11/30 & 12/7 Sermon Review

Dangers of Legalism (originally Sabbath and Legalism)
John 5:9-18

I don't know what you think about legalism, but I hate it. I also fear it because I am so prone to fall into it. I fear it because I can find myself thinking like a legalist. We must fight against this tendency to become legalists. How? Today in our passage, I want you to see some of the great dangers of legalism through the depiction of the Pharisees. It should help us tremble at the sight of legalism. It should help us flee from the law of works into the law of grace. Note these dangers, and fight against legalism. If you see that these dangers are already apparent in your life, flee. Change your ways and turn to grace before it kills your soul.

Legalism makes us cold to acts of grace - Notice that the first thing that the Pharisees notice about the man who was healed is the mat that he is carrying. How cold must they have been to address that issue rather than give praise to God for a miracle. Such a miraculous healing should have pointed to the reality that God is visiting His people, but all that these legalists could care for was that their law was not being upheld strictly. They did not know how to rejoice; they did not know how to be thankful. Are you thankful? Do you rejoice when others are rejoicing? If not, you might be a legalist.

Legalism tampers with God's Word - The Pharisees noticed the man was carrying a mat. In the strictest sense, such an activity was not prohibited in the Law. Where did the idea that carrying a mat was against the Sabbath Law come from? The Pharisees abided by what we call the Mishnah. In it, they decided on various tasks that forbidden during the Sabbath. Thirty-nine to be exact. One of them was carrying your bed, and that is what the "pallet" in our text refers to. It was probably a mat stuffed with straw that could be rolled up and carried around. That was the bed in those days. But like I said, this was not in the original commandment. They were going above what the Scripture has written. At first, that sounds like being super righteous, but it is actually a display of great pride. Do not add to God's Word; He takes it very seriously. Read Revelations 22:18-19 if you don't believe me.

Legalism promotes self-righteousness which encourages blame-shifting - The healed man doesn't react any better. The first thing he says to respond to the Pharisee's accusation is "He who made me well was the one who said to me, 'Pick up your pallet and walk.'" In legalism, you have to follow the law perfectly to be righteous. Your performance is your righteousness. So what happens if you're caught? If you're caught, then you better have an excuse. If not, you're no longer righteous, and you're in trouble. I believe that's what we're seeing here. Do you blame other people for the sins you commit? You might be more of a legalist than you thought. You might be trusting in your performance more than you thought. When you sin, take responsibility for it. The man here really didn't sin though. So another exhortation, do not let people put upon you a legal standard that is not from the Word of God. If they do, gently remind them that there is a higher authority than their traditions. God's Word is the ultimate authority.

Legalism promotes sin in the long run - Still, I sympathize with the legalists. I can understand their heart in some ways; I had legalistic tendencies before. Most of the time, the legalists that I see become legalists because they have a passion for righteousness. They set boundaries for themselves not because they want to disobey, but because they want to obey. But I want you to remember this: legalism promotes sin in the long run. These Jews had a passion for the Law, but because of their passion for the Law, they started persecuting Jesus. John tells us it was exactly because of their traditions that they persecuted Jesus (v. 16). Persecution is never the answer, never the right way to respond when someone disagrees with you. Legalism ultimately grows in us a heart of hatred which is murder according to Jesus. Beware, your pursuit for righteousness through the law can very well and will back fire on you. Legalism promotes sin in the long run.

Legalism hinders the Father's work - I love how Jesus responds to these accusations. He answered, "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working" (vs. 17). What an indictment! When we are so caught up with our laws and our traditions, we have the great tendency to forget what God is doing. It almost always works that way. I've never seen a legalist do great things for God in regards to the Great Commission. Who cares if God is doing some work? All I need is to be righteous and that's it isn't it? So the legalist thinks. You might htink that your legalistic tendencies are helping you in pursuing God's will and finishing God's work. It's not. It's hindering you, and it's killing you. If you want to serve the Lord, you must cut off all ties to legalism.

Legalism kills Jesus - The legalist has no need for Jesus. Actually, the legalist is offended by Jesus. He stands there as a sign that man's righteousness is not enough. A sacrifice that is greater than what man can offer must be given. The Pharisees knew that Jesus was danger for their own righteousness. What started off with simple hatred led to murder. The legalist killed Jesus. And the legalists of our day still put Jesus back up on that cross. He says Christ's sacrifice is not enough. The greatest act of love from God towards sinners is nothing. Hear the words of Paul: "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, Christ died needlessly" (Galatians 2:21). Legalism does not care if Jesus dies. Legalism does all it can to get rid of Jesus. John Macarthur says, "For the Jews it was either Jesus of the Sabbath, and they chose the Sabbath and killed Jesus. That was the choice." Legalist, you have choice. It is either your laws or your Christ. What will get rid of?

Legalism is horrible. It destroys the soul; it robs God of His glory; it kills the affections; and it destroys the work of Christ. Do not take legalism lightly. It is an offense to God and His grace. It required the Son of God to die in order to redeem those trapped by the Law. It is no small thing. Fight legalism. Grab a hold of grace. Cling to the cross. Stay steadfast in Christ's righteousness. And may God bless you beyond all that you've imagined. Let Him free you from the shackles of legalism and put upon you the yoke of Christ. And let Him led you into rest. Stay strong in the Lord and god bless!