"Holy Hearts"
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Discussion:
Discussion:
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
What do you think motivated Ananias to mislead the church?
What do you think motivated Ananias to mislead the church?
Why do you think God reacted so strongly?
Why do you think God reacted so strongly?
Do you consider yourself a good person?
Do you consider yourself a good person?
What do you think it means to have a holy heart?
What do you think it means to have a holy heart?
Honesty
Honesty
Honesty calls for truthfulness in all areas of our lives.
Honesty calls for truthfulness in all areas of our lives.
A commitment to honesty involves our conversations and our conduct.
A commitment to honesty involves our conversations and our conduct.
Rejecting deceit, we live in such a way that we can stand before the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart.
Rejecting deceit, we live in such a way that we can stand before the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, Nor sworn deceitfully.
Who is allowed to stand in the holy place before the Lord? (verse 3) ___________________________________________________________
How much deceit are we allowed before we are dishonest? (verse 4) ___________________________________________________________
Does God expect both outward (our hands) and inward (our hearts) holiness? (verse 4) ___________________________________________________________
The story of Joseph. Joseph’s brother deceived a master deceiver, their father.
Did they technically lie to Jacob?
Have you ever experienced the negative effects of a lie or something that resembles a lie?
Integrity
Integrity
The first rule of integrity is when we sin, it is a sin against God.
The first rule of integrity is when we sin, it is a sin against God.
Integrity is a matter of doing what is right no matter who sees or doesn’t see because we are in a covenant with God.
Integrity is a matter of doing what is right no matter who sees or doesn’t see because we are in a covenant with God.
And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
Whom should we be living to please? (verse 9) ___________________________________________________________
Does temptation leave you alone once you have taken a stand for integrity? (verse 10) ___________________________________________________________
Is integrity tested most in public or private? (verse 12) ___________________________________________________________
What boundaries can be placed to help us live out our commitment to integrity? ___________________________________________________________
Humility
Humility
Humility is not the same as low self -esteem.
Humility is not the same as low self -esteem.
Humility comes from seeing ourselves as we are and our need for Jesus.
Humility comes from seeing ourselves as we are and our need for Jesus.
Humility is a rejection of self pride.
Humility is a rejection of self pride.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Since Jesus modeled humility, does make you feel like you can follow His example? (verse 5) ___________________________________________________________
Are you surprised that Jesus came to our world so humbly? (verse 7) ___________________________________________________________
How can we make sure we are remaining humble before God and others? (verses 4-5) ___________________________________________________________
Why do you think humility is a holiness topic? ___________________________________________________________
Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less!
Humility is not thinking less of ourselves, but thinking of ourselves less!
Attitudes & Thoughts
Attitudes & Thoughts
Our spiritual journey to draw closer to Jesus should be reflected in our attitudes and thoughts.
Our spiritual journey to draw closer to Jesus should be reflected in our attitudes and thoughts.
Aligning our heart to pursue God shapes how we think and feel.
Aligning our heart to pursue God shapes how we think and feel.
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
What are some things scripture calls for us to put away? (Ephesians 4:31) ___________________________________________________________
What can happen when things from our heart come out? (Matthew 15:18) ___________________________________________________________
Why do you think our hearts are important in the conversation about holiness? ____________________________________________________________
How do we change the way we think and feel? ____________________________________________________________
Closing
Closing
When was a time in your life when your integrity and honesty was tested?
When was a time in your life when your integrity and honesty was tested?
What can you do to ensure you make holiness a priority in your life?
What can you do to ensure you make holiness a priority in your life?