1. Attitudes and actions that garner God’s blessings

2. What is this series about? An examination of 21 attitudes and behaviors identified in the New Testament as “blessed” A look at Christian conduct and characteristics that will enrich our lives with lasting joy A look at the condition of those who lack these qualities

3. Outline (Matthew 5:8) “Blessed are the pure in heart” “For they shall see God” The cursed life

4. Blessed are the pure in heart (Matt. 5:8) Pure (Gr. hagnos, from same root word for holy, sanctified) Webster: “not mixed with anything else” “free from moral fault or guilt” Vine’s Dictionary: “not contaminated” “chaste” “clean” Heart – not the physical organ of the flesh The heart reflects who you really are (Prov. 27:19) “The Bible depicts the heart as that part of man which thinks (Matt. 9:4), reasons (Mk. 2:6, 8), ponders (Lk. 2:19), understands (Matt. 13:15), believes (Rom. 10:10), doubts (Mk. 11:23), imagines (Lk. 1:51), desires (Rom. 10:1), loves (Matt. 22:37), sorrows (Jn. 16:6), rejoices (Jn. 16:22; Acts 2:26), lusts (Rom. 1:24), despises (2 Sam. 6:16), purposes (Acts 11:23), determines (1 Cor. 7:37 ASV), obeys (Rom. 6:17, 18).” - Brother Keith Sharp, 1976

5. Blessed are the pure in heart (Matt. 5:8) Beware the deceitfulness of the heart (Jer. 17:9) The heart must be made right first, as Jesus warned the hypocrites (Matt. 23:25-26) The challenge: purify your heart (Jms. 4:8)…but how? Believe with all your heart (Acts 8:37) Humble your heart, as Hezekiah (2 Chron. 32:25-26) Seek forgiveness (Acts 2:37-38) Follow Apostles’ instructions (1 Tim. 1:5) Love God with all your heart (Matt. 22:37) Circumcision of heart (Rom. 2:29) Obedience from the heart (Rom. 6:17) Focus on godly thoughts (Phil. 4:8)

6. Blessed are the pure in heart (Matt. 5:8) Examples Hezekiah (2 Kings 20:3) David’s advice to Solomon (1 Chron. 28:9) Nathanael (John 1:47) Cheerful giving from the heart (2 Cor. 9:7) The characteristics of a pure heart (Col. 3:12) Outward appearance should reflect the heart (1 Pet. 3:3-4) “shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart” (Ps. 32:11)

7. For they shall see God (Matthew 5:8) The word “see” means to understand, discern, comprehend, such as when you explain something fully to someone and then say “now do you see?” (see Matt. 13:15-16) The one whose heart is untainted by error and properly guided by God’s Word will have a true understanding of God’s will and nature, and thereby he will “see” God exactly as God has revealed Himself. Thus, the pure will understand the truth about God and be blessed. People who claim to have a “vision” of God are deceived in their hearts, and do not understand what it really means to “see” Him (Col. 2:18) We eagerly anticipate Christ’s return when we will be changed and then literally see God in heaven (1 John 3:2-3)

8. For they shall see God (Matthew 5:8) We hope to see what we have not seen (Rom. 8:24-25) Without this sanctification (holy moral purity), no man shall see God (Heb. 12:14) Without being born again, you cannot see His kingdom (John 3:3) We will see Him just as He is (1 John 3:2) In His kingdom, we will see His face (Rev. 22:3-4) “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart!” (Ps. 73:1)

9. The cursed life: Cursed are the impure in heart… Because they cannot physically see God, they attempt to form a god (idol) to worship, or they deny that God exists (Ps. 14:1) Wicked hearts grieve God (Gen. 6:5-6) A wicked heart taints man’s words (Matt. 12:34-35) Evil comes from their heart (Matt. 15:18-19) God does not hear their prayers (Ps. 66:18) They are excluded from the life of God (Eph. 4:17-19) The impure have no inheritance in God’s kingdom (Eph. 5:5) Unrepentant hearts store up God’s wrath (Rom. 2:5) Evildoers do not see God (3 John 1:11)

10. Summary We must be pure from our innermost being The pure will see God The impure will not see God Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!

11. Believe in Jesus Christ (John 14:1; Acts 16:30-34) That He died for your sins and was resurrected (1 Cor. 15:3-4) Repent of your past sins (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9) Commit yourself to holy conduct (Acts 26:30; Titus 2:11-12) Confess your faith (Matthew 10:32) Declare your belief that Jesus is God’s Son (Acts 8:37) Receive Baptism (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12) Baptism puts you into Christ (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27) Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16) Baptism saves you (1 Peter 3:21) Be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10) Trust His grace and obey His commands (Hebrews 5:9) Or face the retribution due to those who do not obey 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Romans 2:8; John 3:36

12. Pray without ceasing…Practice what Jesus preached…Prepare for our next assembly