HEART OR LIP SERVICE
Mark 7:1-13 * Text in red represents the voice of Jesus Christ*
1- And the Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered together around Him when they had
come from Jerusalem, 2-and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with
impure hands, that is, unwashed. 3- (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they
carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; 4- and when they come
from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other
things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers
and copper pots.) 5- And the Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not
walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?" 6- And He
said to them, "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, ’THIS PEOPLE
HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEARTS IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. 7-
BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS
OF MEN.’ 8-"Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men." 9- He
was also saying to them , "You nicely set aside the commandment of God in order to keep your
tradition. 10- "For Moses said, ’HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER’; and ,
’HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER LET HIM BE PUT TO DEATH’; 11-
but you say, ’If a may says to his father or his mother, anything of mine you might have been
helped by is Corban ( that is to say, given to God ), 12- you no longer permit him to do anything
for his father or his mother; 13- thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you
have handed down; and you do many things such as that."
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter we read the controversy in which Jesus faced concerning the tradition of elders.
The washing of the hands before eating. Jesus’ disciples knew they were in the Pharisees view so
they didn’t wash, because they probably knew they were being watched. The Jews washed their
hands before eating, after returning from some place, or before touching someone. They washed
their hands, then held them up so the water could run downwards. If they did a good job in the
morning and they remained by themselves, that washing was good for the entire day. This was a
good practice ( washing before eating ), but they made it a religious practice.
It was said that people would come from 80-100 miles away to discuss or ridicule Jesus.
I)THE LIP SERVICE
(Ps.78:35-37) -- They end up lying to God. (Titus 1:16) -- They profess that they know God,
but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient and unto every good work
reprobate. ( Matt.7:21) -- I never knew you (Luke 6:46) -- why call me Lord & Master... The
person with lip service ought to just stay home, God is not honored by them. It is simply all talk
and no show.
II)THE HEART SERVICE
A) The heart according to Jeremiah -- is wicked (Jer.17:9) -- stubborn -- hard nosed -- prone
to madness -- has no love -- deals in unbelief -- can have no faith, no fear and no concern for
God’s holiness.
B) The searching of the heart (Jer.29:11-13)
C) Give Real Heart Service -- Like COKE, IT’S THE REAL THING®
III)TRADITION VERSES BIBLICAL
(Mark 7:3 & 9) Washing was a tradition not a religious practice. If we are not careful our service
can be traditional. Our worship -- will just go thru the motions. Our prayer/ Bible study will
become ritual. We will come to church because we were raised to do so. So many are
concerned with tradition instead of the scriptural intent. So many can do the right thing for the
wrong reason. (IISam.16:7) God sees the heart.
IV)WHERE DO WE STAND
A) How is your heart?
We come Sunday morning and sing the praises -- but what about Monday? Do we serve God
for recognition? Do we serve God out of tradition - or do we really worship Him?
CONCLUSION
(Mark 7:13) Think About It!
(Josh. 24:15)
Where does your heart stand? Is your all on the alter?
