Doug Rowse

Our greatest need is not to be loved as many presume, but to be liked. The Apostle Paul begins his letter to the Ephesians by reminding them that not only does God love them, but He has ALWAYS loved them! We are included in this blessing. You will be deeply encouraged by this message.

The final teaching from our series in the Book of Galatians. This message deals with what really counts in life. The best thing we have going is something that we're not even doing! We can rest in the fact that God is up to something truly good in our lives. Religion does not produce rest, but a relationship with Jesus does! God bless you friend.

It takes time get a good harvest. Sometimes we want to give up because the wait is so long. Yet Scripture encourages us that if we do not give up, there will be a harvest in due time. Hang in there friend! Its good! This week Dave takes us through Galatians 6:1-10 and encourages us to keep planting those good seeds. The harvest is coming!

The root of your life is revealed by the fruit of your life. Religion tells you to do more, try harder, work smarter. The fruit? Weary, tired souls that remain broken. Allowing the Holy Spirit to change you from within produces fruit like love, joy and peace. This message begins with a testimony from Nick Ruitto about the freedom he has found from a porn addiction. He becomes 'exhibit A' of what happens when the Holy Spirit is given free reign in our lives.

If there are no rules, then how does a free person behave? This question is answered in our next teaching from Galatians 5.

Dear Christian, do you know Who lives inside of you? The Apostle Paul's prayer for the Galatians was that Christ be formed in them. This is the primary difference between religion and Jesus. Religon only has power to make you good. Jesus can make you godly.

Jesus didn't die on a cross to make you religios. He died to invite you into His family. So why choose slavery to religion when God invites you to become His son or daughter?

How many rules does it take to keep you doing the right thing? With maturity comes freedom from being TOLD what to do. Religion is like a babysitter. It removes your freedom of choice and tells you what to do. It seeks to make you good by forcing you into right behavior. Jesus makes you godly by transforming your character.

The single greatest temptation you will ever face is the temptation to religion. Every other temptation promises fun or fulfilment. Religion promises life. This week in our study of Galatians 2 we learn that even the Apostle Peter succumbed to religion's pressures! What can we do to avoid it? Take a listen and find out.

Jesus didn't die on a cross to make you religious. Yet many Christians have become snagged by religion's error. Be careful! The greatest threat to your soul is not outside of the church, but inside of it. The world's lies are obvious. Religion's chains are more subtle. The letter to Galatians begins with a stern caution against becoming religious in the way we approach Jesus.

Whether he was in prison or not, Paul identified himself as "the prisoner of Christ." We can only be as free as the One to Whom we are bound. Link ourselves to addiction, to unhealthy relationships, to our work, or anything else, and we will become tired, weary and bound. Link yourself to Jesus Christ and taste what true freedom is all about! This is our first message in the Jailhouse Pastor series. We begin with a challenge to become imprisoned by the only One who can really set us free.