Emmanuel
Lutheran Church
Ft. Wayne, IN
Proper 17
Series B
Mark 7:14-23
Having heart
trouble?
We face a universal challenge. How to make individuals
good? To be respectable. And decent. And live righteously.
Is it merely, “Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds?”[1] If so, how are we as Christians different from the rest of the world?
How ought you reward a child for demonstrating proper
behavior? And such expected behavior. Is it taught? Or is it caught?
What is the answer to crime? Is it education? More laws?
Better prisons? Stiffer penalties?
Today an emphasis has been placed on behavior modification.
Through drugs. Rewards. Positive as well as negative reinforcements. All with
the hope of a confident outcome.
But these measures only address the symptoms of a much deeper
problem. Today. In our Gospel reading. Jesus literally gets to the heart of the
problem.
Jesus puts His finger on the cause of all human behavior. It
is - A dirty heart.
A good life - calls for a good heart. If so. The world is
suffering from heart trouble! What to do about a diseased and difficult heart?
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.[2]
I.
Know and understand that the heart is the source of behavior.
A. Scanning the heart - Through the scrutiny
of the Scriptures. - Reveals troubling results.
1.
It shows a heart. Blackened by sin.
Solomon would remind us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything
you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)
While the Savior reminds us in our Gospel reading today,
“From within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual
immorality, theft, murder, adultery.” v. 21.
2. It is a heart. Broken by hurt. Which
results in pain.
David would remind us, “The sacrifices of God are a broken
spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:17
A broken spirit and contrite heart means we repent of our sin
by turning away from our disobedient actions. Admitting our mistakes. And
turning towards Christ.
Repentance, however, does not end with us merely sitting in
guilt and shame over the sins we have committed. Wallowing in misery. There must
be - a change of heart.
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 so
often happens. 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 heart darkened, 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 can 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. With repentance and faith we turn to Jesus.
A. He alone can make a good heart. Thus,
David prayed: “Create in me a clean heart, Oh God.” Psalm 32
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 in exchange for yours.
He had no sin. But chose to take your sins as His. To
suffer and die in your place. Behold His 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 the problem of sin. A predicament
you could not solve. His cross is His promise of His love for you.
2. Because Jesus 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 can
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. And He always works through those means
He has chosen namely His word which is connected to water, wafer, and wine.
You know those words so well. “But the Holy Ghost has
called me by the Gospel.”
When we struggle with fear and doubt. The Holy Spirit invites
us to pray for comfort and hope. The Spirit—Our Helper—Does not give us over to
discouragement. But strengthens us in our faith.
He reminds you. That Christ. Your Savior from sin and death. Holds
you firmly in His undying grip. And helps you hold firmly to Him.
The Spirit does not give us over to uncertainty. But consoles
us. Confirming in us the belief that God’s Word is true. And His promises are
sure. The Spirit gives us joy amidst grief. Peace. In the face of fear.
3. And
He has promised to guide and lead you. Every step of your life’s journey. No
matter what happens to be “in your road.”
His hand will always guide 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.
4. And your faith in Christ will naturally
have a response.
After nine long months of eager anticipation the day finally
arrived. The country doctor was called to the house to help with the delivery.
The anxious father - was instructed - to stand in the corner
- and to hold up a lantern - for the good doctor to see.
Finally! – A healthy baby girl! The father began lowering his
lantern. But the good doctor asked him to keep it lifted.
Within a few minutes. – A second child! This time - a boy!
Letting down his lantern a second time, the good doctor asked
him again. - To keep it lifted.
Within a few minutes. – A third child!
Finally, the father asked – “Do you suppose? ... They’re
attracted by the light?”
John would remind us, “But if we walk in the light, as he
is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus
his Son cleanses us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:7
Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before
others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who
is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Having received the forgiveness of sins you now share that
light of Christ with all that you meet. You are the hands and feet the fingers
and toes of Jesus in this world.
Your task = shine brightly with the light of Jesus!
It starts at our school. Emmanuel- St. Michael. Where we
thank the Lord Jesus for the talents. Gifts. And abilities. He has given to our
students.
And Students. Remember this! A vital part of your education
is to discover what you do and what you do well. And then to take those gifts. And
use them for service to your neighbor.
Think of the cleaning service - “Service Master.” In
all that you do. You render Service to the Master.
And especially on this Labor Day weekend. We give thanks for
the various vocations the LORD has placed before us. As you work and serve your
neighbor in love. That’s how you build faith in the city. By shining the light
of Christ in this corner of Christ’s kingdom.
The way you love and serve others is what you do best. For
those you love most.
It’s not for me to dictate to you. How. When. Where. And for
whom you are to serve.
That's for you to find out. And when you do. Serve them well.
Be a sermon in shoes.
It's faith in the Christ. That allows you. To discover in
joy. And delight. And surprise. What Christ has in store for you. As you share
His good news. To those He has placed 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 wounded healer – who not only redeems you - but
also equips you for every good work!
Words-1,630
Passive Sentences –3.6%
Readability-84.6%
Reading Level 3.2
Luther’s Seal © Ed Riojas. Higher Things
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