Sermon Central
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A Heart That Is Completely God's!
Contributed by Joey Reyes on Aug 26, 2006 (message contributor)
Summary: “My son, give me thine heart…” (Proverbs 23:26a) God wants our hearts! He wants FULL CONTROL OF OUR HEARTS. God requires WHOLE-HEARTED OBEDIENCE.
A Heart That Is Completely God’s!
Introduction:
A “perfect” heart means a heart that is entirely dedicated to God. A heart that desired, above all else, to serve and please God.
God can give you a perfect heart. If you have believed in Jesus Christ, this is already happening in you. Paul wrote that God works within us “both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
“My son, give me thine heart…” (Proverbs 23:26a) God wants our hearts! He wants FULL CONTROL OF OUR HEARTS. God requires WHOLE-HEARTED OBEDIENCE.
I. The NECESSITY To Maintain A HEART FOR GOD.
“The Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers: let Him not leave us, nor forsake us: that He may INCLINE OUR HEARTS UNTO HIM, TO WALK IN ALL HIS WAYS, AND TO KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, AND HIS JUDGMENTS, which He commanded for our fathers. Let your HEART therefore be PERFECT with the Lord our God, to walk in His statutes, and to keep His commandments, as at this day.” (1 Kings 8:57,58,61)
(Illustration) 2 Kings 20:1-6
In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, “Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.”
Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, “I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have WALKED BEFORE THEE in truth and WITH A PERFECT HEART, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.
“Now SET YOUR HEART and your soul to SEEK THE LORD your God…”(1 Chronicles 22:19)
“SERVE HIM with a PERFECT HEART and with a WILLING MIND: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off for ever.” (1 Chronicles 28:9)
Our prayer should be like this, “Give unto us, O Lord, a PERFECT HEART, to keep Thy commandments, Thy testimonies, and Thy statutes.” (1 Chronicles 29:19)
A. WE NEED TO SET OUR HEARTS ON GOD.
Be warned: “And he did evil, because he PREPARED NOT HIS HEART TO SEEK THE LORD.” (2 Chronicles 12:14)
“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed.” (Psalm 57:7)
“Wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you; TAKE HEED and DO IT: Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a PERFECT HEART.” (2 Chronicles 19:7a;9b)
B. There are some things we need to do TO SET OUR HEARTS FOR GOD: (Psalm 101:2-4)
§ “I WILL BEHAVE myself wisely in a PERFECT WAY. O when wilt Thou come unto me?
§ I WILL WALK within my house with a PERFECT HEART.
§ I WILL SET no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
§ A froward heart shall depart from me: I WILL NOT KNOW a wicked person.”
“O God, MY HEART IS FIXED: I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
§ I myself will awake early. (definite quiet time with God; meditation)
§ I will praise Thee, O Lord, among the people: (declaration) and,
§ I will sing praises unto Thee among the nations.” (deportation)
This was David’s song of victory in God’s strength. With God’s help, we can do more than we think. God guards the minds and actions of those who follow His commands out of a perfect heart. “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:HIS HEART IS FIXED, trusting in the Lord. HIS HEART IS ESTABLISHED, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.” (Psalm 112:7,8)
II. WE NEED TO ASK FOR HEART THAT IS COMPLETELY GOD’s.
“AND I WILL GIVE THEM AN HEART to know me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto Me with their WHOLE HEART.” (Jeremiah 24:7)
