The Reporter - 9/5/08

Jesus was in constant conflict with Jewish traditions. He is careful to explain what defiles a person and what does not defile. He shows that what a person eats is not nearly as important as what he thinks. The Pharisees were concerned because Jesus' disciples failed to wash their hands in a ceremonial way before eating and Jesus did nothing about it. They had violated Jewish tradition. Jesus pointed out that they were putting human tradition ahead of the commandments of God. The doctrines of men took their hearts far from God and made their worship void. The doctrines of men also make worship vain today!

A Syrophenician woman had a young daughter that was possessed by an unclean spirit. She heard Jesus and came and fell at His feet asking for help. The fact that the woman believed that everyone needed Jesus and could benefit from His help prompted the Lord to heal her child. Jesus also healed a man that was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. He was healed completely, both in hearing and in speaking.

Human traditions and the commandments of men – Mark 7:1-13: The Scribes and the Pharisees were constant foes of Jesus. Pharisees were a strict religious sect of the Jews. The Scribes copied and taught the Law of Moses.

These people constantly watched for something to accuse Jesus of. Their present complaint was that Jesus' disciples did not honor the custom of the ceremonial washing of hands before eating. This was not just ordinary hand washing for sanitary purposes. This was a tradition or custom handed down to them by their fore-fathers. There were many oral, man-made laws handed down to them that the Pharisees felt that they should observe. These included the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels and of tables in some ceremonial way.

The Pharisees and Scribes' criticism was based on the fact that the disciples of Jesus disregarded traditions handed down by the fore-fathers. They were more concerned about tradition than truth. Jesus applied Isaiah's prophecy to these people. "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men" (Isaiah 29:13) Jesus called them hypocrites! Worship based on the commandments of men is vain. They also found ways to nullify God's commandments by their traditions. Jesus illustrated this by showing that instead of taking care of their age able parents they would say it is Corban, that is, is a gift offered to God. They then felt secure in disobeying divine Law because of human tradition.

What really defiles a person – Mark 7:14-23: The desire of Jesus was that the people would listen to and understand His teaching. The thing that defiles a person is not some dirt on their hands or failing to follow some ceremonial washing. It is what comes out of a man that defiles him or makes him unclean. Jesus wanted each person to hear the truth, learn that message and conform their life thereto.

In the house, Jesus' disciples asked for an explanation of the parable. He asked them if they did not understand that what entered a man from the outside can not make him unclean. The things that enter a man from the outside do not reach his heart. They are eliminated from the body along with other waste matter. By these words Jesus pronounced all foods clean thus showing that the ceremonial distinctions concerning food in the Levitical Law would end. (Leviticus 11) The things that defile a man are the things that come from his heart: things like evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride and foolishness. These defile because they come from a corrupt heart and produce an evil life.

The Syrophenician woman’s faith – Mark 7:24-30: Jesus left the vicinity of the Sea of Galilee and journeyed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. He went into a house but it was impossible to be hidden from public notice. A Gentile woman, a Syrophenician lady came and fell at the feet of Jesus and begged Him repeatedly to heal her young, demon possessed daughter. Jesus responded to this woman in what sounds like a harsh response. He said, "Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs."

The woman did not resent what the Lord said. Her reply was "Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat the little children's scraps of food." She would be more than willing to accept the healing of her daughter as crumbs and leave the bulk of the Lord's teaching and work for the Jews. What the woman said pleased the Lord and He assured her that her daughter had been healed permanently. Matthew said the girl had been "grievously vexed" by the demon. (Matthew 15:22) When the mother returned home she found the girl just as the Lord had said. The demon was gone out and the girl was lying on a bed or couch.

Jesus Healed a Deaf Man – Mark 7:31-37: Soon after the events with the Syrophenician woman Jesus went to the ten city region of Decapolis on the east side of the Jordan. There a deaf man was brought to Him. The man also had difficulty speaking. Often those that have never heard speech have problems trying to speak clearly. They desired that Jesus would put His hands on this man and heal him. In a most unusual moment Jesus took the man aside from the crowd. He put His fingers into the man's ears and spat and touched his tongue. He looked up to heaven and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “be opened!” Jesus could have healed the man in any way He saw fit but in this case He did chose to touch him.

When Jesus said “Ephphatha,” which means, “be opened,” the result was immediate. Jesus looked up to God in heaven because they always work as partners. The Bible says, "His ears were opened, his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak distinctly and as he should." (Mark 7:35) Jesus commanded them to tell no man because He did not want them thinking that He was doing miracles just to become famous. His desire was to convince people that He is the Son of God. But the more He commanded them not to tell anyone, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astonished at Jesus. They said, "He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak." The proof that Jesus did all things well was in the fact that here is this man that they all were aquatinted with and now he can both hear and speak clearly.

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God? If so it is time to become a Christian now! To become a Christian you must hear the gospel (John 6:44-45), believe in Jesus (Hebrews 11:6), repent of sins (Acts 2:38), confess Christ as Lord (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized to be saved. (Acts 22:16) After baptism follow Jesus in faithfulness as He leads you home to heaven. (Matthew 10:22)

1. Prayer List: In Need Of Prayers: Jerry Barr, Ellis Bender, Terry Bennett (brother of Sandra Roberson), Shirley Boutwell, Dannie Box, Ida “Jean” Brazell, Dorothy Buck, Shirley Curry, Bobby Fullington, Jean Gafford, Judy Green, Roy Goodwin, Billy Heartsill, Adrian Hillburn, Jeff Hughes, Mary Lawrence, Elizabeth Marshall, Shirley McMillian (mother of Angie Hobbie), Renny McNaughton (brother of Patricia Gafford), Reba Miller (mother of Pam Till), Elizabeth Perdue (after hospital stay), June & Bill Perry (sister & brother-in-law of Sandra Roberson), Mary Powell, Gilbert Pugh (father of Janice Cole), Zachary Reynolds, Don Shirley, Sarah Stidham, Rebecca Stinson, Leroy Tindal, Ted Tindal, Richard Watts, Mary Williams, and Kim Willett. Crowne Health Care: Mary Alexander, James Alford, Gene Buck, Gladys Childs, Kathy Johnson, Wallace Murry, and Myrtle Perdue. Pine Needle: Mary Lou Phelps. Georgiana Nursing Facility: Helen Autrey, and Doris Pierce. Shut-Ins: Emma Lee Gafford, Jean Hayes, and Doris Taylor.

