope was “spot on.” She went on to say, “As Catholic Christians, we do need to be more welcoming.”

No one has been more welcoming to a lost and sinful world than Jesus Christ who gave His life as a ransom for all and said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) That’s pretty inclusive IF one chooses to put His yoke on and learn from the Holy Spirit His way, His truth, and His life!

Not all will enter the Kingdom of Heaven as illustrated in the parable of the marriage feast as told by Jesus in Matthew 22:1-14. Jesus also said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)

Yes, there are rules, ancient boundaries, established by God Himself and most assuredly they are not “small-minded rules.” God’s words are words of sober truth and need to be obeyed in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

When we come to Jesus and receive Him as Lord and Savior, He will equip us and enable us to overcome all of our ungodly ways and habits and transform us into His glorious image. (Romans 12:2)

Remember, there is inclusion for the faithful and obedient and exclusion for the unfaithful and disobedient.


Download Audio File

If you have never put your complete faith in Jesus Christ for your eternal salvation, why not believe what God's word says and call on Jesus Christ to save you right now? Click here and let us show you how you can KNOW JESUS.

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Enter your email address to subscribe to Sermons:

    Delivered by FeedBurner


    Archives

    September 2021
    August 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    October 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    December 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011


    RSS Feed

©2011-2022, Great Hope Christian Fellowship, All Rights Reserved | P.O. Box 82609, Tampa, FL, 33682-2609   Phone: ​(813) 244-0897
  • New Direction
  • Updates/Reports
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Mission | Purpose | Vision
    • What We Believe
    • Membership
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
  • Know Jesus?
  • Good News
  • Sermons
  • Online Giving