Sermon 080298

1Tim. 1:5-6                                          Love From A Pure Heart                                       8/2/98

Series 24.2                                                                                                                          ABCC

I.    Introduction                                                                                                                      631

q      Timothy is being encouraged to maintain true, biblical teaching in the church at Ephesus

q      The scriptures & teaching of the scriptures have a specific goal (v. 5a) – “the goal”

q      Love is the goal of the scriptures & teaching of the scriptures (v. 5a) – self-denial & sacrifice

q      The scriptures & teaching must ensure that love has the proper objects (Matt. 22:37-40)

II.    Teaching of the Scriptures Must Address the Heart

A.     Definition of the heart

A biblical word that describes the inward & central part of a person that controls their thoughts, will, emotions & motives (intentions & thought = Gen. 6:5b; will & motive = Col. 3:22)..Believing in Christ & living the Christian life involves thought, will, emotion & motive (Rom. 10:9-10).

B.      Conditions of the heart

Deceitful & desperately sick (Jer. 17:9), Evil & unbelieving (Heb. 3:12), Stubborn & unrepentant (Rom. 2:5), Veiled (2Co. 3:15), Hardened for unbelievers (Mk. 3:5) & believers (Mk. 6:52), Dull (Ac. 28:27), Foolish (Rom. 1:21), Troubled (Jn. 14:1), Grieved (Jn. 16:6), Weary, tired & despairing (Gal. 6:9).  Rejoicing (Jn. 16:22), Resolute (Ac. 11:23), Open (Ac. 16:14), Clean (Ps. 51:10), Willing (Ex. 35:5), Honest & good (Lk. 8:15), Comforted (Eph. 6:22), Encouraged (Col. 2:2)

Therefore, we see why teaching must address the heart; the heart must be changed.  For unless the heart is changed, the person does not make any permanent change.  And even after God has changed our hearts, WE MUST guard our hearts from evil thoughts, emotions & motives (Pr. 4:23).  EXAMPLE = clean, pure water in a dirty glass!

Love From A Pure Heart, pg. 2

C.      A pure heart (Ps. 24:4; 73:1; Matt. 5:8; 1Tim. 1:5; 2Tim. 2:22)

§        A pure heart is a Christian whose thoughts, will, emotions & motives are pleasing to God; morals & ethics are right before God – who has trusted Christ alone for righteousness & proves love by obeying the Word

§        Enables us to stand/continue in God’s presence in this life & eternity (Ps. 24:4)

§        Enables us to receive, know, acknowledge & enjoy our God’s goodness (Ps. 73:1; 100:5) – truly benefit

§        Enables us to see God (Matt. 5:8) – After God enables a sinner to see their poverty in righteousness (v. 3) & the sinfulness of their own heart, their heart is broken & they mourn (v. 4).  Then God enables them to look away from themselves & see Christ – His righteousness, mercy & forgiveness, love…We see Him now in our hearts, but in the glory to come we shall see Him face to face (1Jn. 3:2).

§        Enables us to pray effectively (2Tim. 2:22; Jas. 4:3)

§        Enables us to know & express biblical love (1Tim. 1:5) – to recognize, receive & love others!

The heart of every individual must be searched & only God can search it thoroughly (Ps. 139:1,23).  Our God uses the scriptures to search us – that’s the reason it is critical for those who teach to discover the Holy Spirit’s purpose & intention behind a passage (Heb. 4:12; Rom. 6:17-18).  Only our God & Father can create a clean heart within us (Ps. 51:10).  There is a definite & obvious effect of the scriptures in a pure heart (Col. 3:12-4:1) = WE LOVE GOD & OUR NEIGHBOR!  Do you love God without hesitation or mixed motives?  Do you love Christ simply because of who He is & because of what He has done for you…?  Do you love your neighbor without mixed motives…?