Jesus said "blessed are the pure in heart." What does it mean? Is it possible to have a pure heart? Today's message deals with such questions.
Matthew 5:1-8
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
He said: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,for they will see God.
Dynamics of Beatitudes
Spiritual Poverty --> Mourning over sins --> Attitude of Meekness --> Hunger for Righteousness --> Mercy, Purity, Peace-making
Pursuit of Righteousness in
1. Mercy
2. Purity
3. Peace-making
Purity in Heart? Is it possible?
“Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (I Samuel 16:7)
The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart!
What is purity of heart?
There are two meanings:
1. A clean heart- a hear that is cleansed from dirt, filth, or contamination
2. An undivided heart – being unmixed or having no double allegiance.
Psalm 27:3-4
Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart,who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully
“Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing.” - Søren Kierkegaard
Purity of heart is an undivided heart that will one thing!
James 4:8
Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
Philippians 3:13-14
But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 86:11 Teach me your way, Lord, give me an undivided heart,that I may fear your name. (Psalms 86:11).
Seeing God?
Entering into God's Presence
Experiencing God's Presence
2 Corinthians 4:6
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ
“Seeing God is the great goal of being pure.” John Piper