1 MATT. 23:37. 2 GOD’S HEART BROKEN BY OUR SINS Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent

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MATT. 23:37

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GOD’S HEART BROKENBY OUR SINS

Matthew 23:37

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

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Introduction:

1. Tears & grief of Matt. 23:37 reflect God’s broken heart

2. God: True, Living, Personal

3. Sin: Grieves the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit

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Introduction:

4. God watches over us: Prov. 15:3 Watchful care

Prov. 17:21, 25 As a parent

2 Pet. 2:7-8 Vexed by sin

2 Tim. 1:12 Trust ourselves to God

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Introduction:

5. God’s heart broken by our sins, tonight we will visit his thought on sin:

Hear God’s cry in Scripture

Heed God’s warning to avoid punishment

God’s heart & our hearts broken because of our sins

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I. The Cry of God’s Broken Heart

A. Early History of Man:Gen. 3:6 Adam & EveGen. 4:8-10 First murderGen. 6:5-6 Grief over corrupt world

5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was greatin the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

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I. The Cry of God’s Broken Heart A. Early History of Man:

Rom. 1:21-24 Ingratitude, idolatry, immorality

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

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I. The Cry of God’s Broken Heart B. History of Israel:

Ps. 78:36-40 Wilderness wanderings

36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. 37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. 40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!

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Isa. 63:7-10 Holy Spirit grieves

7 I will mention the loving kindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.

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Jer. 9:1-3 Weeping prophet

1 Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! 2 Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men. 3 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.

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B. History of Israel:

Jer. 13:15-18 Their pride & punishment

Jer. 14:13-20 Weeping night & day

17 Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

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C. Jesus’ Ministry:

Mk. 3:1-6 Grief & anger at unbelief

5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

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I. The Cry of God’s Broken Heart C. Jesus’ Ministry:

Matt. 23:34-39 Righteous indignation & divine distress of God for His people

37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

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D. Gospel Age:

Eph.4:25-31 Holy Spirit’s heart broken

Heb. 3:10, 17 Remember God’s grief over the Jews in wilderness—lest we also fall

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

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D. Gospel Age:

2 Pet. 3:9 A brokenhearted God trying to save each of us

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

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II. God’s Grief Over Warnings Unheeded Certain Punishment Will Follow

A. With God: Warns Before We Sin, Grieves If We Sin, Then Punishes Sin

With man: grief may stun & paralyze

With man: grief may mean sympathy & compromise with sin

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II. God’s Grief Over Warnings Unheeded & Certain Punishment

B. Grief When Clear Warnings Unheeded

Isa. 22:1-5, 12-14 No comfort for Isaiah— his warning unheeded

Jer. 4:19-20 Jeremiah’s cry of anguish

Lam. 2:11; 3:47-50 Jerusalem destroyed

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II. God’s Grief Over Warnings Unheeded & Certain Punishment

C. Grief When Clear Warnings Unheeded 2 Thess. 1:7-9 God: patience & vengeance

7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

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III. Our Hearts Broken to Know Our Sins Have Broken the Heart of God!

A. David’s Broken Heart 2 Sam. 12:7, 13 Blind until confrontedPs. 51:17 “A broken & a contrite heart”

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

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B. Jesus: Broken Heart Essential Matt. 5:3-4 First lesson in Sermon on Mt.

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

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B. Jesus: Broken Heart Essential Lk. 15:18-20 Penitent son & proud son

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

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B. Jesus: Broken Heart Essential Lk. 18:9-14 Two men pray

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

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C. A Broken Heart: Breaking the Bondage to Sin Acts 2:37 Hearts broken, ready to obey!

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

“to stun,…strong emotion” (Vine)“to pierce, to sting sharply” (Robertson)“conviction of guilt” (Bruce)“they felt keenly…remorse” (McGarvey)

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C. A Broken Heart: Breaking the Bondage to Sin 2 Cor. 7:10-11 Broken hearts correct corruption

10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

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C. A Broken Heart: Breaking the Bondage to Sin Ja. 4:8-10 Broken heart, not double mind

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

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Conclusion:

1. Father, Son, & Holy Spirit work to save each of us

2. All sin grieves God3. If your heart is broken, God is ready

to forgive: Acts 2:38 To sinners in worldActs 8:22 To erring saints

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1 MATT. 23:37. 2 GOD’S HEART BROKEN BY OUR SINS Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent