The Heart Purity and Faith

God Looks at The Heart But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature… for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

The Heart Purity and Faith “After He had removed (Saul), He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’ “From the descendants of this man, according to promise, God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus. (Acts 13:22-23) Focus on David

Your Heart! But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature… for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) God Looks at

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Jesus on the heart… Jesus on the heart… (Matt.13:11-15) “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. “Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. “In their case the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled, which says, You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; For the heart of this people has become dull, With their ears they scarcely hear, And they have closed their eyes, Otherwise they would see with their eyes, Hear with their ears, And understand with their heart and return And I would heal them Isa. 6:9-10 Let’s be sure we understand what the heart is… לֵב/ לֵבָב Hebrew: leb/lebab Greek: kαρδ ί α kardia Heart, Inner Man, Mind, Will

Core to mind and intellect Recall it to mind (heart/leb)… Remember this, and be assured; Recall it to mind (heart/leb)… (Isa.46:8) “But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Lk.2:19) What is the heart?

Core to mind and intellect Will, Source of Decisions “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart…” (II Cor.9:7) “Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart?” (Acts 5:4) What is the heart?

Core to mind and intellect Will, Source of Decisions Core to emotions “Behold, My servants will shout joyfully with a glad heart, But you will cry out with a heavy heart,..” (Is.65:14) gladness in my heart You have put gladness in my heart. (Ps.4:7) hatein your heart You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart (Lev.19:17) What is the heart?

Core to mind and intellect Will, Source of Decisions Core to emotions Conscience What is the heart? My heart does not reproach any of my days. (Job 27:6) Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God (I Jn.3:21)

Core to mind and intellect Will, Source of Decisions Core to emotions Deceit and Defilement Conscience “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.” (Mt.15:19) What is the heart?

Core to mind and intellect Will, Source of Decisions Point of God’s Engagement Core to emotions Deceit and Defilement Conscience “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance.” (Lk.8:15) “For with the heart a person believes…” (Rom.10:10) What is the heart?

Core to mind and intellect Will, Source of Decisions Point of God’s Engagement Core to emotions Deceit and Defilement Conscience God’s Dwelling “…so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…” (Eph.3:17) What is the heart?

Take a moment and consider the place inside you where this happens. Core to mind and intellect Will, Source of Decisions Point of God’s Engagement Core to emotions Deceit and Defilement Conscience God’s Dwelling “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature… man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” (I Sam.16:7)

And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me.’” (Mk.7:6; Is.29:13) heart “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.” (Mt.15:18-19) Actions Words Let’s Explore the Boundaries of Your Heart (negative) Thoughts I E W C. D S

Actions Words Emotions/Fruit Let’s Explore the Boundaries of Your Heart (positive) Now He who establishes us with you in Christ… who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. (II Cor.1:21-22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control… (Gal.5:22-23) But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart… (I Tim.1:5) T E W C. D S

Actions Words Thinking Thinking Thinking Thinking Thinking Controlling Emotion Controlling Appearances Prepare to Speak Prepare to Act The Right Words Expression Control Manipulation Pretend Fantasy Taking Offense Hurt Self Control Love Joy Patience Kindness Gentleness Thinking Rationalize Justify Deny Thinking Thinking Thinking Awareness of Emotion Struggling w/ Emotion Apply Word Patience Gentleness Love Joy 1 st Thoughts Sin Conviction Initial Reaction 1 st Emotion The Word Love Joy Peace Kindness T E W C. D S

Actions WordsThinking Thinking Thinking Thinking Thinking Controlling Emotion Controlling Appearances Prepare to Speak Prepare to Act The Right Words Expression Control Manipulation Pretend Fantasy Taking Offense Hurt Thinking Rationalize Justify Deny Thinking Thinking Thinking Awareness of Emotion Struggling w/ Emotion Apply Word 1 st Thoughts Sin Conviction Initial Reaction 1 st Emotion The Word T E W C. D S Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Gentleness Self Control Love Love Joy Joy Patience Kindness Gentleness “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature… man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’” (I Sam.16:7) Are you aware of sin at your core… with the first thought or emotion, or with your initial reaction? Or do you manage?

Purity and Faith Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being… Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow… Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:1-3, 6-7,10) David, Our Hero, A Sinner Given a Pure Heart

Purity and Faith Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being… Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow… Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:1-3, 6-7,10) You, God’s Hero, A Sinner Given a Pure Heart … A Practical Reality!

Purity and Faith …God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all… but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. (1 Jn.1:5, 7-10) You, God’s Hero, A Sinner Given a Pure Heart … A Practical Reality!

Purity and Faith …God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all… but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. (1 Jn.1:5, 7-10) You, God’s Hero, A Sinner Given a Pure Heart … A Practical Reality!

Purity and Faith For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Heb.9:13-14) You, God’s Hero, A Sinner Given a Pure Heart … A Practical Reality! Do you really believe that Christ’s blood is effective to completely cleanse you at the beginning of your thoughts and emotions… in your heart?

Actions WordsThinking Thinking Thinking Thinking Thinking Controlling Emotion Controlling Appearances Prepare to Speak Prepare to Act The Right Words Expression Control Manipulation Pretend Fantasy Taking Offense Hurt Thinking Rationalize Justify Deny Thinking Thinking Thinking Awareness of Emotion Struggling w/ Emotion Apply Word 1 st Thoughts Sin Conviction Initial Reaction 1 st Emotion The Word T E W C. D S Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Gentleness Self Control Love Love Joy Joy Patience Kindness Gentleness Apply the blood of Christ to the sins of your heart. Then, believe that you are pure at the core. Think about your own heart again… How does the reality of God’s complete cleansing of your heart make you feel?

Faith in the Effectiveness of Christ’s Blood to Cleanse Your Heart is Practical Faith in your purity at your core will affect each thought you have How blessed (happy!) is he whose transgression is forgiven.” (Ps. 32:1)) –Each emotion (“How blessed (happy!) is he whose transgression is forgiven.” (Ps. 32:1)) –A pure core will generate pure thoughts What thoughts and emotions are generated from a guilty heart?... a heart seeking to justify, or deny, or rationalize? Faith in your pure heart affects the way you feel and the way you think.

Know your heart –Not just your words and actions Cultivate tenderness by humbly making purity of heart practical –When there is sin in your heart, go back to the core and apply the blood of Christ –Don’t shrink back from faith in the reality of what cost Him so much to provide to you. Enjoy the fruit of a pure heart, made that way by Christ’s work! The Heart Purity and Faith

The Heart God’s Presence to Minister Heart to Heart Let’s Pray Bill Parker (703)