Sermon Central
-
Missing The Point Series
Contributed by Carl Willis on Jul 1, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: The Pharisees were worried about healing on the Sabbath, but missed the very work of God in their presence.
Missing the Point
Mark 3:1 (HCSB)
Now He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a paralyzed hand.
Situational Awareness
- Jesus entered the temple
- To direct others to God’s presence
- Teaching
- Revealing God’s power
- A paralyzed hand
- The opportunity for revelation
- God’s presence
- God’s power
- Jesus’ true identity and authority
Mark 3:2 (HCSB)
In order to accuse Him, they were watching Him closely to see whether He would heal him on the Sabbath.
Missing the Point
- The watchful eye of the Pharisee
- Not looking for God’s movement
- Not looking for reason to praise
- Looking for opportunity to entrap
- Confusion of the roles
- The Pharisees were leaders called to point others to God
- The Pharisees were consumed with the preservation of their power and prestige
Mark 3:3 (HCSB)
He told the man with the paralyzed hand, “Stand before us.”
Nothing to Hide
- “Stand before us”
- Jesus’ actions would be public
- Nothing hidden
- Exposing the condition
- Revealing the solution
- For all to see
- God wants all to see and acknowledge His work
- No mistaking
- No questions
- God’s work is not meant to be hidden or kept secret
1 Chronicles 16:8 (HCSB)
Give thanks to the Lord; call on His name; proclaim His deeds among the peoples.
Mark 3:4 (HCSB)
Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent.
A Revealing Question
- Trapped
- To declare an act of kindness “lawful”
- Would provide an exemption to the Pharisees restrictive prohibitions against any work on the Sabbath
- To say kindness was unlawful would go against the revealed nature and activity of God
- To declare evil “lawful”
- Would contradict the “reason” for the Pharisees prohibitions
- Would contradict the revealed nature and activity of God
- Silence
- The only choice
- To speak would only reveal the error of their teaching
Mark 3:5 (HCSB)
After looking around at them with anger and sorrow at the hardness of their hearts, He told the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
Righteous Action
- Righteous anger
- Jesus was angry over the hardness of the heart
- Unwillingness to acknowledge God’s presence
- Leading others astray
- Righteous sadness
- Jesus was saddened over the hardness of heart
- The Pharisees were missing the reality of God’s invitation to them
- Blinded by their own selfish ambition
- Righteous command
- Healing has come
- Physical
- Spiritual
Mark 3:6 (HCSB)
Immediately the Pharisees went out and started plotting with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.
Strange Bedfellows
- The Pharisees
- Enforcers of Jewish law and custom
- Protectors of Levitical system
- The Herodians
- Jews who supported Rome
- Sought to establish the ruling line of the Herods
- One common foe
- Jesus Christ
- His way was contrary to their agendas
In what ways are you missing the point?
**Powerpoint available on request
