1. The Gathering Storm 09/09/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles

2. The Gathering Storm Introduction
There are 7 major controversies between Jesus and the religious leaders recorded in the Gospels over the issue of the Sabbath.
In Mark 2:23-28 Jesus once again has a run in with the Pharisees.

3. The Gathering Storm
23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain.
24 The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” (Mark 2:23-24, NIV)

4. The Gathering Storm
Reaping on the Sabbath was specifically forbidden by Moses.
21 “Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest. (Ex 34:21, NIV)

5. The Gathering Storm The Old Testament and the Sabbath.
The 4th commandment says,
8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. (Ex 20:8, NIV)

6. The Gathering Storm Work was forbidden on the Sabbath.
Breaking the Sabbath was an offense punishable by death (Ex 31:14; 35:2).
Numbers 15:32-36.
Ezekiel.
Nehemiah.

7. The Gathering Storm
The traditions and the 4th commandment were intermingled.

8. The Gathering Storm Jesus, the Pharisees and the Sabbath.
Jesus was in hot water.
Jesus’ disciples,
24 …“Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?” (Mark 2:24, NIV)

9. The Gathering Storm
25 He answered, “Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need?
26 In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions.” (Mark 2:25-26, NIV)

10. The Gathering Storm 1 Samuel 12. Matthew 12:5.
5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? (Matt 12:5, NIV)

11. The Gathering Storm
They were innocent because they were in service to God.
David came to the priests of his day and said the Sabbath was never intended to take precedence over legitimate needs.

12. The Gathering Storm
The analogy is quite clear: David the king fed his men; Christ the king feeds his.
Jesus is making a claim of being the messianic ancestor of David.

13. The Gathering Storm
They can’t stand it that men’s needs take precedence over ceremonialism.
Hosea 6:6,
7 ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ (Matt 12:7, NIV)

14. The Gathering Storm Jesus lays down an interpretative guideline:
Legitimate needs should be met, even at the risk of not keeping the letter of the law.

15. The Gathering Storm Jesus’ Rationale.
27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27, NIV)

16. The Gathering Storm Love takes precedence over tradition.
28 So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:28, NIV)
Jesus says, “I am the Creator and as Creator I can do whatever I want to with my creation.”
Now that’s authority.

17. The Gathering Storm The Question of Authority.
It’s about whether or not needs take precedence over tradition.
27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27, NIV)

18. The Gathering Storm Who was doing the will of God?
Who was practicing pure and faultless religion?
Does Human Need take precedent over men’s rules?

19. The Gathering Storm Conclusion Jesus is reorienting our focus.
It’s about whether or not love takes precedence over tradition.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Conclusion
Jesus is reorienting our focus.
It is just so easy to worship God while forgetting the real meaning of worship/ holiness.

20. The Gathering Storm
17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Rom 1:17, NIV)

21. The Gathering Storm 09/09/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles