Sermon Study #316 – PARADISE, THE PRIZE OF THE PURE
Key Scripture: Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the pure (clean, clear) in heart, for they will see God.
NLT 8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
MSG 8"You’re blessed when you get your inside world--your mind and heart--put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
WHO IS PURE? FIVE SIGNS OF PURITY
1. Those who have confessed their lives to Jesus by acknowledging Him as Lord; and Savior of their sins.
~ 1 John 1:9 - If we confess (acknowledgement) our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
~ Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (from the punishment of sin). [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
2. Those who have the hope of His coming:
~ 1 John 3:2 - 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.
3. Those who stay away from the sin that so easily entangles:
~ 2 Cor. 7:1 - Since we have these promises (God will be our Father), dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
~ Hebrews 12:1 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
4. Those who are eager to do what is right:
~ Titus 2:14 - who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
~ 1 Peter 1:22 - Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
5. Those who come near to God with faith, not doubting:
~ James 4:8 - Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
WHAT IS THE PRIZE OF THE PURE? TO SEE THE LORD
~ Hebrews 12:14 - Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness (purification) no one will see the Lord.
~ 1 John 3:2 - 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 (which is our earthly pursuit), for we shall see him (eternal intimacy) as he is.
