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This is a sermon about the human heart from a spiritual / biblical perspective. This message focuses on the positive traits that should characterize the heart of a believer, in contrast to the negative traits that were presented in the previous message (Part 1).
Written Excerpts:
Hebrews 3:7-19
Introduction:
Last Sunday we spoke from this passage in the third chapter of Hebrews on the issue of the human heart and we looked at the various descriptions that were linked with the word “heart” in these verses. If you recall, all of the descriptions that we discussed from this passage, as well as a couple of other references, were all negative in connotation, i.e. hard heart, evil heart, erring heart, blind heart and troubled heart. These are conditions of the heart that we can safely say that God does not want us to have.
Today, I want to continue this discussion, but I want to focus on those references that emphasize more positive qualities of the human heart. Again this week I admit that there is so much material in the Bible on this topic that we will be pressed to cover all of it today, but we will endeavor to do so. Let us review what God’s Word has to say about conditions of the heart that God desires for us to possess.
We’re not going to review these in any particular order. We’ll just start off first with the one that appears in Hebrews, since we began in Hebrews last Sunday.
II. Positive heart descriptions…
A. True Heart (Heb. 10:22)
Hebrews 10:22 (KJV) Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
(Matthew Henry) “With a true heart, without any allowed guile or hypocrisy. God is the searcher of hearts, and he requires truth in the inward parts.”
Luke 8:15 (KJV) But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. [Emphasis mine]
John 4:23-24 (NKJV) 23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
A true heart is a sincere, genuine or authentic heart. It is a person who makes no attempt to deceive God or man, but desires to show in spirit and in actions a life that is sincere and authentic; no pretense; no mask; no façade. I believe the concept of a true heart also includes what the Bible refers to as a “single heart.”
Acts 2:46 (KJV) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart…
Most recent translations of this verse read, “…sincerity of heart.”
How is your heart? Is your heart sincere, open, and authentic? Do you honestly, sincerely and authentically believe and live like one that is truly a disciple of Christ?
B. Pure Heart
Consider these references:
Psalm 51:10 (KJV) Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Matthew 5:8 (KJV) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
1 Timothy 1:5 (NKJV) Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,
2 Timothy 2:22 (NKJV) Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
1 Peter 1:22 (NKJV) Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
The concept of purity implies “not being mixed with any foreign matter or substance that pollutes or dilutes the real substance.” In relation to the human heart, it would imply a heart that is not contaminated by sin, but is clean and holy. A pure heart is one that is wholly devoted to one object of affection; undivided allegiance; or morally uncontaminated.
Jesus Christ said that out of the heart proceed all kinds of evil thoughts, attitudes and deeds. The reason why people perform wicked, evil deeds is because their hearts are morally corrupt and impure.
C. Burning Heart (Luke 24:32)
Passionate; zealous; on fire
Luke 24:32 (KJV) And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
A person with a burning heart is one that is full of passion and zeal; one that is on fire for the Lord.
Revelations – Laodicea
D. Established Heart (Heb. 13:9)
Hebrews 13:9 (KJV) Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
An established heart is one that is settled, unshaken, and mature. A pure heart and sincere or true heart may still be an immature heart. A mature heart that is established is one that has learned much through experience and study so it is not likely to be swayed by the latest fads in religious circles.
E. One Heart (Acts 4:32)
Acts 4:32 (KJV) And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Having one heart means to be unified in purpose and passion with others of same heart desires. There was a unity among these early Christians so that they could understand what was important and necessary in the growth of the gospel and reaching the lost. They understood that they needed to be one in heart in order to accomplish the mission God had given.
How much more could the church get done today if we were as united in purpose as those early believers were?
F. Cheerful Heart (2 Cor. 9:7; Eph 5:19)
Delighted; not morbid, long-faced; pleasantly, willingly obedient.
Ephesians 5:19 (KJV) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
I believe that cheerfulness is the most attractive quality about Christians who have all the other heart qualities. I certainly believe whole-heartedly in the importance of honesty and truthfulness; holiness and purity; passion; and maturity. But those who possess all of those traits yet do not exhibit cheerfulness are not a very good “advertisement” for the Lord. Having cheerfulness on top of all the other heart qualities we have discussed is the thing that makes others hungry for the Lord. No matter how holy, and sincere and mature someone may be, if they are constantly portraying an attitude of dissatisfaction, anger, “poor me”, etc. then non-believers are not going to be interested in having what they have.
Conclusion:
We have been talking about the human heart these last two sermons.
How is your heart today?
Is your heart right with God?
We’re going to close today’s service by singing the closing hymn:
“Is Thy Heart Right with God?”
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