WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.180 All right, let's start off with something we can all relate with. 00:00:04.839 --> 00:00:14.740 Surely, surely all of us are regularly, regularly tempted to disobey our Lord. 00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:15.960 Do I have an amen? 00:00:17.179 --> 00:00:20.800 All of us are regularly tempted to disobey our King. 00:00:21.699 --> 00:00:25.440 And there are temptations that we all face that are common to man. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:28.179 Outbursts of anger. 00:00:28.179 --> 00:00:28.879 Do I have an amen? 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:31.640 Impatience. 00:00:33.320 --> 00:00:35.880 Various kinds of sexual impurity. 00:00:36.000 --> 00:00:37.020 They're all out there. 00:00:38.359 --> 00:00:42.600 Maybe you can relate with anxiety or despair that springs from unbelief. 00:00:42.840 --> 00:00:43.759 It will keep you up at night. 00:00:47.060 --> 00:00:52.439 Another temptation common to man is this pride in all of us. 00:00:54.079 --> 00:00:55.620 It has many manifestations. 00:00:55.620 --> 00:00:57.560 It shows up in a variety of ways. 00:00:57.560 --> 00:01:01.440 But at its core, it's usually me first or I'm better. 00:01:01.719 --> 00:01:03.560 It kind of runs along those courses. 00:01:06.020 --> 00:01:07.400 You ever tempted to greed? 00:01:09.400 --> 00:01:10.760 You ever tempted to lie? 00:01:13.240 --> 00:01:14.040 Be lazy? 00:01:14.040 --> 00:01:19.480 These are just temptations that are common to us all. 00:01:20.520 --> 00:01:22.160 You're going to face one today, I'm guessing. 00:01:23.200 --> 00:01:24.120 Maybe this afternoon. 00:01:25.040 --> 00:01:25.760 Tomorrow morning. 00:01:26.420 --> 00:01:27.360 Lying in bed tonight. 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:28.359 What if? 00:01:28.359 --> 00:01:29.359 What if? 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:30.359 What if? 00:01:30.359 --> 00:01:38.519 What if the next time you are being wooed to disobey your Lord? 00:01:38.519 --> 00:01:39.519 What if? 00:01:39.519 --> 00:01:40.519 What if? 00:01:40.519 --> 00:01:46.739 What if there's this foreign thought that gets imposed upon your thinking? 00:01:49.219 --> 00:01:53.079 Now your first reaction to this foreign thought may be, whoa, where did that come from? 00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:55.060 And you'll know. 00:01:55.739 --> 00:01:57.159 It comes from your Lord. 00:01:57.159 --> 00:02:01.640 It's a timely kindness to you. 00:02:03.239 --> 00:02:12.319 So what is this foreign thought, this glorious thought that the Lord impresses upon your thinking? 00:02:13.319 --> 00:02:14.039 Well, here it is. 00:02:14.039 --> 00:02:18.000 It's that moment when you see your Savior face to face. 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:27.400 So you're being wooed to sin and all of a sudden upon your mind is this thought, glorious thought of seeing your Savior face to face. 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:40.539 And what is so distinct about this particular thought is that it's the deep creases in His smile. 00:02:40.539 --> 00:02:52.819 Now, you have this thought that not only are you happy to see Him, but He is delighted to see you. 00:02:58.039 --> 00:03:05.340 Now with that glorious thought of one day seeing your smiling Savior in mind, 00:03:05.340 --> 00:03:10.359 what would happen to that present temptation? 00:03:10.539 --> 00:03:16.039 What do you think would happen to that wooing to sin? 00:03:17.739 --> 00:03:22.139 Well, I'm guessing that the thought of your smiling Savior who awaits you 00:03:22.139 --> 00:03:28.120 will cause you to gratefully obey that same Savior now. 00:03:30.759 --> 00:03:35.219 Blessed are the pure in heart, Jesus says, for they shall see God. 00:03:37.620 --> 00:03:40.079 This morning I want to call you to something. 00:03:40.080 --> 00:03:43.660 Brothers and sisters, set your heart on Jesus. 00:03:44.880 --> 00:03:49.700 Fix your eyes on Him now because you're certainly going to fix your eyes on Him then. 00:03:52.560 --> 00:04:00.100 Seeing Him, knowing you will see Him, compels you to live for Him now. 00:04:00.099 --> 00:04:04.500 And I just want to bring three points up. 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:07.039 I want to draw them right from this passage. 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:08.219 Three points. 00:04:08.419 --> 00:04:11.280 We could all, we could say there are three words from this text. 00:04:11.740 --> 00:04:17.879 They're the words heart, they're the words pure, and the word see as in S-E-E. 00:04:20.120 --> 00:04:21.600 Your heart matters to God. 00:04:21.600 --> 00:04:29.640 Purity of heart is the active pursuit of holiness. 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:34.379 And the last point will be, you will see Him, brother. 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:37.040 You will see Him, sister. 00:04:38.020 --> 00:04:39.680 You will see the creases in His smile. 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:46.900 Set your heart on obeying Jesus now, for you will see Him. 00:04:48.139 --> 00:04:49.120 You will see Him. 00:04:49.259 --> 00:04:50.379 It's just a matter of time. 