Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
I have the great privilege and task this afternoon to talk to you about what God’s word says about Guarding Your Heart for God: Keeping Him in First Place
Isn’t this the aim our entire life?
To keep everything in its proper place.
God must be first.
Not only that, he must be central, supreme, and reigning as he truly is.
From Him, through Him, and to Him are all things.
He is worthy of all of our worship.
In our time today, I will answer three questions:
What is the heart biblically?
Why is the heart important?
How do you guard your heart practically?
**Use the hearts prepared by Aunty Wanda Jeanne
Inner and outer man
A few case studies:
I. What is the heart biblically?
The heart is your inner person, the seat of your affections, the control center of everything that you do.
The word heart shows up 857 times in the ESV.
And the word used for heart literally means your inner self, inclinations, your mind, and soul.
We see three primary functions of the human heart biblically.
A fourth category that we don’t have time to cover today would be your conscience.
Thoughts (beliefs, intellect, mind)
L;
behold, I now do according to your word.
Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.
Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,
And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Affections (emotions, desires, feelings)
Eccesiastes 7:9
Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things,
8 But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the LORD my God.
And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep?
And why do you not eat?
And why is your heart sad?
Am I not more to you than ten sons?”
May he grant you your heart’s desire
and fulfill all your plans!
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry,
for anger lodges in the heart of fools.
Volition (will, motives, commitments)
8 But my brothers who went up with me made the heart of the people melt; yet I wholly followed the Lord my God.
Acts
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse.
Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,
Who is the man who fears the LORD?
Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
(2016).
().
Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.Volition - ;
shows the inner man at work in Moses’ life.
By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible.
II.
Why is the heart important?
What your life is about will flow from your heart.
Worship flows from your heart.
Either worship of God or something or someone else.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
(2016).
().
Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
For wherever your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
What is in our hearts reveals what we are worshipping.
We are all born worshippers.
The question is what are you worshipping in any given moment?
Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
(2016).
().
Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
Our hearts are always moving either towards God or away from him.
“We always choose what we believe will bring us the most delight.”
Elyse Fitzpatrick.
Are your thoughts, affections, and volition being driven by a love for God?
What do I believe is good and desirable?
Your heart’s treasure will move you towards spiritual vitality or spiritual dullness.
Spiritual vitality as opposed to spiritual dullness.
Illustrate how our hearts are exposed both by circumstances and the word of God.
and and
Thus says the LORD:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
and makes flesh his strength,
whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 He is like a shrub in the desert,
and shall not see any good come.
He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,
in an uninhabited salt land.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose trust is the LORD.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
2 Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens;
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