Joyful Are The Pure of Heart
Notes
Transcript
Doxology:
This is my Bible. It is God’s Holy Word. It is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path, and I will hide its words within my heart, that I might not sin against God. Amen!
Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:8
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Context
Context
The beatitude before us today is one of great importance. That is not to say that the others are not important, quiet the contrary, but this beatitude will challenge us as much, if not more than all the rest.
We have discussed each week how these beatitudes are not in random order and how they link together with one another, but one commentator stated that this beatitude was actually the climax of the passage. He said that all the beatitudes before it build up to this one and all the ones after it stem from this one.
Though I can’t go quiet as far as he did, I will say that this beatitude is of great importance. It is one the most challenging of the eight beatitudes because it cuts to the heart of the matter. It does not challenge ones actions, but rather the motives behind those actions. It forces us out into the deep end of the pool.
John MacArthur said of this beatitude:
Matthew, vols. 1-4:The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Chapter 18: Happy Are the Holy (5:8)
Here is one of those passages of Scripture whose depths are immeasurable and whose breadth is impossible to encompass. This incredible statement of Jesus is among the greatest utterances in all of the Bible.
The subject of holiness, of purity of heart, can be traced from Genesis to Revelation. The theme is infinitely vast and touches on virtually every other biblical truth. It is impossible to exhaust its meaning or significance.
Content
Content
Let’s Ponder It
Let’s Ponder It
Heart: “kardia”
It is where we get the word cardiac and similar terms.
Throughout Scripture, as well as in many languages and cultures throughout the world, the heart is used metaphorically to represent the inner person, the seat of motives and attitudes, the center of personality.
But in Scripture, the heart represents more than just feelings and emotions. It also includes the thinking process and particularly the mind, or the will.
7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…
4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
The heart of the control center of the mind and will as well as emotion.
Another way we could word this beatitude is, “Blessed are those who are pure inwardly,”
When Jesus came, the Jews were looking for a man who was a leader outwardly. They were looking for a man who would knock Rome off the throne, reestablish the physical land of the kingdom, and then rule the world.
Jesus did not come to accomplish this, at least not at this time. His greater concern was that of the inner man. He came to reestablish the Kingdom of God spiritually, not physically. He came preaching repentance, not retribution. He came to set people free from their sin, not their shackles.
As we continue throughout the Sermon of the Mount, you are going to notice that this beatitude serves as the foundation for much of what will be discussed.
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’
22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment…
27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
See it’s a heart thing. It always has been. It always will be.
Listen to how the Bible describes the world at the time of the flood:
5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
The problem that led to the flooding of the entire world was a problem of the heart.
David acknowledged before the Lord in Psalm 51:
6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Four verses later, David cried out to God saying:
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Asaph wrote in Psalm 73:1
1 Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart.
God spoke through Jeremiah the prophet saying:
9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
Jesus, speaking later on in His ministry, said:
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”
The Word of God repeatedly drives home this concept of being pure in heart.
So what does pure mean?
Pure: Katharos
It is where we get the word catharsis from.
The basic meaning is to make pure by cleansing from dirt, filth, and contamination. Catharsis is a term used in psychology and counseling for a cleansing of the mind or emotions.
The Greek term was often used of metals that had been refined until all impurities were removed, leaving only the pure metal. In that sense, purity means unmixed, unalloyed, unadulterated.
When applied to the heart, the idea is that of pure motive - of single-mindedness, undivided devotion, spiritual integrity, and true righteousness.
Double-mindedness has always been one of the great plagues of the church. We want to serve the Lord and follow the world at the same time. But that, says Jesus, is impossible. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other” (
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.
And just as an impure heart separates men from God, having a pure heart through Jesus Christ will reconcile men to God.
Five types of purity:
Perfect Purity - Only God has this kind of purity.
Created Purity - The purity that existed in God’s creation before is was corrupted by the Fall. Some of the angels have fallen from this created purity and all of mankind has fallen from this created purity.
Imputed Purity - given unto those who trust in Christ as their Savior at the very moment of conversion. It is granted to us within the new nature that we take on through Christ.
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Glorified purity - the form of purity we will receive once we have gone on to be with Jesus in eternity. We will take on the fullness of purity to the greatest degree that we can in glory.
Practical Purity - this purity demands our participation. It is the only form of purity that demands our participation.
