(For this Illustrated sermon you will need an eight foot tall heart with doors in the center to get thing out, and for Spirit of Pharisee; Spirit of Rebellion; Spirit of Gossip to exit)
Title: Your Cheating Heart Will Tell On You
Text: Psalms 51:10
Intro: Ladies and gentlemen, the music that you are hearing sets the title for my message today. It was written by a man who lived a sad tragic life; and who died a sad tragic death.
“Your Cheating Heart Will Tell on You”
Just a few weeks ago many people celebrated Valentines Day. They spoke words of love and devotion. Some were honest and true but other’s spoke from a Cheating Heart.
But the spiritual theme that I wish to set this morning is this; Many people are pledging their love and devotion to God but it is from a corrupt and Cheating Heart.
You cannot fool God. Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. Sir, you can pretend that you are committed to Christ and think that you secret life of sin is hidden. But I tell you that your cheating heart will tell on you! Many of you have been flirting with the world, unfaithful in your relationship with God. Your cheating heart will tell on you!
Except you repent of your cheating, the day is coming when the contents of your heart will be exposed for the world to see. Your sin will be shouted from the house top.
God is looking for people today with a pure heart, a bride without spot, wrinkle, or blemish; someone that is completely devoted to Him. God doesn’t need your lip service if He doesn’t have your whole heart.
I. The Cheating Heart
A. One that is divided because of unfaithfulness
ILL. David followed after God with all his heart but Solomon didn’t
1 Kings 11:4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
- God is not satisfied with a half-hearted commitment
- But to many today are flirting with the world and calling it innocent fun while God says either Love me totally or not at all
B. One that is filled with other interest.
-Get Things out of heart that we make into gods-
- I can’t go to church today It’s Super Bowl Sunday.
- I can’t go to prayer meeting tonight the boosters wouldn’t know what to do without me.
- Wednesday night that’s crazy I need family time
- Tell someone about Jesus, No I’ll just live it in front of them.
C. Does not take anyone else into consideration
- It is a heart of self-centeredness.
- Never mind the price that was paid for my salvation.
- Never mind that God say’s that He is jealous God.
- Because I want to live the way I want to. No preacher, or the Bible is going to make me change.
D. Thinks that no one knows your little secret
Numbers 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.
- You can fool your self into thinking that no one knows but will expose it all.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
- Many people have thought that they had their sins hidden only to exposed by God.
- Achan
- David
- Samson
II. The Pure Heart
A. It cries out like David did;
Psalms 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
Psalms 139:24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
B. The Hebrew for that phrase means “to penetrate, examine deeply”
C. The Pure heart says “Come Holy Spirit and search out the innermost man, shine into all hidden parts
D. Here is what happens when you pray like that
- (Go to front of heart and begin to pray)
- “Search me oh Lord Empty me of everything; investigate… Probe… Expose… Reveal… Dig-out.
Spirit OF Pharisee –
… I am so holy; nothing can touch this sanctified soul.
… I tithe every week, yes sir I remove a tenth right off the top; I’m so good and faithful.
… FAST, I fast 10 meals a week, there is only 21 meals a week. Everyone knows how devoted I am to my religion.
… Pray no one is a better prayer warrior than I am. I go to the center of town every week to pray over this city. I am so spiritual.
… Praise the Lord, I am not like the common church member, I am so committed, and I never miss a service.
You are a spirit of Pharisee, a religious spirit. Jesus said that “Except your righteousness exceed that of the Pharisee you shall in no case enter into heaven.” I’ll not have you in my heart. Go in the name of Jesus.
(Return to heart and pray).
Lord Investigate… Probe… Dig-out… Expose
Witch of Rebellion –
… I don’t like preachers; they are always trying to tell me how to live. Holiness this holiness that.
… Hey preacher have you ever heard of legalism.
… Sunday school teachers trying to teach me things I don’t want to learn, I can’t stand them
… Deacons think they are so great, I hate them all.
… The Ten Commandments, what a joke just more rules to break
You are rebellion. The Bible says that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.
I won’t have rebellion in my heart Go in the name of Jesus and never return.
(Return to the front of the heart and pray)
Lord, search me Dig-out… Probe… Expose
Spirit of Gossip –
… I can’t wait to see Bro. Johnson, have I got something to tell him about Sis. Mary.
… That preacher want do anything about it so there is no need to tell him. He never does anything. You know he called that workday at the church and I never saw him once, he is so lazy.
… But Sis. Mary was over to the theater and you know the only movie there was one of those R rated movies. I just can’t believe it; I saw her right there at the drug store next to the theater, ruining her Christian witness, her testimony, and the reputation of our church.
… And something has got to be done about Bro. Smith. He is just a disgrace to our church the way he dresses for services, and then plops himself right down in the middle of the front row. Would someone please buy the man a suit that fits?
… Oh did you see that Sis. Jones, somebody should tell her she is not a teenager anymore she doesn’t need to dress like one.
… This has been such a wonderful pray time. I must go so I can call Sis. Mary and we can lift you up in prayer.
You are a Spirit of gossip. Jesus said…
Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
And James told us that…
James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
Conclusion: There are many other areas to look at that time just does not permit. Many are dealing with a Spirit of unforgiveness, others with a Lying Spirit. You know what is hidden in your heart, and God says, “it’s time to clean it up” Now is your opportunity to do just that.
