---RELIGION VS RELATIONSHIP ~~
--(PLEASE READ/ Matthew 16:11-12 / (NIV®)

“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

The Pharisees and Sadducees were two sects of Judaism that were active during Jesus’ lifetime. The Pharisees were laymen who believed that God’s revelation consisted of two parts: the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament) and the oral tradition that evolved and grew as various rabbis interpreted those writings. The Sadducees were the priests responsible for the daily activity in the Jerusalem temple, which was the spiritual center of the nation. Because of that, they were wealthy people of great financial and political influence. Both groups were religious, but they could not recognize the Messiah when He came because He did not fit their preconceived notions.

We too can be outwardly religious and not believe in God. We can sit in Church, wear all the right clothes, carry a big Bible, and know the words to every song, but still not have a relationship with Jesus. Let’s examine our hearts to make sure that our desire is not to put on a religious show, but to be a friend of Jesus.

**THINK ABOUT IT
--Are you sometimes tempted to focus on the outward expression of your religion rather than your personal relationship with Jesus? What can you do to keep your focus on Him?

**PRAYER

"Heavenly Father, be a light in my life to search my heart and see if there is any unclean way in me. I cannot always see clearly, but I trust You to know my true self and reveal to me through Your Holy Spirit how I need to change. I will be quick to confess and seek to walk in obedience, for I want to please You above all. Thank you our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer, the Great 'I AM', the true MESSIAH"~.

**Blessings,
**Pastor Allen Jackson
***Intend Ministries---"GREAT ARE YOU LORD" --/ Phillips, Craig, and Dean -- \o/ <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS26JvF125c>
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