Let Freedom Ring

Pt. 8: Free To Live by the Spirit

By Louie Marsh, 7-21-2024

ONE WEIRD WEEK!

1)  There’s only TWO ways to live

“16So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16, BSB)

Ø  By the HOLY SPIRIT

Ø  By my SINFUL NATURE (flesh)

Talk about what flesh is and isn’t.

• I must choose between them CONSTANTLY.

“17For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” (Galatians 5:17–18, BSB)

We will live with this war as long as we live – no Louie Land ideal life of not being torn.

2) Results of following my sinful nature.

“19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19–21, BSB)

4 Areas:      

• SEXUALITY

: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery

• FALSE WORSHIP

idolatry and witchcraft

• RELATIONSHIPS

hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy;

• DRUNKENESS

drunkenness, orgies, and the like

3) Results of following the Holy Spirit

“22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:22–24, BSB)

• I live a life of LOVE

Love is the fruit of the Spirit – all the rest of the list define love! That’s critical in this day of having no idea what love really is!

4) So I must choose to…

“25Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit. 26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.” (Galatians 5:25–26, BSB)

• REFUSE to follow my sinful nature.

• STAY IN STEP with the Holy Spirit.

Let Freedom Ring #7

Free To Be Free!, Galatians 5:1-15

By Louie Marsh, 7-29-2007

1)  Jesus set me free to BE FREE!

“1It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, BSB)

• Freedom has ETERNAL VALUE.

Why? What is that Value?

·       You could say without it we can reach our full potential – true but not the real value

·       Because it makes me happy and that’s what life is all about.

·       Real Reason: We are make in God’s image, and are called to be like God, and God is Free!

The Two Components of Spiritual Freedom:

Free FROM   &  Free TO

3 Way this freedom works in my life

1) In my relationship with Jesus

Free From: SEEKING SECURITY which INVALIDATES Christ’s power in my life.

Free To: Live life TRUSTING God’s spirit alone.

“2Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4You who are trying to be justified by the law have been severed from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness.” (Galatians 5:2–5, BSB)

2) In how I live out the truth.

“6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love. 7You were running so well. Who has obstructed you from obeying the truth? 8Such persuasion does not come from the One who calls you. 9A little leaven works through the whole batch of dough. 10I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is troubling you will bear the judgment, whoever he may be. 11Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12As for those who are agitating you, I wish they would proceed to emasculate themselves!” (Galatians 5:6–12, BSB)

Why don't these agitators, obsessive as they are about circumcision, go all the way and castrate themselves! Galatians 5:12 (MSG)

Free From: DECEPTION

News Item: Giant Man-Eating Badgers in Basra

British military officials are denying reports that they released, we kid you not, "strange man-eating bear-like" badgers to sow fear among the residents of Basra, Iraq.

"We have not released giant badgers in Basra, and nor have we been collecting eggs and releasing serpents into the Shatt al-Arab river," Maj. David Gell tells reporters, according to The Guardian..

Free To: Live by FAITH through LOVE.

3) In how I view myself

“13For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”” (Galatians 5:13–14, BSB)

Free From: A SELF-CENTERED life

Free To: SERVE God & others

Let Freedom Ring

Pt. 6: Born Free

By Louie Marsh, 7-7-2025

Last slide – now I’m expensive

Allegory:

noun

1. The representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form.
2. A story, picture, or play employing such representation. John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and Herman Melville's Moby-Dick are allegories.
3. A symbolic representation

Examples: “I shot the Rabbit of hope with my gun of despair!”   For instance, a crooked banker might symbolize greed, while the character of Mr. Legality in the allegory Pilgrim's Progress symbolizes a viewpoint that prioritizes the law over faith in Jesus Christ.

Changed into his likeness book.

“21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says?” (Galatians 4:21, BSB)

1) The Historical Choice: two SONS.

“22For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. (Galatians 4:22, BSB)

·       Ismael – the son of a SLAVE.

