Matthew 5:8 “Pure in heart”

Big

Idea

: Jesus want us to experience the PROFOUND FAVOR that accompanies

the RADICAL TRANSFORMATION of those living underHis ROYAL CONTROL.

Mathew 5:1-123 Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed 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. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:8Blessed are the pure in heart,for they will see God.

Character Quality

Promise

1. What does Jesus Commend?

2. What does Jesus Promise?

3. How do we become pure in heart?

1. What does Jesus Commend?Blessed are the pure in heart,

Proverbs 4:23Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Romans 10:9That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Ephesians 6:6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

Matthew 15:8These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

1. What does Jesus Commend?Blessed are the pure in heart,

The inner person: the center of thoughts,

feelings & choices

1. What does Jesus Commend?Blessed are the pure in heart,

Inner Moral Purity?

Matthew 23:25-28Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.

1. What does Jesus Commend?Blessed are the pure in heart,

Inner Moral Purity?

Single-mindedness?

James 4:8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

1. What does Jesus Commend?Blessed are the pure in heart,

Inner Moral Purity?

Single-mindedness?Both

Psalm 24:3-4Who will ascend the hill 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 an idolor swear by what is false.

Their whole life, public and private, is transparent before God and men. Their very heart – including their thoughts and motives – is pure, unmixed with anything devious, ulterior or base. Hypocrisy and deceit are abhorrent to them; they are without guile.

(John Stott)

Inner Moral Purity

Single-mindednessBoth

1. What does Jesus Commend?Blessed are the pure in heart,

2. What does Jesus Promise?for they will see God.

Direct or Comprehensive

Relational - Christ Centered

Present & Future

John 14:9Anyone who as seem me has seen the Father.

Relational - Christ Centered

1 John 3:1-3Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

Present & Future

1. What does Jesus Commend?2. What does Jesus Promise?3. How do we become pure in heart?

Justification (Status)The righteousness of God is

credited to my account because Jesus paid the penalty for my sin

on the cross. (Romans 5:1)

Sanctification (Transformation)

Actually becoming holy Defense/Offense

2 Timothy 2:22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Defensive Strategy

Offensive Strategy

WMC-TV, "Kids leave dad at gas station, realize mistake 100 miles away," (6-25-13)