Emory Baptist Church

Filthy Sinner to Forgiven Saint

This morning we continue in our sermon series entitled, “Ordinary People with an Extraordinary God,” and we turn our attention to the New Testament.  Last month, we looked at the Old Testament and the lives of Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and David.

 

Today we turn to the gospel of Luke and a story that is often confused with another.  This morning, you’re going to see a woman pour perfume on Jesus’ feet and wipe them with her hair.  Some believe this story is the same as one in Matthew 26 and Mark 14.  However, those happened during the last week of Jesus’ life.  This story in Luke 7 happens toward the beginning of His earthly ministry.  Those stories in the other gospels are about Mary, Lazarus’s sister.  The woman in Luke 7 is unnamed. 

 

In Luke 7:36-50, I want you make three observations with me.  Notice a party with a controversy, a parable of conviction, and a principle for consideration.

 

39. A Party with a Controversy, Luke 7:36-39.

Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to ^[a]dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. ^37 (A)And there was a woman in the city who was a ^[b]sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, ³⁸ and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were ^(B)a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a^[c]sinner.” 

 

In this first scene, we have two main characters other than Jesus.  They are sophisticated Simon and a sexual sinner.  Verse 36 tells us that Jesus was invited to a dinner party by a Pharisee.  His name is revealed as Simon in verse 40.  Therefore, Jesus came as requested and was reclining at the dinner table. 

 

Remember that the tradition here would have been for the guests to be on the floor leaning on their left arm with their head closer to the table, and their feet would have been further away from the table. 

 

Also, whenever a Rabbi visited a home, it was not uncommon for many different townspeople to drop in even though they may not have been personally invited. 

 

Verse 37 introduces our sexual sinner.  This sinner is a woman, and if you look at the footnotes in your Bible, it probably says she was an immoral person.  More than likely, she was a prostitute.  Even though uninvited guests could attend this dinner party, it took some courage for her to be here. 

 

We also see in this verse that she brought an alabaster vial of perfume.  This was probably a rounded container with a longer neck.  Once the neck was broken to pour the perfume, all of the perfume had to be used as there no way to use the container again. 

 

Perhaps she was going to pour the perfume on Jesus head, anointing Him with oil.  However, she could only get as close as His feet.  When she began to pour the perfume on His feet, she was overcome with emotion and began to cry.  She then perhaps was embarrassed and began to wipe His feet with her hair trying to clean off her tears.  Another reason she is considered to be a prostitute is because it was considered very immodest for a Jewish woman to have her hair down in public.  However, this woman doesn’t seem to be concerned. 

 

Her final act was not only to anoint Jesus feet and wipe them with her tears, but she also began to kiss His feet again and again and again. 

 

All the time this going on, Sophisticated Simon is just watching, and in verse 39, he draws three conclusions.  First, Jesus must not be a prophet because He didn’t know who was touching Him.  Second, if He knew what king of woman this was, He wouldn’t let her touch Him.  Third, since He did let her touch Him, He is no prophet and shouldn’t be called as such. 

 

 

43. A Parable of Conviction, Luke 7:40-43.

⁴⁰ And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he ^[d]replied, “Say it, Teacher.” ⁴¹ “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred ^[e](C)denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² When they ^(D) were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.”

 

As Jesus often did, He used a parable in the next four verses to illustrate a point.  A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, and He directs it as Simon.  A moneylender had two debtors.  One owed him almost 18 months worth of money.  The other owed him about two months worth of money.  They were both unable to pay.  Therefore, the moneylender graciously agreed to forgive both debts.  Jesus then asked who loved the moneylender more. 

 

Surely, this wasn’t a hard question.  The one that Jesus forgave more loved more, and Simon got it correct.

 

 

• A Principle for Consideration, Luke 7:44-50.

⁴⁴ Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you ^(E) gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You ^(F)gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.^46 (G)You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. ⁴⁷ For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ Then He said to her, “^(H)Your sins have been forgiven.” ⁴⁹ Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say^[f]to themselves, “^(I)Who is this man who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ And He said to the woman,“^(J)Your faith has saved you; ^(K)go in peace.”

 

The principle that Jesus taught the Pharisee and us is found in verse 47.  The person who has been forgiven much, loves much.  The person who has been forgiven little, loves little.  Simon the Pharisee embodied indifference.  Simon didn’t give Jesus any water to wash his feet.  He didn’t give Jesus a kiss as a greeting.  He didn’t anoint Jesus’ head with oil as was the custom of the day for hosts to do to their guests. 

 

This sexual sinner on the other hand demonstrated indebtedness.  She wet Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  She didn’t stop kissing Jesus feet, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with her perfume. 

 

She recognized that had sinned much and was forgiven much, and consequently, she loved much.  Simon only recognized that he had sinned little and was forgiven little, and consequently, he loved little. 

 

Jesus then turned to her and verbalized her sins being forgiven.  That action drew much ire from the crowd.  They didn’t recognize that He was God and could forgive sins.  He then dismissed the woman in peace and rightfully commented that her faith had saved her.

 

What caused Jesus to transform this woman from filthy sinner to forgiven saint?  It was her faith and can be your faith, and her faith was demonstrated in brokenness over her sin as she cried, gratitude for Jesus’ mercy as she kissed His feet, and worship of God as she anointed His feet with perfume. 