23His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh,.. (Galatians 4:23a, BSB)

·       Isaac – the son of a FREE woman.

23…but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.” (Galatians 4:22–23, BSB)

2) The Allegorical Choice: Two RELIGIONS.

“24These things serve as illustrations, for the women represent two covenants… (Galatians 4:24a BSB)

·       Old Covenant – a religion of BONDAGE to the Law.

One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children into slavery: This is Hagar. 25Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children… (Galatians 4:24b–25, BSB)

·       New Covenant – a religion of authentic FREEDOM.

. 26But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 27For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”” (Galatians 4:25–27, BSB)

3) The Personal Choice – Two WAYS to live.

“28Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29At that time, however, the son born by the flesh persecuted the son born by the Spirit. It is the same now. 30But what does the Scripture say? “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” 31Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.” (Galatians 4:28–31, BSB)

·       I can trust in MYSELF.

·       Or I can trust in JESUS.

Let Freedom Ring

Part 5: Freedom in Knowing God

By Louie Marsh 6-30-2024

Last slide – do something!

1) I can only KNOW God in Christ.

“8Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.” (Galatians 4:8, BSB)

2) Knowing God is knowing I’m part of His KINGDOM.

“9But now that you know God, or rather are known by God…(Galatians 4:9a, BSB)

“17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth 19of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17–19, BSB)

Power = exosuia – power, right, authority.

3) Sin and legalism = SLAVERY.

…how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?” (Galatians 4:9b, BSB)

·       Legalism looks deep – but it really just EMPTY.

“Any existence deprived of freedom is a kind of death.” - Michel Aoun

“to other than the creator, we do not kneel.”  - Michel Aoun

Michel Aoun, Former Lebanese president from 31 October 2016 until 30 October 2022

"Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought."  -- Pope John Paul II

4) I have the freedom to serve God SACRIFICIALLY.

“12I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. 13You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. 14And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself. 15What then has become of your blessing? For I can testify that, if it were possible, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. 16Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (Galatians 4:12–16, BSB)

·       If I’m not sacrificing, am I SERVING at all?

5) So I’ll be able to know & live God’s PURPOSE.

“17Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. 18Nevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you. 19My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, 20how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you.” (Galatians 4:17–20, BSB)

Let Freedom Ring

Part 5: Free to Live by Grace

By Louie Marsh, 6-23-2024

1)  Why did God give the Law?

·       Because of my SIN.

“19Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator. 20A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one. 21Is the law, then, opposed to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come from the law.” (Galatians 3:19–21, BSB)

·       To lead me to CHRIST

“22But the Scripture pronounces all things confined by sin, so that by faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe. 23Before this faith came, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.” (Galatians 3:22–25, BSB)

·       To TEACH me what’s right.

“1What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything. 2He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father. 3So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.” (Galatians 4:1–3, BSB)

·       To lead me to FREEDOM

“4But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4–5, BSB)

2) What does this freedom mean to me?

·       I am a CHILD of God.

“4But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4–5, BSB)

“26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:26–27, BSB)

·       I’m UNITED with all believers

“28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:28–29, BSB)

• I’m an HEIR to God’s promises.

“6And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, you are also an heir through God.” (Galatians 4:6–7, BSB)

• I also have the HOLY SPIRIT living in me.

Let Freedom Ring

Part 3: Free to Live By Faith

By Louie Marsh, 6-16-2024

Believing the Gospel means two things:

1)  I must choose one of two ways to live.

“1O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?” (Galatians 3:1–2, BSB)

·       Law – PERFORMANCE for acceptance

·       The Spirit – living by the SPIRIT’S power

Let’s explore this – choosing to walk by the Spirit is a lot like this - We admitted we were powerless over our addiction - that our lives had become unmanageable.

2) If I choose to live by faith then…

·       I need to learn to work in the SPIRIT.

