Should Christians Eat Pork And Shrimp?

Thrive Podcast

https://youtu.be/7jF_gJ5g12c

Eat some pork and shrimp- Matthew 15:1-20

Defile- desecrate or profane (something sacred).

1. Traditions can defile
2. Mens traditions defile, not God’s commands
3. v3 He answered and said to them, “Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition?
4. these Jews had created a tradition, where people were supposed to wash their hands before they ate bread- Jesus disciples didn’t do this because it wasn’t a commandment from God- it was a commandment that was created by men
5. And this is one of the biggest problems that was going on within Judaism during the time- man made rules imposed on others as God made laws- Jesus crushed it
6. Mark 7:13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
7. And that’s what the man-made traditions were doing- they were making the word of God of none effect- they had lost the awe and wonder of God’s word and weren’t following it
8. Jesus, when confronted- immediately points to the tradition that they had-v 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”— 6 then he need not honor his father or mother.’
9. What this was- was that the Jews would look at their money- call it “corban” which loosely means ‘this belongs to God” so when it came to taking care of their parents, they stated that they didn’t have to because it all belonged to God- ‘wish I could help”
10. Jesus is calling out two of their traditions- hand washing and calling money corban and saying these traditions defile you because you think they are of God but they are not.
11. Let me say this- there are Good traditions and bad traditions.
12. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.
13. 1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.
14. Paul encouraged the early church to hold to the traditions they had- I’m not exactly sure what traditions he is specifically speaking to, but its clear that there are some traditions that are to kept.
15. 2 Thes 3:6 says that we should- withdraw from every brother who does not walk not according to the tradition
16. Some traditions are good! But some are also bad- Also tho- Colossians 2:8 READ
17. Some traditions are bad tho- Col 2:20-23 READ
18. Its like this-Meeting on Sundays is our tradition- but its not a commandment- order of worship, types of fasts, revivals, retreats, etc. All good- but not commandments from God-
19. Turning them into a commandment from God is when you start to defile the word of God.
20. Titus 1:14 not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn from the truth.
21. Its like this- I like to dress like this- I feel like it would be disrespectful to God to come into his house to preach and wear sweats, a baseball hat, tshirt etc. Its not a requirement, there’s nothing in scripture that describes what we are to wear to church- but its my tradition I haven’t made it a law.
22. When Christianity goes south is when we start making man made laws and passing them off as God’s commandments- that’s called legalism- putting on a law on someone and saying God demands it- (standing drinking rootbeer- told not to- not law-just don’t make sense)
23. Our tradition is to stand in worship- not a requirement- but I can’t not.
24. Here’s the underlying problem with man made traditions that are called a law of God-
25. It’s hypocrisy-

1. Hyprocrisy Defiles
2. External piety doesn’t please God ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.
3. And that’s what Jesus was calling out in the heart of these dudes- you are acting religious with your hand washing and money holding (it all belongs to God)
4. But you guys are a bunch of hypocrites-
5. It would be like this– holding to traditions that we have here- standing, worshipping, hand raising, amening etc. and then not really being in Love with Jesus- just putting on a Christian show for the benefit of those around you (being on track team- no practice- just meets- no good)
6. Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
7. I’m not sure if you know this- But God doesn’t like hypocrisy-
8. Few points of hypocrisy to focus on- (not exhaustive)
9. One- looking at others problems before your own Matt 7:5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
10. This means- focus more on whats wrong with you and not with others
11. Two- Claiming Christ and not controlling your mouth Ja 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
12. If you’re a Christian- watch what you say- no gossip, slander, idle words, etc
13. Three- Doing charity so others can see you doing it Matthew 6:1 “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.
14. Going on mission for photo ops, only picking up trash when someone is watching, serving at church with a heart condition of wanting others to see it.
15. Four- Slamming others for doing what you do Romans 2:3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?
16. Watching porn and chastising those who do it, greedy mad at greedy, anger with angry
17. What does it mean to you
18. Much more areas of hypocrisy- but you can start with those four – they’ll keep ya busy
19. Typically the only person that knows the depths of your hypocrisy is you and God
20. You can fool other people- I’ve been fooled many times by hypocrites who said one thing to my face and did another. But they did not fool God-
21. Luke 12:2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.
22. Yikes- that means that whatever you’re hiding in your hypocrisy will be revealed ugh.
23. That’s for you and me- I can’t walk in hypocrisy and neither can you- its not good
24. 2 tim 3: 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them,
25. Just because other people may be hypocrites- doesn’t mean you can be one- aint good
26. Neighbor with the TV in Texas- glowing light
27. 1 John 2:4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
28. We don’t keep the traditions as a means of maintaining our relationship with God. But if we say we know him and don’t keep his known commandments- we are hypocrites
29. Here’s an example-

