Sermon #37 Series: Matthew
Title: THREE RELIGION – MORE INWARD
THAN OUTWARD
Text: Matthew 15:10-20
Subject: Heart Worship
Readings: Office: L. Campbell Aud. Rex Bartley
Date: Tuesday Evening –
March 21, 1995
Tape: R – 14
Introduction:
In
All aspects of worship, faith, and obedience to God, the most important
thing is the attitude of our hearts. I do not suggest that outward
obedience is insignificant. We must never become negligent in matters of
worship and obedience to our God. Public worship, the ordinances of
divine service, the reading of Holy Scripture and prayer are matters of great
importance and must be maliciously observed in strict accordance with divine
Revelation. However, if we observe all things outwardly, but fail to
approach God with grace, and faith, and love to Christ, the most careful and
strict observance of outward duties is an abomination to God - (Isa. 66:3; Pro. 15:8; 21:27).
Having
said that, I want you to turn with me to Matthew 15:10-20. I want to address
this subject tonight – True Religion – More Inward Than Outward. Let’s
read the text together – I want to show you – three things from the Word
of God. These are matters of utmost importance.
I. First,
Our Savior Here Teaches Us That False Doctrine Must Be Rooted Up – (vv.
10-14).
He says, “Every plant that my
heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone “With
those words, the Son of God declares that…
A. Without question, our text may be applied
to individuals, to all who profess faith in Christ and are numbered with his
people in this world.
If our religion is not wholly
of God, if our faith is not a God given faith, if our salvation is not a God
wrought salvation, it shall be rooted up! It will come to an end. And that end
will be everlasting destruction!
“No matter how fair the flower, if
the Father hath not planted it, its doom is sealed: I shall not be pruned, but
‘rooted up.’” (C.H. Spurgeon).
Those who are uprooted by the Word are uprooted indeed!
B. But, primarily, this text is talking
about those who teach and preach another gospel – (The Pharisees – v. 12).
The disciples were shocked that the
Lord had so spoken, so bluntly, to the Pharisees and had offended them. But the
Master here shows that he intended to afford them. He shows us that those who
teach “for doctrines the commandments of men” are people to whom we are to
show no mercy or kindness. It mattered nothing to him that they were
planted in high office, if his Father had not planted them. It mattered
nothing to him how highly they were esteemed in their own eyes or in the
eyes of men.
1.
Those who are the
enemies of the cross are the enemies of men’s souls – (Phil. 3:18-19).
2.
Those who are the
enemies of our God must be accounted by us as our enemies. God commands us to
love our enemies and pray for those who despitefully use us; but we are not to
love and pray for his enemies.
a.
God’s servants must expose, denounce, and condemn them and their
doctrine.
b.
God’s people must forsake them (Rev. 18:4). II Cor. 6:14-7:1 “Let
them alone!”
If you submit yourself and your family to the counsel of the ungodly and the doctrines
of antichrist, your blood and the blood of your children, and of all who are
influenced by you will be upon your head. It is never right to follow the blind
into a ditch!
c.
God will overthrow that doctrine that opposes him, and those
who preach it. Babylon must and shall fall – The sooner, the better (Rev. 18:1,
2, 20).
NOTE:
Babylon is the religion of this
world – Arminian – Freewill – Works Religion!
NOTE: The
weapons of our warfare are spiritual, not carnal. We do not fight with the
sword, or even the ballot box – But with the gospel (II Cor. 10:4-5).
II. Secondly, Our Master Teaches Us That The
Source of All Sin and Defilement Is The Heart of Man (vv. 15-20).
The Pharisees of old, like the
religionists of our day, taught that holiness, righteousness, and godliness
depended upon abstaining from certain meats and drinks and carefully observing
religious ceremonies of washings and purifications. Our Savior overthrows this
doctrine by declaring two things.
A. It is not what you put in your body that
defiles you, but what comes out of your mouth.
Material things cannot defile your soul by using them. And material ceremonies cannot cleanse your soul by enduring them. Carnal things can neither corrupt nor cleanse the soul!
If we would worship and serve God, we must have
something more than a separated life and a form of godliness. We must have a
heart that is clean and upright before God, a clean heart and a right spirit!
B. All sin and defilement originates in and
springs from the heart.
God
looks on the heart; but we prefer outward things –
III. Thirdly, The Overall Doctrine of This
Text, and Indeed of All The Bible Is This – True Religion Is More Inward Than
Outward.
The state of our hearts before God
is the main thing. Do not be content with church attendance, religious duties,
and outward behavior. Make certain that your heart is right in the sight of
God.
A. What is a heart that is right in the
sight of God?
B. How can I get such a heart? – By
looking to Christ – (Zech. 12:10).
Application:
Let us never forget that our greatest enemy is our own heart. The world and the devil combined are not so dangerous as our hearts. So let us keep our hearts with all diligence!