The Burning Heart Series

The Burning Heart

Griffith Baptist Church – 7/27/08

P.M. Service

Text: Psalm 39

Main Verse: Psalms 39:3 - My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

The Introduction

The Consideration of a Closed Heart- 39:1-6

The Confession of an Open Heart- 39:7-11

The Call of a Receptive Heart- 39:12-13

Morris, the loudmouth mechanic, was removing the cylinder heads from the motor of a car when he spotted a famous heart surgeon who was standing off to the side, waiting for the service manager to come take a look at his Mercedes. Morris shouted across the garage, "Hey Doc! Is dat you? Come on ova’ here a minute." The famous surgeon, a bit surprised, walked over to where Morris the mechanic was working on the car. Morris straightened up, wiped his hands on a rag, and asked argumentatively, "So, Mr. Fancy Doctor, look at dis here work. I ALSO open hearts, take valves out, grind ’em, put in new parts, and when I finish dis baby will purr like a kitten. So how come you get da big bucks, when you an’ me is doing basically da same work?" The surgeon leaned over and whispered to Morris the loudmouth mechanic, "Try doing it with the engine running."

This psalm is a psalm that speaks from the heart about the heart of a man sees his transgressions and honestly desires to have a right position with His God again.

There are two types of hearts that we deal with as Christians, one that is carnal and one that is spiritual

One that is controlled by sin and the other that is controlled by the Savior.

Transition Statement: Sometimes we are walking through this life with a heart burning with sinful tendencies

1. The Burning Heart of Sin - 8

A. The flame of hatred

i. There is no place for hatred in the Christian life. Christ changes us. A woman testified to the transformation in her life that had resulted through her experience in conversion. She declared, "I’m so glad I got religion. I have an uncle I used to hate so much I vowed I’d never go to his funeral. But now, why, I’d be happy to go to it any time."

ii. We are to hate what opposes God

a. Psalms 97:10 – Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked. (Prov. 8:13)

b. This is not hatred of individuals, but a hatred of the sin they do

iii. Wrong hate is the character of the old sinful life

a. Titus 3:3 – For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. (see also Gal. 5:19-21)

b. Hatred of the brethren indicates a carnal life not walking with God - 1 John 2:9, 11 – 9He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

iv. Love to enemies encouraged

a. Leviticus 19:17 – Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him.

b. Matthew 5:43-44 - 43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

B. The flame of bitterness

i. Two little brothers, Harry and James, had finished supper and were playing until bedtime. Somehow, Harry hit James with a stick, and tears and bitter words followed. Charges and accusations were still being exchanged as their mother prepared them for bed. She said, “Now boys, what would happen if either of you died tonight and you never had the opportunity again for forgive one another?” James spoke up, “Well, OK, I’ll forgive him tonight, but if we’re both alive in the morning, he’d better look out.”

ii. Stems from anger

iii. It can be subtle – it does not always have to appear as red faced with teeth clenched.

iv. The most dangerous bitter person is the one who can wear a smile and hold the dagger of bitterness at the same time

v. We are to distance ourselves from bitterness - Ephesians 4:31 – Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

vi. You cannot be a spiritual believer and be bitter at the same time - James 3:11, 14 - 11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 14But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.