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Cleaning the Inside
(Luke 11:37–41; Matthew 23:25–28)
Introduction
Jesus warned that outward appearances can deceive. Our main text
from Luke 11:37–41 shows that true purity begins within. When we
fail to cleanse the heart, sin becomes deeply ingrained. God desires
clean hands and a pure heart more than outward formality or ritual.
Outward Cleanliness Without
Inner Purity
When Jesus dined with a Pharisee, He used the occasion to reveal a
spiritual truth. The Pharisees were known for their strict
observance of outward rituals, especially ceremonial washings. They
had developed elaborate traditions to ensure physical
cleanliness—pouring specific amounts of water from fingers to wrists
and back again. These rituals were never commanded by God. Instead,
they became traditions that replaced true obedience. Jesus condemned
this hypocrisy. He reminded them that God made both the outside and
the inside. Their focus on outward appearances masked the impurity
of their hearts.
Jesus quoted Isaiah to expose
their spiritual blindness: “This people honors Me with their lips,
but their heart is far from Me” (Mark 7:6). Their worship had become
empty because it lacked sincerity. The Lord declared that nothing
entering the body could defile a person, but the things proceeding
from the heart—evil thoughts, greed, envy, and pride—truly defile.
Outward religion cannot cleanse inward sin. Genuine holiness begins
with the transformation of the heart.
Cleansing Begins with
Conversion
The prophets long before Jesus called for inner renewal. Isaiah
pleaded, “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil
of your doings from before My eyes” (Isaiah 1:16). David cried,
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit
within me” (Psalm 51:10). True cleansing comes from God’s mercy and
grace.
In the Christian age, this
cleansing begins when a person is born again through obedience to
the gospel. Jesus told Nicodemus, “Unless one is born of water and
the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Paul
described this as “the washing of regeneration and renewing of the
Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). Peter wrote that believers have “purified
[their] souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit” (1 Peter
1:22).
When Saul of Tarsus obeyed the
gospel, Ananias told him, “Arise and be baptized, and wash away your
sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). At that moment,
his heart was cleansed, and his sins forgiven. The believer’s
conversion marks the beginning of a life made new—a clean vessel
ready for God’s use.
Cleansing Must Continue
Daily
Conversion is the beginning, not the end, of the cleansing process.
The heart must remain pure through continual submission to God.
James exhorts, “Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your
hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8). This requires resisting
temptation and drawing near to God daily.
Paul told Timothy, “The goal of
our command is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and
from sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5). God’s grace trains us to “deny
ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and
godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11–12). The faithful Christian
continually puts off the old self of sin and puts on the new man
created in righteousness. This life of ongoing renewal produces the
fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).
Conclusion
Jesus’ message is timeless. The Father desires hearts that match
outward actions. Hypocrisy damages souls and turns others away from
Christ. Psalm 24:3–4 asks, “Who may ascend into the hill of the
Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and
a pure heart.” God seeks inward holiness expressed through outward
obedience. The Christian’s goal is to live each day with sincerity,
purity, and faith, continually cleansing the heart so that the light
of Christ shines clearly to the world.
Cleaning the Inside Sermon
Outline:
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I. Outward Cleanliness
Without Inner Purity
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Pharisees practiced
ceremonial washings not commanded by God (Mark 7:1–8).
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Jesus condemned outward
religion without inner holiness (Luke 11:39–40).
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True defilement
proceeds from the heart (Mark 7:20–23).
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II. Cleansing Begins
with Conversion
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Isaiah and David called
for inward cleansing (Isaiah 1:16; Psalm 51:10).
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The new birth occurs
through water and the Spirit (John 3:5).
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Cleansing and
forgiveness take place at baptism (Acts 22:16).
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God renews the believer
through His Word and Spirit (Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:22).
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III. Cleansing Must
Continue Daily
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Ongoing purity requires
continual submission to God (James 4:8).
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A pure heart produces
sincere love and good conscience (1 Timothy 1:5).
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God’s grace trains
believers to live righteously (Titus 2:11–12).
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The Spirit’s fruit
marks the life of a cleansed heart (Galatians 5:22–23).
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IV. Conclusion
Call to Action
Examine your heart daily. Do your thoughts and actions reflect a
cleansed soul? Submit yourself to God’s Word and Spirit, and let Him
renew you continually. The world sees our outward lives, but God
looks within. Keep your heart pure so that your outward life honors
Christ.
Key Takeaways
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True holiness begins within
the heart (Luke 11:39–40).
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Conversion through baptism
marks the beginning of spiritual cleansing (Acts 22:16).
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Ongoing purity requires
continual obedience and self-examination (James 4:8).
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God values sincerity and
purity more than outward display (Psalm 24:3–4).
Scripture Reference List
Luke 11:37–41 – Jesus rebukes Pharisees for outward purity without
inner cleansing.
Matthew 23:25–28 – Condemnation of hypocrisy and external show.
Mark 7:1–23 – Teachings on traditions and true defilement.
Isaiah 1:16–17 – Call to inner cleansing and righteous action.
Psalm 51:1–10 – David’s prayer for a clean heart.
John 3:3–5 – The necessity of the new birth.
Acts 22:16 – Baptism as the moment of cleansing.
Titus 3:5 – Washing of regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
1 Peter 1:22–23 – Purification through obedience to the truth.
James 4:7–8 – Ongoing cleansing of heart and hands.
1 Timothy 1:5 – Love from a pure heart and good conscience.
Titus 2:11–12 – Living godly through grace.
Galatians 5:22–23 – Fruit of the Spirit as evidence of a pure heart.
Psalm 24:3–4 – Clean hands and a pure heart before God.
Prepared
by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO
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The
church of Christ
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