Sermon Central
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The Heart
Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Nov 18, 2001 (message contributor)
Summary: Some reflections on the heart - taken over at least a year
The HEART:
I would like this morning to consider the heart. It is something that God has been working on over the last year or so.
Let us start by looking at some of the Scriptures relating to the herat.
Matt. 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart
For they will see God.
Prov. 27:19
As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.
My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep my ways.
Waht is the definition of the heart.
1.That organ that DISTINGUISHES the LIVING from the DEAD.
2. The central part of a man.
There are three types of heart
I. A Degenerate Heart
II. A Divided Heart and
III. A Delivered Heart (or Divinely Orientated Heart).
I. A Degenerate Heart.
Let us start by considering what the Svcripture has to say.
Jer. 17.9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Mark: 7: 20-21
What comes out of a man is what makes him unclean. For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice,deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.
Jer. 24:7
I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people and I will be their God for they will return to me with all their heart.
Jer. 31:33
"I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they shall be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbour or man his brother saying: Know the Lord, because they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest" declares the Lord.
Ez. 36: 25-26
I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you - A NEW HEART and put a NEW SPIRIT (the Holy Spirit I believe) within you. I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
John 7: 37
Jesus stood up and said in a loud voice: If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, steams of living waters will flow from within him."
2 Cor. 5:17
Therefore if any man is in Christ he is a new creature, the old has passed away, the new has come.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
A regenerate herat is not a godly heart. Yet sadly we find it in many of our congregations. The whete and the tares.
II. A Divided Heart
Again let’s look at what the Bible has to say:
It is no accident that the first commandment in Ex. 20 v. 3 is
You shall have no other gods before me.
Ez. 11.19: The Lord promises to give his people
"an undivided heart and a new spirit within them.
Jas. 4:7:
submit yourselves to God.
1 Sam. 15:22
"Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices (eg our excuses) as much as in OBEYING the WORD OF THE LORD.
To obey is better than sacrifice and to heed is better than the fat of rams
For rebellion is like the sin of DIVINATION and
arrogance like the evil of idolatry."
Matt. 6:24. A man cannot serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.
For the gate is small and the way narrow that leads to life.
A Divided heart is pulled by the ways of the wolrd and the guidance of God.
III. A Delivered Heart
Again let’s start with what the Scriptures have to say.
Luke 22:42; Jesus said, in the Garden of Gethsemane when contemplating the Cross
Nevertheless not My Will but Thine be done.
Matt. 6:21 "Where your treasure is, there is your heart also.
John 15: 4 Jesus speaks of abiding in Him.
Phil:4:7 And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your HEARTS and minds in CHRIST JESUS.
The Characteristics of a Delivered Heart are:
1. PRAYER
2. OBEDIENCE.
Jesus said, John 15:9-10
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Now remain in my love.
If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in His Love.
The rest of the Beatitudes flow from there.
a) Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.
b) Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.