 

 

Conclusion

Jesus is ready to transform you this morning as well if you’ll believe.  If you’ll put your faith and trust in Him as Lord and Savior, He’ll save you…even sexual sinners can be transformed to forgiven saints.

 

If you here this morning, and you think you’re saved but have never been broken over your sin or grateful for Jesus’ mercy or genuinely worshipped God, you might not be saved.  It is debatable whether Simon was saved, but don’t worry about Simon.  What about you?

 

Every Parent's Greatest Fear

Whether you are a parent or a child, I think you will agree that the death of child is maybe the greatest fear every parent of every parent in the room.  Even some of you here today have experienced your child preceding you in death. 

 

My heart goes out to you.  I hope today’s message is encouraging to you.  Jesus feels your pain and is more than sorry for your loss.

 

Today’s story is only in Luke.  However, it is very similar to a story found in 1 Kings 17:8-24 that we will see in just a moment.

 

In our study of Luke so far, we have seen that is Lord and has authority over demons in Luke 4-5.  We have also seen that Jesus is Lord and has authority over disease.  We saw that just last Sunday.  Today, we are going to see that Jesus is Lord and has authority over death.

 

 

1. A Dire Situation, Luke 7:11-12

11 Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. 12 And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her.

 

Verse 11 tells us that Jesus went next to the city of Nain the day after He healed the centurion’s servant.  Nain was approximately 25 miles south of Capernaum.  That would have been a day’s journey beginning at sunup. 

 

Along with Him were His disciples and a larger crowd as well.  More than likely, it was closer to the end of the day, and at the edge of town, Jesus met a funeral procession. 

 

BTW…Here is another example demonstrating that all of Jesus’ followers were called disciples.  Disciples is not a more mature group or a more committed group.  All Christians are disciples of Christ.

 

This man probably died earlier in the day.  It was the custom of the day to bury your dead as soon as possible since they did not having the embalming technologies that we have today. 

 

He was now being taken outside the city where he would be buried and then covered with rocks to mark his grave.  Even though NKJV uses the word coffin in verse 14, more than likely, this was a bier (beer), which was an open coffin.  Therefore, you could see inside.

 

BTW…The traditional after-life process for the follower of Christ in the Bible was burial, and that is still true today.  However, the Bible does not prohibit cremation if that is your choice. 

 

Jesus saw this deceased young man on the bier (beer), and his mother was leading the procession along with many of her friends from the community.  Why is this a dire situation other than the obvious?

 

Notice how verse 12 describes this family.  This woman was a widow.  Therefore, we know that she already experienced the loss of her husband.  Now, it is her only son. 

 

She was in emotional trouble because she outlived her child.  That hurts.  This is a parent’s greatest fear. 

 

She was in physical trouble.  She didn’t have any male family to physically protect her. 

 

She was in financial trouble.  She had no income and no one to provide for her. 

 

She was in trouble.  Jesus recognized her trouble, and was about to change her situation.

 

Don’t overlook what this story tells us about those experiencing the death of a loved one.  They need friends during that time.  They need family during that time. 

 

They need others to help them make it.  Don’t neglect ministry opportunities like this. 

 

 

2. A Miraculous Demonstration, Luke 7:13-15

13 When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” 14 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” 15 So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.

 

When Jesus saw this scene, His heart broke.  He felt compassion for her.  He felt pity for her.  He felt sympathy for her.  His inward emotions were distraught. 

 

Why?  Jesus cares for you.  He hates to see people hurt.  He hates to see you hurt, and this woman was hurting. 

 

In this day, the mother would be leading the way, and she was crying.  In verse 13, Jesus didn’t dismiss her hurt and pain by telling her to stop crying.  He told her to stop crying because He was about to change her situation. 

 

Jesus stopped the procession in verse 14.  He came up to the bier (beer), and touched it, and spoke to the dead body. 

 

Notice what He said.  “Young man, I say to you, arise!”  The corpse sat up. 

 

Can you even imagine this?  Jesus just brought death to life.  Jesus just did the impossible.  He just did the unbelievable. 

 

In order to prove this miracle was real, the young man spoke.  We don’t know what he said, but that is irrelevant.  He was alive and talking, and Jesus returned him to his mother.

 

BTW…You may think this morning that your situation is beyond hope.  You may think your marriage is dead or your relationship with your adult child is dead or your finances are dead or your health is dead and hopeless. 

 

Don’t be so sure.  Jesus can bring death to life.

 

 

3. A Positive Reverberation, Luke 7:16-17

16 Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” 17 And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.

 

As you can imagine, when the crowd saw the dead man alive, they were awestruck.  Verse 16 says fear gripped them.  That wasn’t fear as in they were afraid. 

 

They were fearful in the sense of reverence and respect.  They recognized and admitted that in fact Jesus was a great prophet.

 

This admission was not complete, but it was accurate in what it stated.  Not only was He a great prophet, they recognized and admitted that God had visited them. 

 

Consequently, this news spread throughout the surrounding area.  As I said previously, this story will be the basis for our next look at Luke’s gospel as some of John the Baptist’s disciples come on the scene.

 

 

Illustration: 1 Kings 17:8-24

8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”  12 So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”  13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’”  15 So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.  17 Now it happened after these things that the son of the woman who owned the house became sick. And his sickness was so serious that there was no breath left in him. 18 So she said to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?”  19 And he said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him out of her arms and carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed. 20 Then he cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?” 21 And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” 22 Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived.  23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives!”  24 Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth.”