2. Baptized Into Christ: Laura Armstrong was baptized by Bobby Terrell. Please pray for Laura as she grows and serves in the Lord.

3. Please Pray For: Pray for Ben Newton, Jason Godwin and Dennis Phillips Jr. as they serve in Iraq. Paul Findley is now home after his 6^th tour in Iraq. Please thank God!

4. Pray For Permission To Build: Pray that we can obtain permission to build a building in Annai, Guyana, South America. A congregation is needed there. You have to be granted land to build on. You cannot just purchase it.

5. New Bible Class: Jeff Thomas is teaching a Bible class on Sunday morning on “Overcoming Addiction Through Christ.” See Jeff or Charles Box for information.

6. Ladies Bible Class: The Wednesday morning Ladies Bible Class will resume on September 17^th at 10:00 a.m. All ladies are invited to come and participate.

7. Birthday: Celebrating birthdays this week are: September 16^th Jennifer Grace Arnold and Brittany Till, September 17^th Jean Gafford, September 18^th Jacob Till, September 19^th Jane Owen, and September 20^th Mildred McCann and Sylvia Taylor.

8. Secret Pal Program: For all ladies that wish to participate in the “Secret Pals” Program for 2008-2009, the forms are on the table in the foyer. Please return them to Nell Daughtry by October 1^st. The ladies will meet October 5^th at the home of Nell Daughtry at 2 p.m. to reveal last year’s Secret Pals.

9. Darrell & Jamie Powell Moved: Darrell and Jamie have made their move to Lineville. They will surely be missed by the Walnut Street Church of Christ. Their new address is 727 State Lake Road, Lineville, Alabama 36266. They have the same cell numbers but do not have a home phone right now. Pray for them often. Remember to pray that their baby will be well and healthy also.

10. Bill & Ann Walz Moving: Please pray for Bill and Ann and their boys as they move back to Michigan. They will be leaving on Monday.

11. Thank You: The family of Dr. Rex A. Turner is grateful to God for his life, for your friendship, and for your kindness and prayers. Your expression of sympathy is gratefully received. The lovely basket of flowers was a special tribute to Rex and a comfort to our family. Thank you, Barbara Turner

12. Put These Dates On Your Calendar: (a) September 20^th – Ladies Day – College Street Church of Christ – Speaker Bobbie Jean Pugh – Theme “Women, We Ought to Let Go and Let God Have his Way” – Time 8:15 – until after lunch. (b) September 20^th – Youth Rally – Sylacauga Church of Christ – Theme the Gospel Is for All: Overcoming Prejudice & Hypocrisy – Speakers Mike Whisenant and James Jones – Time 10–2. (c) September 21^st– Friends & Family Day – Dalraida Church of Christ – Speakers Doug Smith, Brian Wakefield & Michael Cortez – Time 9 Bible Study, 10 Worship and 1 Worship (d) September 29^th-October 1^st – Spiritual Enrichment Forum – Hosted by Amridge University

In Ephesians four we observe God's perception for Christian unity. (Ephesians 4:1-16) God has reconciled both Jew and Gentile to God in "one body" or in "one church." (Ephesians 2:14-16) Our task is to maintain the unity of the spirit. (Ephesians 4:3)

Attitudes needed for Christian unity: Unity is produced by lowliness or by having a humble opinion of yourself. Gentleness, mildness or meekness also produces unity. Jesus was "meek and lowly in heart." Longsuffering makes it possible for us to endure each other's imperfections. This allows time for Christian growth. Forbearing one another or bearing with each other in love is another necessary attitude for unity. The final attitude is that we must endeavor to have unity. Unity does not come naturally or easy, nor is maintaining unity possible unless we endeavor to do so.

Attributes necessary for Christian unity: Ephesians 4:4-6 list seven attributes that serve as the basis for Christian unity. There is "One Body." This refers to the body of Christ or the church of Christ. (Ephesians 1:22-23) The church of Christ is the body of saved believers over which Christ is head. There is "One Spirit" or one Holy Spirit of promise. (Ephesians 1:13) Christians must endeavor to maintain the "unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." There is "one hope of your calling." This is the hope of "salvation" and "eternal life." There is "one Lord." Jesus is "both Lord and Christ." There is "one faith." There is one system of faith or body of truth, "the faith", which Jude says was "once for all delivered to the saints." There is "one baptism." This is the baptism in which a penitent believer is immersed in water for the remission of sins. There is "one God." Jehovah "is above all, and through all, and in you all."

Each of these “seven ones” is essential if we are to possess "the unity of the Spirit." Christians must keep this unity "in the bond of peace." Christians are believers that have been baptized into Christ. (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38) Are you a Christian and if so are you doing your part to maintain Christian unity?

Gospel Meeting

October 5^th – 9^th

Walnut Street Church of Christ

Ron Bryant

Sunday – 6:00 p.m.

Weeknights – 7:00 p.m.