Change My Heart Oh God

CHANGE MY HEART OH GOD!

I Kings 3:5: ¶In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

I Kings 3:6: And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.

I Kings 3:7: And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

I Kings 3:8: And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

I Kings 3:9: Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

I Kings 3:10: And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

I Kings 3:11: And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment;

I Kings 3:12: Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

I Kings 3:13: And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.

I. WE NEED TO HAVE A TENDER HEART

In this text tender heart is‑translated "bowels of mercies."

A. A TEDER HEART IS ONE THAT IS MOVED‑INWARDLY W/ COMPASSION FOR OTHERS.

Rom. 12:15b, "Weep with them that‑weep."

1. Jesus was often moved with‑compassion for others.

Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the‑multitudes, he was moved with‑compassion on them, because they‑fainted, and were scattered abroad, as‑sheep having no shepherd.

2. Our compassion for others reflects‑whether or not God's love resides with‑in us.

1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this‑world's good, and seeth his brother‑have need, and shutteth up his bowels‑of compassion from him, how dwelleth‑the love of God in him?

3. We need to experience compassion‑for the needs of others in our‑felloship.

4. Altar services are a wonderful‑time to allow God's love and‑compassion to operate through you.

If church's are spiritual‑hospitals, then the altar must be the‑E.R.!

We must never leave wounded people‑unattended.

Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion,‑making a difference:

B. A LIFESTYLE OF SENSITIVITY TOWARDS‑OTHERS.

1. Mercy vs. Mercies

II. WE NEED TO HAVE A TOLERANT HEART

"Forbearing one another."

"To Put up with."

Romans 15:1 We then that are strong‑ought to bear the infirmities of the‑weak, and not to please ourselves.

A. TWO THINGS THE CHURCH MUST PUT UP‑WITH IN ORDER TO HAVE A LOVING CHURCH!

1. People friction [personality‑conflicts]

2. Spiritual immaturity [we must give‑people room to grow]

B. TO HOLD BACK

1. Not reacting to every person and‑situation.

2. The ability to not always "say‑what we think" exemplifies spiritual‑maturity!

Prov 17:27 He that hath knowledge‑spareth his words: and a man of‑understanding is of an excellent‑spirit.

Prov 17:28 Even a fool, when he‑holdeth his peace, is counted wise:‑and he that shutteth his lips is‑esteemed a man of understanding.

III. WE NEED TO HAVE A FORGIVING‑HEART

A. IF WE REFUSE TO FORGIVE, GOD WILL‑NOT FORGIVE US!

B. FORGIVE FOR HIS SAKE, HE FORGAVE‑YOU!

C. WE MUST STAMP OUT UNFORGIVENESS

CONCL: THE RESULT OF A LOVING‑FELLOWSHIP WHO MAINTAINS A TENDER,‑TOLERANT AND FORGIVING HEART IS FOUND‑IN VS. 15 ...

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule‑in your hearts, to the which also ye‑are called in one body; and be ye‑thankful.

IV. HAVE AN GIVING/SHARING HEART‑[LOVE IN ACTION/ KINDNESS]