The Messiah’s Sabbath Authority

In my heart I’m a legalist. I love rules and love enforcing rules. But more than anything else I love catching other people breaking the rules. I do this because it makes me feel like I’m better than I really am. One practical area of life where I see this is in my driving. I expect everyone to follow my interpretation of the rules of the road, and when they don’t, I look down on them. But I can always justify my own breaking of those same rules when my interests are at stake. I know that how we drive may or may not be as significant as issues in our spiritual lives, but in principle, I act the exact same way with people spiritually. I have set up rules in my mind that determine if someone is or isn’t a good Christian or even a good person. These rules usually ignore my shortcomings and magnify my strengths. What’s worse is that I convince myself that my standard is God’s standard; that it’s what He really wants from good Christians and good people. But the truth is that what God really wants isn’t people who keep my rules, but people who love Him. In the Shema of Deuteronomy 6, God calls His people to love Him before He calls them follow His commands. You see, God knows that we won’t obey Him merely because we have to or because other people say we have to. No, we’ll only obey God when we love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength. May God help us submit to His authority over the affections of our heart instead of the artificial rules we’ve concocted. – Pastor Rory Martin

Sunday at Liberty

• BTH: Russ Frederick–Exodus–Pharaoh’s Arrogance & God’s Wrath (Ex 7:8-8:19)
  
• AM: Pastor Nate–Matthew 12:1-21–The Messiah’s Sabbath Authority (sermon notes)
  
• PM: Pastor Rory–Hosea 6:4-11