Havelock Wesleyan Church
Cleanliness is Next to Godliness
November 20/16 Teaching Notes Series: Say What Part 2
Locations & Times
5507 NS-340, Weymouth, NS B0W 3T0, Canada
Sunday 11:00 AM
"Cleanliness is next to godliness."
Despite the strict rules given to the Israelites about uncleanness as a metaphor for sinfulness and ceremonial washing required by the priests (see: Exodus, Leviticus), this phrase is not in the Bible. It originated as an ancient Babylonian and Hebrew proverb, but became very popular during the Victorian era after being revived by Sir Francis Bacon and John Wesley. Is the proverb true beyond the metaphor? A new study shows that people are generally fairer and more generous when in a clean-smelling environment. But Jesus also exhorts us to worry more about the sin in our hearts than the dirt on our hands.
Despite the strict rules given to the Israelites about uncleanness as a metaphor for sinfulness and ceremonial washing required by the priests (see: Exodus, Leviticus), this phrase is not in the Bible. It originated as an ancient Babylonian and Hebrew proverb, but became very popular during the Victorian era after being revived by Sir Francis Bacon and John Wesley. Is the proverb true beyond the metaphor? A new study shows that people are generally fairer and more generous when in a clean-smelling environment. But Jesus also exhorts us to worry more about the sin in our hearts than the dirt on our hands.
"Sour godliness is the devil's religion" - John Wesley
The Jews had moved to a dangerous position where their actions were more important than their heart. Here is what they were doing...
1. They had a title and were proud of it.
2. They had the Law and its interpretations and were proud that their entire society was based upon those interpretations.
3. They boasted in their godliness.
4. They bragged in their knowledge of God’s divine will for their nation.
5. They had confidence in the superiority of the their law.
6. Just hearing and doing is not enough, it must come from our heart.
Questions???
1. Are we good guides to the blind?
1. Are we good guides to the blind?
2. Are we good teachers by our words and our actions?