Truth Vs Tradition: What Really Matters To God?

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1). Warning against false religion (vv. 1-9)

(2). Warning against blind guides (vv. 12-14).

(3) Warning against defiled hearts (vv. 10-20).

SERMON BODY:

Question: Are you for or against tradition?

Answer:

• It’s a deliberately loaded question,

• Because it all depends on what the tradition is!

• Good traditions include…

• i.e. in favour of giving gifts on birthdays,

• i.e. in favour of having a Christmas tree and decorations.

• i.e. in favour of giving Easter eggs.

• i.e. Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace,

• (have become symbols of national pride and identity)

• i.e. Remembrance Day.

• (Honouring those who gave their lives to win our freedom)

• Bad traditions include…

• i.e. foot binding of women in China.

• i.e. female genital mutilation.

• i.e. Honor Killings.

• i.e. Animal Cruelty - Bullfighting (Spain and Latin America)

• Strange UK traditions include…

• i.e. Cheese rolling at Cooper’s Hill in Gloucestershire,

• Involves chasing a rolling Double Gloucester cheese down a steep hill, a tradition dating back to the 15th century.

• i.e. Morris dancing, often performed with sticks, handkerchiefs, or swords, varies by region and celebrates historical and seasonal events.

• i.e. Pancake races on Shrove Tuesday,

• i.e. Maypole dancing during May Day festivities.

• TRANSITION: So, when I asked the question,

• “Are you for or against tradition?”

• The answer always must be, “It depends on the tradition!”

• Traditions play a crucial role in shaping our identities,

• Fostering community bonds, and preserving cultural heritage,

• Providing a sense of belonging,

• And continuity in a rapidly changing world.

Ill:

• The classic illustration regarding tradition,

• Has to be in the musical “Fiddler on the Roof,”

• The lead character, Tevye, sings a great song.

• YouTube: https://youtu.be/gRdfX7ut8gw?si=nAZcgCGGkE5Ezve0

Illustration Text:

“Tradition! Tradition!” And then he explains: “Because of our traditions, we’ve kept our balance for many, many years. Here in Anatevka we have traditions for everything: how to sleep, how to eat, how to work, how to wear clothes. For instance, we always keep our heads covered and always wear a little prayer shawl. This shows our constant devotion to God. You may ask: How did this tradition get started? I’ll tell you: I don’t know. But it’s a tradition. And because of our traditions, every one of us knows who he is and what God expects him to do.”

• TRANSITIONS:

• Traditions can always be good or bad,

• The danger of religious traditions is they can bind you,

• Tie you up in legalistic acts and vain repetitions.

(1). Warning against false religion (vv. 1-9)

“Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 ‘Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!’

3 Jesus replied, ‘And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, “Honour your father and mother” and “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.” 5 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is “devoted to God,” 6 they are not to “honour their father or mother” with it. Thus, you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

8 ‘“These people honour me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from me.

9 They worship me in vain.

their teachings are merely human rules.”’”

Because of his miracles and teaching,

• Jesus is the most popular man in the whole country.

• Everywhere he goes,

• People want to see him and listen to him,

• And maybe…just maybe also experience a miracle.

• Well, the Pharisees have also heard about Jesus.

• As self-appointed guardians of the Law,

• They want to make sure that everything Jesus does,

• Is in line with their thinking.

To see if Jesus is the real deal.

• The Pharisees and teachers of the law,

• Bring in the big guns from Jerusalem.

• Remember, Jesus’ ministry was in Galilee (North),

• Not in Jerusalem (South).

• However, Jerusalem was the centre of Judaism.

• And this is where the important religious people lived!

• So, they travel up to Galilee. Remember travelling by foot!

• Which could have taken them six or even more days.

• So, this emphasises the impact Jesus was making on the nation,

• That these big shots from Jerusalem,

• Would make this long journey to check him out.

Note:

• They should be checking that was in line with the Torah,

• The Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.