Today’s Sermon:

Mark 6:53-7:23, “Jesus’ Ministry At Gennesaret / Scribes And

Pharisees Contend With Jesus Because His Disciples Didn’t Wash

Their Hands Before Eating”

by Pastor Jim Bomkamp

The hem of Jesus’ garment:

Mark 6:56:

“…‘as many as touched it were being cured’”

Eating bread without washing your hands

Contrasting man’s traditions and God’s truth: Bible Exposition Commentary

Man’s Traditions God’s truthOutward forms—bondage

Inward faith—liberty

Trifling rules Fundamental principles

Outward piety True inward holiness

Neglect, replace the Word

Exalts the Word of God

Eating bread without washing your hands, is it a sin?

Things proceeding from the heart:

‘evil thoughts’

‘fornications’

‘thefts’

‘murders’

‘adulteries’

'deeds of coveting and wickedness’

‘deceit’

‘sensuality’

'envy’

‘slander’

‘pride’

‘foolishness’

Bible Exposition Commentary:

Note the tragic sequence:

• teaching their doctrines as God’s Word (Mark 7:7);

• laying aside God’s Word (Mark 7:8);

• rejecting God’s Word (Mark 7:9);

• robbing God’s Word of its power (Mark 7:13).

One pastor’s opinion: Tradition over God’s commandments today?Political correctness vs speaking the truth

Emphasis on church attendance vs evangelismEmphasis on political activism vs evangelism

Explaining away/ignoring uncomfortable scripture vs obedienceLegalism (we do it this way, therefore we are spiritual w/ 0 scriptural

backup) vs obedienceIntellectualism vs obedience

Emphasis on community vs worship of God and growth in HimDespising the Word vs Trembling at it  (arrogance)

Programs vs PrayerWorldly Methods vs Prayer

Confusing reading a devotional with reading the WordConfusing the newest “way to do it” with the work of the Spirit

Confusing social programs with loveConfusing tolerance with graceConfusing pc with discernment

Confusing government giveaways with alms giving/helping poor