The Heart of the Christian

Introduction: After winning their 2nd championship in 1995 the Houston Rocket’s coach, Rudy Tomjanovich was interviewed about his team overcoming what looked to be a long shot of the Houston Rockets winning. Coach Tomjanovich responded by saying, “don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion” .

Today I believe the same can be said of the heart of the Christian. Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a Christian. Jesus, as we continue to read His sermon on this mountain, explains that the heart of the Christian is the doorway to seeing God. Jesus says, Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

This word pure in the original language means, to be clean and free from moral guilt. Knowing this allows us to establish that Jesus is challenging His disciples to have a heart that has no hindrances to a relationship with God. The call is to live righteously towards God without spots or contaminants of the world. The pure heart is to be single-minded, without ulterior motives.

It is to be single-minded, without ulterior motives

Psalm 24:4 ESV

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

psalm

The pure heart is free from the immoralities of the world and its influences. The pure heart is pointed to God. The pure heart is aimed at seeing God.

Transition: Since the heart points to God and aims at seeing God then it is imperative that we address what distinguishes the heart of the Christian from that of the world.

The Heart of the Christian is Pure in Worship

The Heart of the Christian is pure in worship

As Jesus speaks of purity, He is speaking of the relationship of the Christian and God. The purity of the heart begins by positioning oneself with God. One of those things the Christian must resolve is the purity in worship.

Worship is solely for God

The heart of the Christian cannot be torn in worship. We are called to worship God and God alone. Worship is reserved for God. God is to be adored and lifted with our complete hearts and nothing nor anyone should take His place.

Worship is totally about God

Worship is not about the worshipper; but worship is every bit about God. Worship that is pure is not about us being seen worshipping, it is about the God we worship. When worship is totally about God there will be no discontent for the worshipper. The pure heart makes worship about God not about the response of those around them.

John 4:23–24 ESV

23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4:23 ESV

23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.

John 4:24 ESV

24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Illustration: A visiting minister was substituting for the famed pastor Henry Ward Beecher. A large audience had assembled to hear the popular pastor. At the appointed hour, the visiting minister entered the pulpit. Learning that Beecher was not to preach, several began to move toward the doors. The visiting minister stood and called out, “All who have come here today to worship Henry Ward Beecher may now withdraw from the church! All who have come to worship God, keep your seats!” No one then left.

John 4:

A visiting minister was substituting for the famed pastor Henry Ward Beecher. A large audience had assembled to hear the popular pastor. At the appointed hour, the visiting minister entered the pulpit. Learning that Beecher was not to preach, several began to move toward the doors. The visiting minister stood and called out, “All who have come here today to worship Henry Ward Beecher may now withdraw from the church! All who have come to worship God, keep your seats!” No one then left.

Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc., 1996), 1651.

Application: Worship God not people. Pastors, preachers, deacons, ushers and choirs are also worshippers and are not the object of worship. We are each vessels which should pour ourselves out at the feet of God. Worship God not things. Make certain our possessions do not take the place of God. We owe all our worship to God.

Transition: Jesus is teaching you and I the necessity of pointing our hearts to God not only in worship but also in our commitment.

The Heart of the Christian is Pure in Commitment

It is said that commitment is staying loyal to what you said you were going to do long after the mood you said it in has left you. This statement, I believe, adequately describes what it means to have a heart of purity. We exhibit commitment regardless of the circumstances or problems that may occur. As a Christian heart we live this way with a:

Commitment to God

This is to say that we are commited to God as His child. God is our master and we are subject to His authority. We are not confused about this commitment to God; we are very much intentional about our commitment. Nothing and no person can tear us away from God. Our successes, failures, triumphs, losses, jobs, hobbies, influences, I mean nothing. The Christian heart is commited to God.

Commitment to God’s Way

God’s way is not like the world’s way. The world offers all sort of ways and suggestions for life. These are not God’s ways. There is no purity in self-seeking and self-exalting actions. The Christian is challenged to resist the ways of the world and cling to those of God.

Commitment to God’s Word

As believers we must face the reality that our life can only be at its best when we are committed to the Word of God. We read God’s Word, we study God’s Word and we hear God’s Word. This is the commitment the Christian makes and we must do it with out wavering. God’s Word purifies and cleanses us and our commitment to God’s Word allows us to exemplify the pure heart.

Illustration: “Will you please tell me in a word,” said a Christian woman to a minister, “what your idea of consecration is?” Holding out a blank sheet of paper the pastor replied, “It is to sign your name at the bottom of this blank sheet, and to let God fill it in as He will.”

“Will you please tell me in a word,” said a Christian woman to a minister, “what your idea of consecration is?”

Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002).

Holding out a blank sheet of paper the pastor replied, “It is to sign your name at the bottom of this blank sheet, and to let God fill it in as He will.”

Galaxie Software, 10,000 Sermon Illustrations (Biblical Studies Press, 2002).

Application: Are you committed to God and His Will? Have you signed your name without limitations and personal reservations? The pure hearted have commited to God. Make God THE PRIORITY in your life. God must be included in every facet of your life.

Transition: The heart of the Christian should always look to bring God glory. Worship and commitment are elements of the Christian heart that lead the way; but also, The Heart of the Christian has Pure Motives.

The Heart of the Christian Has Pure Motives

When we speak of motives, we are speaking of, why we do what we do. The pure heart does not look for ways to get over on nor undermine other people. Pure heart calls for a:

Motive of Sincerity

The pure heart is demonstrated through sincerity. We live a life of sincerity towards others and towards our God. We are not phony and half-hearted. We are sincere about God and God’s Will. God is honored by our sincerity.

Motive of Compassion

The pure heart is compelled by love and the Christian acts because of that love. We are influenced by the love of Christ and the example Christ set. Compassion is the motive of the Christian, not greed, frustration, fear nor selfishness.

John 13:35 ESV

35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Motive of Pleasing God

The ultimate motive of the Christian is to please God. This is the essence of the pure heart. When our goal is to please God and not ourselves, when it is to bring pleasure to God rather than lift ourselves and be praised by others, we are exhibiting the purity of our hearts.

Illustration: Your success in life depends on your motive. There is an old fable about a dog that boasted of his ability as a runner. One day he chased a rabbit and failed to catch it. The other dogs ridiculed him on account of his previous boasting. His reply was, “You must remember that the rabbit was running for his life, while I was only running for my dinner.” The incentive is all-important.

Your success in life depends on your motive. There is an old fable about a dog that boasted of his ability as a runner. One day he chased a rabbit and failed to catch it. The other dogs ridiculed him on account of his previous boasting. His reply was, “You must remember that the rabbit was running for his life, while I was only running for my dinner.” The incentive is all-important.

Paul Lee Tan, Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations: Signs of the Times (Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc., 1996), 862.

Application: Make pleasing God important. Don’t live for the moment live for the reward of Eternal life. Do things because of love and not for what we can get in return.

2 Timothy 2:22 ESV

22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Application: Make pleasing God important. Don’t live for the moment live for the reward of Eternal life. Do things because of love and not for what we can get in return.

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Transition: We needn’t be discouraged by those who may misunderstand the purity of our hearts for we are assured that we will be blessed.

The Pure in Heart Will See God

The blessing in store for those who are pure in heart is to see God. Jesus says, blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. This is a promise to each of us who live with a heart that is pure. Seeing God is motivation and compelling enough for me to have a pure heart. I WANT TO SEE GOD!

Many have sang, written and spoken about being able to See God. I too say with excitement that I want to see Him for myself. Won’t it be great to see God? But we can get a glimpse of Him now!

Many have sang, written and spoken about being able to See God. I too say with excitement that I want to see Him for myself. Won’t it be great to see God?

In Life’s Trials

The beauty of this verse is that seeing God is promised but this promise is not limited to when this world is over. Jesus says that the pure in heart will see God. This means that being pure in heart is a benefit which enables us to see God even in our trials. Those who are pure may not understand their trials but they can certainly attest that God is at work. They can see His hand!

In Life’s Victories

Being pure in heart will not allow us to to take credit for our victories. The Christian realizes that they are unable to do anything without God. Seeing God in victories propels us to say Thank you and give God all the credit.

In Life’s Eternity

Jesus promises that if we have a pure heart we will see God. That is to say that we will see God for ourselves. We will be changed from our present state and become like Jesus and see God face to face. I didn’t say that the bible says that:

1 john

1 John 3:2–3 ESV

2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

Revelation 22:4 ESV

4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.

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Conclusion:

Jesus showed us how to have a pure heart. He did not live for himself. He died for us. On a hill called calvary. He died on an old rugged cross.

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