Bible Study by Glen Dawursk, Jr. “The Heart of A Christian”

The Heart of a Christian w When God created us, He created us with one purpose; He desired a relationship with us.

Sin Ruined Our Relationship w But God’s heart became broken when sin ruined that relationship.

“The LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth-men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air- for I am grieved that I have made them." But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD.” Genesis 6:5-8

God was hurting and had decided to start over, yet because of the righteous heart of just one man and his family, God changed His mind.

“The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.” Genesis 8:21

The Children of Israel were allowed by God to become slaves in Egypt because their heart had not remained committed to a relationship with God.

w Exodus 7:13 “Yet Pharaoh's heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said.” w The only sin that is NOT forgiven by God when we die is the “hardening” of our heart toward God; the rejection of His love relationship with us. The Unforgivable Sin

Like a love letter, He wrote on the hearts of His people His desires and His wants. We call this our “conscience.”

“Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.” Romans 2:14-15

Ignored His Letters w But just like many people do today, the Children of Israel suppressed their conscience many times throughout the Old Testament.

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.” “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” “ To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.” 1 Timothy 4:1-2 Titus 1:15

The Israelites couldn’t keep their commitment to God. But God still wanted a relationship with His people. He wanted them for His own.

“These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe… so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life… Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:1-9

 This relationship was based upon an expectation that we had to follow God’s commandments to gain His favor. w We had to be not just good – He wanted us to be perfect. He wanted our hearts to be pure again. This was the Old Covenant.

“But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul." Joshua 22:5

His Work God renewed our relationship – we could NOT do it on our own.

The Curtain & Our Hearts w Holy of Holies w High Priests prayed on the behalf of the people w Surrounded by a one foot thick curtain. w The priest had to be “clean” w God expected perfection. w “It is finished” w No longer a “requirement”.

“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death or from useless ritual so that we may serve the living God!” Hebrews 9:14

Why Follow the Rules? But if the rules are no longer a requirement for us to have a relationship with God – then why follow them?

“Heart of a Christian” w It is all about our response to what God has done for us. w We are to be “madly in love” and desire to praise & serve Him

It starts with “respect for God.” This is the head knowledge we learn in catechism classes. We believe the creeds, we trust the scriptures and we desire to be different.

“Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.” Deuteronomy 4:39

“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.‘ This is the first and greatest commandment. Matthew 22:34-40

And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.‘ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

We are to be “humbled” and repentant We seek His forgiveness through the perfect life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul.“ w Deuteronomy 4:29 “But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul.“ Deuteronomy 4:29 Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD.” w 2 Chronicles 34:27 “Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD.” 2 Chronicles 34:27 “For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.” w Psalm 149:4 “For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.” Psalm 149:4

Change to a life of ”integrity” Change to a life of ”integrity” As a response to what He has done. Just like King Josiah purified the life of himself and his people. Just like King Josiah purified the life of himself and his people.

“Josiah got rid of the mediums and spiritists, the household gods, the idols and all the other detestable things seen in Judah and Jerusalem. This he did to fulfill the requirements of the law written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had discovered in the temple of the LORD. Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did-with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.” 2 Kings

“So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” “So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.” Acts 24:16 Deuteronomy 4:9

We must have “perseverance.” We maintain our conviction to God’s renewed relationship with us no matter the temptation or hardship.

“ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 13:6-7 James 1:2

The Heart of a Christian has the Qualities of Jesus w Respect w Humble w Integrity w Perseverance

One Heart w The Heart of a Christian is having Jesus Christ living, beating, and circulating His life blood in the lives of His people. w Jesus is the Heart of a Christian.

Bible Study by Glen Dawursk, Jr. “The Heart of A Christian”