A Pure Heart
A. PURITY IS IMPORTANT IN PREPARING TO MEET JESUS.
1. Matt. 5:8. The beatitude – The pure in heart shall see God.
2. Involves fellowship – not just eye-balling.
B. DEVOTION TO GOD MUST BE PURE (2 Cor. 11:2-3). As God directs (vs. 4).
C. PURITY OF LIFE IS ESSENTIAL (1 Tim. 5:22; 2 Cor. 7:1).
D. AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT THAT NEEDS STUDY.
A. 1 John 3:3 – PURE - hagnos, a. pure from carnality, chaste, modest; b. pure from every
fault, immaculate: (Thayer).
B. Matt. 5:8 – PURE –katharos, 1. to make clean, to cleanse; … b. in a moral sense; to free
from the defilement of sin and from faults; to purify from wickedness: 2 Cor 7:1; to free
from the guilt of sin, to purify: 1 John 1:7 (Thayer).
A. DEEDS REFLECT OUR HEART’S CONDITION (Prov. 23:7; Matt. 12:35).
1. We are to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind (Luke 10:27).
2. Our love should be genuine (Rom. 12:9).
B. WE ARE CALLED TO A CHANGED MIND (Rom. 12:2)
C. AND A NEW PERSPECTIVE (Col. 3:1-2).
D. IMPURITY COMES FROM AN EVIL HEART (Gen. 6:5; Heb. 3:12; Matt. 12:34-35).
A. CLEAN THINKING.
1. Man forgets God when he exalts himself (Rom. 1:22-24, 28-32; Eph. 4:17-19).
2. Leads to degrading bestial behavior (2 Pet. 2:12; Jude 10).
3. Sheep scattered and distressed – without a shepherd (Matt. 9:36).
4. We don’t have to grope in the darkness (John 8:12; 6:63).
5. What we feed on effects us (Phil. 4:8; Psa. 1:1-3).
B. SINCERE MOTIVES.
1. The problems of the Pharisees.
a. They sought the favor of men (Matt. 6:1 ff.; Gal. 1:10).
b. There treasures were laid up on the earth (Matt. 6:19-24, 33; 2 Cor. 4:16-18).
2. Others (Jas. 4:3; 3 John 9 - 2 Pet. 2:18-19; 1 Tim. 4:6).
3. God desires a true heart (Heb. 10:22; Josh. 24:14; 2 Cor. 1:12)
4. A true heart proves itself (Phil. 2:22; 1 Pet. 1:6-7).
C. SINGLE-MINDED COMMITMENT.
1. The teaching of Jesus (Matt. 6:24). Serving a master.
2. Paul’s attitude.
a. Gave up everything (Phil. 3:7-8).
b. Eye on the goal (Col. 3:1-2).
c. Crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20; Acts 20:24; 2 Cor. 4:7-12, 13-14).
d. A commitment borne of faith (2 Cor. 5:1, 7; 2 Tim. 1:12).
e. Total – all things – commitment (1 Cor. 9:23).
3. Where is your heart? Is it where Jesus can guard it?
A. PURITY OF LIFE IS DEPENDENT ON A PURE HEART.
B. OCCASIONALLY THE HEART MUST BE RENEWED.
C. RENEWAL OCCURS THROUGH BIBLE STUDY AND APPLICATION.
D. HAVE YOU DONE WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO?