Pentecost 15-Proper 17
September 2, 2018
Mark 7:14-23
Having heart trouble?
We face a
universal problem. How to make individuals good? To do good. And live
righteously. What is the answer to crime? Is it education? More laws? Better
prisons? Capital punishment? Today an emphasis is placed on behavior
modification. Through drugs. Rewards. Stricter punishment etc. Jesus puts His
finger on the cause of all evil behavior.It’s a dirty heart. A good life calls
for a good heart. If so. The world is suffering from heart trouble! What to do
about heart trouble? The Savior gives us the answer,“All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.”’ V.23
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, because of Your
tender love toward us sinners You have given us Your Son that, believing in
Him, we might have everlasting life. Continue to grant us Your Holy Spirit that
we may remain steadfast in this faith to the end and finally come to life
everlasting; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.[1]
I. Know that the hearts is the
source of behavior.
A. The way we usually try to identify other people's
emotions is through their facial expressions—their eyes in
particular. We are told that “the eyes are the windows to
the soul,” and eye contact is certainly critical.
What does the eye test reveal?
1. It reveals a heart blackened by sin.
Solomon would remind us, “Keep your heart
with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs
4:23) While the Savior reminds us, “from within the hearts of men come evil
thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,” v. 21
2. It is a heart broken by the hurt, pain
and the effects of sin.
3. It is a deficient heart. Inherited by our
parents. When Adam and Eve rebelled, falling headlong into sin, man lost this
image of God. Now the will, desires, and the thoughts of man follow the self. “Thus when Adam was 99 years old he had a son
after his own image and likeness and called him Seth.” (Genesis 4:25)
B. This
heart reflects the nature of man.Because the heart is darkened by sin, man now
tries to hide himself from sin. Anyone who has ever been around a toddler has
witnessed what happens. When the child might be doing something he knows he
shouldn’t. When the parents enter the room. He shuts his eyes. And the problem
goes away! That’s what the darkness and blindness of sin can do. It makes us
close our eyes. To anything which would expose our sinful self.
Transition:
Realizing that the heart is the source of human behavior - what shall we do? We
turn to Jesus. Our Great Physician. Who is able to perform His work in you. –
His greatest work is reserved for those He came to save.Understand this. Christ
alone can make a good heart. He alone is the Great Physician. Who performs His
work in you
II. We turn to Jesus
A. He alone
can make a good heart.
1. Sometimes a transplant is
the only solution. This is what Christ has done for you. He has given you a new
heart. When He went to the cross and stood at the mouth of an empty tomb. He
took your poor weak heart and replaced it! Jesus.The Son of God. Descended from
heaven above. He made the ultimate sacrifice by giving His life for yours.
He had no sin. But chose to
take all your sins as His. To suffer and die in your place.Behold the cross!
Who would do that? Your God! That's who! Jesus endured the fever of His
Father's wrath. He hung suffocating. Nailed to wood. So you would go free. He
did it willfully. Joyfully. This was His natural response. To a problem of sin.
A predicament you could not solve. His cross is God's love for you.[2]
2. Because He has given you a new life. – New
life in Him. He is the one who shapes and molds your life. Your times are in
His hands. Only He can direct your path. He has promised He will do this.
B. As the
Great Physician. Jesus alone is able to perform His work in you.
1. His work in you began at your baptism.
When you were connected to Christ. He gave His word and promise. To restore and
forgive you. And then. To be with you always for time and eternity.
2. His hand is still upon you. Never will
He let you go. He will mold and shape every circumstance of your life. To bring
it into conformity. With His good and perfect will.
3. Your faith in the Gospel will naturally
have a response. And especially on this Labor Day weekend. When we thank the Lord
Jesus for the talents. Gifts. And abilities. Jesus has given His people. As you
work and serve your neighbor. There are ways you can and do love others. It's
what you do best. For those you love most. It’s not for me to dictate to you
how. When. Where. And for whom. That's for you to find out.
It's faith in the Gospel. That
allows you. To discover in joy. And delight. And surprise. What God has in
store for you. As you share His good news. To those He has put in your life.
Having heart trouble? Take the prescription. Which is
proven to work. Every. Single. Time. It’s offered. – Given to you by that great
Physician – Jesus Christ the righteous!
______________
Words-965
Readability-86%
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Image © Higher Things
[1]
Collect for Steadfast faith Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing
House, St. Louis
[2]
Tim Daub Thanksgiving Homily delivered at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.
November 23, 2017 · Hecla, SD ·
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