Thesis: Jesus pronounces his blessedness only to those who's purity is not relegated to the surface, but seek to reside at the center of our hearts
I. The Perception of Purity
-Jesus did not say blessed are the pure...it would have validated the belief system of the Pharisees who specialized in showing holiness on the outside but had dirty hearts on inside
-for purity is not found in outward expression but rather an inward commitment
a. free from corruption - pure in heart means to be without blemish which occurs at the moment of salvation and causes us to acknowledge our affliction to sin and receive the forgiveness of the Lord
b. fixed on Christ - pure in heart also means to have unmixed motives...suggests that our motives must be centered on pleasing Jesus and not ourselves
II. The Process of Purity
-being able to possess a pure heart is not easy...but it is possessed through a process that we all must go through
a. spiritual process - one of the greatest untruths is that in order for a person to change they must change their environment.
-while that is an important part of change, that alone will not suffice...for man's problems originates not from our environment, but rather from their heart
-man needs a changed heart to be truly pure
b. practical process - we need our heart cleansed daily through a closer relationship with the Lord
-James 4:7-8...submit therefore to God; resist the devil and he will flee...draw near to God and he will draw near to you; cleanse your hands you sinners; purify your hearts you double-minded
III. The Promise of Purity
-verse 8...blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God
-this verse has the same promise that each of the beatitudes possess...present and future fulfillment
a. present fulfillment - those that are pure in heart will see a vision of God physically in this world
1. see God through creation
2. see God through circumstances
3. see God through his care
b. future fulfillment - there will come a time when seeing God on earth will not be enough, but we will see God in eternity, face to face
2 comments:
Lance, this is a great outline!!! No doubt, the series is going well. I need to know where you get these outlines from; am I to assume these are straight from the throne???
Lance, I'm waiting for this past week's sermon outline update! Of course, you are waiting for my return call. Does that mean we are even?
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