In part 8 of our 1 John series, Pastor Michael tells the story of Timmy the Tiny, Terrible T-Rex to illustrate our resistance to authority - especially God's. We think refusing to listen to God proves our independence, but it actually proves we're enslaved to our own desires. Through 1 John's teaching, we discover that real freedom isn't doing whatever we want, but wanting what is right because Jesus has set our hearts free.

- Sin isn't just breaking rules - it's living like God's authority doesn't apply to us

- Jesus came to remove both the guilt of sin (through forgiveness) and the power of sin (through freedom)

- Abiding in Christ means staying connected like a branch to a vine, dependent on Him for everything

- Practicing righteousness means your overall life pattern shows you're being shaped by Jesus

- Jesus is the standard of righteousness, not comparison with other people

Living like you don't have to listen to God doesn't prove you are independent - it proves you are enslaved to your drives and desires. Real freedom isn't doing whatever you want; it's wanting what is right because your heart has been set free.

- "Living like you don't have to listen to God doesn't prove you are independent — it proves you are enslaved."

- "Sin isn't just messing up. It's saying, 'God is not the boss of me.'"

- "Jesus didn't show up just to teach about sin, or even just to expose sin. He came to REMOVE sin."

- "Abiding in Jesus isn't really about trying harder. It's about being dependent on Him for everything."

- "Real freedom isn't doing whatever you want — real freedom is wanting what is RIGHT because your heart has been set free."

- "People reject God's standards of right and wrong because they think it puts them in chains. In truth, it enslaves you to something else."

Instead of saying "You can't tell me what to do," do you have the guts and humility to say "God, change me" - and then receive what comes?

Tune in to hear about Timmy the Terrible T-Rex, Pastor Michael's legendary childhood mud puddle adventure, and why practicing righteousness is like practicing a musical instrument.

Learn more about ReCreate Church at www.recreatechurch.org

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