“Coming Clean - Below the Surface”
Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23 October 15, 2006 Play AUDIO
(mp3) Play VIDEO (wmv)
Sin’s Grades: Coarse & Refined
○ Sin is Sneaky, Incremental, Noxious (Ps 1:5)
○ some make headlines; others less visible -
evil thoughts, arrogance, folly (1Sam 16:7; Ps 14:1ff)
God’s Commands vs.Human Tradition
○ Biblical teaching a light for our path,
especially Ten Commandments (Lev 18:5; Ps 119:105; Ex 20:13-17)
○ Mishnah post-exilic oral elaboration; Gemara
commentary on Mishnah – lost in the details
○ supplemental material circumvented
Scripture’s intent, nullify God’s word (Corban: 7:7-13)
○ repeating Eden’s error; fallibility of
church councils, deeds become vile (Gen 3:5)
Clean to the Core – by the Cross
○ hypocrisy lip-service, hearts far away from
God who sees it nonetheless (7:6; 2Chron 16:9a; Jn 2:25; Prov 20:27)
○ powerlessness of human institutions to bring
fulfilment, e.g. Paul as faultless Pharisee (Php 3:4ff)
○ “Rubbish” compared to knowing Christ - made
possible by His death, triggered by opposition of scribes etc.
Praising God with Tongues & Reclaimed Bodies
○ Chas. Wesley sang of cleansing power of
Christ’s blood
○ some hesitate, though no sin too big for the
cross to handle
○ Salvation Army Captain’s ministry to
sex-trade ‘slaves’ brings freedom in Christ – over time, with loving
support