The Pure in Heart

18. THE PURE IN HEART (Matthew 5:8)

The result of the Christian life is that they live holy and pure!

This purity begins within the heart, but will show outwardly

I. PURE CONVERSATION

A. Acceptable words—Ps. 19:14

(Average person speaks 18,000 words daily)

B. Controlling the tongue—James 1:26

(Vain, empty religion unless the tongue is controlled)

C. Speak what you mean—mean what you say—Matt. 5:37

(Never use double language—this is lying)

D. Swift to hear—slow to speak—James 1:19

(Think twice before you speak. Be a good listener)

E. Keep lips and tongue from evil—Ps. 34:13

(Resist gossip, lying, etc. Keep clean)

YOU ARE KNOWN BY THE WAY YOU SPEAK! WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU WILL COME OUT IN YOUR SPEECH

II. PURE COMPANY

A. Salvation brings purity—2 Cor. 5:17

(Sin and the fruits of sin have passed away)

B. Christians should “come out” from sinners—2 Cor. 6:17

(Notice there is something we must do)

C. Must cleanse yourselves—2 Cor. 7:1

(This should be a daily process for Christians)

D. Should stay away from the world—1 John 2:15–17

(A Christian must be different from sinners)

E. Should practice holiness—Heb. 12:14

(This will bring purity of heart and life)

F. Relationship to others—Amos 3:3

(Christians and sinners cannot have good relationship)

III. PURE CHARACTER

A. Honesty—Exod. 20:16

(A person who lies will commit other sins, too)

B. Morality—Rom. 6:12–13

(Christians must maintain high Christian standards)

C. Righteousness—Matt. 5:20

(More than a form or ritual, but real righteousness)

D. Thinking—Prov. 23:7

1. Commit adultery by a thought—Matt. 5:28

2. Commit murder by a thought—Matt. 5:22

3. Judging others—Matt. 7:1–5

Before the sinner can be led to Christ, there must be a difference seen in the Christian. There must be purity! There must be cleanliness

Croft M. Pentz, 52 Simple Sermon Outlines, Sermon Outline Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1968), 31–32.