MEligion, Part 1: Don't Be MEligious // Jamie Nunnally

What is MEligion? In this message, Pastor Jamie Nunnally explains that

MEligion is when your faith is all about you.

James 1:27 ESV

Christians are called to be Christ-centered not self-centered. God came to save you, but part of that is saving you from you.

4 Symptoms of being MEligious:

1. Your spiritual disciplines only benefit you.

Spiritual disciplines are the intentional activities we do to grow in our faith. Right things

done the wrong way become wrong things.

Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. NLT

The invitation to follow Christ is an invitation into community because other people have been invited, too.

2. You make a big deal out of other people's sin instead of your own.

1 Timothy 1:15 "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst." NIV

An inflated view of yourself leads to a deflated view of your sin.

Matthew 7:3-5 "And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye." NLT

The Bible works best as mirror for seeing your own issues clearly, not a pair of binoculars to see others' issues clearly.

I often hear church people say things like "we need to take a stand against sin." I agree, but if we're going to be Biblical, we need to take a stand against your own sin, not the world's sin.

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 NLT

The church doesn't exist to judge the world, but to love the world so that they might pursue a relationship with God.

3. You get frustrated when God doesn't do what you want Him to.

Galatians 6:9 "Let's not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary." NASB

1 Peter 5:6-7 "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time"

When is God going to do that thing He promised? When He's good and ready.

Make sure your faith is tied to a relationship with God, not a result from God.

4. You struggle with confusion, instability, and disorder.

James 3:16 "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." NIV

When we're consumed with ourselves, we'll often make decisions that hurt others and hurts oursleves. When we're consumed with Jesus, we'll make decisions that help others and help

ourselves.

Are you being MEligious?