An exposition of Luke 5:33-6:11. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on September 2, 2012.
Intro:
I’m one of those who thinks that what you believe is important. It really does matter – it really makes a difference. Me – I’m conservative. Real conservative. Ultra conservative – okay on the fundamentalist side. I’m just to the right of the Iyatola. But I also believe there are things far more important than just being “right.” Right doctrine is critically important. I believe we are responsible to God to maintain the faith handed down to us by our forefathers. We have been entrusted with a precious treasure and we must guard and protect the truth. But we are just as responsible to God to demonstrate the love and grace of the Lord Jesus when and as we proclaim and live out that truth!
Just as in the Lord Jesus we beheld the both the truth and the grace of God – we must embody both God’s truth and His grace. Grace and truth are not antithetical they naturally go together!
One of the reasons I don’t like to consider myself a fundamentalist – is that most of them that I have known through the years are just down right mean!
Theologically I don’t have a problem. I agree with them pretty much down the line.
The problem is with their demeanor.
Da more conservative they are da meaner day get!
Fundamentalists tend to be narrow, harsh, unyielding, unsympathetic, unforgiving and well, just down right nasty!
I was asked once to attend a meeting with a group of pastors. I went and found that it was a group of pastors who were, for the most part, very fundamentalist in their theology. I agreed with these guys as they discussed theological positions and interpretation of Scripture. The problem was – they were the most depressing group of men I’d ever been around. I had been quiet most of the meeting. I was a guest – I didn’t want to upset anyone. But finally they forced my hand. They ask me to respond to what was being said. I responded with what I thought was a very funny answer. The only other person to laugh was the other visitor! After an awkward silence – I said, “I think you guys need to lighten up. You’re taking yourselves way too serious.” That was about 4 years ago – I’ve not received another invitation.
These were mean entrusted with the Gospel of Grace.
They were the bearers of “Good News.”
They took their responsibility seriously.
In fact too seriously. So seriously that they destroyed the meaning of the message.
That’s nothing new. It’s been going on since the days when Jesus walked the earth. Those who saw themselves as the guardians of the truth of God had robbed the message of it are meaning. Through their determined orthodoxy they destroyed the joy of being the people of God. It is not surprising that they would be the one’s who were determined to destroy the Lord Jesus and His message of love and grace.
The Scribes and Pharisees were constantly in the crowd – seeking the grounds for an accusation against the Lord. We find them again, lurking in the shadows of Luke chapter 5.
Text: Luke 5:33-6:11
Dr. Luke has saying to his friend, Theophilus, this is what Jesus was like.
This is what His ministry was about.
Here the inspired narrator, with the skill of an artist, paints a moving portrait of the Savior’s ministry. One we need to study carefully – for we have been entrusted with this same work. We have been called along side as co-laborers in the kingdom. As we explore this passage we will learn that:
Thesis: We reflect the ministry of the Lord Jesus when our ministry abounds in grace.
I want you to note 3 characteristics of grace-filled ministry in our text.
- A grace-filled ministry imparts joy rather than despair. (5:33-39)
- A grace-filled ministry allows the spirit of the Law to override the letter of the Law. (6:1-5)
- A grace-filled ministry places mercy above orthodoxy. (6:6-11)