Epiphany Week 6 Luke 6:1-11 “Rules or Rest?”

INTRO> I had an “epiphany” moment recently while watching a movie with my kids. The profound moment came through the “LEGO Movie” It’s the opening scene when Emmitt wakes up and grabs his “How to” manual (Pic) and he does his “to do” checklist. The president/boss/ the man upstairs “Lord Business” He controls everything and all the billboards in the city look like this (PIC)

APP> My ah-ha! moment was the the LEGO movie is a great illustration about how many of us view our relationship with God. The Bible is this instruction manual and “he’s watching you!” There is actually a biblical term for this kind of relationship- LAW. v2

CONTEXT> There is a lot going on in our passage today. We see that Jesus gets in trouble with the religious leaders over two situations that revolve around one command, the Sabbath used 6x in these verses. There is something here that has a profound impact on how we view God. The term is called Legalism.

• • • Legalism is leaning on your obedience to earn God’s love. Legalism is being more strict than God. (Galatians)
    • Lawlessness – is losing all obedience to any commands in the name of “love”. Lawlessness is legalism in disguise. (Romans) *The Two thieves on each side of Jesus, Legalism and Lawlessness

What is the Sabbath?

• • • “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. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.” Genesis 2:2-3
    • The Sabbath is the fourth of the ten commandments given by God in Exodus 20:8-11. The Sabbath began in Jewish tradition Friday at Sundown to Saturday at Sundown.
    • The Sabbath is a rhythm, reminder (Deuteronomy 5) and rest.

APP> So what’s wrong in this text? We see how God’s people take a good command and turn it into legalism. How?

YOU BECOME A LEGALIST WHEN:

1) You try to find and focus on others faults. v2,v7

• • • “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath..” This technically isn’t true. According to Deut 23:25 it was ok to do this but that really isn’t the point is it?
    • “and the Scribes and the Pharisees watched him…so that they might find a reason to accuse him.” the word that Luke uses for “watched him” literally means to not take your eye off of! the word “accuse him” is the same word used of Satan in Revelation 12! Wow!

*ILL> Do you know what I think of when I think of this scene. Paul Blart: Mall Cop! APP> Finding faults in others helps us to avoid our own.

2) You use the Bible but don’t treasure the bible. v3

• • • • “Have you not read…” I mean this is a huge statement. Jesus is talking to guys who’s profession was the Hebrew scriptures! The memorization and all! He tells a story found in 1 Sam 21:1-6, David is running, they are starving, the bread of presence, he eats it. Why.. because they are starving!

APP> Anytime I run across something like this, it’s always scary to me. Here are some questions that i find helpful when approaching the Bible:

• • • • • • Do I read the Bible on a regular basis?
          • Why do I read the Bible?
          • Who do I discuss the Bible with?
          • What do I think the Bible is all about?

3) You make extra biblical rules. v9

• • • • • “I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm?” Jesus asks a killer question here and doesn’t get an answer because they don’t have one.

APP> One of the things that is surrounding this whole scene and the reasons the Pharisees are so angry is because of what they have added to the law! This is known as the TALMUB- the oral traditions of applying the law. On the Sabbath they had 26 Chapters devoted to it! APP> We do the same thing today. EXAMPLES- Contemporary vs Traditional, Hats, Clothes,Alcoh

APP> If your rules keep you from loving people and doing good, that’s a problem.

4) You love control more than Jesus. v11

• • • • “filled with fury, discussed what they might do to Jesus” This is what it all boils down to right? Control. Controlling ourselves, controlling our relationships and ultimately controlling God by using God.

APP> Augustine had a phrase for this, it’s called “Incurvitas” it means, “to be turned inward.”

APP> Do you know what the point of the law is? It’s like an X-RAY (PIC) It reveals what is broken

What is the answer to Legalism and Lawlessness? The good news of Jesus.

• • • “ The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath” Jesus just claimed it, The Sabbath is a divine institution, so they only person that could be able it, is the person who instituted it.
    • “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. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.” Genesis 2:2-3
    • “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”  John 19:30

Big Idea > A relationship with Jesus brings true rest.