In Vain Do They Worship Me

In our text this week through Mark 7:1-23 we see the Pharisees are back at it again, looking to find fault with Jesus by accusing those around him, namely the disciples. This time, they were upset seeing the disciples were not following the elders’ traditions. More specifically, it irked them that they ate with unwashed hands. If this was a hygiene issue for them, I might understand where they were coming from, but this was not the case at all. It was a heart and pride issue, elevating men’s teachings and practices above truth. What we see is just how far and low people, like the Pharisees, will go when they fully and willfully reject Jesus. Join us on Sunday as we consider how the outward spiritual “cleanliness” of a person is not always proof of an inward transformation by the Lord Jesus.

Series: The Gospel of Mark
Patrice Charade
Message: In vain do they worship me
Harvest Bible Chapel Alliston
Text: Mark 7:1-23
February 2, 2025

Outward righteousness does not equal inward transformation…

…even though everyone is doing it (v. 1-5)

Right is right even if no one is doing it; wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.
Saint Augustine

…by rejecting the Word of God (v. 6-13)

Galatians 3:10-11

…instead of grasping how Christ saves me (v. 14-23)

1 Peter 1:3-5