 

 

Invitation/Conclusion/Application

So how does story apply to you? 

 

First, the main point of this story is that Jesus is Lord over death.  Jesus can bring death to live any time and any place. 

 

Most applicable to us this morning maybe Him bringing the spiritually dead to life.  Jesus is ready to save you this morning who are spiritually dead and on your way to an eternity in hell separated from God.

 

Second, Jesus is full of compassion for those who are hurting this morning.  If you’ve lost a child, Jesus hurts with you and for you, and is here to comfort you. 

 

If you’re hurting because of your marriage, your relationship with your children, your health, your finances, whatever, Jesus wants to comfort you today.  He wants to help you today. 

 

Third, Jesus is worthy of worship and worthy of praise because of what He has done.  He is also worthy of worship and praise because of who He is. 

 

He is the Son of God and the Son of man.  He is the way, the truth, and the life.  He is our Lord and Savior and coming King!

 

 

 

Marvelous Faith

This morning, we have come to Luke 7.  If you have your Bibles, please stand in honor of God’s Holy Word. 

 

I want to share a message with you this morning entitled, “Marvelous Faith.”  Our text is Luke 7:1-10. 

 

Today’s story is found here and also in Matthew 8.  In both instances and in Acts 10, we find God’s Word highlighting the faith of Roman Centurions. In the gospels, it is faith at which Jesus marvels. 

 

 

Exposition

In verse 1, Jesus had finished His Sermon on the Mount, or some would say, “Sermon on the Plain.” Then, He moved onto Capernaum. 

 

It was there that we are introduced indirectly to a Roman Centurion.  A centurion was a member of the Roman Army who had approximately one hundred men in His battalion and under his leadership. 

 

This particular centurion mentioned in verse 2 must have also been somewhat wealthy since he owned a slave.  We also find out that this slave was sick and about to die.  Matthew’s gospel tells us that he was paralyzed. 

 

We also see in verse 2 that this centurion loved his slave dearly.  This slave was highly regarded by his owner, and must have been extremely valuable beyond utility. 

 

In verse 3, the centurion had heard about Jesus healing many people and must have thought He could help in this situation.  Therefore, he wanted to be in contact. 

 

However, because he was a Gentile, he may have been afraid that Jesus wouldn’t respond if he spoke to him directly.  Therefore, He sent some Jewish elders with is request.  These may have been religious leaders, or they may have been simply older Jewish men that the centurion knew well.

 

When these Jewish elders met Jesus, they begged Him to come and save this slave’s life.  Notice their reasoning in verses 4 and 5. 

 

This centurion was a trusted friend in their eyes. From their perspective, he loved Israel and these Jews.  He even helped build their synagogue either physically or financially. 

 

Some commentators call him a “God-fearer.”  While he hadn’t been circumcised and thus converted to Judaism, he did fear the God of Judaism and respected the followers of that God.

 

In verse 6, Jesus started on His way to answer the request of the centurion and heal his slave.  In the mean time, the centurion had another thought. 

 

Realizing more of who Jesus truly was, he recognized that he was not worthy to be in His presence.  Therefore, he sent another delegation of friends to intercept Jesus and ask Him to simply command the healing of this slave.  Notice the message the centurion sent in verses 7 and 8. 

 

In verse 7, he said he wasn’t even worthy to speak with Jesus directly.  He had so much respect and reverence for Jesus’ authority to heal that Jesus could simply speak the words and his slave would be healed.

 

In verse eight, he explained further his understanding of authority.  He was one under authority and one with authority in the Roman Army. 

 

BTW, Do you recognize Jesus’ authority in your life by obeying Him?  If Jesus said it, does that settle the issue for you, and does your life reflect it? 

 

Take this little quiz from Matthew’s Gospel.  See 10:32, 12:36-37, 16:24-25, 18:8-9, 18:15-17, 18:21-22, 19:6, 24:42, 28:19-20. 

 

In verse 9, Jesus responded to this man’s respect and reverence for His authority.  Luke says that Jesus marveled at him. He was amazed at what He just heard.  You might even say this centurion had marvelous faith.

 

But why?  This man was an uncircumcised Gentile.  He was not raised in a believing covenant community.  His parents had not raised him going to the synagogue and reading and studying the Torah. 

 

However, he had faith.  He had marvelous faith. 

 

In verse 10, Jesus then turned to the crowd that included His disciples and most likely included some Jewish religious leaders and said that He had not found faith like this among religious Jews.  His comments served two purposes: to chastise the Jews and to commend the centurion.

 

When the second delegation got back to the centurion’s home, the slave was well.  He had been healed. 

 

 

The Centurion

In this text, we might first look at the centurion.  Notice his character.  He was compassionate with his slave.  He was kind to the Jews.  He was reverent to Jesus.

 

We have already spoken of his marvelous faith. He had faith that Jesus would could heal.  He had faith Jesus would heal.  He even had faith Jesus could heal and would heal from a distance by just speaking a word, and He did. 

 

 

The Savior

We also need to make sure that we focus on the Savior.  Notice that He cares for all.  He cares for the Gentile and his servant, and He cares for the Jew.  He also cares for the wealthy and the poor. 

 

Second, Jesus has authority over all.  We have seen already from Luke, and we will continue to see that He has authority over demons and disease (today), and death (next Sunday). 

