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A ttitudes and actions that garner God’s blessings. What is this series about? An examination of 21 attitudes and behaviors identified in the New Testament as “blessed” A look at Christian conduct and characteristics that will enrich our lives with lasting joy
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What is this series about? • An examination of 21 attitudes and behaviors identified in the New Testament as “blessed” • A look at Christian conduct and characteristics that will enrich our lives with lasting joy • A look at the condition of those who lack these qualities
Outline (Matthew 5:8) • “Blessed are the pure in heart” • “For they shall see God” • The cursed life
Blessed are the pure in heart (Matt. 5:8) • Pure (Gr. hagnos, from same root word for holy, sanctified) • Webster: “not mixed with anything else” “free from moral fault or guilt” • Vine’s Dictionary: “not contaminated” “chaste” “clean” • Heart – not the physical organ of the flesh • The heart reflects who you really are (Prov. 27:19) • “The Bible depicts the heart as that part of man which thinks (Matt. 9:4), reasons (Mk. 2:6, 8), ponders (Lk. 2:19), understands (Matt. 13:15), believes (Rom. 10:10), doubts (Mk. 11:23), imagines (Lk. 1:51), desires (Rom. 10:1), loves (Matt. 22:37), sorrows (Jn. 16:6), rejoices (Jn. 16:22; Acts 2:26), lusts (Rom. 1:24), despises (2 Sam. 6:16), purposes (Acts 11:23), determines (1 Cor. 7:37 ASV), obeys (Rom. 6:17, 18).” • - Brother Keith Sharp, 1976
Blessed are the pure in heart (Matt. 5:8) • Beware the deceitfulness of the heart (Jer. 17:9) • The heart must be made right first, as Jesus warned the hypocrites (Matt. 23:25-26) • The challenge: purify your heart (Jms. 4:8)…but how? • Believe with all your heart (Acts 8:37) • Humble your heart, as Hezekiah (2 Chron. 32:25-26) • Seek forgiveness (Acts 2:37-38) • Follow Apostles’ instructions (1 Tim. 1:5) • Love God with all your heart (Matt. 22:37) • Circumcision of heart (Rom. 2:29) • Obedience from the heart (Rom. 6:17) • Focus on godly thoughts (Phil. 4:8)
For they shall see God (Matthew 5:8) • We hope to see what we have not seen (Rom. 8:24-25) • Without this sanctification (holy moral purity), no man shall see God (Heb. 12:14) • Without being born again, you cannot see His kingdom (John 3:3) • We will see Him just as He is (1 John 3:2) • In His kingdom, we will see His face (Rev. 22:3-4) • “Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart!” (Ps. 73:1)
The cursed life: Cursed are the impure in heart… • Because they cannot physically see God, they attempt to form a god (idol) to worship, or they deny that God exists (Ps. 14:1) • Wicked hearts grieve God (Gen. 6:5-6) • A wicked heart taints man’s words (Matt. 12:34-35) • Evil comes from their heart (Matt. 15:18-19) • God does not hear their prayers (Ps. 66:18) • They are excluded from the life of God (Eph. 4:17-19) • The impure have no inheritance in God’s kingdom (Eph. 5:5) • Unrepentant hearts store up God’s wrath (Rom. 2:5) • Evildoers do not see God (3 John 1:11)
Summary • We must be pure from our innermost being • The pure will see God • The impure will not see God • Blessed are the pure in heart, • for they shall see God!
Believe in Jesus Christ (John 14:1; Acts 16:30-34) • That He died for your sins and was resurrected (1 Cor. 15:3-4) • Repent of your past sins (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9) • Commit yourself to holy conduct (Acts 26:30; Titus 2:11-12) • Confess your faith (Matthew 10:32) • Declare your belief that Jesus is God’s Son (Acts 8:37) • Receive Baptism (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12) • Baptism puts you into Christ (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27) • Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16) • Baptism saves you (1 Peter 3:21) • Be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10) • Trust His grace and obey His commands (Hebrews 5:9) • Or face the retribution due to those who do not obey • 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Romans 2:8; John 3:36
Pray without ceasing…Practice what Jesus preached…Prepare for our next assembly