Refuting Legalism

17 Hughes going to the Greenfield and as they made their way disciples begin a f****** kids are grown in the Pharisees. Why are you doing what is not lawful on the inside of you? Never read? What David did when he was in the meeting was hungry in those who are with him and how we entered the high priest in a severe depression, which is not lawful for any but the priests but also be used to those who are with him. And he said that I was made for man. Not man for the Sabbath Iron Man is Bored even of the Sabbath

Why is Luke read to us from the gospel of Mark? We just finished that we're finishing the book of chapter 2 of Mark this morning. So we're going to be digging into that. But as we get started, I want to ask you guys a question. What is one of the most common responses whenever you ask someone to attend church of why they won't go or in other words. What are the main responses of why people don't want to come to church.

Too early. All right. Time, okay. yes, I've heard those there's there's one that I've liked her a lot ever since I was little and it's oh, there it is. They don't want to be judge or they'll ask for money or their legalistic or they are hypocrites and things like that. Right? That's the one I was looking for. That's a very common response for why people don't want to come to church and I want to point out that this isn't a new problem something new the texted Luke just read for us this morning. We see that things when it comes to the religious Elite haven't changed much in the last two thousand years. People still judge other people still look down on others. People are legalistic and hypocritical throughout chapter 2 of The Book of Mark, right? We seeing how the Pharisees were upset with Peter for spending time with Sinners and tax collectors. They were upset with Jesus because his disciples they were of the five conflict that Christ and the Pharisees go head-to-head because he's not living up to their standards the way that they think a true Christian or at this time. We're going to see it again next week, but epicenter of many of these issues are a problem of of Is there there are a lot of examples of legalism in the scripture and in our world today? There are the I am holier than you type of legalism. Well, I would never do that. I can't believe you would associate with someone so I can't believe you would do this where that go to this place. I can't believe you do this or don't do that. You have your judgment legalism that just constantly look down on and tears people down. You have a Works based salvation legalism that says you have to do a b c d e and f to be able to get into heaven and to be able to spend eternity with God another type of legalism them that we find here in Mark chapter 2 verses 23 through 28.

But we're also going to see Jesus's response to that legalism. So we're going to see how Jesus handle legalism we in our lives when we were up against it. Look at Christ exam read with me again, Mark chapter 2 verses 23 and 24 an example of legalism the example that we're going to tackle today. So 31 Sabbath he was going through the grain Fields And as they made their way his disciples began to pluck heads of grain in the Pharisees were saying to him look, why are they doing? What is not lawful on the Sabbath?

So again, there are many types of legalism and I can take many forms or we're going to look at this particular one is worth traveling on the Sabbath on the Saturday. They were traveling on a Saturday and they were hungry. They didn't have a lot of food and we see here in Scripture that a couple of the disciples pick some grain and ate it. Did the Pharisees solid and they were all over Jesus Jesus? What are your disciples doing? You can't do that. Imagine you're going on a Sunday or Saturday stroll across the block. Can you find some wild berries and you're a little hungry. So you eat a little buddy ever done that before you find wildberries, but I imagine you pluck a few and eat them and next thing, you know Pastor. Is there yelling at you telling you what are you doing? There's a little bit of grain and they are upset right? They want to find some fault in Jesus show that he's not who he says he is even though his Works have been showing it. They think they've got it right here. They've got him into areas one traveling on the Sabbath. He was walking more than 1999 paid the big cardamom into his disciples just harvested bring me believe that they harvested Grain on the Sabbath thought they had him twice. Actually. They thought they had him dead to right but it's actually quite funny because check out this verse it's going to come up on the screen. Deuteronomy

