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  PHARISEES VALUE THEIR TRADITIONS MORE THAN GOD'S WORD
  by Zac Poonen
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Summary: The sermon warns against valuing traditions more than God's
Word, a sin exemplified by the Pharisees, and encourages listeners to
prioritize God's Word and love others.

Topics: "Love for Others", "Tradition vs. Scripture"
Scripture References: Mark 7:8

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DESCRIPTION
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Zac Poonen emphasizes that the Pharisees prioritized their traditions
over God's Word, as highlighted in Mark 7:9, where Jesus accuses them of
neglecting and invalidating God's commandments. He challenges the
congregation to reflect on their own lives, questioning whether their
traditions have taken precedence over their love for God and fellow
believers. Poonen warns that if one values traditions more than the
teachings of Christ, they risk becoming like the Pharisees, who were
criticized for their hypocrisy and lack of genuine love. The sermon
calls for a reevaluation of personal beliefs and practices to ensure
they align with God's Word rather than human traditions.

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CONTENT
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"Jesus said to the Pharisees, 'You are experts at setting aside the
commandment of God in order to keep your tradition'" (Mark 7:9).

All churches have traditions of some sort or the other. If those
traditions have become more important to you than God's Word, then you
are a Pharisee. Jesus told the Pharisees that by exalting their
traditions above God's Word, they had progressively (1) "neglected the
Word of God", (2) "set it aside" and finally (3) "invalidated it"
altogether (Mark 7:8-13).

We all need to ask ourselves whether any of us have been guilty of the
same sin. Are your traditions more important to you than loving God with
all your heart and loving your fellow-believers (in every denomination)
exactly as Jesus loved you? Do you reject a child of God just because he
does not keep your church-traditions? If so, you are a Pharisee.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/zac-poonen/pharisees-value-their-traditions-more-than-gods-word/
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