September 1, 2024 - Scriptures And Message

Summary

The speaker reflects on the importance of inner faith over external rituals, drawing from biblical passages in Song of Songs and Mark 7. Highlighting Jesus' teachings, the message emphasizes that true defilement comes from within, such as through evil intentions and actions, rather than from breaking traditions like ritual hand washing. The sermon challenges the audience to focus on their hearts and relationship with God, rather than getting caught up in outward appearances or minor rule-following. The key takeaway is that a pure heart aligned with God leads to genuine goodness and integrity in life.

Takeaways

• 📖 The script discusses readings from the Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon, highlighting Solomon's romantic words to his many lovers.
• ⛰️ The text vividly describes the arrival of the beloved, comparing him to a gazelle or young stag leaping over mountains, symbolizing vitality and love.
• 🕊️ The passage from the Song of Songs celebrates the end of winter and the arrival of spring, a time of renewal, singing, and blossoming nature.
• ✋ The Gospel of Mark chapter 7 is referenced, focusing on Jesus' teachings about traditions, particularly the Jewish practice of washing hands before eating.
• 💧 Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for being overly concerned with outward traditions, like ritual washing, while neglecting the true essence of faith.
• ❤️ Jesus emphasizes that it’s not what enters a person that defiles them, but what comes out from their heart—sins and evil intentions.
• 🙏 Traditions are valuable but should not overshadow the core purpose of connecting with God and living a life of true faith and integrity.
• 🚫 Jesus lists various sins, such as sexual immorality, theft, and pride, as examples of what truly defiles a person when they emanate from the heart.
• 💔 The script warns that if emotions are not properly addressed, they can manifest in harmful ways, like depression, violence, and anxiety.
• 🕊️ The final message encourages getting one's heart right with Jesus to avoid being defiled by evil and to live a life of kindness, faithfulness, and generosity.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the reading from the Song of Songs in the Hebrew Testament?

The main theme of the reading from the Song of Songs is the expression of love and affection between lovers, emphasizing the beauty of spring and the romantic relationship between Solomon and his beloved.

Why is the Song of Songs also referred to as the Song of Solomon?

The Song of Songs is also referred to as the Song of Solomon because it is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, who was known for his wisdom and romantic expressions, including his many relationships.

What point does the speaker make about Jesus and the Pharisees in Mark chapter 7?

The speaker highlights that Jesus challenges the Pharisees and scribes by emphasizing that it's not outward rituals and traditions, like washing hands, that make a person clean, but the intentions and actions that come from the heart.

How does the speaker relate the concept of tradition to modern-day practices?

The speaker suggests that while tradition is valuable and provides a way to connect with God, it can become problematic when people focus too much on the ritual itself and forget its original purpose, which is to foster a relationship with God.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate the difference between outward appearances and inner morality?

The speaker uses the example of people being more concerned about him saying the word 'damn' from the pulpit than the fact that 13,400 children die daily from preventable causes, illustrating that outward appearances often distract from more important moral issues.

What is the significance of the 'evil things' mentioned by Jesus in Mark 7?

The 'evil things' mentioned by Jesus, such as sexual immorality, theft, and deceit, signify the negative intentions and actions that arise from the human heart, which truly defile a person, as opposed to external practices.

How does the speaker interpret the role of emotions in behavior according to the script?

The speaker explains that unaddressed emotions can manifest in harmful behaviors, such as violence or anxiety, suggesting that dealing with one's emotions in a healthy way is crucial to avoiding these negative outcomes.

What advice does the speaker give regarding tradition and worship?

The speaker advises that while tradition is important, it should not overshadow the core purpose of worship, which is to connect with God and live according to His teachings. The focus should be on the inner spiritual life rather than solely on external rituals.

What does the speaker suggest is necessary to avoid being defiled, according to Jesus' teaching?

The speaker suggests that having a heart aligned with Jesus and God is essential to avoid being defiled. By focusing on inner righteousness, kindness, and faithfulness, one can maintain purity and goodness.

How does the speaker relate the message of the sermon to everyday life?