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:53.900 First point, your heart matters to God. 00:04:54.860 --> 00:04:57.740 Blessed are the pure in heart. 00:04:57.740 --> 00:05:03.280 I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. 00:05:06.079 --> 00:05:10.480 I know enough to know that cardiology is the study, the science of the heart. 00:05:11.660 --> 00:05:21.360 And as Americans, when we hear the word heart, we tend to think of that fist-sized muscle pumping blood in your chest right now. 00:05:23.600 --> 00:05:27.160 And so we go to our minds and think, okay, what does heart health look like? 00:05:27.740 --> 00:05:33.939 But if you're not thinking about your heart in that kind of physical, muscular sense, 00:05:34.420 --> 00:05:38.860 usually you'll be thinking about the heart in more of a metaphoric sense, 00:05:39.300 --> 00:05:42.500 that place from which your feelings come. 00:05:43.340 --> 00:05:45.980 You've heard the expression, think with your head, feel with your heart? 00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:48.220 That's an American expression. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:54.660 And so as Americans, we either tend to think that our hearts are that muscle in our chest 00:05:54.660 --> 00:05:57.900 or that place where we feel from. 00:05:59.640 --> 00:06:02.120 Well, the question we've got to ask this morning is, 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:04.280 what did Jesus mean by heart? 00:06:05.560 --> 00:06:07.940 Blessed are the pure in heart. 00:06:08.540 --> 00:06:12.280 What does the Bible mean when it uses the word heart? 00:06:12.460 --> 00:06:14.640 Well, it's more than just feelings. 00:06:14.639 --> 00:06:18.919 When you read that word heart in your Bible, 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:23.759 usually what it is meaning is the totality of who you are on the inside. 00:06:24.839 --> 00:06:30.879 It's the location, it's the seat of your intellect, of your feelings, and of your will. 00:06:31.360 --> 00:06:34.379 All together, it's the control center of your being. 00:06:34.839 --> 00:06:36.819 And whatever controls your heart controls your life. 00:06:36.819 --> 00:06:44.819 And so what we need to understand is when Jesus says, 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:48.800 blessed are the pure in heart, he's talking about your inner man. 00:06:50.379 --> 00:06:55.279 Your intellect, your feelings, emotions, and your will. 00:06:55.680 --> 00:06:58.279 That part of you that decides upon doing something. 00:06:58.279 --> 00:07:03.199 And that's why this is so important. 00:07:04.839 --> 00:07:09.619 Your heart is of vital importance to God. 00:07:12.119 --> 00:07:15.099 It's the mainspring of a human being. 00:07:15.979 --> 00:07:22.019 It's the fountainhead from which all of your thoughts, feelings, and actions flow. 00:07:22.619 --> 00:07:25.479 You live out of your heart, biblically speaking. 00:07:25.480 --> 00:07:29.240 Proverbs 4, 23, guard your heart above all else, 00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:32.240 for from it flow the wellsprings of life. 00:07:33.860 --> 00:07:36.720 Your heart is of vital importance to God. 00:07:37.780 --> 00:07:43.180 Whatever you give your heart to ends up controlling you. 00:07:44.920 --> 00:07:48.319 You live for what you give your heart to. 00:07:55.480 --> 00:07:58.280 Your heart weighs things. 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:03.140 Your heart considers the worth of something. 00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:06.500 And then your heart will either delight in it, 00:08:06.640 --> 00:08:09.060 or it will be turned off by it, 00:08:09.240 --> 00:08:13.120 but certainly it will move toward deciding whether you're going to pursue it or not. 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:17.580 It all happens in your heart, biblically speaking. 00:08:18.360 --> 00:08:20.980 The mainspring, the fountainhead of your being. 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:23.520 And God's designed you that way. 00:08:24.139 --> 00:08:25.079 That's not a mistake. 00:08:25.799 --> 00:08:28.939 He made your heart for that purpose. 00:08:29.719 --> 00:08:32.879 It is designed to be the mainspring of your life. 00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:37.779 It's designed to be the fountainhead from everything which flows. 00:08:38.579 --> 00:08:40.240 St. Augustine said it this way. 00:08:40.299 --> 00:08:42.639 This is an often spoken quote. 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:45.679 Thou hast formed us for thyself, 00:08:46.259 --> 00:08:51.240 and our hearts are restless until they find their final resting place in thee. 00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:58.120 God designed our hearts to worship. 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:04.720 To see something's worth, to delight in it, and then to live for it. 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:14.220 You were made to worship God from your heart with your intelligence, 00:09:15.019 --> 00:09:17.740 your emotions, and your will. 00:09:18.680 --> 00:09:22.680 We were designed, our hearts were designed by God to worship Him. 00:09:22.740 --> 00:09:26.379 So when Jesus talks about the heart in Matthew 5.8, 00:09:27.060 --> 00:09:28.899 He's speaking of your inner being, 00:09:28.899 --> 00:09:31.600 the place where worship comes from. 00:09:31.679 --> 00:09:32.579 It's really important. 