 

Third, Jesus loves all.  He loved this centurion.  He loved the Jews that the centurion sent, and He loved the centurion’s servant.  We know that because He healed him, and He wants to heal you too.

 

 

The Sinners

Jesus is inviting you sinners today to come to Him. Come to Him just like the centurion, but come humbly recognizing your sin and Jesus’ holiness.

 

Jesus is inviting you sinners to ask of Him just like the centurion. Ask Him to save you.  Ask Him to heal you.

 

Finally, Jesus is inviting you to believe in Him just like the centurion.  Believe in Him as your Savior.  Believe in Him as the Lord of your life.

Badgers, Locusts, and Spiders, Oh My!

Why is Disobedience Bad?

This morning, we come to the end of Luke 6.  In the past several Sundays, we have been looking at one of Jesus’ sermons.

 

It may be Luke’s version of the Sermon on the Mount.  There certainly are some similarities with Matthew 5-7. However, there are more differences.  Therefore, it is most likely another sermon with similar material.

 

This sermon began with 4 blessings and 4 corresponding woes.  Next, Jesus articulated the Golden Rule in positive terms.  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 

 

In a lost world, live unnaturally with your deeds, your words, and your prayers.  In other words, love your enemies.

 

Finally, last week, we looked at some of House of Faith Rules.  Because our relationship with brothers and sisters in Christ is based on our relationship with Jesus, we should treat them differently…differently in a good way. 

 

Today, we come to the invitation of this sermon.  Jesus will give us two choices.

 

BTW, Every biblical sermon must have an invitation.  However, an invitation is not the same as an alter call. 

 

Sometimes, people say to me that a church they visited didn’t offer an invitation.  What they mean is that the church didn’t offer a “walk the aisle” alter call or come to the front alter call.

 

Every sermon must have an invitation, an opportunity to respond.  However, every sermon doesn’t have to have an alter call.

 

 

Exposition

Today’s text begins in verse 46, and Jesus asked a question.  It’s one you probably remember as it was our verse of the year for 2023, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do what I say?”

 

This congregation included the Twelve Disciples.  It included the Pharisees, Jewish Religious Leaders.  It included those who said they were followers of Jesus, but didn’t live like it.  I would presume our congregation today is made up of similar groups.

 

The term Lord means master and boss.  A person’s Lord is the one who calls the shots, make decisions, who is in authority.  It makes no sense to address someone as such and not treat him as such.

 

Beginning in verse 47, Jesus told a parable.  A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly or spiritual meaning.  This first century congregation would have identified personally with this story.

 

The one who comes to Jesus and hears what Jesus is saying and then does what Jesus says is like a man who built a house.  In building this house, the man dug deep into the ground and laid a secure and firm foundation on the rock.

 

Consequently, when this house was subject to rain and flooding and torrential storms that beat vehemently on the house, it withstood the storm.  Why?  It withstood the storm because of the foundation that was dug deep and on the rock.

 

However, this parable included another man.  He also built a house.  The parable implies in the same area because this house also experienced the same rain and the same flood and the same storm.

 

It also beat vehemently against the house, but the result was different.  This house fell and fell immediately.  Why?  It fell because this man built his house without a foundation. 

 

Verse 49 says he just built his house on the earth.  We there this today, and his folly is obvious to us.

 

What is the spiritual and or heavenly meaning here?  The first builder is like a man who comes and hears and is obedient to Jesus.  Today, you are invited to come to Jesus and hear Jesus. 

 

BTW, Can I give you some tips when it comes to hearing Jesus on Sunday mornings here at Emory Baptist Church?

 

First, be intentional.  Come ready to hear.  Come committed to listening.  Come with your Bible. 

 

Second, pray for yourself.  You hear me pray this most Sunday mornings, but pray for eyes to see and ears to hear.  The Bible says those are gifts from God, and pray for a heart that is receptive. 

 

Also, pray for no internal distractions and no external distractions. Internal would be worries or concerns that occupy your thoughts.  External would be within our Sanctuary with the noises or sounds or folks getting up and down in the service.

 

Third, take notes.  We provide for you a notes sheet in each bulletin.  They don’t have to be exhaustive or comprehensive, but I usually try to give you three main points or so.

 

This first builder is like the one who comes to Jesus and hears Jesus and is obedient to Jesus.  The second builder may come to Jesus and hear Jesus but isn’t obedient. 

 

 

Application

Now, let’s move to why disobedience is bad.

 

First, it is illogical.  We see that back in verse 46.  It is makes no sense to call Jesus Lord, your boss, the one who calls the shots in your life and then not obey?  Is He Lord or isn’t He?

 

BTW, The idea that you can have Jesus as your Savior and not surrender to Him as Lord is foreign to the New Testament.  That idea is a misnomer.

 

Second, disobedience for the follower of Christ is unwise.  Whether you are a Christian or not, you will experience the storms of life.  They will happen, and they will be severe, and they will beat on you.

 

It may be death or disease.  It may be financial loss or an unfaithful spouse. It may be prodigal children or caring for aging and elderly parents. 

 

The only way to survive is with Jesus as your foundation.  You will not survive otherwise. 

 

Third, and related to the second, disobedience in the life of a Christian is unsafe.  Verse 49 says the second house fell, and the ruin of the house was great. 

 

A common consequence of disobedience in the life of a Christian is God removing His protection from you.  You expose your health.  You expose your marriage.  You expose your family.  You expose your finances. 