The speaker relates the message to everyday life by emphasizing the importance of inner morality over outward appearances, urging people to focus on their relationship with God and how they treat others, rather than just following traditions or societal expectations.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Solomon's Love Poetry

This paragraph introduces a scripture reading from the Song of Songs, often attributed to Solomon. It highlights the romantic language and imagery used in the verses, where Solomon poetically expresses his love, comparing his beloved to nature's beauty. The passage reflects the deep emotions and the poetic style typical of Solomon's writings. It also briefly touches on the large number of wives Solomon had, providing historical context.

05:04

🔍 Confrontation with Religious Authorities

This paragraph discusses an encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees, who criticize his disciples for not following traditional Jewish purification rituals, such as handwashing before eating. Jesus responds by challenging their adherence to human traditions over God's commandments. He emphasizes that what truly defiles a person comes from within, not from external factors, critiquing the Pharisees' focus on ritual purity over moral integrity.

10:06

⚖️ The Essence of Tradition vs. True Worship

In this section, the focus shifts to the balance between tradition and genuine worship. Jesus addresses the Pharisees' obsession with ritual cleanliness and contrasts it with the importance of internal purity. The speaker reflects on the value of tradition in worship, acknowledging its role in connecting people to God. However, when tradition becomes an end in itself, disconnected from its original spiritual purpose, it can lead to empty practices. Jesus emphasizes the need for a pure heart over mere outward observance.

15:10

💔 The Consequences of a Corrupt Heart

This final paragraph delves into the importance of inner purity and the dangers of harboring negative emotions. It discusses how unresolved emotions can manifest in harmful behaviors such as violence, deceit, and immorality. The speaker, drawing on their experience with domestic violence cases, underscores the need for spiritual and emotional healing. Jesus' message is clear: focusing on internal righteousness leads to peace and integrity, while ignoring the heart's condition results in moral and spiritual defilement.

Keywords

💡Song of Songs

The 'Song of Songs,' also known as the 'Song of Solomon,' is a book from the Hebrew Bible often interpreted as a poetic dialogue between lovers. In the context of the video, it highlights the romantic and passionate nature of the text, written by Solomon, and serves as an example of deep, emotional expression found in scripture.

💡Tradition

Tradition refers to practices and rituals passed down through generations, particularly within religious contexts. In the video, it discusses the Pharisees' adherence to traditions such as handwashing, which Jesus critiques for losing their original spiritual significance and becoming mere rituals without heart.

💡Defilement

Defilement in this context means to make something impure or unclean, especially in a moral or religious sense. The video contrasts external defilement (like eating with unwashed hands) with internal defilement (evil thoughts and actions), emphasizing that true impurity comes from within a person.

💡Pharisees

The Pharisees were a Jewish sect known for their strict observance of traditional laws and rituals. In the video, they challenge Jesus about his disciples not following these traditions, leading to Jesus' critique of their focus on outward purity rather than the condition of the heart.

💡Heart

The heart symbolizes the inner self, including emotions, intentions, and moral character. The video emphasizes that what comes out of a person's heart—whether good or evil—truly defines them, contrasting this with the Pharisees' focus on external rituals.

💡Inner Peace

Inner peace refers to a state of mental and spiritual calmness, free from worry or disturbances. In the video, it's suggested that aligning one's heart with Jesus and focusing on internal purity can bring about this peace, as opposed to being distracted by external rituals.

💡Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy is the act of pretending to have beliefs, virtues, or feelings that one does not truly possess. Jesus accuses the Pharisees of hypocrisy for honoring God with their lips while their hearts are far from Him, emphasizing that true worship is more than just outward actions.

💡Evil Intentions

Evil intentions are harmful thoughts or desires that originate from within a person. The video lists several such intentions, like theft, murder, and deceit, which Jesus teaches are the true sources of defilement, not external factors like unwashed hands.

💡Worship

Worship in this context refers to the act of showing reverence and adoration for God. The video critiques worship that is merely ritualistic and not backed by genuine faith and moral integrity, highlighting that God values the intentions of the heart over the mere performance of traditions.

💡Scribes

Scribes were Jewish legal experts and scholars of the Torah. In the video, they, along with the Pharisees, challenge Jesus on the adherence to traditional laws. This serves as a backdrop for Jesus’ teaching that internal morality is more important than external religious observance.

Highlights

Introduction of the Hebrew Testament reading from the Song of Songs, highlighting its poetic nature and association with Solomon's romantic expressions.

