Matthew 15- Heart Issue

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And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. Matthew 15:10-15

Previously we read where Jesus said “They honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me” (Matthew 15:8) Here again we see Jesus explaining more of what he means, that sin is a heart issue, your covenant with God is a heart issue, and you need a new and clean heart (Ezekiel 36:26) you need to become Born Again (John 3:3) sin is what defiles a person, not what they eat

This is also a display of the New Covenant, as the Jews were more concerned with Jesus keeping the Dietary (Kosher) Laws, rather than understanding the sin in their heart is what condemns them. Jesus said “Hear and understand, it’s not what goes in the mouth that defiles a person, its what comes out of your mouth, that defiles a person” Sin is a heart issue, as Christ went into further explanation in Matthew 5, if you lust after someone you have already committed adultery in your heart, if you hate someone, you have already committed murder in your heart, ect

The Pharisees were offended, of course, because they were all about religion and not a relationship with God. Many people today are still offended by the words of Christ, you can’t work your way into Heaven, you can’t earn your salvation, you need a New Heart and to be Born Again through Christ

And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. Matthew 15:16-20

The religious leaders were more concerned about Christ washing his hands, then washing away their sins with repentance. Jesus said “Are you still without understanding?” Jesus is like C’mon people, how hard is this for you to understand? But the problem is not the logic but our hearts. People love their sin more than God, people actually love their religion more than they love God. As Jesus taught us evilness begins and comes from the heart, this is why we need to become Born Again

The world will tell you “Follow your heart”, this is the worst advice you could ever receive, as the Bible tells us “The heart is wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9) you need a New Heart, you need to become Born Again through Jesus Christ, Amen!

Matthew 15- Traditions of Men

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Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Matthew 15:1-6

False worship and false religion has been a problem since the beginning of time, here we see the religious leaders, who claim to be Holy accusing the disciples of being transgressors because they didn’t wash their hands when they ate. Jesus quickly pointed out their hypocrisy! Christ pointed out the religious leaders claim they are “Keeping The Law” yet they don’t honor their mother and father , as Jesus said “you have made the commandment of God to no effect by your tradition”

We see this in the Church today, many traditions of man have overtaken the Word of God. This is why the Bible needs to be our authority for the Church, not the traditions of man. This is why Liberal Christians and theologians today will discredit the Bible as not the Word of God, by doing this they can make up their own laws and interpretations of scripture

As Jesus told us, sin is a heart issue, these religious leaders don’t truly love God, they love their religion, they love their tradition, they have made a false god to whom they worship, they don’t worship the true Jesus of the Bible

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:7-9

We see alot of Churches today claiming to be Christian, they claim to love Jesus and worship him, but they are hypocrites. They love him with their mouths but their hearts are hard and don’t love Christ. They claim to be doing many works in the name of Jesus, but Christ doesn’t even know them (Matthew 7) As Jesus said we need to worship God in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24)

Religion won’t save your soul , traditions wont save your soul, only Jesus Christ can save your soul, you must become Born Again, Amen!

Matthew 14- Touch of Faith

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And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole. Matthew 14:34-36

Today we see Jesus entering the town of Gennesaret, a small town off the Sea of Galilee, and this story will kind of remind you of the woman who touched the garment of Christ. We see basically the same scenario being played out here also, but in a bigger scale. As the scripture says “They begged him that they might have one touch of his garment” That’s all these people needed, was One touch of the Lord Jesus and there lives were made whole

Anytime we see a healing by Jesus , we typically notice the same pattern, and we see it here also. First , the people recognized who Jesus is. The people understood Jesus is the Son of God, The Messiah, The Lord and Savior, they believed this in their hearts, otherwise they would not have come to Christ. This is the first step, the drawing of the Holy Spirit to Christ. Those who don’t reject the calling will be saved

Secondly, they are seeking Christ. Since they understood Jesus is Lord, now they are seeking Christ, they are coming from all directions to hear the words of Jesus and to be saved. Jesus said “Come to me all who are weary and burden laden, and I’ll give you Rest” (Matthew 11:28) Jesus didn’t say , just sit there and do nothing, no Christ said “Seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened “ (Matthew 7:7) The people came to seek Christ

Third, by faith they came to Christ and touched his garment to be saved. The people of Gennesaret demonstrated their faith, by coming to Jesus and touching his garment. It’s not that The Lord’s garment was magical , it was the people demonstrating faith in Jesus as the Son of God. The bible says “Without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:16) You must have faith in Jesus Christ to be saved!

Lastly, I like the wording of the KJV here “As many as touched were made perfectly whole” (v36) Most translations say they are healed, but this is more than just about a physical healing, this is about saving their souls. You can be in perfect health and still be headed to Hell, the healing should not be the focus here, its the salvation we received from Jesus Christ through faith, Amen!

Matthew 14- Walk of Faith

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And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Matthew 14:22-27

The “Walking on Water” again is another demonstration of Christs deity and proclamation that the New Covenant is a Better Covenant than the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8) As we looked previously Jesus feeding the 5,000 in the wilderness was superior to Moses taking care of the Israelites in the Wilderness, as Moses prophesied “God will raise a prophet like me, listen to him” (Deuteronomy 18:15)

We remember when God parted the Red Sea and Moses led the Israelites through the waters, (Exodus 14) however now we see Jesus Christ , not parting the waters, but walking on the water. A task that only could be accomplished supernaturally by God, demonstrating Christ deity and his superior nature to Moses. Jesus is not just a man, but he is God in the flesh (John 1:14)

The disciples in the boat were in fear, they believed they were going to die, but Jesus told them “Be of good cheer or take courage, do not be afraid” How many Christians live in fear on a daily basis? Focus on the Savior and not your problems, focus on Christ walking on the water, and not on the storms!

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. Matthew 14:28-33

Peter temporarily demonstrated some faith, and Jesus said “Come”, and by his faith in Christ, Peter was able to walk on water, however once he allowed his fears and doubts to creep in, he immediately sank. This is a good analogy of how faith works, when you trust in Jesus with all your heart, God will does his work, however when you allow your doubt and fears to creep in, your faith becomes broken

Notice immediately Peter cried out to Jesus “Lord Save Me” and Christ immediately pulled him out of the water, this should also be our response in times of trouble, Lord Save Me! When Jesus finally entered the boat, what was the disciples’ response? They worshiped Christ and declared Jesus is the Son of God, Amen!