Pure Hearts Pay Off

We had a large Cottonwood tree in our back yard on Hill Street. It was a good 50-60 feet tall. Several similar trees over 60 feet tall had fallen and we were getting concerned. We decided that it was time for it to go. An arborist didn’t think it necessary to do more than trim it, but he cut it down and it was the right decision because the tree was rotting in the center and was likely to fall in the near future.

Like that tree, the Pharisees were also afflicted with inner rot and corruption. Jesus said to them, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.” Matthew 23:27 (NASB). Their hearts were filled with hypocrisy, greed, pride, cruelty and judgementalism.

It is not external appearance that matters. It’s what’s inside that counts. The Lord said to Samuel, who was looking favorably at 7 of Jesse’s sons to anoint one as king to replace Saul, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 (NASB). David, son #8, the shepherd boy, was God’ choice.

Peter emphasized the value of the inner person. He wrote to godly women, “Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.” 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NASB).

The Bible declares the necessity and benefits of a pure heart. Let’s explore the benefits. But, first, what is a pure heart?

*A pure heart is an uncontaminated heart, cleansed of lust, greed, envy, hate, pride, bitterness and rebellion.

*A pure heart is an undivided heart:

Undivided in loyalty; not giving a part to God and part to the world.

Undivided in faith; half believing God and half doubting God.

*A pure heart is an untroubled heart. Jesus said, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1 (NASB). What should we know about pure hearts?

I. PURE HEARTS PRODUCE PURE LOVE:

A. Paul wrote, “the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 1 Timothy 1:5 (NASB). Good water does not flow from a contaminated source, nor does pure love flow from a contaminated heart.

1. If we don’t have pure love, we don’t have a pure heart.

2. If we don’t have a pure heart, we don’t have pure love.

B. Pure love:

1. Is not self-seeking and goes out, not for what it can take but for what it can give.

2. Is stable and reliable.

3. Is deep and sincere.

C. Pure hearts produce pure love like this “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails;”..1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NASB).

D. Who needs you to love on them right now? If you can’t think of anyone, consider:

1. Paying for the meal of the guy behind you at the fast food drive through.

2. On a hot day hand out cold bottles of water in a parking lot with permission of lot owner.

3. Allow someone who lives alone to give you an early morning, “I’m okay!” phone call.

4. Lead someone to Jesus, witnessing by word and life and love.

E. Let me illustrate pure love: A missionary visited a village, where he found in one of the huts a woman who was obviously starving to death. She was laying on the dirt floor. In her arms was a baby girl; she was also obviously malnourished. The missionary cooked a sweet potato, the only thing he had, and placed it in the women’s hand. She took a bite of the potato, chewed it thoroughly, and placing her mouth over that of the baby, forced the potato into her mouth. She did that until the potato was entirely consumed by the baby. It was only a couple hours later that the mother died. But she made sure that her baby had something to eat. That is pure love.

PURE HEARTS PRODUCE PURE LOVE: and

II. PURE HEARTS PURSUE PURE THINGS: