Christ-From The Heart

CHRIST – FROM THE HEART

ROMANS 2:28-29

DEEP WOUNDS ARE HEALED FROM THE INSIDE OUT TO AVOID INFECTION AND DEATH

I.                  THE OUTSIDE DOES NOT JUSTIFY THE INSIDE

WE TEND TO DO THIS BECAUSE:

A.   WE ARE GOVERNED BY THE 5 SENSES

B.    IT IS EASIER TO CLEAN UP THE OUTSIDE THAN THE INSIDE

C.    DOING THE ACTS DOES NOT TELL WHAT IS INSIDE

1.    THE LAW CALLED FOR US TO LOVE GOD WITH ALL OF OUR HEARTS, SOUL, MIND AND STRENGTH

2.    DOING THE ACTS SHOULD ENFORCE WHAT IS WITHIN NOT COVER FOR WHAT IS LACKING

II.               DO NOT DRAW WRONG CONCLUSIONS

A.   EXPRESSION HELPS OUR THOUGHTS

1.    SINGING INCREASES THANKFULNESS

2.    WRITING VOWS STAMP THEM ON OUR MEMORY

3.    COMMUNION REMINDS US OF HIS SACRIFICE

4.    TITHES AND OFFERINGS REMIND US WHO SUPPLIES OUR NEEDS

5.    TESTIFYING REINFORCES OUR FAITH

6.    MODEST DRESS REMINDS US OUR BODIES ARE HIS DWELLING PLACE

B.   WE HONOR GOD BY OUR OUTWARD WORSHIP AND THE CONFESSION OF OUR LIPS

III.           THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE EXTERNAL TO THE INTERNAL

A.   WHAT GOES ON ON THE OUTSIDE IS A RESULT OF WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE INSIDE

B.    TO AVOID LEGALISM, REMEMBER THAT GOD SAID: “I WILL HAVE MERCY AND NOT SACRIFICE”

“TO OBEY IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE, AND TO HEARKEN THAN THE FAT OF RAMS”

IV. THE REWARD OF A FAITHFUL LIFE   “WHOSE PRAISE IS NOT OF MEN, BUT OF GOD”