00:09:35.139 --> 00:09:39.340 It's that from which you devote yourself to something. 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:41.600 He's not just talking about your feelings. 00:09:41.679 --> 00:09:42.159 He is. 00:09:42.759 --> 00:09:43.799 But so much more. 00:09:43.799 --> 00:09:50.599 So, your heart is of vital importance to God 00:09:50.599 --> 00:09:53.240 because it's the place from which you worship. 00:09:54.359 --> 00:09:56.319 Do you think God cares about what you worship? 00:09:57.779 --> 00:09:59.019 Of course He does. 00:10:00.859 --> 00:10:02.699 Worship really matters to your God. 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:07.079 In fact, what you worship, He takes personally. 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:11.660 You were made to worship Him. 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:15.360 And there's a reason why He will hold everyone 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:17.980 who has ever walked the face of this planet 00:10:17.980 --> 00:10:20.220 accountable to this. 00:10:20.940 --> 00:10:23.080 You shall have no other gods before Me. 00:10:24.040 --> 00:10:27.320 You shall not bow down or serve anything but God 00:10:27.320 --> 00:10:29.120 because God is a jealous God. 00:10:31.020 --> 00:10:33.340 He's rightfully jealous of what you worship. 00:10:33.340 --> 00:10:38.360 You were created to worship, to live for Him. 00:10:39.820 --> 00:10:42.860 And He is jealous of the fame and devotion 00:10:42.860 --> 00:10:47.019 that is due Him alone as the one true God over all. 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:49.120 So you can start seeing why your heart 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:50.759 is of vital importance to God. 00:10:52.060 --> 00:10:53.100 It's where you worship from. 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:54.940 And God is really interested in what you worship 00:10:54.940 --> 00:10:58.580 because ultimately, all worship is His. 00:10:58.580 --> 00:11:05.440 Here's some bad news. 00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:09.740 Maybe you've been to a cardiologist before 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:11.700 and you've gotten bad news. 00:11:13.660 --> 00:11:15.320 Well, biblically speaking, 00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:19.639 what we learn from the Scriptures 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:22.100 is that every heart of every person 00:11:22.100 --> 00:11:26.280 has a deadly and disorienting disease. 00:11:26.900 --> 00:11:27.759 Heart disease. 00:11:28.580 --> 00:11:30.100 Biblically speaking. 00:11:31.660 --> 00:11:32.860 It's called sin. 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:35.440 Jeremiah 17. 00:11:35.560 --> 00:11:36.680 Jeremiah says it this way. 00:11:36.920 --> 00:11:39.480 The heart is deceitful above all things 00:11:39.480 --> 00:11:41.200 and desperately sick. 00:11:44.320 --> 00:11:47.759 We have all inherited a spiritual heart disease 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:48.860 called sin. 00:11:50.320 --> 00:11:52.340 And it disorients our worship. 00:11:52.620 --> 00:11:54.220 It's unbelievable what sin does. 00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:57.600 It takes a heart that's designed to worship 00:11:57.600 --> 00:12:01.480 and redirects it from the worship of the Creator 00:12:01.480 --> 00:12:03.519 to the worship of created things. 00:12:03.740 --> 00:12:05.200 It's idolatry. 00:12:07.879 --> 00:12:11.019 And if that weren't bad enough, 00:12:11.139 --> 00:12:13.500 that disorientation, 00:12:13.639 --> 00:12:15.620 that movement of worship off God 00:12:15.620 --> 00:12:16.840 into the created things, 00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:19.120 it carries a capital punishment. 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:21.700 It's a capital offense 00:12:21.700 --> 00:12:23.740 to worship something other than God. 00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:27.860 So biblically speaking, 00:12:29.019 --> 00:12:31.419 this heart disease called sin 00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:33.879 hasn't stopped you from being a worshiper. 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:36.139 You're still a worshiper. 00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:39.899 What sin does is redirects our hearts 00:12:39.899 --> 00:12:41.860 to worship things that are not God. 00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:46.179 You can see why God would consider 00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:47.399 your heart very important. 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:50.720 He's interested in your heart. 00:12:50.720 --> 00:12:57.420 Jesus says something later in Matthew. 00:12:58.320 --> 00:12:59.540 It's in Matthew 15. 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:01.740 He's talking about what defiles a person. 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:05.500 And Jesus is very clear on saying, 00:13:05.779 --> 00:13:07.700 here's what really makes someone 00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:09.320 defiled in God's eyes. 