How Do We Minister?

Have you ever had a strong religious argument with someone? Jesus had people who wanted to argue religion with him. In this week’s sermon, we will see what he said to those people, and how we can use his example to lead others to knowing Christ better.


Scripture: Mark 7:1-8; 20-23
The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were “unclean,” that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.)

So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with ‘unclean’ hands?”

He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”

He went on: “What comes out of a man is what makes him ‘unclean.’ For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man ‘unclean.’”


Renewing Reflections
We hope Renewing Reflections will strengthen you in the week ahead. These quotes are taken from the sermon “Progressive Revelation“ delivered on Christian Crusaders June 10, 2001.

Right now we listen carefully as He speaks to us in His Word. We ponder some of these mysteries. We discuss with fellow believers what is meant by some of these truths that go far beyond human understanding. We may even argue about them to the point that we establish different denominations. One day, when we get to heaven, we will find out who was right . . . Will that not be a glorious day?


Sermons on YouTube Now Available
Christian Crusaders sermons are now available as podcasts. Log onto the website and scroll to the bottom of the homepage, where you'll find a “Podcast Feed” icon. Podcasts can also be accessed by logging onto www.itunes.com and searching for “Christian Crusaders.” Podcast files can be downloaded directly to your iPod, where you can listen to them at your convenience and wherever you may be – while walking, sitting in your backyard, or running errands.


On the Light Side
A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning.

The wife said, “You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don’t have to wait as long to get our coffee.”

The husband said, “You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee.”

Wife replies, “No, you should do it. And besides, it says in the Bible that the man should make the coffee.”

“Where does it say that?” demanded the husband.

“You know,” she replied, “He-brews!”

The sermon "How Do We Minister?" will air on Sunday, August 30, 2009. Visit www.ChristianCrusaders.org for radio stations and times, or to listen online anytime.