 

 

Conclusion

As I conclude, for the Christian living in disobedience, repent.  Don’t be like this description from Arthur Pink:

 

They bring their bodies to the house of prayer but not their souls; they worship with their mouths, but not “in spirit and in truth.”  They are sticklers for immersion or early morning communion, yet take no thought about keeping their hearts with all diligence.  They boast of their orthodoxy; but disregard the precepts of Christ.  Multitudes of professing Christian abstain from external acts of violence, yet hesitate not to rob their neighbors of a good name by spreading evil reports against them.  They contribute regularly to the “pastor’s salary,” but shrink not from misrepresenting their goods and cheating customers, persuading themselves that “business is business.”  They have more regard for the laws of man than those of God, for His fear is not before their eyes.

 

However, for others this morning, you have heard Jesus’ words to repent and believe and you have not.  Storms are coming, and your greatest storm will be the storm of judgment in Revelation 20:11-15.

 

Revelation 20:11-15, 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

 

Will you repent and believe today?  The decision is yours, but you only two options.  One option takes you heaven.  The other sends you to hell. 

 

House Rules

If you have your Bibles, please find Luke 6:37.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “House Rules.”

 

Many of you know what I mean when I say “house rules.”  There are some instances when special rules are allowed in a certain location or under special circumstances in sporting events.

 

For example, some basketball tournaments that Caroline plays in plays 4 quarters like high school ball.  Others play 2 halves like college ball.  Some use a regular clock.  Others use a running clock.  Some allow 5 fouls.  Others allow 6 fouls.

 

If you have ever played Uno, some families have special house rules.  For example, when multiple Draw 2 Cards are played consecutively, does the person have to only draw 2 or the sum of the consecutive cards played?

 

Last week, Jesus reminded us of our ethic as followers of Christ for the world.  He gave us the Golden Rule in positive terms.  We are to treat others as we want to be treated.  We are to love our enemies. 

 

Today, how are we to treat our brothers and sisters in Christ?  What are the rules or guidelines or instructions for this house of faith?  What are our house rules?

 

 

1. Be as gracious as you can be, Luke 6:37-38.

37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” 

 

It is interesting to note these four imperatives.  They are don’t judge, don’t condemn, pardon, and give. 

 

If you follow the instructions, Jesus said God will then treat you accordingly and others will most likely treat you accordingly. 

 

Verse 38 then ends with a picture of this idea of reaping what you have sown.  If you don’t judge or don’t condemn and pardon and give, God will or THEY will pour into your lap. 

 

They will pour into your laps a good measure into your jar.  You will then shake it up and let it settle further down, and they will give more to the point of running over.  You then have an abundance.  By your standard of measure it will return to you.

 

As it relates to folks in this house of faith, let’s be as gracious as we can and not judge and not condemn.  Let’s be as gracious as we can be forgiving and giving.

 

Why?  Because what is how we want to be treated.  That is how we want God to treat us and how we want others to treat us.

 

However, nothing that Jesus said here precludes biblical Christian accountability and biblical Church discipline.  If you sin publicly and egregiously and with an unrepentant heart and attitude, you should be held accountable by this house of faith because you will be held accountable by your Father in heaven. 

 

I will talk more about the multiple New Testament passages that speak to Christian accountability on Wednesday night.  However, generally speaking, we want to be as gracious as we can be with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  That is a house rule.

 

 

2. Stay in your lane, Luke 6:39-42.

39 And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher. 41 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye. 

 

In verses 39-40, Jesus asked some rhetorical questions.  Can a blind guide lead anyone?  No, he can’t.  Will anyone who follows a blind guide end up in a ditch?  Yes, they will. 

 

This parable hit home with all of the Pharisees in the congregation.  For a follower of Jesus, He is the ultimate leader to follow. 

 

In verse 41, Jesus returned to our next house rule, but He used a humorous illustration. It is the example of a speck and a plank or a speck and a log. 

 

Humorously and logically, you can’t take the speck out of someone else’s eye when there is a plank or log or beam in your own.  You just can’t do it.  It is silly to try it. 

 

First, you have to take the log out of your own eye.  Then you can see clearly in helping your brother.  Therefore, stay in your own lane.

 

At the end of John’s gospel, Jesus gave this stark reminder to Peter.  See John 21:18-23.

 

18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”  20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”  22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”  23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”

 

Brothers and sisters, let’s make sure we worry the most about the person in the mirror.  Let’s trust the Holy Spirit to take care of those around us.  Let’s stay in our own lane.

 

 

3. Guard your heart, Luke 6:43-45.

43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

 

The last three verses of this text speak of a tree and its fruit.  The reality is this.  Trees produce a specific type of fruit. 

 

Apple trees don’t produce oranges some of the time and apples the rest of the time.  They produce only apples.  The same is true for peaches or pares. 

 

That applies to you as well.  If you are good or saved, you will produce good fruit or the fruit of the Spirit.

 

If you are not saved, you will produce fruit of the flesh.  If you are producing fruit of the flesh but you think you are saved, you might want to check again. 

 

This specifically applies to what you say with your mouth.  It also applies to what you say with your fingers on social media.  From your mouth and with your fingers, you speak what is in heart.

 

We have to make sure and guard our hearts or otherwise we produce unwanted fruit.  See Proverbs 4:23.