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:12.379 He says this, 00:13:13.800 --> 00:13:15.580 but what comes out of the mouth 00:13:15.580 --> 00:13:16.980 proceeds from the heart. 00:13:18.000 --> 00:13:19.540 And this defiles a person. 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:21.120 From out of the heart 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:22.120 come evil thoughts, 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:23.299 murder and adultery, 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:24.779 sexual immorality, 00:13:24.980 --> 00:13:25.179 theft, 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:26.000 false witness, 00:13:26.139 --> 00:13:26.519 slander. 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:28.599 These are what defile a person. 00:13:30.179 --> 00:13:31.980 But to eat with unwashed hands 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:33.139 does not defile anyone. 00:13:35.319 --> 00:13:36.279 Your heart, 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:37.579 John Calvin would say, 00:13:37.679 --> 00:13:39.120 is an idol factory. 00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:42.240 Our sin 00:13:42.240 --> 00:13:45.339 really distorts our worship. 00:13:48.259 --> 00:13:49.500 That's the bad news. 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:53.139 Here's the good news. 00:13:55.799 --> 00:13:58.919 God offers a one-of-a-kind cure 00:13:58.919 --> 00:14:00.419 for our heart disease. 00:14:03.079 --> 00:14:05.480 Because He wants all of you 00:14:05.480 --> 00:14:06.899 for Himself. 00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:09.959 He wants all your heart, 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:11.439 all your being, 00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:14.000 all of it for Himself. 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:16.139 And so He's offered 00:14:16.139 --> 00:14:17.879 a one-of-a-kind cure. 00:14:18.759 --> 00:14:19.580 And this cure 00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:21.379 gets at the radical nature 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:24.100 of your estranged heart. 00:14:24.600 --> 00:14:25.659 This cure 00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:26.740 is able, 00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:27.779 and this cure alone, 00:14:28.100 --> 00:14:29.440 is able to resurrect 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:30.679 a dead heart, 00:14:31.220 --> 00:14:33.059 and it's able to reorient 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:34.639 a heart that's been set 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:35.679 on things other than God. 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:39.379 This cure, of course, 00:14:39.459 --> 00:14:41.279 is Jesus. 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:44.539 Jesus is God's cure 00:14:44.539 --> 00:14:45.219 for the disease 00:14:45.219 --> 00:14:45.879 of our sin. 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:47.219 It's through Christ 00:14:47.219 --> 00:14:48.979 that God offers sinners 00:14:48.979 --> 00:14:50.879 new hearts, 00:14:51.439 --> 00:14:52.379 new life, 00:14:52.779 --> 00:14:53.279 new purpose. 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:53.819 purpose. 00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.079 So, 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:56.000 when we read 00:14:56.000 --> 00:14:57.699 blessed are the pure 00:14:57.699 --> 00:14:59.259 in heart, 00:15:00.079 --> 00:15:00.860 you've got to realize 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:01.759 that what Jesus means 00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:02.240 by heart, 00:15:02.339 --> 00:15:03.019 there's a whole lot 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:03.500 of kind of like 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.839 biblical freight 00:15:04.839 --> 00:15:05.839 that comes with that. 00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:08.379 He's very interested 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:09.240 in who you worship. 00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:11.120 And mind you, 00:15:11.579 --> 00:15:12.980 the one speaking this 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:14.299 is God's cure 00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:14.939 for your heart. 00:15:14.940 --> 00:15:20.680 Today's Palm Sunday. 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.860 And we can imagine 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:25.600 Jesus walking into Jerusalem 00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:27.360 and people laying down 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:28.220 palm leaves. 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:29.460 And oh Jesus, 00:15:29.620 --> 00:15:30.880 you're so awesome. 00:15:32.200 --> 00:15:34.920 He came into Jerusalem 00:15:34.920 --> 00:15:36.000 on Palm Sunday 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:39.180 in order to address 00:15:39.180 --> 00:15:40.920 the human heart. 00:15:41.780 --> 00:15:42.980 He's on mission. 