Jesus, the Son of God, knows the human heart
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Introduction:
In the Old Testament of the scriptures, we are introduced to a truth that God sees the heart.
But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
Our previous passage revealed how the Pharisees (the religious leaders of Jesus’ time) had made loopholes to the word of God. They had added their traditions (, , ) and encouraged people to obey their traditions and to disobey God’s word.
What we will find out later that the Pharisees ultimately add these traditions because of at least two primary reasons: (i) they are in outright rebellion against the LORD though they don’t think they are (ii) they don’t understand the fundamental root of evil.
In this NT gospel account, we are confronted with the fact that Jesus Christ knows the human heart. Though it has been addressed multiple times in the book of Mark already (, , , ), our current passage places direct attention on this truth: Jesus, the Son of God, knows the human heart ().
What we will find out later that the Pharisees ultimately add these traditions because of at least two primary reasons: (i) they are in outright rebellion against the LORD though they don’t think they are (ii) they don’t understand the fundamental root of evil.
Our current passage is where Jesus points out how vain or empty the tradition of the elders really is. This passage can be broken down into two sections:
(1) The Education through the Parable ()
(1) The Education through the Parable ()
(2) The Explanation of the Parable ()
(2) The Explanation of the Parable ()
Principle:
Principle:
This passage forces us to either accept what Jesus points out about the human heart or to reject it! I would urge that we all receive what Jesus says about the human heart.
(1) Jesus desires those who hear this truth to understand this truth ()
(1) Jesus desires those who hear this truth to understand this truth ()
(2) Jesus’ description of defilement is consistent with life ()
(2) Jesus’ description of defilement is consistent with life ()
LORD, what is it that is in the heart of man that proceeding out defiles him?
1. Evil thoughts: immoral reasoning
2. Adulteries:
3. Fornications: porneia, sexual immorality (includes pre-marital, extramarital, unnatural sex)
4. Murders:
5. Thefts
6. Covetousness: greediness
7. Wickedness: perversion, depravity
8. Deceit: craftiness
9. Lasciviousness: sinful abandon, promiscuity, unbridled shameless living, immoral living that lacks discernment
10. Evil eye: begrudging heart, envy, jealousy rooted in a heart of unbelief. Believes that God is withholding something good from you. Never satisfied.
11. Blasphemy: slander
12. Pride: arrogance
13: Foolishness:
Application:
Application:
Because Jesus is right about the human heart, we have a couple of choices:
We can either choose to accept what Jesus has said or reject what Jesus has said:
(1) You can reject: Rejection leads to human invention (, , , , ).
(1) You can reject: Rejection leads to human invention (, , , , ).
This leads to external practices that do not address the heart condition, thus the heart is far removed from God; but the lips draw near.
There are many inventions of men that deceive the evil hearts, but none is so great an invention as that of moral therapeutic deism.
“...moral, therapeutic deism is the idea that we are able to earn favor with God and justify ourselves before God by virtue of our behavior.”- Chandler, Matt. The Explicit Gospel (Re:Lit) (p. 203). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
Chandler, Matt; Chandler, Matt. The Explicit Gospel (Re:Lit) (p. 13). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
Chandler, Matt. The Explicit Gospel (Re:Lit) (p. 203). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Illustration:
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
(2) You can receive: Reception leads to Christ’s intervention ()
(2) You can receive: Reception leads to Christ’s intervention ()
(2) You can receive: Reception leads to Christ’s intervention ()
(2) You can receive: Reception leads to Christ’s intervention ()
Some of you may be embarrassed to admit that you have never received Jesus Christ, but if you will recognize the evil you have is in your heart, and you cannot do anything about it — then you will see how desperately you need Jesus Christ.
Illustration:
And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
Illustration: Trying to clean the chalkboard with chalk in the eraser or trying to paint a wall (in need) while not realizing the soles of your shoes have paint on them.
What does the finished work of Jesus Christ teach us about this account?
What does the finished work of Jesus Christ teach us about this account?
The gospel is for all people. - consider “purging of all meats” (v. 19 - how this connects with Cornelius)
- after Christ has ascended the gospel goes beyond Jewish individuals.
This means that the gospel doesn’t need any Jewish ritual or tradition added to it for someone to be saved.
Those who believe on the LORD Jesus Christ shall be saved!
(1) You can still maintain dietary restrictions but not at the expense of the sufficiency of Christ in your heart. The application here is to Christians. Consider Peter's reversion in .
(*) The sufficiency of Christ is for all people.
The law was given to the Jews, but there are two problems:
- the LORD always wanted people other than ONLY Jews to be saved.
- the Law was given to the Jews
The reason this is significant is because the truth, THAT man’s heart is evil, levels the playing field for all men. It means that they all need the same grace and mercy. God has concluded all to be under sin. & 3 make this abundantly clear.
Jesus went to Tyre/Sidon (where Jezebel was from)...From the Syrophenician woman to Cornelius to the Gentile world. Misunderstanding the sufficiency of Christ leads to legal barriers we place on the gospel.
Passages like this should convince us that we are woefully sinful by nature, we must regularly be reminded of this truth, and we must do all we can to get the gospel to all people so that Jesus can save them and begin a sanctifying work in their lives.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
- Any denomination that teaches/preaches/implies/leads [people to believe/think/feel] that their worth or identity is tied to religious activity.
- Any usage of the word of God to call people to less dependence upon God and greater dependence upon self for sanctification.
Illustration: Just be like David or Just be like Joseph applications!
- Christian, within you arise lusts.
Symptoms of an evil heart manifesting itself in our behaviors:
uncontrolled, impure thought life,
desire for and dabbling in pornography,
sexual activity in heart and practice outside the scope of marriage,
using people and their resources for your own advancement (greedy),
unbridled, shameless living in sin
slandering of the brethren
Symptoms of
How do you deal with sin? , by the same way you were initially saved. By coming to Jesus, believing what he says about your heart, trusting in his finished work, and allowing this to be the fuel for your obedience to God’s Spirit within you. As a Christian, you must not only believe that he has given you power over the penalty of sin, but you must trust that he presently gives you victory over the power of sin.
Symptoms of one who is trusting Jesus Christ:
Humble worship of the Lord
Increasing value of the authority of the scriptures
A transparency regarding their sinfulness and Christ’s sufficiency
A renewed understanding regarding who owns their bodies
An increased understanding/belief of their stewardship of their words
The truth is applicable to non-Christians and Christians. Jesus, the Son of God, knows the human heart and calls it out as evil. We either accept this to be true and respond to Christ or we reject this teaching of Christ and try to find our own means of living life.
Which one will you be? Will you be the one who hears of the human evil heart but continues to depend upon what you can do or will you be the one who believes of Jesus has said, humbles yourself and comes to Him?
Which one will you be? Will you be the one who hears of the human evil heart but continues to depend upon what you can do or will you be the one who believes of Jesus has said, humbles yourself and comes to Him?