Pursuing Purity Series

PURSUING PURITY

Matthew 5:8

BE PERFECT SERIES

The blessedness – the joy and the extreme happiness of the pure in heart, comes from a deep love for God.

Holiness Misunderstood

1. Boring

2. Impossible

3. Not really necessary

4. Critical attitude

"Happy are pure in heart; they will see God!" (Matthew 5:8, GNT)

God wants you to be holy.

“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.” 1 Thess. 4:3-8 (NIV)

“14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)

Make every effort – (Gk. dioko) - Pursue or persecute showing intense seriousness (find or catch something either to harm or to own)

1. A command – not an option.

2. Present tense – ongoing pursuit, not a once a while effort but a continuous effort

3. Active Voice – We persistently and actively pursue holiness

PURSUE HOLINESS

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV)

“….Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." (2 Timothy 2:22, NLT)

U –NDERGO HEART CHANGE (P.U.R.E.)

HEART – “the centre of the human spirit from which spring emotions, thought, motivation, courage and action.” Your heart is the control centre of your life.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

“Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.” The Message

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." (Proverbs 4:23, NLT)

HEART PROBLEM

“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV)

GOD’S CURE FOR HEART PROBLEM

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NIV)

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV)

See also Hebrews 12:10

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

GOD’S GOAL FOR HEART CHANGE

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Cor 3:18 (NIV)

Note: this transformation is an ongoing process

“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30 (NIV)

note: this transformation is God’s plan

GOD’S MEANS FOR HEART CHANGE

“And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Cor 3:18 (NIV)

a. It is a process – ongoing and growing

b. The Holy Spirit is the primary agent of this change.

c. God uses His Word to transform us.

d. The gospel of Christ is God’s main instrument of transforming us.

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR HEART IS PURE – growing purer?

“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.“ Hebrews 1:9 (NIV)