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:46.019 He would hang on the tree 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.300 and be raised from the dead 00:15:47.300 --> 00:15:48.720 in order to radically 00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:49.960 change our hearts 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:52.000 from being diseased 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:52.920 and disoriented 00:15:52.920 --> 00:15:54.840 to new life, 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:56.139 new worship, 00:15:56.580 --> 00:15:57.500 new men and women 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:58.740 in Christ Jesus. 00:15:58.899 --> 00:16:00.100 It's something only He can do. 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:01.700 He wants your mainspring. 00:16:02.920 --> 00:16:03.960 He wants to change 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:04.920 the fountainhead 00:16:04.920 --> 00:16:05.680 of your being. 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:07.980 And only He can do it 00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:08.740 with His power. 00:16:10.680 --> 00:16:11.120 And so, 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:12.740 your heart matters to God. 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:15.519 So much so, 00:16:16.460 --> 00:16:18.120 God sent Jesus 00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:21.700 to radically change your heart. 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:25.180 So this morning, 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:25.820 I just got 00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:28.440 a really simple question for you. 00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:31.720 Do you realize 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:33.360 how important your heart is? 00:16:35.240 --> 00:16:36.139 Your heart. 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:38.779 Do you realize 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:39.919 how important it is 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:40.419 to God? 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:44.500 What you worship matters. 00:16:45.699 --> 00:16:46.799 And your heart matters 00:16:46.799 --> 00:16:47.340 to God. 00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:50.620 Which brings us to 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:52.240 the second point 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:52.919 for this morning. 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:55.759 That little word, 00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:56.399 pure. 00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:58.419 Blessed are the pure 00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:59.059 in heart. 00:16:59.059 --> 00:17:00.239 And this morning, 00:17:00.319 --> 00:17:01.339 what I want you to see 00:17:01.339 --> 00:17:02.639 is that the purity of heart 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:03.919 that Jesus is talking about 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:05.359 is not some kind of 00:17:05.359 --> 00:17:06.639 settled state 00:17:06.639 --> 00:17:08.039 of sinless perfection, 00:17:08.679 --> 00:17:10.059 but it is an active 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:11.139 pursuit of holiness. 00:17:13.539 --> 00:17:14.359 The first thing 00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:15.059 I want you to see 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:16.000 is the location 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:17.559 of this purity. 00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:19.960 Purity of heart. 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:22.980 Jesus locates 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.799 this purity 00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:25.779 within a person. 00:17:26.620 --> 00:17:27.019 Internal. 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.700 It's not external. 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:30.519 Jesus is going 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:31.240 after your heart. 00:17:32.620 --> 00:17:33.220 And this is to be 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:34.360 a distinguishing mark 00:17:34.360 --> 00:17:34.960 of a citizen 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:35.940 of the kingdom of heaven. 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:39.140 Inner purity. 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:41.519 Later on in Matthew 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:42.460 in chapter 15 00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:43.980 and in chapter 23, 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:44.660 if you want to turn 00:17:44.660 --> 00:17:45.500 to chapter 23 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:46.299 with me right now, 00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:47.980 Jesus is going 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:49.639 to indict the Pharisees, 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:51.299 these religious leaders, 00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:53.460 for emphasizing 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:55.419 an outer purity 00:17:55.419 --> 00:17:57.019 at the expense 00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:58.619 of inner purity. 