2325 misses from the law. The law that the Pharisees would have known perfectly. This is what it says. If you go into your neighbor's standing bring you may pluck the ears with your hands. You shall not put a sickle to your neighbors ring. It was long as you didn't bring the sickle as long as you weren't actually harvesting for a profit. There was nothing wrong with what they did the disciples and according to the law of God himself were completely inbound. Pharisees I put laws around the law to make sure they didn't break the law. So well, they hadn't broken God love they broke the Pharisees law in the Pharisees were upset. We see here that well, they did nothing wrong in terms of God's law the Pharisees were upset and it's funny because you would think if they're really experts in the law. They would know what Jesus and the disciples did wasn't actually wrong, but they're so caught up in trying to catch these up and being Holier in about their work since being perfect out to get Jesus at whatever the cost. In the reason why they miss it is because of legal and this is what legalism is to achieve its imposing extra biblical standards and laws and rules on people the Bible does it say not to work to do something. But why is your pastor expect you to do this or that legalism? I should never be anything. The Bible is not calling you to do anything that the Bible is not calling you to do anything that goes beyond the Bible and that is commanding you to do if you don't need them. That is legalism to a tea harsh intimidating and it's nasty. Why are they doing? What is not lawful on the Sabbath now, even if the disciples had been so imagine if they have broken the law. What do you think is a better way to confront someone? What are you doing? Why are you doing that? You shouldn't do that. That's bad or hey, I want to talk to you. I read in God's law that this is what it says. Then I care about you and I want to make sure that you're keeping in line with something to look very different. Even if the Pharisees were coming from a right place, which they weren't. They still were in the wrong by the way, they confronted and so we can see that this is what legalism brezza brezza judgment, but Kyle said it breed. Play I'm better than you kind of attitude. It breeds. You're not good enough questioning intimidating harsh relationship, but that's not what we see in Scripture. Legalism makes a bigger deal about the rules and it does our relationship with one another because the word is very very relation. legalism promotes 8 Works Baystate image protecting type of faith It is we saw last week. That's not how it's supposed to work. Jesus made that very clear when the Pharisees questioned him about.

Jesus is already in a sense covered their responses or their questions in the previous passage. We looked at last week. But here he is again answering a very similar question. See what his responses in verses 25 and 26 verses 25 and 26. And he said to them. Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry. He and those who were with him how he entered the house of God in the time of abeyance are the high priest in the bread of the presence, which is not lawful or any but the priests to eat and also gave it to those who were with him.

I love the see if you see what Jesus did. jesus takes their questions instead of getting angry instead of yelling or just trying to argue and prove this or that you go straight to scripture. He uses the word of God to answer the question. The Pharisees are accusing him and his disciples of disobeying the word of God. And in response. Jesus point back to the word of God brings it back to the word of God to be our second point this morning something that we have to see legalism is only refuted through scripture. If you want to stand against legalism in the church, and in your life, you need to know the word of God send it. I find it funny. You just respond first Samuel again. I mention these Pharisees were expert in the Old Testament read about David. Obviously they read about David David is one of the main characters of the Old Testament read about David and Jesus was like, how about that time? David actually kind of broke the law. But it was permissible because of necessity. David was not in the wrong necessarily at this point. How could me and my disciples be wrong here brings it back to the Bible brings back the scripture. Are we going to see this necessity thing on the Sabbath come up again? Next week will table that until next week works of need and works of good works on the Sabbath for next week. But Jesus responded to their questioning in their judgment with the word of God.

And it's so important for us to get Jesus silence them. Not by being smarter not by being angry or mean or a better debater, but by pointing to the word of God and we have to get this we have to understand the need for scripture in our lives that need to be biblical and all of our content conduct the way we act needs to come from scripture.

If we stand a chance against being that judgmental church or being that legalistic church, the only answer. Is the word of God? The word of God protects us from legalism also protects us from chaos. And you might ask what do I mean by chaos? Why do I say chaos and the reason why I say that is I think we throw the word legalism around like it's a football in our churches. Anytime we hear something. We don't want to hear any time. We're held accountable or called out by one of our brothers or sisters. What's one of the favorite responses? That's a legalistic. You can't tell me that you don't know my circumstances. That's legal it. legalism around a lot in churches We talked things up to legalism when it makes us comfortable. But why am I talking about this? Why am I saying this is a problem in church has been in it is But I also think that the opposite of legalism. Whatever you want to call that is also a problem in our churches legalism is a problem. But Anarchy or no rules is also a problem within our church is if that makes any sense. Hopefully I can clear that up for us a little bit rather than looking at the word of God itself. Many times when we are trying to fight legalism we forget about the word of God. Think of it as like a pendulum do over here you have legalism. over here you have no rules at all. And so sometimes when we're trying to avoid legalism, we push it a little too far this way, right cuz we're still worried about legalism and we go to this side. But this is where scripture comes into play scripture helps us stay in the middle and stay balanced.

Many times I think we throw actual rules and commands of the Bible out with the bathwater. So just please just throw it out. Trying to avoid legalism we forget about the fact that there are things we are called to do in Scripture. For example Hebrews 10:25 is going to come up on the screen not neglecting to be together as is the habit of some but encouraging one another and all the more the Bible commands us to gather together as believers. The Bible commands us to take Church attendance seriously.

another one 1st Timothy Chapter 6 verse 11 but as for you, oh man of God, please things pursue righteousness love steadfastness.

