When Good Isn’t Good Enough

Text: Mark 2:23–3:6  
Theme: Moralism cannot save—only Christ can.
Introduction – When Religion Replaces Relationship
The Pharisees were disciplined, moral, and outwardly impressive. Yet they missed the Lord of the Sabbath standing right in front of them. Their problem wasn’t morality—it was trusting morality to save them. This passage warns us: you can be religious, respectable, and law-keeping… and still reject the Redeemer.
Salvation is not earned by good behavior. It is received by grace through faith in Christ alone.
I. The Dangers of Moralism
Scene 1: The Grainfields (Mark 2:23–28)  The disciples plucked grain lawfully, but the Pharisees condemned them for breaking man-made rules.

• Danger 1 — False Security: Moralism says, “If I live clean, God accepts me.” But Jesus shows you can keep rules and still miss the Savior.
• Danger 2 — Spiritual Blindness: Moralism sees sin in others but not in self. It values rules more than the Redeemer.

Jesus reminds us: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” God’s blessing had been turned into a burden.
Scene 2: The Synagogue (Mark 3:1–6)  A man with a withered hand stood before Jesus. The Pharisees watched, not to worship, but to accuse.

• Danger 3 — Judgmentalism: Moralism hardens hearts, destroys mercy, and resists compassion. Instead of rejoicing in healing, they condemned Jesus for breaking their rules.

Moralism says: “Change your behavior and God will love you.”  Jesus says: “Come to Me, and I will change your heart.”
II. Holiness Over Mere Morality
True holiness is not a checklist—it is Christ’s life within us.

• Moralism flows from self-effort.
• Holiness flows from relationship.

Jesus healed the man with the withered hand, showing that grace transforms from the inside out. God’s goal isn’t better behavior—it’s a new heart.
III. The Greatest Danger
Good people don’t go to heaven. Forgiven people do. The Pharisees didn’t need more rules—they needed grace. The disciples in the grainfield experienced it. The man with the withered hand received it. And we desperately require it.
The greatest danger of moralism is this: it makes you think you’re fine without Jesus.
Conclusion – “Stretch Out Your Hand”
When Jesus told the man to stretch out his hand, He revealed a deeper truth: the law leaves us broken, but Christ restores. The Pharisees refused to stretch out their hand because they didn’t believe they needed help.
Friends, the law cannot heal you. The law cannot save you. Moralism is never enough.  But Jesus is.
As James 2:10–13 reminds us: “Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Takeaway: Don’t settle for outward morality. Stretch out your hand to Christ, the only One who can transform your heart and give true life.