“Religious Or Righteous” is the title of today’s sermon from Mark 7:1-23 by Mike Jarvis as we continue on in our study of the book of Mark, in our “Renewal” sermon series. Join us for our Sunday service as we celebrate, worship, take communion together.
Worship is led by Scott & Rachelle Galloway and features worship teams from various sister churches.
Message Summary & Reflection
Mark 7:1-5 – Traditions of the Elders was very much based on the Torah, Talmud and Mishnah. The Pharisees saw themselves to be right, so they weren’t open to learning. WE can approach the scriptures and what we are learning the same way: “I wonder what I can learn” -attitude or “I’m going to tell him what is right because I’m right”-attitude. Has this ever, been you? Look at yourself: Which one are you?
So why do we defend tradition? – Maybe it makes you feel more comfortable? Maybe it’s easier? Breaking tradition is hard, it makes us feel exposed.
Mark 7:6-8 – Jesus was concerned about the command of God being neglected in order to replace it by human tradition. Tradition can easily go into criticalness, and that will take us to a bad place. Jesus was angry. They needed the conflict. Sometimes conflict situations, help us think.
Sometimes we can’t see past our own view of right, and that in itself stops righteousness.
Mark 7:9-13 – Righteousness has to do with relationship.
Mark 7:14-16 – The Pharisees had acute Jesus of eating with defiled unclean hands. Jesus tells us that it is what comes out of our hearts that is difficult to clean.
Hebr 9:13 – Uncleanness leads to death.
Rev 21:24-27 – The filing will rob us of salvation. We need to cleanse our conscience. Therefore, cleanness of our hearts is really what saves us.
Mark 7:21-23 – Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their manmade rules, but there are rules for a clean heart. These rules are God’s rules. They are a thing of joy and protection.
Neh 8:1-10 – “The joy of the Lord is your strength”. We are swapping man made traditions with God’s law. The one thing that brings joy and protection. We are protected when we submit to gods law.
So how do we engage with gods law? Focus on the things God wants you to do today. Use the Spirit, use the church.
Why do we go from righteous to religious? And how? When we try to be God ourselves. Do you have rules you think others should follow? Always come back to the scriptures.
So how do we go from religious to righteous? Do you get your thinking from the Bible? Do you spend time with God and follow the Bible? We go from religious to righteous by thinking: “What can I learn from Jesus? Let me just listen and humble myself.
We will be so much freer, joyful and protected
Scriptures Shared In This Message
This message will focus on the scriptures featured below:
- Mark 7:1-23
