Mark 7:1-23

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Introduction

Appearance on the outside is way better than what is going on the inside?

A New Job, A work out plan, A relationship, in its most extreme case a person.

Pastoral Failure, Leadership Crisis, Celebrities caught in disgusting sin.

Jesus is pressing on something that I think we say we believe in our world today but yet is it true?

Whats inside the heart… matters more than what is happening on the outside.

As I was praying for this sermon this week I kept thinking the fruit of us taking this story to heart will not be evident this morning… but really could change the trajectory of th rest of our lives.

Today is not one of those days.. Today we are cave digging to the depths of our heart where deep work is done.

Read/Pray

Mark 7:1–23 ESV

Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.) And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?” And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban” ’ (that is, given to God)— then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

Big Idea: A clean heart matters more than clean hands

a Defiled (Unclean) Heart

Last week we spent alot of time defining the heart… Jesus encouragement to the disciples was to take heart.

Our reading ended with a reference to their heart being hardenend.

In Mark chapter three we dove deep into what does it mean to have a hardened heart.

This week we are discussing what does it mean to have a defiled heart.

Define Defiled heart:

Defiled = Unwashed (Dirty)

They are eating with “Dirty” Hands.

Now its not as if Jesus disciples do not wash their hands its just not in the way the pharisees desire.

The Pharisees taught that ritual handwashing was necessary before eating to maintain ceremonial purity, especially when eating "clean" food.

This was not a command from the Torah for people other than the priestly class… but was developed as part of the oral tradition,

later recorded in the Mishnah (compiled around 200 AD).

Specifically, Mishnah tractate Yadayim outlines detailed rules about the ritual washing of hands, including how much water to use and how it must be poured.

The Pharisees believed that impurity could be contracted from contact with common people or Gentiles, and handwashing was a way to protect holiness.

Over time, these man-made traditions were elevated to the level of divine law.

Transition: So the Pharissees once again witness actions of the disciples, and come directly to Jesus to complain about how they are not doing it right, it being religion. What then unfolds is Jesus shifting the conversation from Unclean Hands, to Unclean hearts…. From this I have derived Four reasons (Catagories of Reasons) Jesus says their hearts are defiled.

Hypocritical:

Mark 7:6–7 “And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”

A hypocrite is someone who pretends to have moral or religious beliefs, standards, or virtues that they do not actually possess or live by.

In Scripture, hypocrisy is not just inconsistency—it’s intentional pretense—projecting righteousness outwardly while hiding sin or selfishness inwardly.

The Greek word often translated hypocrite is hypokritēs, which originally referred to an actor on a stage—someone playing a role.

Jesus used this word repeatedly to describe those who looked religious but lacked true godliness.

For us today:

We See this today… maybe not as extreme in your own life, but yet it can still be there.

I was trying to reflect this week on ways we as believers practices hypocrisy and as any good scholar would do I simply asked Chat GPT…

This is the question I asked “How do Christians today practice Hypocrisy? It gave me seven reasons.

Keep in mind it is pulling from data and writing everywhere.

1. Moral Inconsistency

Christians often call for holiness and repentance from others while excusing their own sin. For example, some may condemn sexual sin but ignore pride, greed, or racism.

Jesus reserved some of his strongest words for religious leaders who “tie up heavy burdens” for others but “are unwilling to move them with their finger” (Matt. 23:4).

2. Political Idolatry

Some Christians tie their faith too closely to a political party, acting as if Jesus only supports one side.

This can lead to overlooking serious moral failings in leaders they like, while harshly condemning failings in those they oppose.

3. Lack of Love

Jesus said people would know his followers by their love (John 13:35). But Christians sometimes act with judgment, self-righteousness, or indifference toward others—especially those who don't believe what they do.

4. Performative Religion

There’s a temptation to present a polished, public image—especially in a social media age—while hiding deep personal struggles.

This mimics the Pharisees whom Jesus said were like “whitewashed tombs” (Matt. 23:27): clean on the outside, dead on the inside.

5. Neglect of Justice

Scripture repeatedly calls God’s people to care for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized.

Yet, in many places, the church has been silent—or complicit—in the face of injustice.

6. Consumer Christianity

Many churches and Christians treat faith as a product to consume rather than a cross to carry.

The gospel becomes about self-help or personal gain rather than following Jesus in sacrifice and obedience.

7. Broken Community

Christians talk about forgiveness, unity, and humility—but churches often split over petty disagreements, gossip, and pride.

Conflict is often handled poorly, which can ruin witness and hurt others.

Transition: Friends there is alot of work to be done on our hearts.

“For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7 (Bible)

Back to the text… second reason their hearts are defiled is Pride.

Prideful:

This is not stated in the text but it is evident in the way they approach Jesus…

Jesus has no interest in their self righteousness.

Scripture has a lot to say about those who are prideful…

Why? Because Pride has the potential to falsley elevate ourselves, and lower God..

The LORD protects the loyal, but fully repays the arrogant. (Ps 31:23)

The LORD destroys the house of the proud. (Prov 15:25)

Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. (Prov 16:18)

I will put an end to the pride of the arrogant. (Isa 13:11)

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 14:11)

God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (Jas 4:6)\

Transition: Friends we have no business being hypoctrites… it destroys our witness and our pride is keeping you from aproaching Jesus in humilty.

Performative (Honors with Lips but heart is far from me)

Mark 7:9 “And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!”

Mark 7:13 “thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.””

Religious Practices as performance have taken over their lives.

Exalting Jesus in Mark They Actually Play the Hypocrite with a Distant Heart (Mark 7:6–8)

Is the true source of spiritual authority “traditions of men,” or is it the “Word of God”

It no longer has become about pursuing God… but rather performing for others.

They want to look good for their crew.

Pleasing People is not the aim.

The aim is being near to God.

3. Evil

This is a summary of the first three… but religiosity when not in pursuit of Jesus… can become evil.

Example of not caring for parents.

Mark 7:10–11 “For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban” ’ (that is, given to God)—”

Mark 7:21–23 ESV

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”

What is happening in the heart will eventually be lived out.

Transition: Now… as we wrap up lets turn to the other side of this. I do not want to leave us sitting this morning in the in the middle of a heart surgey but rather stitch outselves back up and be on our way. What is a clean heart defined by Jesus?

A Clean Heart: A heart that God desires

“The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart.” — Max Lucado

1. A heart that Follows Jesus

The Disciples themselves as an example.

They are literally walking with Jesus

For you Today:

Are you a disciple? Are you actively following Jesus?

Worship

Walk

Work

Witness

2. A heart that stays near to him.

The inverse of a heart that is far from God is a heart that is near to God.

God wants you near.…

Pastor Jon has mentioned this a few times on the podcast, and when he has preached.

Jesus instruction to his disciples in clear… stay near.

Example: Blind Runners in Special Olympics

Prayer Time:

Prayer Team in the back

My Actions over this past week?

What do they say about my heart?

3. Get near to God.