Maintaining a Pure Heart - 4

Maintaining a Pure Heart Make up your mind! Sanctify the Lord God in your heart Choose your company carefully Be zealous for good works

Zealous for good works A pure heart is about motives, but it is not complete until there is application We need to have a zeal for serving God Zeal is one who is earnestly committed to a side or cause. Enthusiasm, fervent, etc.

Zealous for good works Titus 2:14, “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

Zealous for good works Romans 12:11, “not lagging in diligence…” Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Zealous for good works Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart…” Ephesians 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.” A craving to be right before God Will we repent? 2 Cor. 7:11

Zealous for good works Good works: Matthew 12:43-45 Study God’s word – Psa. 119:9-11 Prayer – 1 Thess. 5:17, Col. 4:2

Zealous for good works Good works: Support the local church – 1 Cor. 14:12. How important is the church to you? Will you invest in her? Do good to all Gal. 6:10

Spiritual boredom Have we lost the fire? Has our worship and service become routine and boring? Dull? Monotonous? Rev. 2:4-5 – Ephesus had left its first love Rev. 3:1 – Sardis was dead to God

Spiritual boredom Some let up because they think they have time – cf. 2 Pet. 3:4

Spiritual boredom Heb. 6:12 “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Spiritual boredom Work at it! 2 Tim. 1:6, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”

Spiritual boredom Stir up your faith 2 Pet. 1:13, by reminder 2 Pet. 3:1, stir up your pure minds Study God’s word (more next week)

Spiritual boredom Stir up your initiative 1 Cor. 15:58, “Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…”

Spiritual boredom Stir up your hope 2 Pet. 3:11-13, “what manner of persons ought you to be…” Heb. 12:1-2, looking toward the goal

Spiritual boredom Stir up one another Heb. 10:24, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,” 2 Cor. 9:2, your zeal 1 Pet. 1:22, “love one another fervently”

Spiritual boredom Keep your activities from becoming routine Keep growing - 2 Pet. 1:18 Attend gospel meetings, learn new songs, engage in in-depth studies, associate with your brethren, etc. But in all this, realize such things are superficial. Overcoming spiritual boredom involves a proper mindset. Make up your mind! Phil. 2:12

Zeal will help you purify your heart! And a pure heart will produce zeal! Make up your mind! And do it!