I don't know about you, but those don't sound like suggestion. Those don't sound like things that we should maybe pursue. What about this one? I know this one Matthew 28 18 through 20. Jesus came and said to them all authority on Heaven and Earth has been given to me there for going to All Nations baptizing them in the name of the Father the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit into a bass all the time for us to go out to Go Make Disciples that they come from Afraid of legalism that we take things like example a few of many in the scripture and we just throw them out. No, you don't actually have to share about your face. You don't actually have to come to church. You don't actually have to try to grow closer to God. Scripture clearly commands us to take these steps that would become legalism. If I said you can't get into heaven. If you don't that is not what I'm saying what I'm saying? If you're truly saved if you love Jesus you're going to want to keep his commands.

I know I'm kind of rambling and going back and forth a little bit. But what I'm trying to get us to see legalism is a problem. Yes. But so is no rules in a lack of Grace Paul addresses himself in Romans 6 1 and 2. Up on the screen. What shall we say? Then? Are we to continues to send so the grace May abound by no me how can we who died to sin still living? so what I'm trying to get us to see here is the importance of the word of God. Okay, if we don't spend time in our Bible, if we don't study this book if we don't memorize scripture, if we don't love the word of God love the one who wrote it.

We're going to miss it either in legalism or in chaos.

I don't know about you, but I don't want you either so. I don't want to be legalistic in to have people think of me is judgmental and hateful. intimidating and interrogate The same time I don't want to be a person who no one knows where I stand. No one can keep me accountable. No one can speak truth to me and keep me in line with the word of God. I don't want to be on either of those. I want to be in the word of God. I want to be paying attention to what God calls me to do. I want my brothers and sisters in the church to keep me accountable to them not out of a sense of judgment or legalism, but out of a sense of love. in countability

And I think we see that in Jesus's response.

Pharisees question in Plainview Jesus changes it because none of no ears with scripture actually. Someone comes to you. Inner trying to keep you accountable. Our first reaction is to get angry to get upset to get defensive. What if our actual reaction when can you show me in scripture where I'm going wrong? Because I understand what you're saying. But ultimately I want to know what God says.

Or if you see someone else who is upsetting you or who you think is not living the Christian Life instead of looking down on them instead of judging them instead of getting them. What if you went and got coffee with them instead. Hey, Really? I just want to talk. I was reading in scripture in this made me think of you and ask someone who loves you and cares about you. I want to tell you what I'm reading in God's word and just wanted to lovingly encourage you to obey this. And maybe there's some areas where you can point where they have you see the difference in that. Jesus saying when we come up against legalism. You don't need to. Get angry when you say I know that it is honestly, Jesus could have called the god. You can't tell me what's right and wrong. I know. How easy would have Jesus would have been for Jesus to say that I know he points description and I think that's a lesson from we need to spend time in the world. We need to take Bible study in discipleship and small-group. I'm and personal devotion series for the weekend know what is in this word so that we can live it not some distorted legalistic version of its for some chaos, all Grace no accountability version, but what God has called us to live. We see that through Jesus's response knowing the word helps us keep on the right path. Knowing the word is how we protect ourselves against legalism in tail silence the therapy but he's not done yet. Legalism 27 weary and he said the Sabbath was made for man. Not man for the Sabbath. Who is she hears that legalism causes us to miss the whole point? When God calls us to be holy it's not so that I can be holier than you you you and you it's so that I can be holy and reflect my father.

When God calls me to tithe it's not because he just wants to take my money. It's because I'm giving to something bigger than I am. I'm giving back for all of the things.

The Sabbath the Sabbath isn't just about keeping rules and not doing anything because God wants you not to make money on Monday know this sabbath was for men is good for us. Pharisees that made it a lawn surrounded made it really difficult to follow the Sabbath day. This is why we don't have to worry about the Sabbath. I want to take a second and this is kind of an aside, but it's here in the text. to address the Sabbath we live in a culture that is work work work work work.

God commands us. to wrap

I asked you are you resting? We were not built to work 7 days a week.

We weren't built to always be moving and working. We need to find time to rest a Austin Austin Austin, you don't understand my life. You don't understand my schedule. You don't know what kind of tests I have. You don't know what kind of deadlines for work. You don't know what's going on in my life. Let me put it in perspective for you. God who created the entire universe sustain every single atom in the universe. Could take a day off and rest if we saw in Genesis. I don't think we have very good excuse. I want to encourage you to rest. God commands us to rest take a day time and do nothing in the breast.