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:02.599 He drops all these 00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:03.759 woe bombs 00:18:03.759 --> 00:18:07.839 on these Pharisees. 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:09.720 And in 25 and 28, 00:18:09.879 --> 00:18:11.639 you see Jesus 00:18:11.639 --> 00:18:13.980 kind of locating something. 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:14.720 Woe to you, 00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:15.899 scribes and Pharisees, 00:18:15.900 --> 00:18:16.880 hypocrites, 00:18:17.540 --> 00:18:18.400 for you clean 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:19.080 the outside 00:18:19.080 --> 00:18:20.040 of the cup 00:18:20.040 --> 00:18:20.519 and the plate, 00:18:20.620 --> 00:18:21.280 but inside, 00:18:21.880 --> 00:18:22.480 inside, 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.800 they're full of greed 00:18:23.800 --> 00:18:24.660 and self-indulgent. 00:18:24.780 --> 00:18:25.880 You blind Pharisees, 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.540 first clean 00:18:26.540 --> 00:18:27.800 the inside of the cup. 00:18:27.860 --> 00:18:28.300 He's talking about 00:18:28.300 --> 00:18:28.759 your heart 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:30.320 and the plate, 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.480 that the outside 00:18:32.480 --> 00:18:33.900 also may be clean. 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:35.640 Woe to you, 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.620 scribes and Pharisees, 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.300 hypocrites, 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.100 for you are like 00:18:38.100 --> 00:18:39.360 whitewashed tombs 00:18:39.360 --> 00:18:40.680 which outwardly 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:41.519 appear beautiful, 00:18:41.660 --> 00:18:42.400 but within are full 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:43.680 of dead people's bones 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.900 and all uncleanness. 00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:47.080 So you also 00:18:47.080 --> 00:18:47.960 outwardly appear 00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:48.840 righteous to others, 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:49.540 but within 00:18:49.540 --> 00:18:51.420 your heart, 00:18:52.040 --> 00:18:53.280 you're full of hypocrisy 00:18:53.280 --> 00:18:53.980 and lawlessness. 00:18:58.540 --> 00:18:59.400 This call, 00:18:59.540 --> 00:19:01.259 Jesus is calling on us, 00:19:02.040 --> 00:19:02.759 his followers, 00:19:03.100 --> 00:19:03.560 the citizens 00:19:03.560 --> 00:19:04.300 of his kingdom. 00:19:05.100 --> 00:19:06.040 Whatever he means 00:19:06.040 --> 00:19:06.880 by purity, 00:19:07.800 --> 00:19:09.620 what is to characterize us 00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:10.219 is we're to have 00:19:10.219 --> 00:19:11.399 a purity of heart 00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:12.439 inside of us. 00:19:17.879 --> 00:19:18.959 First and foremost, 00:19:20.199 --> 00:19:21.059 God wants your heart. 00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:23.299 He wants your heart 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:25.419 to be pure. 00:19:26.159 --> 00:19:27.439 These are the happy ones. 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:30.859 So I want you to see 00:19:30.859 --> 00:19:31.839 the location of this. 00:19:31.899 --> 00:19:34.479 This is inner purity. 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:36.660 The second matter 00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:37.880 that we need to clear up 00:19:37.880 --> 00:19:38.279 this morning 00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:39.700 is what Jesus 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.539 actually means 00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.360 by pure. 00:19:41.900 --> 00:19:43.480 Blessed are the pure 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:44.799 in heart. 00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:46.440 Because I'm guessing 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:47.279 some of you 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:48.120 in this room right now 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:48.759 who are believers, 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:49.720 you've been justified, 00:19:50.380 --> 00:19:51.700 you stand in the 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:52.700 finished work of Jesus, 00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:54.220 Jesus' righteousness 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:55.920 is imputed to you, 00:19:56.120 --> 00:19:57.059 but when you hear 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:57.640 the words, 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.559 blessed are the pure 00:19:58.559 --> 00:19:58.920 of heart, 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:00.240 your mind immediately 00:20:00.240 --> 00:20:00.920 goes to, 00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.099 well, 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:01.880 I just did this 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:02.440 this morning, 00:20:02.440 --> 00:20:03.880 I'm not pure in heart, 00:20:04.080 --> 00:20:05.259 how can I be a citizen 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:05.779 of the kingdom? 