SCRIPTURE READING: Mark 7:1-8

INTRO: Jesus begins to address the issue of tradition – both good and bad.

I.   THE HOLINESS MESSAGE PREACHED BY JESUS – Mark 7:1-23

A. The reason for the message –Mark 7:1-5

1. The Pharisees made demands of Jesus.

2. Who were the Pharisees?

3. They tried to enforce their laws on everyone except themselves.

4. They complained about Jesus.

5. The Pharisees sometime went too far.

B. The rebuke of Jesus to the Pharisees – Mark 7:6-13

1. Jesus quotes from the prophet Isaiah.

2. We tend to hold to the traditions of men and forsake the commandment of God.

C. The heart of man is exposed by Jesus. Mark 7:14-23

1. Jesus called the multitudes to come near.

2. What goes into the stomach does not necessarily defile us.

3. What defiles us is what comes out of the heart.

II.  MORE MIRACULOUS HEALINGS PERFORMED BY JESUS. Mark 7:24-37

A. The healing of a demon-possessed daughter. Mark 7:24-30

1. The brokenhearted mother – Mark 7:24-26.

2. The response of Jesus to her plea. Mark 7:27-30

B. The healing of a deaf and mute man. Mark 7:31-37

1. The man was desperate in his need.

2. Jesus worked with him one on one.

3. A miracle took place as he was touched by Jesus.

CONCLUSION AND INVITATION