1. Mt. 12:1-8

2. OX IN THE DITCH I. CONTEXT OF HYPOCRISY (Mt. 12:1-8) A. Pharisees condemned what was lawful (12:2, 7). BOUND THEIR OPINIONS B. Pharisees did not condemn David’s sin (12:3-4). HYPOCRISY C. Pharisees condemned the temple service & the Lord (12:5, 6, 8)! REVEALS THE ERROR OF THEIR TRADITIONS (Mt. 12; Lk. 13-14; Mk. 2)

3. OX IN THE DITCH II. CONTEXT: SEEK TO ACCUSE HIM (Mt. 12:9-14) A. Points out their hypocrisy (12:11-12a). B. Lawful to do good on the Sabbath (12:12b). (Mt. 12; Lk. 13-14; Mk. 2) 1. Good – Beneficial. 3. Ditch = Necessities of lifethat do not interfere with Sabbath rules (12:11). 2. Ditch = Emergency (12:11).

4. OX IN THE DITCH III. APPLICATION A. Emergencies… (Mt. 12; Lk. 13-14; Mk. 2) 1. Genuine health issues – hinder worship (Heb. 10:25; Acts 20:7). 3. Car trouble on way – late. 2. Genuine health issue – makes lady’s hair fall out (1 Cor. 11:15). OUR AIM & PRACTICE ARE NOT ALTERED, JUST HINDERED FOR THE MOMENT BY CIRCUMSTANCE.

5. OX IN THE DITCH III. APPLICATION B. Necessities of life that do not interfere with God’s rules… (Mt. 12; Lk. 13-14; Mk. 2) 1. Work of the church (1 Cor. 11:34; 1 Tim. 3:15) – bathroom. NONE OF THESE JUSTIFY DELIBERATE ACTIONS WHICH CONFLICT WITH GOD’S WORD! 2. How raise money (1 Cor. 16:1-4) – buy/sell building, pews, etc.

6. OX IN THE DITCH CONCLUSION: 1. If your ox FALLS in the ditch, it is understandable. (Mt. 12; Lk. 13-14; Mk. 2) 2. If you PUSH your ox in the ditch, then there is a problem! ARE YOU TRULY PUTTING GOD FIRST? or ARE YOU ALLOWING OTHER THINGS TO BE FIRST?