Tradition

Matthew 15:1-20, Mark 7:1-23

I. Introduction

Many churches are very similar to the Pharisees in that they worship tradition more than God himself. One man, Rabbi Joses, said “that to eat with unwashen hands is as great a sin as adultery.” Another, Rabbi Akiba, who was a prisoner at the time, had water sent to him to wash his hands and to drink with his meal. After spilling most of it, he used the remainder to wash his hands with saying he “would rather die than transgress the tradition of the elders.”

II. Overview of story—what happened?

A. The “washing of the hands” symbolized the cleansing of a person’s faults or “uncleanness”.

1. Some problems with this theory:

a. Washing the outside does nothing to cleanse inner guilt. (e.g.—Pontius Pilate).

b. As Jesus later stated, what is on the outside is not what “defiles” the man, but what is on the inside.

2. By sticking to their traditions, they missed, among many others, two important laws of God…

a. Exodus 20:12, 21:17 “Honor thy father and mother…” or else!

b. What did the Pharisees do to make this law “of none effect”?

1) The Pharisees offered complete freedom from all religious duties if a person was to give their worldly possessions (property) to the priests for the Church’s use.

2) When one’s parents requested help, the child could then claim he had given all to the priests and had nothing left to give to them, saying “it is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me.” (eventually my good deed will profit you.)

c. Secondly, by concentrating their efforts on cleansing the outside, they missed the fact that salvation is within the heart.

III. How often do we as a church miss the point because we are blinded by tradition?

A. Does God care whether we sing to him with contemporary praise songs versus hymnals?

1. My Bible says sing praises to the Lord.

2. It doesn’t specify what type of music.

B. Does it offend God when a visitor—or a member—wears jeans to church?

1. Story of the shaggy man.

2. Why do we reject other styles of worship when all God cares is that we serve him with the right heart?!?! (vs. 7-11) “Jesus loves the little children”

C. Does it offend God if we clap?

1. David seemed to think not!

2. Psalms 47:1

a. Should we clap for a well-sang special? No. We should clap for a touching message and for joy!

b. Do you have to? No, but who are we to judge a brother’s heart?

c. Romans 14:1-4 It is God who judges his servants’ hearts, not us.

d. Youth Rallies.

D. It is sad that many lost people will never know Christ because they did go to church.

IV. Conclusion

Does your church preach the grace of Jesus Christ, salvation by grace, and the love of Christ—or the traditions of the elders?