A Matter of the Heart

Romans 2:17-29

Introduction

Pray for Florida and Israel

Refresh conference

What was for Foothills Calvary

Satan will rise up and oppose those works God is doing here!

We are building we must be prepared to battle- I need us to battle together!

Satan is angry this church exists let us not forget this! He wants us to fail.

We must build one another up

We must be who we are

Don’t try to be some one else - GOD is doing a work through you

We must be a church who prays

I have am aware far more the need for prayer

Prayer for God to do His will

For one another

For salvation

For this church to make an impact in our community- God is doing a new work, things are changing for the good.

Do not isolate- reach out

God has brought us strong men to lead

Its time lead

We shall not operate in fear

Most important God is able

We will magnify God and believe and pray knowing He is able

Vision for Foothills Calvary

We have a place in the kingdom of God- God wants to do a work here! He cares about this church- why because when we trust in God Jesus gets the glory!

If you believe we are here just to maintain may i encourage you that this is no more. we are here to boldly proclaim the Gospel and reach many generations for Christ. We do this by being obedient be obedient and make this your church home- Learn, pray and be obedient as you get involved here at foothills. Where is God guiding you as a individual and as a family.

Be prepared for God to do something new, this is what we are doing as a family, New is good but with new comes change and that always makes us uneasy, But may I ask that we learn to pray and have great faith in Him

Big Idea: Paul is declaring that one is only a true Jew when he has had a heart change.

Today we will find the truths that show that the only way one may live righteously is when they have a a complete renewal of their heart

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Outward Appearance

Outward Appearance

Anyone who has ever taught or attempted to lead others knows the tendency in all of us toward exaggerating our depth of character while treating leniently our flaws. The Bible calls this tendency hypocrisy. We consciously or subconsciously put forward a better image of ourselves than really exists. The outward appearance of our character and the inner reality (that only God, we, and perhaps our family members know) do not match.

The pride of outward action without an inward change (VS 17-21)

The Jews had a great reputation of outward action not inward attitude

Matthew 23:1–7 “Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men.”

God see’s not only the deed but also the action

They had it all together from the outside!

They had the great claim to fame- Jew God’s chosen people the ones who were given the Law!

Were given special privilege from the Roman government- Sabbath, were able to transport the temple tax to Jerusalem every year, Governed by their own laws- Any privelege for our good is never ment to make us prideful or feel privelege yet be rejoicing in God’s grace

This is the danger for us all that we can even deceive ourselves if we only look on how we all have it together from the outside or even make it our pursuit to make it seem we have it all together

Last week we look at God knows the intention of our hearts

Though we know this truth for some reason we do not submit to the fathers work in our life and rather than submit we focus on what we can do. Outward action without inward change will always be marked by pride- some qualification of our own glory.

This is a common norm amongst us all- Our pride can sneak in and be devastating.

It would be good for us to remember the inward change happens over a period of time not instantly- we live in an instant world- kids hungry when they get home from school.

It is not the same with us, its is a continual work- be patient, be diligent, do not loose hope, think about where you were last year, or 5 years ago.

I think it is good to ask why isn't this good, what is the danger of an outward appearance of good- what is the danger of such a thing?

2. The result of outward action without an inward change (VS 22-25)

There claim to obey the law was their inditement - this is the result of outward action without inward change

The gentiles would have bee very familiar with business dealings with the Jewish people, but it was here that there actions did not resemble an individual of a heart change

They were guilty of that which the proclaimed to know.

The result isn't so much about us as an individual being good or righteous, but more about God’s plan for making us like His son

Both Jew and Gentile- the result of there outward action without inward change was that God’s name was defamed.

You know we are very upset when the world speaks so highly against the Lord, I pray that we take the same care knowing that others are looking at you seeing how you will react, live, and operate.

Does this mean we are not able to have a bad day, or a bad argument, No of course not, but when the spirit makes us aware of our need for repentance what will we do with it. This is a church that desires for all to be honest and seek repentance and seek counsel- Do not to this alone!

These were God’s people- It is always about God!

Let me caution us all with the realty of the claim we make- and why we must understand God’s call to what truly matters- circumcision of the heart

Deuteronomy 10:16–17 “So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer. For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.”

Ezekiel 44:9 “‘Thus says the Lord God, “No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and uncircumcised in flesh, of all the foreigners who are among the sons of Israel, shall enter My sanctuary.”

What is God’s Sanctuary?

Its a place of rest, faith, and confidence that is not in ourselves but in Christ

The result is that there is not a change that we are so desperately in need of.

If there is not change than we are no different when it comes to the ordinances of God

Baptism and Communion- they are not to be taken with little care, I know we can get into the eb and flow of life, I dont want anyone to see me not take the communion, or I must get baptized cause my whole family is doing it. Even further your decision on Christ as well must be your own.

3. The Joy of outward action marked by inward change (VS 26-29)

Jew-Judah-Praise - There is a personal Joy that happens when we surrender to the work God wants to do in our lives!

To know that God looks down in approval of this live change should excite you and I- this is a truth that we do not talk about enough- As God works through you and no one will notice or give you praise for. God does and you will know it, you will receive the peace and comfort that only God can provide!

I do want to ask us all to think whose praise are we seeking because if it is man- than we will disregard this message, but if it is God then we will find great joy in what is possible with God

Because…

The joy is that God has made a way for the inward change to happen!

2 Corinthians 3:6 “who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

2 Peter 1:3–9 “seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.”

The Joy is that you and I can have a personal relationship with God

Deuteronomy 10:20–22 “You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen. Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons in all, and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven.”

Matthew 13:44–46 ““The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

Application: Righteous living is a matter of the heart

Surrender your heart to the Lord

For the first time: Continually

Seek the praise of God

You will find a deep joy in His sanctuary

Those who seek the treasures of this world miss out on inestimable treasures of God- Charles Spurgeon

Communion:

You may come and receive you elements during our time of response

If you would like the elements brought to you please raise your hand and our team will bring them to you

Worship

1 Corinthians 11:23–25 “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.””

Announcements-

Fall Fun Fest

October 31st- We want to let our community know about our church. It is a great way for you to get involved with Foothills Calvary

Sign up to be apart of the event on our website foothillscalvary.org

Operation Christmas Child- You can bless a child with the Joy of Christmas which is Jesus, when you pack a shoe box- you bless them with the Joy of the Lord and they will also here a The Gospel

Boxes are available- Great for you to do with your kids and as a family

You can Pick them up at the Missions kiosk

Drop off is November 24th