“3Are you so foolish? After starting in the Spirit, are you now finishing in the flesh? 4Have you suffered so much for nothing, if it really was for nothing? 5Does God lavish His Spirit on you and work miracles among you because you practice the law, or because you hear and believe?” (Galatians 3:3–5, BSB)

·       UNDERSTAND that God has always worked this way.

“6So also, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 7Understand, then, that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. 8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.” (Galatians 3:6–9, BSB)

·       NEVER FORGET the results of this choice!

“10All who rely on works of the law are under a curse. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” 12The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14He redeemed us in order that the blessing promised to Abraham would come to the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” (Galatians 3:10–14, BSB)

o   Living by Law brings spiritual DEATH!

o   Living by faith brings God’s PROMISE.

• PUT MY FAITH in Jesus who is the promised blessing!

“15Brothers, let me put this in human terms. Even a human covenant, once it is ratified, cannot be canceled or amended. 16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ. 17What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God freely granted it to Abraham through a promise.” (Galatians 3:15–18, BSB) 

Let Freedom Ring

Part Two: Free to Follow God’s Call, Gal. 1:11-2:10

By Louie Marsh, 6-9-2024

Called: In 2014 the Selective Service System mistakenly sent notices to more than 14,000 Pennsylvania men born between 1893 and 1897, ordering them to register for the nation's military draft and warning that failure to do so is "punishable by a fine and imprisonment."

The agency realized the error when it began receiving calls from bewildered relatives last week.

Chuck Huey, 73, of Kingston, said he got a notice addressed to his late grandfather Bert Huey, a World War I veteran who was born in 1894 and died in 1995 at age 100.

"I said, `Geez, what is this about?' It said he was subject to heavy fines and imprisonment if he didn't sign up for the draft board," he said. "We were just totally dumbfounded."

God’s Call – farmer comes in excited, saw GPC in the sky, says to wife, God’s calling to preach the gospel, she says no it means go plow corn!

1) respond to GOD’S CALL – not man’s call!

“11For I certify to you, brothers, that the gospel I preached was not devised by man. 12I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11–12, BSB)

2) dedicate myself WHOLEHEARTEDLY to Jesus!

“13For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how severely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers.” (Galatians 1:13–14, BSB)

3) Remember two things:

• Jesus has a plan for MY LIFE.

“15But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased” (Galatians 1:15, BSB)

“4For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love” (Ephesians 1:4, BSB)

• I must STAY focused on Him.

“16to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood, 17nor did I go up to Jerusalem to the apostles who came before me, but I went into Arabia and later returned to Damascus.” (Galatians 1:16–17, BSB)

4) Practice proper INDEPENDENCE.

“18Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days. 19But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20I assure you before God that what I am writing to you is no lie. 21Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22I was personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23They only heard the account: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24And they glorified God because of me.” (Galatians 1:18–24, BSB)

5) Practice real ACCOUNTABILITY.

“1Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, accompanied by Barnabas. I took Titus along also. 2I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain. 3Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. 5We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.” (Galatians 2:1–5, BSB)

• Real accountability isn’t CONTROL

“6But as for the highly esteemed—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism —those leaders added nothing to me.” (Galatians 2:6, BSB)

• It’s being responsive with an OPEN HEART.

6) Serve God out of MY CALLING!

“7On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. 8For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles. 9And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised. 10They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.” (Galatians 2:7–10, BSB)

• ENCOURAGE others to do the sam

Let Freedom Ring

Part One: Free to Serve Jesus, Gal. 1:1-10

By Louie Marsh, 6-2-2024

Intro – New Bible Trans – Map of Galatia,

 To be free to serve Jesus I need to know 4 things:

1) Know  WHERE  my loyalties lie.

“1Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead— 2and all the brothers with me, To the churches of Galatia:” (Galatians 1:1–2, BSB)

• I serve GOD not MAN.

