Epistel for May 22, 2015
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E-pistle
FreeWay Foundation May 22, 2013
things that defile a person
(Mark 7:1-37)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Jesus taught that spiritual defilement if a matter of the heart, vv. 1-20.
2. Jesus listed the evils which come out of a person, vv. 21-23.
3. Jesus healed the daughter of a Syro-Phoenician woman, vv. 24-30.
4. Jesus healed a deaf-mute man, vv. 31-37.
II. Observation: on the idea of spiritual defilement
1. Nothing that ENTERS a man from outside can defile him. vv. 15, 18.
2. Things which COME OUT of him . . . defile, v. 15.
3. Defile = to make unclean; to soil; to desecrate; to violate the sanctity of;
to profane; to make unholy.
4. Spiritual standing with god is a matter of the heart; not external, physical
activities, vv. 20, 23.
III. Meditation: What comes out of a man to defile (vv. 21-23)
1. Evil thoughts (wicked; vicious) 9. Lewdness (obscene; indecent)
2. Adulteries 10. Evil eye (bewitching powers)
3. Fornications 11. Blasphemy (cursing; swearing;
4. Murders taking God's name in vain;
5. Thefts irreverence; impious talk)
6. Covetousness 12. Pride
7. Wickedness 13. Foolishness
8. Deceit
IV. Revelation: on the spiritual implications seen here
1. Jesus always prioritized "HEART" over ritualistic religion.
2. Man was created to be holy, as God is holy, I Peter 1:15-16 . . . but out
hearts are wicked and defile us (make us unholy).
3. Jesus listed defiling sins, including attitudes, speech, and actions.
4. Jesus wants us to hear His words of warning, vv. 14, 16.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Guard my "HEART" . . . cultivate spiritual virtues; not prioritizing my will
over God's.
2. Repent, confess, and forsake my wicked, defiling sins.
3. List my specific sins which need forgiveness (not "generic" sin).
4. "HEAR" Jesus, which implies asking for and receiving His cleansing.
Christ made us alive together with him
(Colossians 2:13-15)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the text
"You, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which
was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the
cross. Having disarmed principalities and power, He made a public spectacle
of them, triumphing over them in it."
II. Meditation: on Christ's finished work ("having . . . ")
1. HAVING forgiven you all trespasses, v. 13.
2. HAVING wiped out the handwriting of requirements (signed confession of
indebtedness; I.O.U.) that was contrary to us, v. 14.
3. HAVING nailed it to the cross . . . He has taken it out of the way, v. 14.
("IT" means the indictment)
4. HAVING disarmed principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12), He made a public
spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it, v. 15.
III. Revelation: on the benefits we receive through the cross of Christ
1. Forgiveness of sin.
2. Cancellation of debt.
3. Death of the old life; birth of a new life.
4. Victorious power to conquer evil spiritual forces.
IV. Applications: Daily I need to go to the cross . . .
1. In repentance and confession, asking God to forgive all my sins.
2. Receiving from God a "clean slate" . . . cleansing (I John 1:9) . . . another change . . .
a fresh start.
3. Putting to death my old, sinful, carnal nature (Galatians 2:20) . . . allowing Christ to
live in me (Colossians 3:4).
4. Exercising spiritual power over Satanic, demonic forces. (See Romans 8:37;
I Corinthians 15:57; and I John 5:4).
PRAYER: Lord I confess and repent of my sins, asking You for forgiveness
and cleansing. Nail my sinful nature to the cross, empowering me,
through Christ's life, to live victoriously also.
Amen
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