Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath | Luke 6:1-11
God gave Israel the Law to show them how to love him with their whole hearts and to love one another. He redeemed them from slavery, called them to be his people, and promised to bring them to the place of his presence where they might enter God’s rest.
Of course, the Law did not spell out every instance or exception, so the Jewish leaders and teachers added guidance to the Law as guardrails to help Israel keep the Law and maintain faithfulness. Sadly, many of these rules went beyond Scripture but were expected to be obeyed as Scripture. The result was, instead of reading the Law (God’s Word) to know God, they read the Law to know what to do or not do. That led to a religion of justification by works. This is not what God intended. But this is what we see in Luke 6:1-11. To protect the Sabbath, the Pharisees added rules. Those rules were prioritized over basic human needs (6:1-5) and over showing mercy (6:6-11).
We tend to look down on the Pharisees, but admittedly, we are very much like them. We are tempted to add rules that go beyond Scripture, then expect others to keep them to prove their faithfulness. Or we practice religious rituals or abstain from certain activities in an effort to win God’s favor. It is exhausting to try and earn God’s grace. It is a burden to try and keep the extrabiblical rules others impose on us.
Jesus came to restore Israel on the basis of a new covenant. To do that, he needed to fulfill the old. And he did so, by keeping it fully, including the Sabbath. This is what he reminds the Pharisees. At no point did Jesus violate the Sabbath (Luke 6:1-5). But Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. That means only he has the authority to determine what is and is not permissible on the Sabbath. To prove he has that authority, he heals on the Sabbath (Luke 6:6-10).
The Pharisees become furious at Jeus and plot to destroy him (Luke 6:11). Here is the irony of this passage. The plot of the Jewish leaders to kill Jesus is the means God used to fulfill the Sabbath and the whole Law. Though innocent, Jesus went to the cross, where he received the penalty for Law-breaking. So, Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath (and the whole Law) by his active (keeping the Law) and passive (suffering) obedience. This is the basis of our salvation. And we enter into God’s promised, eternal rest by faith alone (Hebrews 3-4).
Are you still trying to enter God’s rest through religious observance or abstinence? Are you burdened by religious performance, guilt, or the pressure to be good enough? Come to Jesus, and rest in him. He is not offering a day off—he is offering eternal rest with God, beginning right now, by faith in him, the Lord of the Sabbath.
Resources of the Week
New Covenant Christians and the Sabbath:
Song of the Month: The Church’s One Foundation
HPBC APP Announcement
As we roll out the new website, we will be updating the Church Center App and retiring the older HPBC app.
Our High Pointe Baptist Church app is retiring May 21st. If you don't have the Church Center app, download it today using the links below! If you need help in accessing the new app, please visit our Connection Center or speak with one of our staff.
Do you have questions about the change? Email us at info@highpointeaustin.org.
Opportunities to Serve and Grow at High Pointe
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)
Men’s Steak and Hymns Fellowship | Friday, March 28
All men are invited to come enjoy steak and fellowship at High Pointe on Friday, March 28 from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Sides will be provided, but attendees must bring their own meat to grill. Register here.
Young Adult Luncheon | Sunday, March 30
The young adults will be having lunch together after the service on March 30. The lunch will begin at 12:30 PM, and it will take place at Buddy’s Burgers (9001 Cameron Rd Ste 101, Austin, TX 78754).
Senior Adult Luncheon | Sunday, March 30
The 55+ Adults will be having lunch together after the service on March 30. The lunch will begin at 12:30 PM, and it will take place at the Luby's on Dessau and 183.
Gospel Witness and the True and Better Story (Evangelism Seminar) | Saturday, April 5
Do you struggle to be a gospel witness in today’s skeptical world? Are you looking for better ways to have meaningful conversations about God that offer hope and purpose? Join us for an Equipping Workshop on Saturday, April 5 from 9 AM to 12:00 PM where we’ll explore how to share the true and better Story—Jesus Christ, the Hero and center of history. This workshop will equip you with practical tools to share the gospel in a way that resonates deeply with others. Feel free to arrive at 8:30 AM for fellowship. Snacks and coffee will be provided. Childcare is limited and will not be offered past April 1 at 4:00PM. Register here.
Women's Jewelry Making Workshop | Saturday, April 12
There will be a Jewelry Making Workshop on Saturday, April 12 from 1-3 PM at High Pointe. Come and learn how to make a necklace or bracelet that you will get to wear home! This is a beginner class. We have a limited number of seats, so make sure to enroll early. There is a $25 fee to participate in the event! Register here.
Life Classes | Sunday at 9:00 AM
Life Classes are meant to equip High Pointe for life as a Christian. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity and join us. Childcare is available for ages 8 months through Pre-K. This session, we are offering the following classes from January 26 to May 25:
Evangelizing through Mark (Room 201, Old Choir Room)
Discipling Through Ephesians (Room 203, Livingston Room)
Spanish Life Class | Los Atributos de Dios (Room 200, East Training Room)
Youth Life Class | The Pentateuch (Room 101, Old Library)
Kid's Life Class | K-5th grade (Room 104, Overflow Room)
Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:
March 30 | Psalm 119:9-16 | Meditating on Scripture | Pastor Robert Cline
April 6 | On Prayer | Pastor Robert Cline
April 13 | Luke 6:12-26 | The Blessings and Woes of the Kingdom | Pastor Juan Sanchez
April 20 | Luke 6:27-36 | Love Your Enemies | Pastor Juan Sanchez | Easter Sunday
April 27 | Finding Your Place in the Big Story of the Bible | Pastor Robert Cline
May 4 | Luke 6:37-42 | Judge with Righteous Judgment | Pastor Juan Sanchez
May 11 | Luke 6:43-49 | Two Ways to Live | Pastor Juan Sanchez
May 18 | Luke 7:1-35 | Are You the One? | Pastor Juan Sanchez
May 2 | Luke 7:36-8:3 | Jesus and Women | Pastor Juan Sanchez
Begin praying as you prepare to gather with us this Sunday at 10:00 am.
Gospel Partner of the Month: Predica Fiel
In our approach to missions at High Pointe, we not only seek to send our best, but we also want to equip and encourage those who are already serving in the field. One of the ways to do that is to provide training for national pastors and missionaries. Predica Fiel is a training ministry that equips pastors, missionaries, and church leaders in expositional teaching and preaching. They provide training workshops throughout the island of Cuba and the Spanish-speaking world.
Please pray that the Lord will give them favor and fruitfulness in their work. Pray that the Lord would grant them continued opportunities to train pastors, missionaries, and teachers. And pray that the Lord would provide all the resources they need to do their work.
On-Call Pastor
To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours and on weekends. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1.