Paul says:
1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Peter says:
14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Now hear me out. You cannot work yourself into heaven. I have to make that clear. You cannot achieve the purity of God in your own effort. That is not what this is saying. Remember that beatitudes are designed to challenge those who are in Christ. You cannot achieve these things apart from Him. Both Paul and Peter are also saying these things within the context of those who are already saved.
Salvation is by grace alone, through Faith alone, in Christ alone. But let us even look at that verse, because many times, we do not finish out the fullness of the thought.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Paul is making it very clear here that there is an expectation for all of God’s children to walk in righteousness. But as we are learning today, living a life of true righteousness, with undivided devotion towards God, can only be achieved when the motives of one’s heart is first pure.
Blessed are the pure in heart.
19 As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man.
So what does this look like? What does it look like to be pure of heart. How does one achieve this in their life? (Remember, we are talking in terms of practical purity. You cannot achieve, or manifest, created purity, imputed purity, or glorified purity. All of these forms of purity comes from God alone. But how are we to be obedient to God in achieving this level of cleansing, or purity, that we are told to strive towards?)
Let’s Picture It
Let’s Picture It
It’s Focus is on God
3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.
5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,
Paul writes to Timothy and tells him to stay in Ephesus while he continues on to Macedonia. Why? So that he might charge some of those who were there to quit being double-minded. They were teaching certain doctrines that were not of the faith.
“Charge them to teach no other doctrine,” Paul said. He continues on saying, “nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies”.
Fables are legends or myths. They are idle talk. They are meaningless. Paul knows that some of this is going on and tells Timothy to cut all of that out. He does not want the people of the church at Ephesus getting sucked into false truths simply because someone can spin a good story.
Genealogies were important during this time. Everything within the Jewish culture boiled down to which tribe you were born into. Only the Levites could serve in the temple. Each tribe were alloted certain portions of land, etc. So your genealogy determined your birthright in the grand scheme of things. Unfortunately, these conversations tended to spiral out of control and ended up chasing endless rabbit trails.
Both of these things, fables and genealogies, “caused disputes” among the brethren. They did not need to be disputing over these things, but rather coming together for the purpose of the Kingdom. They did bring about “godly edification”.
“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.”
In other words, being pure of heart is being completely focused on God. It is focused on loving God, loving others within His Kingdom, and helping those who are in need.
27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
Pure faith is undefiled and completely focused on God.
2 Timothy 2 is also a good place to go to help get a picture of this purity:
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.
21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
In seeking this purity of heart, we are to remove anything that brings dishonor upon us or God. We are to flee youthful lusts. That means we are to run from those things. We are to quickly escape any environment, any thought, any action that would defile us for the sake of His righteousness.
We are to seek God diligently in our lives, so that we might be sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
We are to pursue the things of God: righteousness, faith, love, and peace by calling on the Lord for His help and guidance.
22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
The purity of our heart is to be focused not only on God, but also upon God’s children.
It’s Faith is in God
19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,
21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
We are to have full assurance of faith in God. We are able to do this because:
It is He who has accomplished salvation for us.
It is He who bridged the gap between man and God.
It is He who loves us unconditionally that serves as the great High Priest of the Church.
He who promised is faithful.
Let’s Perceive It
Let’s Perceive It
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
“For they shall see God.” Whew… That is the ultimate goal, right?
This phrase in the original language is actually to be taken in present tense. It could be reworded to say, “They will continuously see God.”
First, note the term they. This most amazing privilege to see God is reserved only for those who are pure of heart. This intimacy and this fellowship is not granted all.
When we receive the imputed purity of God at salvation, we begin to live in the presence of God. In our new spiritual nature, we begin to perceive the presence of God in our lives.
To witness God’s presence was the greatest hope and satisfaction of the OT saints.
18 And he said, “Please, show me Your glory.”
1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
As the scales fell from Saul’s eyes in Acts 8-9, having a pure heart removes the blinders from our souls so that God can be seen. We begin to see Him in our own lives. We begin to see Him in others lives. We begin to see Him in His Word. We begin to see Him in creation. We begin to see Him in everything.
15 To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.
To those whose hearts are pure, they begin to see God everywhere they look. Those who are not pure of heart struggle to see God anywhere.
34 The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness.
Commitment
Commitment