Discussion of the Song of Songs, focusing on the depiction of springtime and the love between Solomon and his beloved, as portrayed in the text.

Explanation of the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 7, where Jesus addresses the Pharisees and scribes about the tradition of washing hands and the purity laws.

Jesus' teaching that external rituals and traditions do not determine a person's purity, but rather the intentions and actions that come from within the heart.

The preacher emphasizes the importance of focusing on the inner spiritual life and warns against becoming overly fixated on outward religious traditions.

Reference to an old preacher's sermon illustration highlighting the disconnect between concern for language used in sermons and the greater moral issue of preventable child deaths.

Critique of religious hypocrisy, where outward adherence to tradition is emphasized over genuine inner spirituality and moral conduct.

The message that Jesus challenges traditional religious practices when they overshadow the core principles of faith and morality.

Emphasis on the need for believers to remember the original purpose of religious traditions, which is to connect with God and not merely follow rules.

The preacher's argument that rituals and traditions are valuable when they bring people closer to God, but problematic when they become the focus rather than the means.

Illustration of how misplaced priorities can lead religious communities to focus on minor issues while neglecting more significant moral and ethical concerns.

Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees for prioritizing human traditions over God's commandments, demonstrating a misalignment with true spiritual values.

The preacher encourages the congregation to reflect on the state of their hearts and spiritual lives, rather than merely conforming to external religious expectations.

Highlighting the 'grown-up list' of sins mentioned by Jesus, which includes serious moral failings that stem from the heart and impact one's relationship with God and others.

Conclusion with a call for individuals to align their hearts with God's will, suggesting that true inner peace and moral integrity come from a deep, personal connection with God.

