This message is an edited version of a sermon given at Loving God Fellowship. Copyright © 2007 Loving God Fellowship, Inc. http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org . You are encouraged to share this message with those you know that are hungry for God’s Word.
The Pure in Heart
The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached Series
By Greg Johnson
Matthew 5:8
Jesus said (Matthew 5:8 NIV) "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."
Having a pure heart is one of the eight qualities of character of a citizen of the Kingdom of God that Jesus declares in the greatest sermon ever preached, the Sermon on the Mount. The pure in heart will see God.
THE PURE IN HEART
In Max Lucado’s book The Applause of Heaven, he gives an illustration, that cements Jesus’ point that the only way to change your life is to change your heart. At one time Max and his family lived in Rio De Janeiro, working as missionaries. Once, when they were leaving on a week long trip, Max remembered he had forgotten to unplug his ham radio. He dashed back in the house and pulled the plug, and dashed out. Unfortunately he pulled the wrong plug. The radio sat on their freezer, which had been newly stocked with meat, and was now unplugged. To make matters worse they were gone for 7 days, & it was summer in Brazil, which Max says redefines hot. When they got home, Max’s wife Denalyn decided to get some meat out of the freezer. Max says “it was a `moving’ experience.” Since it was Max who unplugged the freezer it was Max who got to clean it.
With tongue in cheek he writes:
"What is the best way to clean out a rotten interior? I knew exactly what to do. I got a rag and a bucket of soapy water and began cleaning the outside of the appliance. I was sure the odor would disappear as I buffed and wiped and polished. But when I opened the door, the smell was revolting. No problem, I thought. I knew what to do. This freezer needs some friends. I’d stink too if I had the social life of a machine in a utility room. So, I threw a party. I invited all the appliances from the neighborhood. Everyone played pin in the socket and had a few laughs about limited warranties. I was sure the social interaction would cure the inside of the freezer but when I opened it up the stink was even worse. I had an idea. If the polish job and a social life wouldn’t help, I’d give the freezer some status! So I bought a Mercedes sticker and stuck it on the door. I installed a cell phone on the side and I opened the door. Still repulsive. I could think of only one other option- pleasure. So I bought copies of "Playfridge"- the publication that displays freezers with their doors open. I rented some foxy films, my favorite was "The Big Chill." After a few days of supercharged, after hours entertainment, I opened the door. I nearly got sick."
Lucado concludes: "I know what you’re thinking, the only thing worse than Max’s humor is his common sense. Who would concentrate on the outside when the problem is on the inside? Really want to know? A housewife battles with depression. What is the solution offered by a close friend? Buy a new dress, get a job. A husband is involved in an affair that brings him as much guilt as it does adventure. The solution? Change peer groups. Hang out with people who don’t make you feel guilty! A person is plagued by insecurity and restlessness. The answer? A hunting trip, or a vacation or maybe a change of style. A new look, a new car, flash some cash. That will give you the lift you need. Case after case of treating the outside while ignoring the inside. And the result? Oh, the depression, the guilt, the insecurity leaves for maybe a day, maybe a week. But it always returns, and usually it’s worse. The outside is altered the inside has faltered. The real and lasting answer? True happiness comes from the inside out.” Why? Because: "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God."
It’s all about the inside, not the outside. Jesus said this to the religionist of his day who looked pure on the outside, but were rotten on the inside. (Matthew 23:25-28 NIV) ""Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you 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 and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. {27} "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. {28} In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
The religionist of Jesus’ day thought it was all about looks. Jesus rattled their cage when He preach and taught that it was nothing about looks, but everything about a red hot relationship with the living God.
THE BLESSING FOR THE PURE IN HEART
The blessing for the pure in heart is that they shall see God.
(1 John 3:1-3 NIV) "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. {2} Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. {3} Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure."
How does one purify himself so that they can see God? God’s Word asks that pointed question and than gives the only answer. (Psalms 24:3-6 NIV) "Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? {4} He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. {5} He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. {6} Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob."
C.S. Lewis said "It is safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, for only the pure in heart want to."
Do you want to see God? I believe you do. That’s why you are listening intently to this message today. Through listening to God’s Word preached, your faith has gone up a notch. The desire in you to seek God and purify yourself has increased. As you continue to seek God through His Word, His Spirit and prayer, your heart will be purified and you will see God. Beloved, He is all you need. Seek Him with all you have.
For those not yet following Christ, please know that citizenship in God’s Kingdom requires a new birth. Jesus said (John 3:3 NIV) "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." Submit your life to the Lordship of Christ and He will give you a new citizenship in the Kingdom of God.
Know that you are loved,
Greg Johnson
Founding Pastor
Loving God Fellowship
www.GAJohnson.org
Loving God Fellowship is an interdenominational Christ following fellowship with a revolutionary new church plant in Salem, Oregon, and a worldwide Internet church community @ http://www.LGFinternetChurch.org .
