The Hearts R’ Us - Mark 7:1-23

failing to to fast (2:18), observe the Sabbath law (2:24) & here, to wash (7:20)

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.’

7:8 “the tradition of human beings” vs 7:8 “the tradition of human beings” vs. “the command of God” 7:9 “your tradition” vs. “the command of God” 7:13 “your tradition which you have passed down” vs. “the word of God”

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.” 7:15

7:7 They worship me pointlessly, teaching as divine teachings the commandments of human beings (anthrōpōn). 7:9 You forsake the commandment of God and hold fast to the tradition of human beings (anthrōpōn). 7:11 But you say, “If a person (anthrōpos) says to his father or mother …” 7:15 There is nothing from outside of a person (anthrōpou) which, when it goes into the person, is able to defile him; but the things that come out of the person (anthrōpou) are the ones that defile the person (anthrōpon).

1. Who am I?

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? – Jeremiah 17:9

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. - Psalm 51:17

Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! – Psalms 139:23

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. - Ezekiel 36:26

2. A Pedagogy of the Heart

ST ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL 2018 – YEAR OF PRAYER

We are entering a season of God’s amazing visitation upon the church and upon the land. It’s all because of God’s merciful heart and unstoppable purpose. I believe it will be a visitation of the Lord that leads to radiant holiness, a bumper harvest of souls, righteousness in the land and a marvelous raising of Kingdom workers for the mission fields of the world (in keeping with the Antioch calling of the Church in Singapore). And I know that such a Visitation of the Lord is undergirded by a Church that gives itself to prayer and fasting.

THE NATIONAL STADIUM 4 – 7pm 7th Oct (Sun) praysingapore.sg

“You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.” St Augustine