"The Heart God Seeks"
Introduction:
Greet the congregation warmly and read the key verse: 1 Samuel 16:7b (NLT) - "The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Begin by acknowledging the human tendency to judge based on appearances and then transition into the profound truth revealed in this verse.
Point 1: The Limitations of Human Judgment
Illustration: Share a personal or relatable story where you or someone you know made a hasty judgment based on appearances that later proved to be incorrect.
Scripture: Read 1 Samuel 16:7b - "People judge by outward appearance."
Exposition:
Explain how human judgment is often shallow and influenced by external factors such as appearance, status, or reputation.
Emphasize the need to move beyond surface-level assessments when interacting with others, as this aligns with God's perspective.
Point 2: God's Profound Perspective
Illustration: Share a biblical example, such as David's anointing, where God chose someone seemingly insignificant in the eyes of people to fulfil a significant purpose.
Scripture: Read 1 Samuel 16:7b - "But the Lord looks at the heart."
Exposition:
Explore the depth of God's perspective, which focuses on the heart—the inner character, motives, and intentions of an individual.
Highlight that God's view sees beyond the external and recognizes the potential for transformation and service in the heart of a person.
Point 3: Cultivating a Heart After God's Own Heart
Illustration: Share a story of a biblical character or a contemporary example of someone who exemplified a heart after God's own heart.
Scripture: Reference Acts 13:22, where God describes David as a man after His own heart.
Exposition:
Discuss the qualities of a heart after God's own heart, such as humility, obedience, repentance, and a deep desire to know and serve God.
Encourage the congregation to strive for a heart that pleases God, emphasizing that this transformation is possible through a personal relationship with Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion:
Summarize the key points, stressing the importance of seeing others and ourselves through the lens of God's perspective, which values the condition of the heart.
Challenge the congregation to reflect on their own lives and hearts, asking whether they are aligned with God's desires.
Offer an invitation for anyone who wishes to seek a heart after God's own heart, surrendering their lives to Christ for transformation.
Closing Quote:
"May we strive to cultivate hearts that align with the desires of our Heavenly Father, for it is in the condition of our hearts that God truly seeks to dwell." - Dean Courtier