This gives me…

• AUTHORITY

1Paul, an Apostle, not from man or through men’s authority but directly from Jesus Christ and God the Father, the One who raised Him from among the corpses.  2And everyone with me, to the congregations in Galatia. Galatians 1:1-2 (LIV)

Not a translation or a paraphrase – but a Paralation!

• CONFIDENCE
• POWER
• PURPOSE

2) Know THE GOSPEL

“3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4who gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Galatians 1:3–5, BSB)

“3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve. 6After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.” (1 Corinthians 15:3–7, BSB)

3) Know the COUNTERFEITS

“6I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse! 9As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be under a curse!” (Galatians 1:6–9, BSB)

“4For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily.” (2 Corinthians 11:4, BSB)

4) Know that I can’t please EVERYONE.

“10Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10, BSB)

• And I shouldn’t even be TRYING TOO.

So I must choose to please either…

• GOD  or MAN.

The Gospel of Mark 1-8

Part 8: Lose the Leaven!

By Louie Marsh, 5-26-2024

Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it.

The conductor said, 'Dr. Einstein, I know who you are.  We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it.'

Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.

The conductor rushed back and said, 'Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are No problem. You don't need a ticket.  I'm sure you bought one.'

Einstein looked at him and said, 'Young man, I too, know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going.'"

1) To be like Jesus I must learn to THINK!

“14Now they had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. 15And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. (Mark 8:14–16, ESV)

They aren’t thinking, their reacting.

·       Jesus rebukes them for not using the BRAINS God gave them.

 17And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?” (Mark 8:17–18, ESV)

2) Then they understood SUBTLY change happens.

“12Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (Matthew 16:12, ESV)

“33He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.”” (Matthew 13:33, ESV)

3) The bad leaven also leads to HYPOCRISY.

“1In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.” (Luke 12:1–2, ESV)

The man-made teachings of the Pharisees were as pervasive as yeast in a loaf of bread. Their corruption advanced in hardly perceptible ways, but it was extensive. The Pharisees displayed an outward conformity to the law, but their hearts were full of unbelief and sinfulness (Mark 7:6–13).

“27“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:27–28, ESV)

What does this lead to – Drag Video

4) I must beware of what often seems like Godly LOVE.

“31And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”” (Mark 8:31–33, ESV)

·       Love is good – but it is not ENOUGH.

“17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”” (John 21:17–18, ESV)

·       I need GOD’S LOVE not human love, if I am do His will.

“26It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” (Matthew 20:26–28, ESV)

The Gospel of Mark 1-8

Part 7: Tradition!

By Louie Marsh, 5-19-2024

Last Slide – defining tradition.

1) Jesus didn’t CARE for mindless tradition.

“1Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands properly, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches.)” (Mark 7:1–4, ESV)

·       This was done to be RITUALLY clean, no germaphobes!

·       Washing is just one of Jewish 1st Century traditions.

2) Traditions aren’t necessarily GOOD OR BAD.

“8You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” 9And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! 10For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ 11But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban” ’ (that is, given to God)— 12then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”” (Mark 7:8–13, ESV)

·       Only God’s Word can be my AUTHORITY not tradition!

·       Never use tradition as an EXCUSE to disobey God.

·       The traditions I keep expose the true state of my HEART.

3) What comes out not what goes into me that DEFILES.

“17And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”” (Mark 7:17–23, ESV)

·       This means my heart is INCLINED to evil without God.

·       The natural state of the human heart is SELFISH.

4) There are COMMANDS from God, that are also called traditions.

“15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15, ESV)

·       These “traditions” aren’t COMPARABLE to pot lucks.

5) I must dare to BREAK traditions & follow Jesus.

“26Now the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician by birth. And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 28But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” 29And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter.”” (Mark 7:26–29, ESV)

·       A Gentile woman asks Jesus to deliver her daughter -  non-traditional.

·       Jesus speaks to her – non-traditional, calls her a dog which is traditional.

·       She accepts her Gentile status – and still asks for deliverance – non-traditional.

·       Jesus sees her faith and says the demon is gone.