Parable of the Three Chairs

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the
wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in
the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the
law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day
and night. Psalm 1:1-2

Where you sit determines where you belong

This is God’s Word for my life in this Place and at this
Time. Today I am a new creation in Christ,
I am God’s very own, and
I KNOW He has a purpose for my life.

Some Pharisees and other Jewish leaders now arrived from
Jerusalem to interview Jesus. “Why do your disciples
disobey the ancient Jewish traditions?” they demanded. “For
they ignore our ritual of ceremonial handwashing before they
eat.”

He replied, “And why do your traditions violate the direct
commandments of God? For instance, God’s law is ‘Honor
your father and mother; anyone who reviles his parents
must die.’ But you say, ‘Even if your parents are in need,
you may give their support money to the church instead.’

And so, by your man-made rule, you nullify the direct
command of God to honor and care for your parents. You
hypocrites!

Well did Isaiah prophesy of you,
‘These people say they honor me,
but their hearts are far away.
Their worship is worthless,
for they teach their man-made laws
instead of those from God.’” [Isaiah 29:13]

Then Jesus called to the crowds and said, “Listen to what I
say and try to understand: You aren’t made unholy by
eating non-kosher food! It is what you say and think that
makes you unclean.”

Then the disciples came and told him, “You offended the
Pharisees by that remark.”
Jesus replied, “Every plant not planted by my Father shall
be rooted up, so ignore them. They are blind guides leading
the blind, and both will fall into a ditch.”
Matthew 15:1-14

“Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped
beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve
the LORD. But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to
you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you
will serve,

whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the
Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land
you are living. But as for me and my household, we
will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:14-15

There’s a huge difference between interest and commitment.
When you’re interested in something you will do it only when
it is convenient. When you’re committed to something, there
are no excuses, only expectation and action.

“One thing Christianity can never be
is moderately important.” CS Lewis

The people served the LORD throughout the lifetime of
Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen
all the great things the LORD had done for Israel.
After that whole generation had been gathered to their
ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither
the LORD nor what he had done for Israel.

Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD and served
the Baals. They followed and worshiped various gods of the
peoples around them.” Judges 2:7, 10-12

STOCKHOLM SYNDROME
A psychological effect in which people take on the biases
and attitudes of those around them. It happens when a
victim adopts the same values as the aggressor, and they
cease to be perceived as a threat.

“A church that doesn't provoke any crises, a gospel
that doesn't unsettle, a word of God that doesn't get
under anyone’s skin... what kind of Gospel is that?"
Bishop Romero

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They
are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one
who does good.” Psalm 14:1

“I will search Jerusalem with lamps and punish
those who are complacent, who think, ‘The
LORD will do nothing, either good or bad.’ Zeph 1:12

As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?Psalm 42:1-2

‘These people say they honor me, but their hearts are
far away. Their worship is worthless, for they teach
their man-made laws instead of those from God. Mt 15:8
SLIDING SCALE of spiritual connection.

“For this people’s heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears (deaf), and
they have closed their eyes (blind).” Matthew 13:15

How does this effect your family?

“The safest road to hell is the gradual one - the gentle
slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings,
without milestones, without signposts.”
C. S. Lewis

Parable of the Three Chairs

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