 

23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

 

 

Charlie Woolwine

1. Started attending on Sunday morning, Sunday nights, and Wednesdays.
2. Came to my office to talk about joining; told me he was a registered sex-offender, but he still wanted to join.
3. I listened to his story, and told him the congregation would have to know. He agreed.
4. He stood with me during a member’s meeting, and I told the congregation his story. I told them he could never be in our children’s building or memorial hall for any reason.  They were to watch for him.
5. They voted him in and agreed to hold him accountable. He went on to be a faithful member even singing in the choir until he moved.

 

We tried to be as gracious as possible.   We wanted to stay in our lane but understood our lane to be the good of Emory Baptist Church.  We want to guard our heart because sin breaks God’s heart as Charlie’s sin broke guards heart.

Is the Golden Rule in the Bible?

In our culture today, there are a lot of sayings that attributed as being in the Bible, but are not.  For example, you will not find any of the following as God’s Word in the Bible: money is the root of all evil; God helps those who help themselves; and follower your heart or be true to yourself. 

 

However, is the Golden Rule in the Bible?  Actually, the Golden Rule predates the Bible stated negatively.  However, for the first time, Jesus stated what we know as the Golden Rule, in Luke 6:31:

 

31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

 

Normally, we say, “Do unto others as you want other to do unto you.”  Therefore, let’s look closer at the Golden Rule and how it applies to our lives.

 

Last Sunday, we saw multitudes coming to Jesus for healing.  While in His presence, Jesus preached to them the Beatitudes of Luke 6: blessed are the poor, blessed are the hungry, blessed are those who weep; and blessed are those who are hated for being a follower of Christ. 

 

Jesus then followed those beatitudes with four woes.  Woe are the rich.  Woe are the full.  Woe are those who laugh, and woe are those who are spoke of well.  Of course, all of these beatitudes and woes need to be understood in context. 

 

 

1. The Explanation of the Golden Rule, Luke 6:31

31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

 

As I said previously, the Golden Rule predates the Bible.  However, Jesus was the first to state it positively. 

 

Also, please understand that it is not treat others how they treat you.  That is an eye for an eye, and we will talk more about that in a moment. 

 

The Golden Rule for the lips of Jesus is to treat others the way you want to be treated.  Also found in Matthew 7:12, Jesus said:

 

12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

 

 

2. The Illustrations of the Golden Rule, Luke 6:27-30

27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.

 

To be clear, the golden rule is unnatural.  It is unnatural to love your enemies.  However, that is what Jesus has called His followers to.  He has called us to unnatural deeds, unnatural words, and unnatural prayers.

 

As for deeds, do good to those who hate you.  As for words, bless those who curse you.  As for prayers, pray for those maliciously use you and take advantage of you. 

 

Furthermore, in verse 29, when it comes to your means and your resources and how God has blessed you, give and give and give. 

 

Again, the behavior is not normal.  It is not natural.  It is abnormal and unnatural.

 

I mentioned an eye for an eye a moment ago.  That was the standard for the Old Testament Law.  The Latin is Lex Talionis.  That means the punishment should match or fit the crime.

 

In other words, it is the law of revenge or retaliation.  Brother and sisters, while that was the standard for the Old Testament Law, Jesus Christ offers us a higher law, a higher standard.  That is the Golden Rule. 

 

And Jesus knew what He was talking about.  He wasn’t just offering an opinion.  He spoke absolute truth, and lest you think Jesus doesn’t know your situation or hasn’t walked in your shoes, remember the Thursday night of Passion Week.

 

John 13:1-5, 1Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.  2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

 

John 13:21-27, 21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” 22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.  23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask who it was of whom He spoke.  25 Then, leaning back on Jesus’ breast, he said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”  26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. 27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”

 

On the very night that Judas betrayed Him, Jesus washed Judas’ feet.  He did unto Judas what He wanted Judas to do unto Him.

 

I have tried to practice this in my own life, and I can tell you, it works.  Consider Thera Lou Adams.

 

3. The Justification for the Golden Rule, Luke 6:32-36

32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

 

Being obedient to our Lord Jesus should be all the motivation we need.  However, He also gave more reasons to live out the Golden Rule here in Luke 6:32-6.

 

First, to not do so is how the lost world acts.  Lost people love those that love them.  Lost people do good to those who are good to them.  Lost people lend money to those they know will repay them.  Be different than the world.

 

Second, to live out the Golden Rule will be rewarded.  Our reward is that we will be known as children of God.  Obeying the Golden Rule doesn’t make us children of God, but it proves that we are such.

 

Third and finally, live out the Golden Rule because that is how God loves you.  Be merciful just as your Heavenly Father has been merciful to you.

 

 

Conclusion

We live in such a divided world today.  We have drawn so many lines in the sand.  It seems we are at odds with someone all the time.

 

We are divided over our Presidential Choice between President Biden and President Trump.  We are divided on whether Ukraine and Israel or just Ukraine needs any more financial support from our country.  We are divided over the war in Israel and who deserves that land, and that conflict has made its way to our soil and our college campus.  

 

We are so divided.  Yet, Jesus calls us to a higher standard.  He calls us to the Golden Rule.  Do unto others as we want others to do to us.  Love our enemies.

 

And if we think we can’t, remember Romans 5:5. 

5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

 

The love of God has been put in your heart by the Holy Spirit. If it hasn’t, are you saved? 

 

 

The Good News about Bad News

The Big XII

Here in the middle of Luke 6, we find a list of the twelve disciples or as some like to call them…the Big 12.  Therefore, we are not looking at an athletic conference this morning, but the 12 apostles.

 

This list is not only found here in Luke 6.  You can find this list and another similar to it in Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 3:13-19, and Acts 1:12-13. 

 

You might wonder what in the world can we learn from a list like this.  However, there is much more here than you might have originally thought.  I am going to share with you a few 5 observations, and then an application for everyone. 

 

 

Observation #1-6:12

12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

 

Verse twelve tells us that Jesus went off to the mountain, and He spent the whole night in prayer.  It seems that He was alone.  Why would He do this? 

 

Simply put, it was to be alone with His Father.  Remember that Jesus was fully God and fully man.  However, there are times when His own knowledge is restricted by God the Father. 

 

Perhaps, this was one of those times. Therefore, He went away to ask God whom He should choose from His followers to be in His inner circle. 

 

Notice also that He spent the whole night in prayer.  That would have been anywhere between eight and ten hours.  Can you even imagine it?  Spending an entire workday in prayer is mind-boggling. 

 

Consequently, if Jesus needed to spend time in prayer before decisions were made, shouldn’t you and I be committed to the same?

 

Not to do so would demonstrate our folly or our arrogance.  Which is it for you? 

 

Even though Jesus tells us to pray and teaches us to pray, prayer is often not popular for us, the church.  How do I know?  Your pastor struggles with prayer.  We struggle to staff our prayer room.  Wednesday night prayer meeting is often our smallest gather of the week.

 

Brothers and sisters, help me and allow me to help us be more committed to prayer.  Pray before we act.  Pray before we talk.  Pray first and pray last.  Pray for the little, and pray for the big. 

 

 

Observation #2-6:13a

13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.

 

Notice in verse thirteen that Jesus called His disciples to Himself.  Then He chose the 12 from the whole. 

 

What does that mean?  There were more than twelve.  A disciple is a follower, learner, and student.  Is that true of you? 

 

Do you consider yourself a disciple of Jesus or is that a term reserved for those radical Christians?  The reality is that every Christian is a disciple.  Let’s make sure that we are living like it.

 

 

Observation #3-6:13b

13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.

 

From His disciples, He chose twelve to be His closest followers.  He would pour His life into them for three years and then send them out with His authority as apostles. 

 

The word “apostle” mean sent one.  It also assumes that you are carrying a message. 

 

In one regard, we are all apostles if you have been born-again.  We are commissioned to carry the gospel everywhere.  That is true for pastors and church staff and deacons and each and every church member.

 

In another sense, these men were special.  These men were Apostles with a capital “A.” 

 

They were Jesus’ inner circle.  They witnessed the resurrected Christ, and many of them went on to write books of the Bible.  In that regard, these type of Apostles no longer exist today.

 

Why 12?  I believe this “twelve” corresponds with the twelve tribes of Israel.  They led God’s chosen people. Consequently, this twelve would lead the bride of Christ also as God’s chosen people. 

 

 

Observation #4-6:14-16

14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew; 15 Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot; 16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

 

The twelve apostles were ordinary and uneducated men.  BTW, Peter is always listed first as he was their unofficial leader.  Judas was always listed last as the traitor.

 

At least four were fishermen: Peter, Andrew, James, and John.  One was a despised tax collector: Matthew. 

 

Another was a political activist who would have hated the tax collector: Simon.  Matthew worked for Rome, and Simon the Zealot hated Rome. 

 

There was nothing special about these men.  They weren’t popular.  They weren’t intelligent.  They weren’t wealthy by the world’s standard. 

 

As a matter of fact, most of them were poor and would become poorer in following Jesus, and yet, they changed the world.  What does Jesus want from you?  I would say He simply wants total surrender, and He can use you to change the world. 

 

Oswald Chambers said, “God can achieve His purpose either through the absence of human power and resources, or the abandonment of reliance on them.  All through history God has chose and used nobodies, because their unusual dependence on Him made possible the unique display of His power and grace.  He chose and used somebodies only when they renounced dependence on their natural abilities and resources.”

 

 

Observation #5-6:16

16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

 

Judas Iscariot with was Jesus for three years.  He ate, slept, walked, fished, did ministry with Jesus and the other eleven. 

 

He fooled them, and he fooled plenty of people beyond them, but he didn’t fool God.  When Judas died, he was immediately separated from God and Christ in hell for eternity. 

 

You may be a member of EBC, and you may have been married for fifty plus years.  You may have fooled your family and your friends and all of Emory and Rains County, but if you died today, you would spend an eternity in hell because you have never been born-again.  Today, I invite you to be saved. 

 

 

Application for All

11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

 

Go back and look at Luke 6:11. The Pharisees were outraged at Jesus for healing on the Sabbath, and from this point forward, were looking to take Him down.

 

What do you do when opposition comes?  What do you do when problems occur?  What do you do when trouble ensues?

 

Consider this.  Pray through it.  Gather a team.  Expect to change your world and maybe even the entire world! 

Who Needs a Rest?

If you have your Bibles, please find Luke 6.  As we continue in our verse by verse and chapter by chapter study of Luke, I want to share a message with you entitled, “Who Needs a Rest?” 

 

The answer to that question is all of us do.  God created us this way, and He created a Sabbath for us.

