A heart for God is developed in a man by believing in the heart and obeying from the heart, and is tested in words that come from the heart.
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“The Heart”
Romans 10, Ephesians 6, Luke 6
- Christians talk about the heart a lot
- Because the Bible talks about the heart a lot
- We’re referring to the center of the person
- Our mind, our will, and our emotions
- The mission of this ministry is focused on the heart
- To help people develop a “heart” for God
- How is a heart change possible?
- What does a heart for God look like daily?
- How do we know the condition of our hearts?
- These questions and others
- “The Heart” our theme from multiple New Testament passages today
- A heart for God is always developed
- There will be a process of change and growth that starts with faith
- Without faith, there is no relationship with God
- So we start our discussion of the heart in Romans 10
- This journey begins by believing in your heart…
Romans 10:9-13
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
- We make confession of Jesus Christ with our mouths
- Because of what we believe in our hearts
- It is within the very center of ourselves that we believe
- And what happens inside us, makes its way out
- The scripture tells us that those who believe are not ashamed
- We have been changed – and we know that we needed the change
- We were sinners in need of salvation
- And when we have it, our gratitude flows out
- Far from shame, we speak up with confidence and excitement
- Our changed hearts are filled with it!
- The great news is that all hearts
- All types of people can come to know Him
- Whoever calls upon Him can have a new heart
- One that is soft toward Him
- But has a strong commitment to Him
- So our journey begins with a believing heart
- And continues with obedience from the heart…
Ephesians 6:5-9
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
- We have a responsibility to Christ in everything we do
- Whether we are servants or masters – all serve Him
- Those who serve earthly masters must not do so dishonestly
- Appearing to serve faithfully, but failing the test of integrity
- No, our service must be to God, obediently, from the heart
- He sees the center of every man
- Knowing our inner-most thoughts and motives and desires
- And understands whether we serve Him or men
- The wonderful thing is that He is never wrong or mistaken
- And rewards accordingly
- Our test is faithfulness
- Again, whether we are leading or following, supervising or serving
- God sets no man higher than any other in esteem
- In talking about a heart for God
- Every believer starts with belief from the heart
- Continues with obedience from the heart
- And is revealed in words from the heart…
Luke 6:43-46
43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
- The reality of a tree’s condition is always revealed in its fruit
- We know this principle
- It seems, in all but ourselves, we recognize it
- Trees and bushes that are unhealthy bear unhealthy fruit
- And trees and bushes only bear the fruit that it is possible for them to bear
- The principle changes not a whit with men
- A man who’s heart has been altered for good by God
- Bears good fruit
- It is fruit that is healthy, grown to health by God himself
- Left on our own, without salvation, we could bring forth only evil fruit
- Unhealthy fruit
- And our words would give us away
- They would reveal what is inside – for good or bad
- They always do
- Despite our (sometimes) desperate attempt to hide what’s inside
- To fool ourselves or to fool other people
- Our words in private (and often public) moments are telling
- A heart for God is developed in a man
- By believing in the heart
- Obeying from the heart
- And is tested in words that come from the heart