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Doing Good On The Sabbath

Doing Good On The Sabbath

Nov 03, 2024

Passage: Matthew 12:1-14

Preacher: Rob Holster

Series: Gospel of the Kingdom

Summary:

So we finished Matthew 11 last time––a tough chapter––except for the end, which was so hopeful––so inviting. This time we'll get into chapter 12, which begins with Jesus being questioned by the Pharisees. The Pharisees were the religious leaders––the experts, you might say. They were experts in the law––or so they claimed and assumed. But Jesus had some harsh words for them. These were guys who took what was meant for good––the Law of God––and they turned it into a petty "gotcha" system of rules. These rules were generally tilted in their favor. We have the same stuff going on today. There are those who have set up rules for themselves because they may have a legitimate conviction about certain things. The problem comes when they hold everyone else to those convictions. We call that legalism. At the beginning of Matthew 12, Jesus is going to explain the nature of the Law––and he's going to demonstrate how people had perverted it and focused on the wrong things. The particular issue is the Sabbath––the day of rest. According to the Ten Commandments, we're to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. So it comes down to, "What does that mean?" and "Why is the Sabbath a thing?" So I'll talk about that, but I'll also discuss Jesus' take on the matter––which is what really matters. It's right to obey God––to keep the commandments––but it's also right to do good. We need to understand where these things intersect––and cultivate grace for those situations. It's a really great passage––ultimately about doing good––but it's also a warning against legalism.

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