Purity Of Heart Series

Purity of Heart

Lakeview Baptist Church of Kannapolis May 11, 2025

Intro

What does it mean to describe something as pure?

Real deal, not mixed with anything, no pollutants, perfect, Holy

What does it mean to describe something as impure?

Tainted, mixed with lesser elements, imperfect, dirty

Revelation 3:14-20 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: (15) "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. (16) So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. (17) Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— (18) I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. (19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. (20) Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

As different as people are from God, they still don’t like impurity.

When we purchase things, we want the best, search for the best and pay extra for the best…produce, diamonds, gold, weed and feed, watered down drinks.

What would you do if your food arrived at your table and it had a bug in it?

What would you do if you bought clothes online and they arrived with stains on them?

What would you do if you had a car painted and it came back with trash or imperfections in the paint job?

How would you feel about a surgeon working on you without washing his hands after going to the restroom?

Unfortunately, many times impurities are covered up and sold as pure. Cars, filters on facebook, makeup, lying on applications, church.

It happened in Jesus day as well.

Luke 18:10-14 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. (11) The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. (12) I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' (13) And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' (14) I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Text

Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

I. Requirement of God

Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. (2) But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.

1 Peter 3:12 FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE ON THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ARE OPEN TO THEIR PRAYERS; BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL."

James 4:4-10 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (5) Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? (6) But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." (7) Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. (8) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (9) Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. (10) Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

II. Revelation of Man’s Heart