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(Ep 7) The guys talk about their hobbies outside the box—Brock coins the phrase “GPS for life”—Jeremiah asks, “Why do we want to give directions?”—The guys consider the problems of judgmentalism and the ease of sliding into it—Brock reminds us all, “God’s not mad at you,” if you are in Christ, so fall on the mercy of Christ—They reflect on Jesus’ words about what really defiles us ----- Discussion: Brock and Jeremiah read about washing up from Matthew 15. While some individuals were concerned about ritual hand washing, they never saw that God gave such a ritual as a metaphor, as a way of pointing to regular heart washing, routine conscience examination. Jesus connects the dots for them by noting that hand washing doesn't bring about the spiritual goals they have in mind, closeness with God. Our hearts are far dirtier than our environments, and if we could see with our conscience they way we might see with our eyes, we'd realize that we have some sprucing up to do. The freedom that comes from such honesty and self-reflection is a divine gift, that is, if we are leaning on Jesus and not merely on what the rest of mob around us finds acceptable. This is a story about personal honesty and self-reflection! If you don't have a Bible to follow along, below is the passage that we are reading: ----- Matthew 15:1–20 (ESV) [1] Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, [2] “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” [3] He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? [4] For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ [5] But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” [6] he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. [7] You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: [8] “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; [9] in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” [10] And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: [11] it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” [12] Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” [13] He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. [14] Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” [15] But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” [16] And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? [17] Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? [18] But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. [19] For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. [20] These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” (ESV) ----- Credits: 1. Thanks to Brad Adams for creating, recording, and mastering all of the music for the Freedom Current podcast! The intro, the outro, etc. were done by Brad in his home studio. Thanks so much, Brad! 2. Thanks to Halteman Village Baptist Church in Muncie, Indiana for giving us office space for Jeremiah and Brock to film and record this podcast! http://www.hvbchurch.org/ 3. Thanks to Remedy City Church in Muncie, Indiana for teaching us the gospel every week and for providing the resources for us to bring the remedy of Jesus Christ to the needs of our city! http://remedycitychurch.org/ 4. And, thanks and all glory to God for answering our prayers as we've desired to start this podcast!