Sermon: Blessed are the pure in heart

Matthew 5:1-8 When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to teach them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. [Say verse 8 outloud with me]

Big Idea: Receive and grow a pure heart so that you may see God more clearly

Heart Questions: Do I have a pure heart? Do I long to see God? 

1. WHAT IS A PURE HEART? 
   1. Not biological organ; The core of your identity
   2. “The ‘heart’ locates the core of a person, that place from which we feel and think and determine our actions.” - John Nolland
   3. Jesus taught the importance of a pure heart. Mt. 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery. But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Mt. 23:25-28 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that the outside of it may also become clean.
   4. Heart-rot in trees. A tree can look healthy on the outside but the inside is decaying and dying.
   5. God looks at our hearts. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”
   6. A pure heart is single-minded. Like in marriage each partner is to be single-minded in devotion to each other.
   7. Psalm 86:11 “Unite my heart to fear your name.”
   8. James 4:8 Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
   9. Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. (outloud together)
2. A pure heart is cleansed from wicked desires
   1. A pure heart seeks righteousness and turns from evil and sin
   2. Col. 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
   3. A pure heart is cleansed of the filth of sin and immorality. Every impure word (Gossip, bad joke). Every impure thought (Coveting, Lust). Every impure action (Stealing, Hurting others).
3. We have divided and dirty hearts
   1. We are divided between God and sin, good and evil. And we often choose evil. 
   2. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
   3. Calvin said our hearts are “Idol making factories”
   4. “Follow your heart” is terrible advice.
   5. St. Augustine quote: “Purity of soul cannot be lost without consent.”
   6. Reflect: Where has your heart been impure and divided? 
4. How do we get a pure heart? 
   1. We receive a pure heart from Jesus
   2. Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
   3. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
   4. Jesus came to offer purity to impure people.
5. Grow in purity.
   1. Col. 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
   2. Reflect: What needs to be cut out of your life so that you can see God?
6. The reward for a pure heart is seeing God.
   1. The pure in heart have greater spiritual sight. 
   2. The pure in heart will see God face to face. 
   3. 1 Cor. 13:12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known
   4. The blessing is the Blesser. Seeing God is our greatest delight.

Receive and grow a pure heart so that you may see God more clearly