Day 3
Today's Scripture:
Matthew 15:1-20
Key Verses:
Matthew 15:8-9
"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
The Point:
How is your heart?
There is a video commercial on television and the internet, created by a company called Kardia Mobile. The script goes something like this: The host poses the question, "How is your heart?" to people. The people respond with, "my heart is good" or "my heart is ok, I think." The host of the commercial then asks, "How do you know?" He goes on to explain and promote a smart phone app and a device to provide people with a "medical grade" electrocardiogram (ECG) on the spot!
The impressive device has the capability to alert people (many unsuspecting) that they have heart condition that may need treatment or at least reported to their doctor.
So, how do you obtain the equivalent of a "medical grade electrocardiogram" for your heart spiritually? I suspect many people would respond to the spiritual "How is your heart" question exactly the way people did in the commercial. Something like, "I'm good" or "I think I'm ok." If asked, "How do you know," they may respond with a host of reasons. But, what would read the heart condition spiritually like an ECG?
Answer – the Word of God! (Hebrews 4:12)
Matthew 15:1-20 records an encounter between Jesus and a group of "religious" people (i.e., scribes and Pharisees) and in the course of the discussion Jesus states publicly that "their heart is far from me." He also states clearly the reasons why their heart was far from His.
Study Today's Scripture for a few minutes and answer these questions:
- What sin did the "religious" people in this passage commit?
- What did Jesus say, "defiles a man?"
- What comes out of the heart, according to Jesus?
- Why did Jesus quote Isaiah and say the hearts of the scribes and Pharisees were "far from me?"
Prayer Time
Confess and Forsake Any Known Sin:
Probing Questions:
- Have you questioned the salvation or motives of others because they don't follow traditional norms in how they dress, behave, talk, or live in general?
- Have you declined to fellowship with others because they don't meet some traditional standard or practice?
- Do you think preference in clothing styles, music, food, and entertainment are just as important as the commandments of God in scripture?
Praise:
- Thank God for every member of FBCK regardless of their "social" standing, income, appearance, and personality! 1 Corinthians 12:18
- Thank God for every member of FBCK because they contribute to the cause of Christ! 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
- Praise God for the opportunity to share the Gospel with people who aren’t like you! Romans 15:7
Intercessory Prayers:
- Think of someone who needs to come to know Jesus that isn't like you; ask God to open their heart and mind to the Gospel and to prepare you to share your testimony with them.
- Pray for that Church member who tries your patience or seems to be an aggravation and ask God to build a better relationship between you.
- You know someone who is struggling to accept some people in the Church or to even witness to others because of their preferences and/or traditions; ask God to open their heart and treat people like Jesus did.
Petitions:
- Ask God to use His Word to diagnose your spiritual heart and help you understand what needs to change and motivate you to make the change.
- Ask God to help you see people the way He sees them.
- Ask God to help you have a burden for the lost, unchurched, and wayward and to prepare you to help them.
John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."