Matthew 5:8 is one of the most astounding statements in the word of God. You and I may stand and look at the same object and see different things. The eye sees what it is trained to see. That is not only true physically, but spiritually. Isn't it amazing that two people can come to the same service, God moves, they both have an opportunity to make a decision for the Lord, but only one does.
The ultimate goal and destination of the Christian is to see God. Every believer is being prepared for an audience with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We can also see the Lord today by faith. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see the Lord.”
I. Pure in Heart
1. We wish He had said to be pure in body because that is so much easier.
2. Most of us have the idea that as long as we are pure in body that would be sufficient and will satisfy the demands of a holy God.
3. Jesus said, “Pure in heart.” Notice the area of purity. Jesus constantly cut across the grain.
4. You see, the Pharisees were deeply religious. They kept the law. They were pure in body, model citizens.
5. One day Jesus pointed to these men and said, “The harlots will get into heaven before you do.” Jesus was concerned about purity of heart.
6. You can be pure in body and not be pure in heart, but you cannot be pure in heart without being pure in body.
II. What does the Word Pure Mean?
1. We immediately think of being clean, cleansed or being holy.
2. The word, “pure” means to be unmixed. Corn with all chaff is taken out, pure silver with no dross.
3. Pure ketchup doesn’t pour out easily. To get it to pour faster they add water. Not pure ketchup.
4. Pure means to be what you say you are. To be what you appear to be, no hidden motives, pure in heart.
5. The heart is seat of main emotions, the steering wheel of his life. Proverbs 4:23, 23:7, Matthew 15:18-19, Hebrews 3:12
6. The pure in heart shall see the Lord. Are you pure in heart tonight? Jesus is the perfect illustration of the Beatitudes.
III. What Does it Take to be Pure in Heart?
1. Matthew 6:1, the word “alms” means righteous acts. The practical expression of a man’s religion.
2. Take heed” the Christian life is fragile. It is possible to do a good work in an evil way.
3. In verse 1, Jesus makes the statement, then in verses 2-6 and 16-18. He gives three illustrations Acts of mercy, prayer and fasting.
4. Jesus says it is extremely easy to do these three things with the wrong motive. Be pure, careful, pure in heart.
IV. I must be Conscious of the Presence of God
1. Notice in verses 4, 6 and 18, God sees me. Hebrews 4:13.
2. One of the most important things about my Christian life is that I realize that I am always in the presence of God.
3. The difference between a spiritual Christian and a carnal Christian is that the carnal Christian is more conscious of the presence of man than he is of the presence of God.
4. Too may live their lives in accordance with the presence of men and relegate the presence of God to some future date of His coming. He is present now. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
5. Now if you are conscious of the presence of God this means that, first of all, your Christian service will be sincere. Matthew 6:5, 16. Hypocrite, an actor.
6. It also means your acts will be done in secret. Verses 4-6, 17-18.
7. Verse 3, what does that mean? Don’t even tell yourself what you are doing. I have a hard time not talking to myself. Telling myself how wonderful I am. How spiritual I am.
8. Do you constantly hear yourself telling things about yourself.
a. You are such a good teacher.
b. You can pray so much better than so and so.
c. You are more spiritual.
9. Not talking about never doing any public act or prayer. But do it and think more about God than you do about the people.
a. My service is unto the Lord.
b. Teaching and preaching is unto the Lord.
c. My acts of mercy are unto the Lord.
V. Be Content with the Praise of God
1. Do you know what the Christian life boils down to? To whom you want to please the most. You cannot please God and everybody else too. Galatians 1:10
2. I cannot please everybody, but I can please God. god who has the highest of standards, is holy, righteous, I can please Him.
3. I must be content with His praise and reward, verse 1-2, 5, 16.
4. God will reward you, verse 4,6, and 18. How many of us sell out the future for the present?
5. Why is it we get our feelings hurt when nobody praises you for what you’ve done?
a. You say, “I’m never going back to that church.”
b. Nobody appreciates me at that church.
6. In verse 4, there is a catch here. What would be a reward to a spiritual person would not be a reward to a carnal person.
7. The trained eye sees the reward of God. You will not lose; God is debtor to no man.
8. Our prayer should be to please God. To be conscious of His presence, to be content with His reward. Does this describe you tonight?