00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:08.680 Because you're thinking 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:10.460 that what Jesus means 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.100 by pure 00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:12.600 is some kind of 00:20:12.600 --> 00:20:14.200 settled state 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:15.720 of sinless perfection. 00:20:18.660 --> 00:20:20.259 A perfect holiness 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:21.080 of heart 00:20:21.080 --> 00:20:22.299 24-7, 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:24.100 365 days a year. 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:27.320 A perfection of heart 00:20:27.320 --> 00:20:28.900 where sinful thoughts, 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:29.400 feelings, 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:30.779 and actions 00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.820 do not exist. 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:35.200 If that's what 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:35.940 Jesus is saying, 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:36.860 well, 00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:37.640 none of us 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.480 can ever be citizens 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:39.519 of the kingdom 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:41.279 because we all know 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.120 by experience 00:20:42.120 --> 00:20:42.940 this is not true 00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:43.519 of us. 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.740 At least on this side 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:48.420 of his return. 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:51.460 What we know is 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.100 we're a people 00:20:52.100 --> 00:20:53.180 who are simultaneously 00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:54.279 justified 00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:55.120 and sinners 00:20:55.120 --> 00:20:55.960 all at once. 00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:57.180 We're a mixed bag, 00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:57.539 aren't we? 00:20:57.539 --> 00:21:01.740 So what does Jesus 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.500 mean by pure? 00:21:02.619 --> 00:21:02.819 Well, 00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:04.159 I am so grateful 00:21:04.159 --> 00:21:05.779 for the logical 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:06.859 flow of the 00:21:06.859 --> 00:21:07.480 Beatitudes. 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.299 Jesus didn't just 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:12.200 throw this stuff 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:12.619 together. 00:21:12.799 --> 00:21:14.440 He intentionally 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.359 laid it out. 00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:17.039 And there is a case 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:18.099 to be made 00:21:18.099 --> 00:21:21.079 from the flow 00:21:21.079 --> 00:21:22.339 of the Beatitudes 00:21:22.339 --> 00:21:24.359 with what Jesus 00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:25.319 means by pure. 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:28.439 Remember, 00:21:28.579 --> 00:21:29.059 each of these 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:29.639 Beatitudes 00:21:29.639 --> 00:21:30.839 is to be true 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:32.339 of every kingdom 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:32.919 citizen. 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:34.119 And so, 00:21:34.339 --> 00:21:35.579 in chapter 5, 00:21:35.619 --> 00:21:36.000 verse 3, 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:36.539 we read 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.399 that there to be 00:21:37.399 --> 00:21:38.399 poor in spirit, 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:39.179 that we would have 00:21:39.179 --> 00:21:40.240 declared spiritual 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:40.859 poverty, 00:21:41.559 --> 00:21:42.679 that we know 00:21:42.679 --> 00:21:43.579 that we're in debt 00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:45.199 and we cry out 00:21:45.199 --> 00:21:45.599 to God. 00:21:45.599 --> 00:21:46.519 That's to be true 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.079 of us. 00:21:47.079 --> 00:21:49.819 5.4 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.980 says, 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:51.839 blessed are those 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.679 who mourn. 