March 30, 2025
Who Makes the Rules?
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

Mark 2:23-28
One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

I. Why Matters

II. Perspective Matters

Our faith practice isn’t a list of rules we keep but a Person we pursue.

Next Steps

• I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
• I commit to practicing weekly rhythms of rest and honor the Sabbath.
• I confess legalistic tendencies and submit them to the Lordship of Christ.

Deep Dive

1. Read Mark 2:23-28. How were the Pharisees being legalistic?
2. Is legalism a problem in the modern-day church? Why or why not?
3. How can we faithfully practice our faith without being legalistic?

Springboards

1. How do daily and weekly routines help you be more consistent?
2. What is one area of your life that needs to be more consistent?
3. Who can help you be accountable for putting that into practice?