In this message Pastor Scott teaches from Mark 2:23-28 about the Sabbath. How should this spiritual discipline impact our lives? That is what we explore in this sermon.
Sermon Notes
THE SABBATH SITUATION
Mark 2:23-28
We all have a little Pharisee in us
When Scripture gives examples of sin, do I tend to think about the sins of others rather than my own?
Is there anyone I am mad at right now and, in my mind, the solution is “they need to change?”
Would I be shocked to see Jesus accept certain sinners if they came to faith in Him?
“Sometimes we emulate the Pharisees more than we imitate Christ.” – R.C. Sproul
One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”
Part 1: The Sabbath
“One Sabbath…” Mark:2:23a
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work…” Exodus 20:8-9
Part 2: The sabbath situation
The disciples have a snack
“One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain.” Mark 2:23-24a
THE PHARISEES throw a fit
“And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” Mark 2:24b
A very good thing can become a very bad thing when it becomes an ultimate thing
Where have you elevated a good thing and made it an ultimate thing?
Where are you throwing a fit when you should be giving grace?
Jesus clears things up
And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” Mark 2:25-26
“And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27
“And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” Mark 2:27
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.” Genesis 2:1-2
Do you regularly practice sabbath as spiritual discipline?
The Enemy of Practicing Sabbath:
Busyness: the badge of honor
The weekly Sabbath reminds us that God is God, and that we are not.
“We seem to have come to a point in our culture where we praise the acts of being inhuman as acts of being a great human.” – Justin Earley, The Common Rule
“If you're new to the Sabbath, a question to give shape to your practice is this: What could I do for twenty-four hours that would fill my soul with a deep, throbbing joy? That would make me spontaneously combust with wonder, awe, gratitude, and praise?... “Shabbat” is a verb…something you DO…something you practice.”
- John Mark Comer, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry”
Jesus drops a bomb
“So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” Mark 2:28
JESUS HIMSELF IS THE TRUE SABBATH!
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