1. 3 . Food doesn’t defile
   What these Jews were saying to Jesus- was that because his disciples weren’t washing their hands- they were defiling themselves- profaning God-
2. “how can you eat with dirty hands- you are now a sinner”
3. 11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” (He’s outlining their hypocrisy of handwashing not being law but making it one)
4. What Jesus is saying here is two things– 1. Eat what you want 2. Watch your actions
5. Jesus goes so far as to say this- 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?
6. Now the translation of this is- ‘goes in to the privy-latrine’
7. So- what I eat goes into the toilet- so what I eat can’t defile me-
8. This is transformative because Jewish law forbade eating many foods- pork, shrimp etc
9. But the Bible made clear that the dietary restrictions have been done away with
10. The distinction is in the first century- you had converted Jews who couldn’t bring themselves to eat what they had been told not to- their conviction was that they couldn’t. So Paul told people- don’t break that brothers conscience- some can eat anything- some can’t be nice about it. He also told the Jews not to put a law on gentiles
11. Here’s some scriptures to know about food.
12. 1 Timothy 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; Romans 14:20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense.Romans 14:14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 1 Cor 10:25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake;
13. Peter had this same problem Acts 11:7-9 And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed you must not call common.’
14. Why does this matter today?
15. Well- first off- there are religious sects out there that try to depork you into thinking that you aren’t walking with God if you love the bacon. That’s a lie- don’t listen to them.
16. I am going to tell you- I love pork, and all manner of shellfish and will eat them anytime
17. So when you come across a Black Hebrew Israelite, a Messianic Jew or some other sect who is trying to twist OT scriptures to convince you to not eat pork take the bacon out of your pocket and eat it right in front of them. Do not listen to them.
18. This is why we have a Easter ham.
19. 1 Timothy 4:3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

• The heart defiles
• Here’s the crux of it all- Keeping the wrong tradition defiles. not food.
• but do you know what does defile? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man
• Here’s the big issue with traditions/food keeping/hypocrisy etc. They don’t get at the heart.
• Its this idea of such overly religious avoidance of so many things as a form of godliness thinking that somehow that’s going to get you to heaven but it WONT- Only a regenerated heart can go to heaven
• Its called as·cet·i·cism- severe self-discipline and avoidance of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons.
• You know the type- so saved they are saved from being saved- ‘super saved’
• Watching a television program doesn’t defile you- but if what comes out of you after watching it isn’t godly it can- anger, lust, greed, (don’t lie to yourself)
• Col 2:16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,
• Colossians 2:20-23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
• That’s the issue that Jesus is trying to address- get your heart close to God- have what comes out of you be Godly- that’s where the rubber meets the road- not in external pious religious actions that have a form of godliness but deny its power.
• Let me list off a few things of flesh that defile-
• Galatians 5:19-21 READ
• IF you see those things coming out of your life- you need a heart change-
• Colossians 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
• Put them to death work on denying your flesh- the actions of your life are going to send you to Hell if you don’t get a hold of them-
• 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
• Galatians 5:16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
• 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body
• Ephesians 4:22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
• Titus 2:12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
• That’s what we should be doing- denying ungodliness and lust- not worrying about traditions and food-

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