text: The GOAT Part 3 - Morningstar UMC
  ​Part 3 of the "GOAT" Message Series
  Now it happened that Jesus was passing through some grainfields on a Sabbath, and His disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. 2 But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" 3 And Jesus, answering them, said, "Have you not even read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him, 4 how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests alone, and gave it to his companions?" 5 And He was saying to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
  6 On another Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught; and a man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 Now the scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He healed on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse Him. 8 But He knew what they were thinking, and He said to the man with the withered hand, "Get up and come forward!" And he got up and came forward. 9 And Jesus said to them, "I ask you whether it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do harm, to save a life or to destroy it?" 10 And after looking around at them all, He said to him, "Stretch out your hand!" And he did so; and his hand was restored.11 But they themselves were filled with senseless rage, and began discussing together what they might do to Jesus. – Luke 6:1-11 (NASB)
  Jesus demonstrates the unsettling ability to know not only what people are thinking, but the motives behind their actions. If God knows everything about us, why do we pretend to be who we are not? Being truly known gives us hope and freedom to live fully in His love and grace.
  "Religion" is a word that can stir positive and negative emotions.
  In the Gospel of Luke, we see that Jesus not only confronts this issue of "religion," but he also clarifies the issue.
  Jesus is like a "plumb line." The plumb line settles what is truly aligned with the way things really are.
  The "Sabbath" simply means "to stop." We stop from our labor and we rest in God as the Provider. In the Old Testament, it was specifically set apart as the last day of the week (Saturday).
  Jesus does not shy away from confrontation if it points people to a deeper understanding of God.
  The personal "Faith Journey" withers when disconnected from relationship. When this occurs, it is "religion."
  This Scripture points to the fact that Jesus offers restoration to the human soul.
  The Sabbath is not simply a rule. It is a relational formation. Sabbath shapes the one who rests within it.
  Relationship involves priorities and patterns.
  Rules cannot be a substitute for the relationship. Rules must serve the relationship with God and with others. Jesus sets things straight.
  Every commandment from God is a form of freedom. God's commands meet the real need of our lives. There is freedom in a relationship.
  Are we following the purposes of God, or our own personal purposes and traditions?​
  "If we pretend we're not sinners, Jesus can't heal us. But when we start being honest in our lives, with God, with others and even with those we lead, we can experience the healing that was always meant to be ours." – Andrea Lucado ('Stop Pretending to Be Perfect,' 04/12/2016)
  We will not fool a God Who knows us, our thoughts, our motives, and our truest selves.
  God knows us. Not only does God know us, but God loves us in spite of what God knows.
  2 in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest.4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our wrongdoings, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved). – Ephesians 2:2-5 (NASB)
  God does not require us to figure God out in order for us be worthy of God's love.
  There is still an inability to fully know all about God within our current state of being – humankind.
  ILLUSTRATION: "But Who is Aslan? Do you know Him?" "Well, He knows me," said Edmund. (C.S. Lewis; The Chronicles of Narnia, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader)
  God knows us completely and far better than anyone else.
  Do you ever get annoyed by people who don't follow the rules – or are you someone who feels like the rules shouldn't apply to you? What are some examples of rules that should always be followed – or rules that seem foolish?
  Does the thought of Jesus knowing your thoughts and motives make you uncomfortable? Why or why not?
  Has there been a time when you have pretended to be someone you're not, in real life or on social media? Were you found out even after you set up the façade?
  Are there people in your life that you can be vulnerable and real with, or do you feel like you have to present the image of being perfect? What about feeling that way with God in your faith journey?
  What holds you back from being truly you? How can being known by God give you confidence to be yourself with God and with everyone else?