Wednesday, June 13th, 2018 Message By: Helen Lauvao Series: FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE: EMBRACING AN EMPOWERED LIFE “UNCHANGING MESSAGE!" “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.” DEUTERONOMY 12:32 NKJV “… If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life…” REVELATION 22:18-19 NKJV 1. MASSAGE or MESSAGE? ONE LETTER DIFFERENCE = 50 SHADES OF CONFUSION. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” HEBREWS 4:12 NKJV 2. BE CAREFUL NOT TO LET METHODS MORPH THE MESSAGE. “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” JOHN 14:6 NKJV PROTECT THE MISSION / SACRIFICE THE METHOD. 3. IT’S NOT A FASHION STATEMENT! NARROW OR WIDE? YOU DECIDE! “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV Top Two Reasons why we go WIDE: Crowds bring comfort Unbelief Top Two Reasons why we go NARROW: The Devil is a Liar The Devil is a Liar Life Group Questions: Why do you think our society is easily bent to misinterpret or change the Gospel?What ways can Christ followers use protect God’s timeless instructions? How can we guarantee that the MESSAGE of the Cross does not get twisted or diluted through “trying” to be relevant to today’s culture?List tangible ways. Do you find yourself ever rationalizing your own sin or behavior?The Word of God teaches if you break one commandment you break them all.Share some areas you often dismiss as “major” sin.Make a commitment to self-correct that behavior. Do today’s methods to evangelize confirm the mission of the Gospel?Why do methods sometimes drown the mission?