Review

• Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of heaven — – it starts as a spiritual Kingdom and will become an all of reality Kingdom
• Humility is required – we can’t be a part of the Kingdom without it
• Mourning –for what? For myself and the world
• Notice the aspects of righteousness and mercy —

Matthew 5:2–8 (NIV) ² and he began to teach them. He said: ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ⁵ Blessed are the meek, 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.

1. The heart – what does that mean?

• The seat of our will and emotions/desires
• Real love is not an emotional thing -it is a choice

2. A pure (holy and ethical) heart
   • The problem with this sermon for humans
   • The ultimate solution – the cross and the Holy Spirit
3. The purpose of Jesus’ whole sermon – there is no purity in it of ourselves
   • This speaks of our actions and underlying motives
4. The problem and the solutions –Jesus and the Holy Spirit
   • Jesus is speaking about a purity that is given—declared righteous
   • A change of desire to be Holy -pure –the right thing for the right reason
5. This leads me back to Jesus

• My true motives lead me back to one of three possibilities
• Despair – Hypocrisy –pretending— Jesus –
• He saved me- He is merciful -He is changing me – the Holy Spirit is pointing things out in me for my good

Hebrews 4:12–13 (NIV) ¹² For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints, and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

1 Corinthians 4:5 (NIV) ⁵ Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

Proverbs 16:2 (NIV) ² All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.

James 4:1–3 (NIV) ¹ What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? ² You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. ³ When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

2 Corinthians 5:16–18 (NIV) ¹⁶ So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

3. They will see God—In what sense?

• See in part now but fully in eternity at our death or Jesus’ return
• We will begin to see the activity of God
• As we are Holy – set apart and pure in heart, we begin to see Gods activity
• We will begin to see ourselves become more like Jesus

Romans 12:1–2 (NIV) ¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

1 Corinthians 13:11–13 (NIV) ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. ¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Ephesians 1:17–19 (NIV) ¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength

What does this look like in practice?

John 13:7–15 (NASB95) ⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” ⁸ Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” ⁹ Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” ¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” ¹¹ For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.” ¹² So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? ¹³ “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴ “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ “For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.

Ephesians 5:26 (NIV) ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,

• The washing by His Word is done by God, and by us.

John 17:17 (NIV) ¹⁷ Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

1. I need to understand what I am as a believer – I have a battle
2. Ask God to Speak the word over you and choose to believe it
3. I Reject my impure motives –thanking God for giving me His Promise –and His word.
4. Do the right thing no matter what
5. Participate with others washing and being washed

For Small Group Discussion

Opening Question: Describe a time when your heart has led you astray.

Main Point: The world celebrates those who “follow their heart” regardless of where it takes them. God desires to transform our heart to align with His will and His word.

Main Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Head Questions

• What does it mean to be pure in heart? Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 3:23-26
• Since the heart is deceitful, how do you know when to ignore it or when to listen to it?

Heart Questions

• Read Psalm 86:11-13. When do you struggle to have an undivided heart or mind?
• How do you realign your heart with God when you get off track?

Hands Questions

• What are ways you can eliminate distractions and follow God with your whole heart? James 1:22-25

Additional Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26

Tips and Resources: Breakout for prayer (men & women) and pray for each other in following God with your whole heart.