Chick-fil-A's in example of you. I love you.

amen

They are open on Sundays. You know, they're one of the top grossing fast food businesses. Like the top growing out of all of them and their clothes are the days out of the week. Will everyone else is open. There's a lesson to be learned that. Church of God is commanding you to take a break to slow down and rest. not just because it points to our relationship with him, but

So don't look at this text and say See Jesus said we don't have to do the Sabbath. I can do whatever I want on Sundays. I may have to work. It's missing the point that's making it all about rule. Sabbath is for you to rest so find time in your schedule to rest to relax. I'm going to relax this afternoon, and I'm so excited about it. Find time to rest God commands you to. Show me seen so far an example of legalism legalism can only be correctly refuted through the word of God Scripture that legalism can cause us to miss the point. For example, the Sabbath is not about keeping a rule for say but rest as God has commanded you to rest. But after Jesus has silenced his accusers after he has made this point that they're missing the point. He gives us one more thing. We read this in verse 28 verse 28 So the son of man is Lord, even of the Sabbath.

Jesus brings it all back. He brings it all back to the most important thing in the world. incel the son of man is Lord, even of the Sabbath which brings us to our final and most important one.

Guessing stick with me for a little bit longer. This is the most important thing if you leave today taking anything away, I want you to get this. the fourth and Final legalism makes much of but true Christianity makes must of

legalism makes much of us for true Christianity makes much of Christ for the songs. We sang at the beginning where about Jesus In Christ Alone center of it. All Jesus is at the center of our Lives. He's everything to us legalism is about me about me keeping a list of right and wrong about me rules about how others perceive me or how I can look down on others about me.

but it's to be about try because let me let you in on a little secret. You can never be good enough.

Are you trying to be a good person? Are you trying to prove yourself before God before fellow church members. Are you trying to be good enough?

people stop right now because you won't be but you know who is Jesus message of the Gospel we are not good enough. We are simple and broken. Jesus is perfect and he made a way for us.

Therefore true Christianity is not rooted and me in the rules. I can keep and how holy I can be in the legalistic Tendencies. I know Christianity is rooted in Christ. It leans on Christ it focuses on Christ not How do we fight and how do we check a legalism? The word we need to know the words but II by making much of Christ. You see if you look at your life and you see that Christ is not the center of your life. You might be drifting towards legalism or hail.

I want to ask you. What's at the center of your life? What are you making matcha?

Maybe it's your works pretty it is work. Maybe it's your family. Maybe it's your

and if those are the things that your centering your life on your missing the point.

Free with you this morning to make much of Christ in your life. To reorient your purposes in the Focus On Christ in what he tells us in his word.

To be able to say with the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1:21 for me to live is Christ. The die is gain. So that means as long as I continue to live. Christ is the most important. He is the center of my life and if I die, well, that's even better because I'm with him.

Can you say that? Oh, I pray that we would all be able to pay that day. If you can't I want to invite you to make him the center of your life.

VA refocusing if you need to put him back at the center, maybe he started to take the second or third or even further back move him back. Or maybe it's for the first time maybe you've never truly put Christ as the most important thing in your life. Never been the most important thing in your life than he's never been your lord. Making the Lord of your life today. Repent of your sins and Believe on him in his work on the cross and his resurrection. Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day to make him to make dinner of our la

whether a refocusing or the first time don't leave out these doors this morning without making Jesus the center of your right.

another note maybe you've been hurt by legalism on the screen is not at church today because they've been hurt by legalism in the church and I just want to say that church is full of sinners. Jesus said himself. It's not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick. Maybe you've been hurt. I'm sorry.

But the way you may have been treated within a church is not a reflection of how God sees you. I want to welcome you to come back. Church can be messy but Jesus is worth it.

Don't let it hold you back from God forgive and let's move forward making much of Christ little of ourselves.

Finally, have you been guilty of legalism? Have you been guilty of looking down on someone else keeping a set of extra biblical rules and standards?

Ranas, we all have at some point in our lives. Weather with other people or with our cell that we try to earn our approval before God. repent of that leave that behind that is not what we see in the word of God. Study the scriptures to make much of Jesus make him the center of your life altogether make much of let us say with Paul for me to live is Christ to die is gain. Dear heavenly father. I just I want to thank you for giving us Jesus. I am not good enough. Could I ever? Jesus

remind me of that right now. Remind me of Who You Are. Who I am and you not because of me but because of who you are make me make much of you in my life.

Oh God, I'm sorry for the time that I have been legalist. But I've been more worried about Works in a relationship with you when I've been more worried about perception and image then. growing closer to you I got on the other side, forgive me for whatever I've. Ignore your command, I think Nord. your calling help me to find a balance help this charity help everyone here everyone listening to find a balance make much of you and to know your word and move forward not in legalism or chaos, but in a Biblical balance if there's anyone here who's never made you the Lord of their life. I pray that today would be the day.

And I pray that we need to refocus our life and we would do it. Be with us the sweet be glorified in all weekend in Jesus name. Amen.