Mark 6:53-7:23; Dead Legalism

Sermon in a sentence: Our best is not enough, but God’s best is.

Deadly Diseases (vs.53-56)

The physical diseases represented the spiritual sickness.

Do we realize the affects of our sin?

Even the physical pain we experience is a product of the fall.

The Pharisees came to trap Jesus. They didn’t care about the sick and hurting.

Jesus took the time to go touch the needy.

Deadly Legalism (vs. 1-13)

Legalism trades the commands of God for the traditions of men.

The Pharisees were so blinded that they couldn’t even see Jesus.

He created food in the wilderness, calmed the storm, walked on water, and healed the crowds. But all they saw were the “defiled” hands of the disciples.

It also trades holiness of fake piety.

If the law was silent or vague about a particular subject, one could be sure that the tradition would be vocal and explicit

Walter W. Wessel, “Mark,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 8 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984), 678.

Have you ever tried to find your holiness in your own actions?

Have you ever felt loved or accepted based upon your performance?

3. What commandments of God have you traded for tradition?

Have you been a stumbling block to others because of your tradition?

Dead Hearts (vs. 14-23)

The disciples and the pharisees did not understand the level of their defilement. (vs.23)

Do you have any of these sins? (vs. 21-22)

Deliverance From It All (v. 19)

Jesus delivers his people from the curse of the law and God’s wrath. (Galatians 3:10-11, James 2:10)

Galatians 3:10–11 ESV

10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”

James 2:10 ESV

10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.

2 Corinthians 1:20 ESV

20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.

2. Being delivered from the law allows us to now use God’s commandments.