Transcripts

great to Ho

my

something

and bless

my

anding

the my love with

the

prophets strange be

might

oh

scripture reading from the Hebrew

Testament today is from the song of

songs also sometimes called the Song of

Solomon starts at the 2 chapter and runs

through the eth through the 13th verses

now remember that the song of songs

is

Solomon's words to his

lovers and Solomon had

it is estimated

some 3,000 wives so those of you who

think your wife is tough try having

3,000 of

them but he was known to be quite the

romantic and so he wrote These down this

is um very very

interesting text and the heading which

remember headings were not in the

original text but the heading for this

one is called Springtime Rap

City the voice of my beloved look he

comes leaping upon the mountains

bounding over the hills my beloved is

like a gazelle or a young stag look

there he stands behind our wall gazing

in at the windows looking through the

lattice my beloved speaks and says to me

Arise My Love My Fair one come away for

now the winter is passed the rain is

over and gone the flowers appear on the

earth the time of singing has come and

the voice of the turtle dove is heard in

our land the Fig Tree puts forth its

figs and the vines are in Blossom they

give forth fragrance Arise My Love My

Fair one and come

away and then the chapter in Mark that

in is chapter 7 now but the lectionary

has really chopped up this text so um be

jumping around a little bit but you will

get the idea of what Jesus is trying to

say now note that Jesus has been

confronted and confronted and confronted

with the elders and the priests and the

scribes and the Pharisees and now he is

it's starting to come to a head so

chapter

7 uh of Mark starting at the first verse

and then multiples throughout hear the

word of the

Lord now when the Pharisees and some

scribes who had come from Jerusalem

gathered around him they noticed that

some of his disciples were eating with

defiled hands that is without washing

them for the Pharisees and all the Jews

do not eat unless they wash their hands

thus observing the tradition of the

elders and they do not wash any anything

from the market they do not eat anything

from the market unless they wash it and

there are also many other Traditions

that they observe the washing of Cups

and pots and bronze kettles and beds so

the Pharisees and the scribes asked them

why do your disciples not walk according

to the tradition of the elders but eat

with defiled

hands Jesus said to

them Isaiah prophesies ly about you

Hypocrites as it is written this people

honors me with their lips but their

hearts are far from me in vain do they

worship me teaching human precepts as

doctrines you abandon the Commandment of

God and hold to human

tradition then moving on to verse 14

Jesus says then Jesus called The Crowd

again and said to them listen to me all

of you and understand there is nothing

outside a person that is going in that

by going in can

defile but the things that come out are

what

defile and then 21 and

23 for it is it from within and from the

human heart that evil intentions

come sexual immorality theft murder

adultery avarice wickedness deceit

debauchery Envy slander pride and

Folly all these evil things come from

within and they defile a

person friends this is the word of the

Lord thanks be to God

there is an old preachers

sermon

example it goes like

this there are two facts here

today one is

this before this day ends

13,400 children in our

world under the age of five will die

from pre

preventable causes

and some of you don't give a

damn that's the first fact the second

fact is as I stand here right

now some of you are more upset about the

fact that I just said damn than you are

about the fact that

13,400

children will die today

as I said the old preacher sermon

example when I first started this work

the number was 12,000 now it's

13,400 but the idea is that we you can

hear it in that example that we

as church people you know good church

people get upset about

things that Jesus might not have seen as

a

priority somebody says damn from the

pulpit and you think the walls are going

to fall

in the pastor puts a robe on at the

wrong time the choir leaves the back

door

open and you all

fuss like the whole place is going the

cave

in and in this text today Jesus has one

of those moments with the scribes and

the Pharisees where they say hey Jesus

you know full well that we good Jews

don't eat without washing our hands and

washing the cups and the plates and the

bowls and the everything else that goes

with it what are you up to here just

grabbing a grain of wheat and shove it

in your

mouth do you just think our Traditions

or

foolishness you going to disregard

everything we've done for the last

thousands of

years you're quite the upstart

Jesus and Jesus looks at them and says

look I know full well that you follow

all the rules that you've been given but

following the rules isn't what matters

to God

entirely now please don't misunderstand

what I'm saying I am not saying that we

should take all of tradition and throw

it out the

window I do not believe that I don't

want that I stand here in what I call a

spirited traditional church for a reason

I believe in Tradition I think it's

valuable ritual brings us something

important it calms us it heals us it is

a way for us to connect with

God but when that tradition becomes so

important that you can see nothing else

but it then we have a problem when your

tradition becomes so

important that you forget why you had it

in the first

place then you must be a little

concerned

the tradition of washing everything

happened

because the Israelites needed to be

cleaned and they understood that getting

water was a miraculous thing from God

and that being cleansed by God was also

miraculous but by the time Jesus came

along they had forgotten that they had

just come to understand that well we

wash our hands that's what we do we wash

our pots and our things and our then and

everything has to be separate and it's a

whole process for how we do

things but what was behind

it was a way to keep us tied to God a

way to for us to understand all that God

had done for us a way to

worship and if youve heard me say

anything from this well this Pulpit you

understand that one of the things I know

is that throughout the entire Old

Testament particularly the prophets say

remember

people if you aren't living right your

worship doesn't amount to anything at

all it's not just about

tradition it's about a way to connect to

God and Jesus goes on to say you're so

worried about all this outer

stuff that you forgotten about the inner

stuff it's not the outer stuff that

matters it's the inner stuff that

matters what comes out of your heart and

your

soul first of all be warned other people

can

see what comes out of your heart and

soul tells us the nature of your heart

and soul and when I was talking with the

kids I talked about you know saying bad

words and bad language hitting your

little sister which you boys need to

stop because pretty soon she's going to

be big enough to hit you

back things like that but when you

listen to the text it's a whole grownup

list of what the text calls evil

things coming from our

hearts telling the world who we

are sexual

immorality

theft

murder

adultery

avarice

wickedness

deceit

debauchery anybody watch any games

yesterday

okay

sorry

Envy

slander pride and

Folly it's a grownup list of evil things

that our hearts carry around with them

and then they come out in all the wrong

ways you know that I work with domestic

violence people and

um one of the things we learn from them

is if you don't appropriately deal with

your emotions they come out in all kinds

of sideways and backwards

ways if your

heart is

broken things come out and you end up

being depressed angry

violent sometimes you steal

you have

anxiety you

worry friends Jesus is very

clear in this text and others that we

must get our hearts right and get them

right with

God stop worrying about all the outside

outer

distractions and come to the place where

we know that Jesus is what's in our

heart that God lies within us and that

that will bring for us an inner peace

and

calm a Serenity beyond all

others things aren't going to come out

of us sideways that way

we'll be kind to

people faithful

people good people generous

people the things we want to be the

things we want others to know that we

are the things that God wants for

us yall get your right Hearts right with

Jesus

and nothing will defile

you amen