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Is God just a "divine fun police" waiting to ruin your weekend? In the second installment of our "Twisted" series, Pastor Ken Curtis tackles the common misconception that following Jesus is nothing more than a joyless list of "dos and don'ts."

By examining Jesus' critique of the Pharisees in Matthew, we learn that while religion often focuses on the external "clean cup," true faith starts on the inside. Discover how God isn’t trying to restrict your life, but protect it — guiding us away from empty "joy" like doom-scrolling and toward the lasting fulfillment found in loving God and our neighbors. It’s time to untwist the image of a killjoy God and embrace the one who wants more for us, not less from us.

Sermon Reflections:

• Pastor Ken mentions "National Quitters Day," when many quit their New Year resolutions. Have you ever felt that your spiritual life felt more like a "self-punishment" resolution than a life-giving practice?
• Jesus tells the Pharisees to "clean the inside of the cup first." In what areas of your life are you focusing more on your "religious appearance" than your internal heart?
• Using the analogy of a parent stopping a child from riding a bike down a steep hill, can you identify a "no" from God that you once saw as a restriction but now realize was protection?
• Pastor Ken discusses "doom-scrolling" as a joy-drainer. What are the specific habits in your daily routine that promise happiness but leave you feeling empty or fatigued?
• This week, what is one "anonymous" act of kindness you can perform to break the need for external approval?
• Given the research mentioned about the health benefits of regular worship, how can you reframe "going to church" from an obligation into a vital part of your self-care and mental well-being?

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