Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- We have lots of traditions
- People might argue over what is right and wrong
- We must be careful about blindly following traditions
- Example of the 'gospel service', pulpit location, dress code, instruments, number of services, midweek meetings
- Instead they must be wise choices under God
- Other examples - wise decisions
- The question should be what helps us to worship God?
- We must not hold traditions for 'tradition sake'
- We must not look down on others if they do not observe these traditions
- Jesus did not follow tradition and was looked down on by the pharisees and scribes
- Jesus was willing to go against the cultural normal
- His heart was more concerned with healing, compassion and honouring God rather than following the rules of men
- Overview:
- Tradition vs. Compassion
- Pride vs. Humility
Tradition vs. Compassion (v1-6)
- What this man with dropsy 'planted' by the pharisees?
- He may have just wandered into the feast
- But the pharisees were watching Jesus
- Jesus knows exactly what is going on
- They believed to heal on the Sabbath is a contradiction of God's law
- They believed you had to rest from everything - examples
- They had lost the spirit of the day - a delight and joy (Isa 58)
- The pharisees were silent - v4
- If they respond - they look uncaring
- If they say you can heal - they look lax as not upholding their own rules
- They say nothing
- Jesus heals the man and lets him go
- He releases this man from the clutches of the Pharisees
- Remember the blind man in John 9
- There are 7 sabbath healings recorded in the Scriptures
- Example of the lady bent over
- God heals people spiritually
- We must pray this happens for God's glory
- Jesus challenges the pharisees again
- (Though they are challenging Jesus in their hearts)
- He answers them (though they spoke nothing ) - v5
- He shows they are more concerned about financial loss or their own family than other people
- He shows they are inconsistent - example of doing work on the Sabbath
- Jesus silences the pharisees - v6
- They could not answer Him
- Application:
- Are we concerned with the way things are done or the gospel of free grace?
- Are we more concerned with our religious ideas/standards?
- Is my religion based on outward performance/keeping up appearances?
- Is my religion about God and the gospel of Jesus Christ?
- Do I live for Jesus?
- Is my identity in Jesus and not religious traditions?
- Is my identity in my denomination or that we are a child of God?
Pride vs. Humility (v7-14)
- God is watching us - even if we are watching others
- Jesus knows the Pharisees want the best places
- Luke 11:43 - Jesus repeated this several times
- They had no real concern for the people of God
- They wanted to be the important ones
- Jesus tells a parable to call them to humility
- v8 - Don't choose the best place
- v10 - Choose the lowest place
- v11 - whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted
- Example of Nebuchadnezzar and Herod - humbled
- Example of Mary, sinners, the tax collector, the man who beat his breast - lifted up
- The whole of Scripture teaches about humility vs pride
- Consider the very example of Jesus Christ
- He made Himself of no reputation
- He came to give His life as a ransom for many
- Example of man who went to college
- God honours the humble
- v12-14 - extremely challenging words
- We should be people of hospitality
- Do we do things for personal gain?
- The pharisees did things for themselves and had no love for the poor
- We will be repaid when Christ comes again
- Gospel love is unselfish love and flows from the heart of God
- Gospel love associates with the poor and humble
- Example of the Good Samaritan
- Jesus went to the cross for us - freely paying our debt
Closing Remarks
- Religion is not meant to be a 'club' based on tradition
- A place where Christ is exalted and love rules
- That we would crucify pride and love Christ and serve only Him