Counter Christmas, Part 1: Traditions Traditions

Traditions

Christmas Traditions…?

When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was.

And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well - Mark 6:53-56

Eyes of Faith: Looking for a reason to Believe

Jesus is a Rock Star

Not Everyone Loves Rock Stars…

Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem…

Eyes of pessimism: Looking for a reason to be offended

Freebie: We tend to find what We're looking for

…they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed.

(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands, holding to the tradition of the elders, and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash.

And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches).

"Helping God" gives way to Meaningless Ritual "What if we were around unclean people or animals?"

PossessedLindaBlairSaysWhat?

And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?"

"We're offended that your disciples Aren't following our traditions--- You must not be a very good Rabbi"

"Well, guys, the reason is…"?

And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written…

"Jesus Christ had no tenderness whatsoever toward anything that was ultimately going to ruin a person in his service to God" -Oswald Chambers

And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written…

"'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men"

"'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; The Ritual of Tradition produces: Actions without Heart

…in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' Teaching Tradition as Commandment produces worship God calls meaningless

You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men" When human tradition becomes God's Command, God's Word ceases to be the Authority You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men" When human tradition becomes God's Command, God's Word ceases to be the Authority

Even with the best of Intentions… Human Traditions Can cause God's people To lose sight of God

When they become Authoritative When they nullify God's Word

We can get so caught up in the "What" That we lose the "Why"

Word of God: - Not subject to change - Carries authority and power - Isn't a suggestion Traditions of Men: - Transient and changeable - Have no authority- ever - Are open to individual freedom

Basic Truth: Traditions often come from good intention, but… A tradition becomes sin When it displaces the Word of God "You have to wash your hands…"

And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition!

For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.' "Corban"

But you say, 'If a man tells his father or his mother, "Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban"' (that is, given to God)-

…then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do."

If a custom causes God's people To cease to follow God in any arena of life That tradition is sin

And he called the people to him again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand:

There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him."

And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable.

And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?"

(Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said…

"What comes out of a person is what defiles him.

The truth is not outside of you, but inside

Jesus caps rationalization for Poor Behavior…

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."

Sin is not a result of external circumstances But of internal nature

According to Jesus… What's in us Is what defiles us

Jesus shows up during the Holiday Season…

"Uh…Jesus?" - Why aren't the disciples shopping for gifts? - I noticed you don't have a tree

"Uh…Jesus?" - Your family said you're not coming to the annual Christmas Dinner??? - Of course you have to celebrate Christmas…it's Christmas, for crying out loud!!!

Jesus isn't Gentle

And he says, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written

"'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;

"'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; You're insisting people say "Merry Christmas" at the stores "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; You're insisting people say "Merry Christmas" at the stores

"'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; You're insisting people say "Merry Christmas" at the stores But you're thinking about - How many gifts to buy - The dinner you have to cook - The relatives you'd rather not see "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; You're insisting people say "Merry Christmas" at the stores But you're thinking about - How many gifts to buy - The dinner you have to cook - The relatives you'd rather not see

…in vain do you worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "I never commanded that you celebrate my Birthday… But that you honor my sacrifice"

…in vain do you worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "I never commanded that you put a tree in your house But that you remember the tree on which I bled and died"

…in vain do you worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "I never commanded that you give gifts to people you love, But that love your enemies"

…in vain do you worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' "I never commanded that you buy gifts to put under a tree, But that you freely share the gift of life"

You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men" "You charge what you can't afford" "You eat so much you can't move" "Your kids love Santa but don't know Me…" You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men" "You charge what you can't afford" "You eat so much you can't move" "Your kids love Santa but don't know Me…"

Your tradition had a Great Start with Good Intentions But it's become a stumbling block For unbelievers And an excuse for sin

But Jesus…they're defiling our holiday by writing "Merry X-mas!" They make me so mad That I yell at them And write angry s If they'd stop, I'd be OK…

"What comes out of a person is what defiles him. No one defiles Christmas Except Christians

The Rebel Jesus No one defiles Christmas Except Christians

For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."

Sin is not a result of external circumstances But of internal nature

The Cure is…Christmas!

The issue is not Whether or not you Celebrate

The issue is not Whether or not you Celebrate But whether or not You judge and enforce What God has not commanded

The issue is not Whether or not you Celebrate But whether or not You judge and enforce What God has not commanded And break the scriptures to honor it's God

Jesus disciples didn't wash their hands Because… Jesus sets us free from the traditions of men

What traditions am I following That I: Hate? Dread? Stressed out over? What if…I'm free?

When it comes to Traditions All that I have to do is what God says: "Love God, Love People" (the rest is up to me!)

Homework…