Defilement: Internal Not External

Introduction:

Pledge

Scripture:

English Standard Version Chapter 15

10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand:

11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”

12 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”

13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.

14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

15 But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.”

16 And he said, “Are you also still without understanding?

17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled?

18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.

19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.

20 These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

LAST WEEK UPDATE:

Are we more concerned about obeying the traditions of the Elders than the commandments of God?

Are we more concerned about obeying the traditions of the Elders than the commandments of God?

Are we more concerned about Man’s law so much so that we ignore or are less concerned about God’s Commandments?

How do we know if we are?

How do we know if we are?

- Matthew points out three things that helped us see the difference .......

Matthew points out three things that I think can help us see the difference .......

1. Honoring God or Honoring Man.

(Vs 4) For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’

Was what we do bringing glory to God or man.

2. Are we Validating the Word of God.

(Vs 6) So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God.

The antonym for the word “Void” is validate. (Opposite)

A synonym for the word validate is “ENDORSING”

So instead of making God’s word void by not obeying it let us endorse HIS WORD by living it.

3. It’s a Heart thing not a rule thing.

(Vs 8) “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me”

What we concluded was this, “We want a heart bent toward God, living a life that is endorsing his Word, and Honoring Him in everything we say, think and do!”

Don’t leave here this morning and say, “Pastor is against RULES.” (Not true)

If anyone knows me they know I can’t go in the exit door at walmart.

The Pharisees were concerned about defilement by the disciples not washing their hands.

What I am saying is this, “I want a heart of God, endorsing his Word, and Honoring my Lord and savior!”

Jesus was more concerned about defilement by the Pharisees not purifying their hearts.

I had a couple reach out to me last Sunday afternoon in regards to this message.

They informed me that when they got home Mom instructed the kids to go wash their hands before lunch.

As the kids kind of grumbled about this the father whispered to his wife, “Your such a Pharisee!”

Segway:

Read the Article “5 - Second Rule”

What is believed to happen with the food hitting the floor is it becomes “DEFILED.”

The Pharisees believed that if your hands had not been washed then the food you touched become defiled.

If eaten, you (As a good Jew) become defiled.

In this pericope, Jesus is clearing up their misunderstanding of this.

Body:

The first thing we read is Jesus saying, “Hear and Understand!”

The Greek word “understand” - gives the picture of someone grabbing things and putting it all together like a puzzle.

Here it is - (Vs 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.)

This is the “BIG IDEA” of this pericope.

Jesus is making clear

..... what does defile a person.

..... what defilement is not.

..... what defilement is not.

..... how God views defilement.

As we move through the pericope, Vs 12-14 are nothing more than Jesus expressing his view of the Pharisees.

The disciples are aware that the pharisees are offended. (Not sure if its relating to being called “Hypocrites” or Vs 11)

(Vs 15) Peter ask Jesus to explain the Parable to them.

(Vs 16-20) is Jesus explaining defilement.

Looking at defilement from the perspective of the Pharisees this is a big deal.

The Jews had 3 BADGES of JEWISH IDENTITY:

Dietary

Sabbath-keeping

Circumcision

Up to this point in Matthew we have seen Jesus be accused of violating 2 of the 3: the Sabbath (Chapter 12) and now the dietary.

To truly understand why (Not washing your hands) was such a big deal with the Pharisees ........

We have to understand the Greek word for Defilement.

Matthew uses the Greek word for defilement (Koinoo) “KEYNO” root word meaning: Make Common (PAUSE)

The Pharisees believed that defilement makes them “No longer” God’s chosen people.

They are back to being common people.

It makes them no better than a Gentile person. (Dog’s)

They believed they were better than they Gentiles.

Let me show you what I mean ...... Luke 18:9-14

English Standard Version Chapter 18

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt:

10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.

12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’

13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

So, not washing your hands, Not obeying one of the Badge of Jewish Identity, would cause defilement.

The Pharisees believed that defilement caused them to no longer be better than the Gentiles.

Climax:

What does God view as defilement?

SIN!

ALL SIN! (evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.)

This is not an exhausted list!

2 things about defilement that Jesus clears up:

Defilement is not something you catch/contracted! (Not a cold)

It is something that is produced from within and expelled out of the mouth.

Defilement doesn’t not disqualify us!

Even in the OT days, if you became defiled you could .....

Offer sacrifices (Animal)

be cleansed by the priest.

I have good news today .......

There is no longer a need for animal sacrifices (JESUS PAID IT ALL)

There is no longer a need to have a priest cleans us.

Jesus is our high priest. (JESUS MAKES US CLEAN AGAIN)

All of this is possible by accepting Christ.