GREAT STUFF (IF IT DOESN’T DO YOU IN)

•    powerful medicine intimidating if misused
•    absorbing wrong messages can be toxic spiritually

THE DESPAIR OF NATURALISM

•    “House of Mercy” must have appeared more a House of Misery
•    paralytic stuck 38 years in a closed system
•    Jesus’ question creates hope
•    naturalism locks in “firm foundation of unyielding despair” (B. Russell)

THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF LEGALISM

•    dramatic healing spoiled by criticism of mat-carrying
•    Jesus “Lord of the Sabbath” - not hampered by oral tradition
•    Toxic Faith (Arterburn/Felton): fuelled by erroneous beliefs

THE DELIGHT OF PROVIDENTIAL PATERNITY

•    well physically, but stop sinning spiritually/morally
•    Son just doing what Father is working at
•    believers experience new intimacy with God as “Our Father” post-Easter
•    Jesus’ claim to special Sonship made Him subject to persecution

SOMETHING DIFFERENT ABOUT THESE PEOPLE

•    EMCC team in India encountered significant “bumps” in project
•    much to learn from these Christians (in attitude)