 

Sabbath is a word found throughout the Old and New Testaments, and it literally means an interruption for rest.  It is related to a word that means to cease or to desist.

 

I feel like this is a fairly well-known fact, but in case you didn’t know, God created the Sabbath in Genesis 2 after creation.  See Genesis 2:1-3. 

 

1 Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. 2 And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.

 

Therefore, God rested on the seventh day or what we know as Saturday after six days of work creating everything.  He didn’t rest because He needed it, but He knew we would need it and thus provided an example.

 

In the OT, the Sabbath was on Saturday or literally sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.  It was a day of rest and worship for the nation of Israel, and had specific instructions attached to it.  The most well-known would be those found as part of the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20:8-11. 

 

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

 

Consequently, the OT also contains a lot of laws pertaining to the Sabbath and what could be done and what shouldn’t be done.  With that in mind, look at Luke 6:1.

 

 

1. The Interrogation of Jesus by the Pharisees about the Sabbath, 6:1-2

1 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the grain fields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands. 2 And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” 

 

It was the Sabbath on Saturday, and Jesus and His disciples were walking through a field picking and eating grain.  Some Pharisees saw them and accused them of violating the Sabbath. 

 

How so?  Was it wrong to eat the grain?  No, it wasn’t wrong to eat the grain. 

 

In the eyes of the Pharisees, what was wrong was what happened before they ate.   What did they do before they ate?

 

They had to have picked and rubbed the heads of grain in their hands.  That amounted to harvesting and was prohibited work on the Sabbath. 

 

Were they not aware of Deuteronomy 23:25?

 

25 When you come into your neighbor’s standing grain, you may pluck the heads with your hand, but you shall not use a sickle on your neighbor’s standing grain.

 

Surely, they were.  However, they considered work to have happened regardless. 

 

 

2. The Explanation from Jesus to the Pharisees from God’s Word about the Sabbath, 6:3-5

3 But Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?” 5 And He said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

 

Jesus answered them with the Bible.  Jesus reminded the Pharisees of a story about David from 1 Samuel 21. 

 

BTW, King David was a type of Christ.  What does that mean?  In many ways, but not all, King David foreshadowed Jesus Christ. 

 

David was with some of his army, and they were hungry and needed to eat.  Therefore, they entered the temple and ate some bread that was supposed to be for the priests only. 

 

However, it was the priest who gave David the bread and authorized his eating along with his men.  In effect, Jesus was saying if David could reinterpret the Law, and I am greater than David, then it is ok to for my disciples and I to pick grain and eat it on the Sabbath. 

 

Notice verse 5.  He said, the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.  Who was the Son of Man? 

 

It was Jesus.  He was claiming to be God, and claiming to have the authority to reinterpret the Law as He sees fit.

 

 

3. An Illustration of Mercy that took place on the Sabbath, Luke 6:6-11

6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. 8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. 9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” 10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

 

Verse 6 takes us to another Sabbath or Saturday.  Jesus went to a local synagogue and was preaching.  There was also a man whose hand was withered.  We might say atrophied.

 

This is significant because the left hand was considered evil in Jewish culture, and therefore, this man could not work or hold a job if his only option was working with a withered right hand. 

 

The scribes and Pharisees watched Jesus closely.  They were like predators ready to pounce on their prey.  However, Jesus knew their schemes and their evil desires, and so He asked them a question about the man before He healed him. 

 

BTW, How did Jesus know their thoughts?  He knew their thoughts because Jesus was God, and God is omniscient or all-knowing.  

 

And, remember the Pharisees have their own idea of work.  The text seems to indicate that they would have considered healing as work and violating the Sabbath.

 

He asked in verse 9, “Is it lawful to do good or to do evil on the Sabbath, to save a life or destroy it?” 

 

Understand what Jesus did.  He equated good with saving a life and evil with destroying a life.  They were speechless.

 

Consequently, Jesus acted…on the Sabbath.  He did good to this man.  He mercifully healed his hand and restored life to him enabling him to work and live normally in society. 

 

How did the Pharisees respond?  Look at verse 11.  The Pharisees were filled with rage because Jesus decided to save a man’s life…even on the Sabbath. 

 

 

Conclusions

What does all of this mean for you and me this morning, and how does it apply to our lives?

 

First, the Sabbath is important.  We need to rest.  It doesn’t have to be on Saturday, but it needs to be 24 hours in a week.

 

Exodus 23:12, 12 Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed.

 

Exodus 31:12-17, 12 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day He rested and was refreshed.’”

 

Exodus 35:1-3, 35 Then Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said to them, “These are the words which the Lord has commanded you to do: 2 Work shall be done for six days, but the seventh day shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it shall be put to death. 3 You shall kindle no fire throughout your dwellings on the Sabbath day.”

 

However, the Sabbath is not only important for the Christian, but the only true rest that any person can every have is in Jesus.  Stop trying to work your way to heaven.

 

Matthew 11:28-30, 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 

This is an invitation to be saved.

 

Second, Jesus is God, and how He interprets the Law is right.  He can reinterpret the Law.  He can heal a withered hand, and He can save your life today.

 

Third, whether it is the Sabbath or any other day, when you have the opportunity to do good, do it.  That doesn’t mean we skip corporate worship for service and ministry projects.

 

However, we need to remember Proverbs 3:27. 

 

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so.

 

It has also been well said, “Good omitted is evil committed.”