Mark 2_13_28 Sermon

Text: Mark 2:13-28

Title: Jesus and Religion

Intro: Paratrooper – John 3:16 – that would get me in good with God

One of the saddest features in the life of Jesus was the rising opposition of the religious leaders. Here there is a series of skirmishes between Jesus and the Pharisees. They ask Jesus three questions where we can see the difference between Jesus and religion. Religion is man attempt to reach God. Jesus is God’s way to reach man.

CPS:Religion is about works while a relationship with Jesus is about grace.

Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?” Mk 2:16.

Religion Bring Isolation; Jesus Brings Invasion Vs. 14-17

Jesus was walking around Capernaum and stopped a tax booth and tells the man manning it to follow Him. Become one of my disciples.

-Tax Collector – despised – traitor – associated with gentiles – dishonest in taxation –threats and force to collect taxes – Sinner extraordinaire

- Matthew forsook all – and left – quit his job- committed Vs. 14

A. Levi’s Appreciation Vs. 15

Levi was grateful Jesus called him and through a banquet for the Lord.

Banquet needs people – who did Levi invite? His Friends

Illustration: Notice when you are saved your friendships change. You withdraw from the crowd you use to hang out with and they withdraw from you.

Jud Messer – good friend – drank a lot – passed away this year – he came to know Jesus but not because of me but his sister

When I got saved I isolated myself, thinking this is how I should act and this is who I should associate with. That is what religion does to you. It isolates you from the people you have influence with. Influence with the lost.

Many publicans and sinners – his circle of influence

Vs. 15C - For there were many, and they followed Him. – Levi was already bringing his friends to the Lord.

B. The Pharisee’s Condemnation Vs. 16

RELIGION BRINGS ISOLATION – The religious experts were perplexed – how could a so-called righteous man fellowship with publicans and sinners – that was unheard of according to their man made laws

C. The Lord’s Explanation Vs. 17 *** Repentance ***

Jesus didn’t bring Isolation – Jesus brought invasion – an invasion of sinners who would become righteous!

I came to call sinners to repent! All people are sin sick and in need of Jesus

Romans 3:10 -23

Religion wants to say who the kingdom belongs to and who it doesn’t but Jesus says the kingdom is mine and I will include whoever repents of their sin and turns to Me in faith.

Religion Isolates due to people’s merit……. Grace is the absence of merit and brings an Invasion.

Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” Mk 2:18.

Religion Brings a Funeral; Jesus Brings a FeastVs. 18-22

Religion is a joy kill but Jesus brings Joy - Jesus’ disciples were enjoying themselves – free from the rituals the Pharisee’s held so dear.

The Accusation Vs. 18

Pharisees are saying – we fast – they fast – why don’t your disciples fast?

-Law required one fast a year – day of atonement

The Pharisees fast every Monday and Thursday - most often a meritorious act

Religion brings a funeral- Fasted to be seen a religious before me – they disfigured their faces – walked around looking gloomy – so they can be seen

Friends – do we seek the attention of man or do we worship God?

Grace is the absence of merit!

John’s disciples fasted – mourning – repentance

The Application Vs. 19

John’s disciples mourned the loss of their teacher

-why should the disciples fast WHILE THE MESSIAH WAS WITH THEM! This isn’t a time for fasting but a time of JOY!

Not time for a funeral but a time to celebrate life – because Jesus came to give life.

the nearness of the Kingdom of God in the person of Jesus was not a fitting time.

NB) the way to God is not through religious practices but through joyful association with Jesus

Vs. 20 - but the day will come when it is time

Jesus points to His arrest and crucifixion

Religion brings a funeral – the religious experts crucified the LORD of GLORY – The one they had waited for and taught was coming – was in their midst!

Blinded by their self-centered – Man made religion purposefully executed Him like a common thief

- they will mourn for three days but on the Third day Jesus burst the tomb wide open

He is alive! What a joyous occasion for celebration!

The Illustration Vs. 21-22

These parables teach the incompatibility of the old (scribal Judaism) and the new (Christianity).

Christianity – the new garment – the new wineskin – the new wine

The point is not that “old” is wrong or evil but that the promised time had come. The Messiah is here.

Why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” Mk 2:24.

Religion Brings a Burden; Jesus Brings a Blessing Vs. 23-28

The Disciples were walking along with Jesus and got hungry – reached over grabbed some grain – rolled it – blew it- ate it. The Religious Leaders blow a head gasket

The Laws of the Sabbath Vs. 23-24

The Bible tells us working on the Sabbath was illegal for the Jew

Ex. 20:8-11 Six day you will work on the seventh you will rest because God rested after He created – as an example for us.

- you shall do no work! - you or anyone in your family – servants – oxen

That simple – no work

Religion brings burden – the scribes being all religious created 39 kinds of work that were prohibited 1/3 of those works was reaping ***Read List***

Is a handful of wheat reaping? – or laying a sickle to -

Illustration: Orthodox Jew Stephen – car -light switches

The limits of the Sabbath Vs. 25-26

Jesus implied that what David and his men did was justified because they were famished.

-Human need should take precedence over Ceremonial Law

-Ultimately Sabbath observance should not be reduced to legalistic restrictions – Human needs are more important than rituals

The Lord of the Sabbath Vs. 27-28

Humans were not created to observe the Sabbath, BUT the Sabbath was created for our benefit.

-Rest

-Recoupe

-Worship the Lord who now sustains us

-He is our Joy, our encourager, our provision, our righteousness and we have a full day we can spend with Him!

Humans don’t have the authority to determine how the Sabbath is observed

That belongs to the Lord of the Sabbath Who is that Jesus the Son of Man – God Himself who created then rested.

Who instituted the command.

Religionmakes serving the Lorda burden – but Jesus Brings a Blessing

Sunday is our Sabbath and it is a blessing given to us by God

Application:Religion is about works while a relationship with Jesus is about grace.

There isn’t anything you can do to get in good with God – there isn’t anything you can do to get God to love you more. A relationship with Jesus is what is required. That depends solely on Grace

***Define grace- unmerited favor - A.W. Pink

You can not earn it - you do not deserve it - Religion will tell you otherwise -

But the Bible – says Eph 2:8-9 by grace through faith

Do you have religion or a relation with God through Jesus?

-Do you isolate people?(explain) - who are you friends? (explain) - Who do you accept?

- Who is allowed in this Church?What do you accept? (The WORD of God!)

-Are you attending a funeral? What does your worship look like, is it man centered or Christ centered?

Do you appear to be a Christian or are you a faithful follower?

- hectic before church /argue/ carrying on/ fussing in the car/ Get out BIG SMILE

-Are you bringing burdens? Do you limit peoples freedom in Christ? Are you legalistic and hinder people true worship - Bybalon Bee article – This is a Church we don’t raise our hand – we don’t shout Halleluiah

Does your religious practices bring people to God or closer to God or do they hinder people from coming and growing?

Conclusion: Do you have religion or Jesus? You can join the church and go through religious exercises and not know Jesus