Mark: Religious Purity || Rev. Michael Hands

Every human being carries the weight of guilt and shame—but how we deal with it matters deeply. In this message, Rev. Michael explored the Pharisees’ obsession with outward cleanliness in Mark 7, revealing how religious rituals can easily become a mask for internal brokenness. Jesus confronts this head-on: it’s not what goes into a person that defiles them, but what comes out from the heart. Guilt tells us we’ve done something wrong. Shame tells us we are what's wrong. One acts as a dashboard for our hearts—a signal we need grace. The other is a danger to our soul, leading us to hide, pretend, or perform. But Jesus isn’t interested in cosmetic renovations. He wants to do a deep, renewing work—starting from the inside out. His grace doesn’t just cleanse our record—it heals our hearts. Whether you’ve been weighed down by guilt or quietly battling shame, this passage reminds us that Jesus sees it all, and He invites us to bring it into the light—not to condemn us, but to transform us. 🎧 Revisit this powerful message at church.nu/messages 💛 Support the mission of Newlife at church.nu/giving