Matthew 15:19-20..Working

Matthew 15:19-20..Working

15:19  For out of the heart (True character, nature. Sinful inclinations, desires, illicit feelings-(New) come evil thoughts (calculating,-(New) murder (Almost always preceded by bitterness, anger, hatred, and animosity.-(New) adultery sexual immorality theft, false testimony, slander 20 These are what make a man ‘unclean’ but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.” (For additional Expository Notes See Book)

Extended Sermon Notes

“Teaches since sin begins in the heart, it’s the heart that needs to be renewed the most and changed.” ⇒ Before your actions can change your heart has to be changed first. Acknowledging that such evils can emanate from our hearts is the first step toward transformation. It requires honesty and courage to face the parts of ourselves that we often prefer to ignore or justify. The journey to self-awareness and spiritual growth demands that we recognize our propensity for thoughts and actions that can harm ourselves and others. You have to move from focusing of the “Horizontal” in what others are doing, to focusing on the “Vertical”. When your heart is right with God then right behavior’s will follow.

“Teaches how human effort and behavioral changes are not enough, we need heart transformation.” ⇒ True change requires addressing the root issues within oneself, not just modifying surface behaviors. Simply avoiding outward acts of sin isn’t enough to be truly righteous; one must actively work to change their internal attitudes and desires.  The struggle against sin is a battle that begins in the heart. This is why merely addressing the external symptoms of sin, such as changing our environment or avoiding certain triggers, is insufficient. The real transformation must take place within us. Acknowledging that our hearts are the source of our sinful actions is the first step towards genuine change.

“Teaches it’s not external influences, forces, or pressures that causes us to sin. But our own sinful desires within us.” ⇒ The reason we sin is not because of something in the past that happened to us.  It’s not because we accidentally slipped into it. It’s not because we had no choice but to sin. It’s not because we weren’t smart enough to understand what we were doing. It is not because we just can’t help ourselves. It’s not because we were caught off guard. It’s not because we were tired and exhausted. It’s not because we were frustrated. It’s not because we lost our tempers. It’s not because they kept pushing our buttons.  We sin because of our sinful hearts and desires that are in us. (James 1:14)

“Even today, we often blame sin on something else. We blame it on our parents, environment, poor upbringing, genetics, the devil and anything else. When the source of sin is within us.” ⇒ It’s easy to blame other people who are at fault. It’s society that’s to blame. It’s our finances. It’s our job. It’s social media that’s the enemy. It’s TikTok or Instagram to blame. It’s poor genetics that’s to blame. Or we use sin as a coping mechanism in dealing with whatever is going on in our lives, and we needed an outlet. We all do it, we try to excuse and rationalize our sin away,. It’s not because were bad, it’s because bad things happen to us. Though these things may play a part, but they are not instrumental or the primary reason we sin. Sure, there may be influences in your life or in your past that have helped lead you to sin. Perhaps sin was more readily accessible, as you observed it daily. But, that doesn’t give you an excuse. You sin because you have an evil heart, We may be influenced or enticed by them, but in the end it’s ourselves that’s at fault! It’s our own heart that loves it! It’s the poison at the center of one’s own heart which is the problem. We can no longer stand on the argument; “That’s not what was in my heart” because it was!

“Jesus’ list here is not meant to be exhaustive; there are far more sins than just these. But are character traits raging in the heart.” ⇒  Nor is Jesus denying the capacity for us to show love and kindness. When Jesus mentions evil thoughts, plans, and various sinful actions, He is not just providing a list of wrongdoings; He is highlighting that these actions originate from within us. Our hearts, when left unchecked and unrefined by the Spirit of God, can become a source of great darkness. This is a humbling reminder that the transformation required to live a life of virtue and righteousness must begin from within.

    Additional Notes & Applications

Teaches no matter our good intentions or how hard we try, even at our very best we will always fall short.

Teaches everything wrong with the world and ourselves comes from within us.

Teaches how it’s the sinful thoughts we entertain in our hearts that drive our actions, our responses, and our behaviors.

Warns against thinking we can avoid sin by setting up boundaries without dealing with the heart first.

Teaches how bad behavior is the result of a corrupt heart, and not the other way around!

Dipalys how there’s many professing Christians who are comfortable in spreading manure with their mouths, than singing God’ praises. Then you have many others who are at home in receiving manure from other peoples mouths (gossip, slander) than they are at receiving the Word of God straight from scripture.

Emphasizes the importance of the condition of our heart. It’s our heart that really needs to be changed. We can’t use the law or religious rules or disciplines to change our heart. With a lot of discipline we might be able to change some of our deeds, but the law or any form of rule cannot deal with the issue of the heart!

Jesus’ list here is not meant to be exhaustive; there are far more sins than just these. Jesus lists only the major evil character traits raging in each heart. Nor is Jesus denying the capacity for us to show love and kindness. But what He is denying is that the solution is within ourselves. When Jesus mentions evil thoughts, plans, and various sinful actions, He is not just providing a list of wrongdoings; He is highlighting that these actions originate from within us. Our hearts, when left unchecked and unrefined by the spirit of God, can become a source of great darkness. This is a humbling reminder that the transformation required to live a life of virtue and righteousness must begin from within.

We should not use the list of sins given here to excuse or condemn oneself, but rather is only showing that if you can do one you can to them all, that sin springs from the same place.

The reason why Jesus didn’t follow this up with an answer to this problem with the heart, or a one, two, three solution. Is because there’s nothing you or I can do in our own strength to solve it. It has to come from Him and the Holy Spirit/

The bible Lexicon defines “Sexual immorality” as unchastity fornication of every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse. Which means it is not true to say that Jesus never said anything about homosexuality. He purposely used a word that everyone would have understood to have included all of the sexual sins forbidden in the Torah, including homosexuality. The Lexicon also defines “Sexual immorality” as a persuasive sensuality as indecency, sexual excess, lewdness, depravity, impropriety, etc. Much of which we find in the Western culture of today. With all i’s sexual innuendo as displayed in advertisements, R-rated movies, commercials, video-games, websites, etc. What’s also interesting is that the Greek word translated “fornication” here and which is translated as “sexual immorality” or simply “immorality” in other passages, is “porneia”, which is where we get our word “pornography” from.

HOW TO CHANGE AND TRANSFORM THE HEART.

• Grow in a close relationship with God.

• Immerse yourself in God’s Word

• Walk in faith, repentance, and confession

• Make no provision for the flesh and it’s lusts

• Contend and die daily to sin & temptation

• Fix your eyes & hearts on Christ and what He desires

• Stay constant in prayer

• Remind yourself how you were called to be holy

• Turn away from the love of self and what the flesh desires

• Hold ourselves accountable and not shift the blame

• Walk in the power & promptings of the Holy Spirit

• Seek others who will hold you accountable