OUR MISSION: To guide those far from God into the new start found in Jesus Christ.

PROTECT YOURSELF Recognise and Remove Hidden Dangers Review Week 1 – It’s the though that counts… Four areas where we’re all vulnerable to toxic thoughts N egative Thoughts Fearful Thoughts Discontented Thoughts Critical Thoughts Identify, reject and replace What is not from God, with the truth of God’s Word “ As a man thinks in his heart… so he is” (Proverbs 23:7)

PROTECT YOURSELF Recognise and Remove Hidden Dangers Review Week 2 – Influences 3 Questions: Am I being entertained by sin? Is this pleasing to God? Does this lure me away for Christ? 3 Thoughts: A little bit of poison goes a long way Just because everyone does it, doesn’t make it right Just because I could, doesn’t mean I should

PROTECT YOURSELF Recognise and Remove Hidden Dangers Review Week 3 – Words Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” 1. We must guard our hearts against toxic words 2. Speak life giving words to others… every chance you get 3. Speak life giving words to yourself and to your circumstances

PROTECT YOURSELF Recognise and Remove Hidden Dangers Suggested Reading

PROTECT YOURSELF Recognise and Remove Hidden Dangers RELIGION Galatians 1:6-7 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” “Christianity in its purest essence is not a religion…” – Dr. Stephen Curkpatrick Old Latin “religio” = taboo / restraint - Webster Dictionary “religion” two Latin words… “re” - “ligare” = “religare” “re” = return & “ligare” = to bind “religare” = return to bondage The words 'religion' -‘ yoga’ - 'yoke' and 'knot' all share the same entomological genesis

PROTECT YOURSELF Recognise and Remove Hidden Dangers RELIGION Galatians 1:6-7 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” “Toxic is anything containing poisonous material, capable of causing sickness or even death” Greek word for ‘pervert’ = [metastrephō] corrupt / distort / poison / toxic Firstly – Toxic Religion Focuses on the external rather than the internal Christians have 10 Commandments Pharisees’ had 613 commandments Galatians 1:6-7 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.”

PROTECT YOURSELF Recognise and Remove Hidden Dangers RELIGION Galatians 1:6-7 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” Matthew 23:25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.” “Toxic is anything containing poisonous material, capable of causing sickness or even death” Greek word for ‘pervert’ = [metastrephō] corrupt / distort / poison / toxic Firstly – Toxic Religion Focuses on the external rather than the internal Christians have 10 Commandments Pharisees’ had 613 commandments

PROTECT YOURSELF Recognise and Remove Hidden Dangers RELIGION Galatians 1:6-7 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” Luke 18:9-12 “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.” The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’” Secondly – Toxic Religion Promotes spiritual pride Jesus didn’t come to make us religious

PROTECT YOURSELF Recognise and Remove Hidden Dangers RELIGION Galatians 1:6-7 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” Romans 3:20-22 “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe…” Secondly – Toxic Religion Promotes spiritual pride Jesus didn’t come to make us religious 1. You cannot earn God’s acceptance by observing the Law 2. The purpose of the Law is to show you your need for a Saviour 3. Righteousness for God comes by faith in Christ alone

PROTECT YOURSELF Recognise and Remove Hidden Dangers RELIGION Galatians 1:6-7 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” Isaiah 61:10 “For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness…” Secondly – Toxic Religion Promotes spiritual pride Jesus didn’t come to make us religious 1. You cannot earn God’s acceptance by observing the Law 2. The purpose of the Law is to show you your need for a Saviour 3. Righteousness for God comes by faith in Christ alone

PROTECT YOURSELF Recognise and Remove Hidden Dangers RELIGION Galatians 1:6-7 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.” Luke 18:13-14 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.” We could spell religion… D.O. Relationship with Christ is spelt… D.O.N.E.

OUR MISSION: To guide those far from God into the new start found in Jesus Christ.