Sermon Notes from Sunday 5.16.10

Well, I didn't get all the way through the notes below, so the sermon from Sunday was truncated.  But we'll deal with the two Sabbath controversies next week (2.23-3.6), Lord willing.  Here are the notes from Sunday (5.16).  As always, you can find the sermon audio here:  sermons.heritagepark.org.

Why³?

Mark 2.13-28

Why are you hanging out with those people?

• Jesus consistently works in the most unlikely places.
• Jesus was comfortable around sinners – so why aren’t Christians?
• Some are afraid of the risk of association – protecting their reputations.
• Some are afraid of catching the sin disease – choosing fortress over mission.
• In Jesus’ Kingdom, it’s okay not to be okay – it’s just not okay to stay that way.

Why are your people not acceptably religious?

• Jesus does not bring stoicism on top of asceticism; He brings joy.
• Jesus does not patch the old; He makes everything new. 
• Jesus does not fit into our categories; He defines Himself to us. 

Why are your people not keeping the rules?

• Sabbath was for resting, remembering, and reorienting around God.
• Exalting the symbol reduces the need for a Savior.
• Reducing a relationship with God to a checklist means missing Him entirely.
• Discernment can see whether the precept falls in line with the two overarching commands:  God-love and neighbor-love.