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:53.879 Mourn over what? 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:56.199 Mourn over sin. 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.099 It's a present 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:57.679 participle. 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:59.379 Who are mourning. 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.139 Present 00:22:01.139 --> 00:22:02.259 participle. 00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:06.139 They haven't ceased 00:22:06.139 --> 00:22:07.000 to mourn their sin. 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.699 They continue 00:22:08.699 --> 00:22:09.500 to mourn sin. 00:22:09.500 --> 00:22:10.579 And they will find 00:22:10.579 --> 00:22:11.740 comfort in Christ. 00:22:13.699 --> 00:22:14.500 Spiritually bankrupt, 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:15.980 mourn in sin. 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:16.500 They are the meek. 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:19.480 Blessed are the meek. 00:22:21.399 --> 00:22:22.299 They've been put 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.019 in their place. 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:23.980 They've been rescued 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:25.220 from that vain 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.720 and idolatrous notion 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:28.879 that I am at the center 00:22:28.879 --> 00:22:29.919 of all things. 00:22:31.439 --> 00:22:32.460 We've realized 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:34.240 that's not true. 00:22:35.399 --> 00:22:36.599 We've been made meek. 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:40.379 We have this new craving 00:22:40.379 --> 00:22:41.480 for Christ-likeness. 00:22:41.899 --> 00:22:42.599 We hunger and thirst 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:43.220 for righteousness. 00:22:44.159 --> 00:22:45.799 We know that's not from us. 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:47.619 that that is an appetite 00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:49.039 given by the Almighty. 00:22:51.159 --> 00:22:52.539 We crave 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:54.720 to be like Jesus 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:56.240 in 5.7 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.639 so we show mercy. 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:59.539 We've been shown mercy 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.180 by God. 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:01.319 Now we show mercy 00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:02.059 to others. 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:06.579 That leads us to 5.8. 00:23:08.579 --> 00:23:09.240 Pure in heart. 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:10.579 You see, 00:23:10.639 --> 00:23:11.240 the pure in heart 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:12.379 are the spiritually bankrupt 00:23:12.380 --> 00:23:13.900 who know that. 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:14.940 The pure in heart 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.880 are those who are mourning 00:23:15.880 --> 00:23:16.500 their sin. 00:23:17.200 --> 00:23:18.920 It's not an absence of sin. 00:23:19.020 --> 00:23:20.060 It's a mourning of sin. 00:23:20.120 --> 00:23:21.060 You're very aware of it 00:23:21.060 --> 00:23:22.040 in light of God's holiness. 00:23:24.600 --> 00:23:25.700 Pure in heart 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:27.120 are the meek. 00:23:27.840 --> 00:23:29.360 They crave Christ-likeness. 00:23:29.540 --> 00:23:31.120 They're quick to mercy. 00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:36.899 The pure in heart 00:23:36.899 --> 00:23:39.899 are not the sinlessly perfect incarnate. 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:42.319 The pure in heart 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:43.939 are those redeemed 00:23:43.939 --> 00:23:45.279 by the blood of the Lamb 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:47.819 who want to now be holy. 00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:51.319 Who have a singular purpose. 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:52.819 Holiness. 00:23:52.819 --> 00:23:55.879 These are men and women 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:57.000 born by the Spirit 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:58.619 with a new appetite 00:23:58.619 --> 00:24:02.159 despite ongoing cravings for sin. 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:07.439 The pure in heart 00:24:07.439 --> 00:24:09.399 are those who are simultaneously 00:24:09.399 --> 00:24:11.399 made righteous 00:24:11.399 --> 00:24:13.839 and continue to sin. 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:16.480 The purity of heart 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:19.639 is a pursuit of holiness. 00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:21.919 The Beatitudes themselves 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:23.080 when taken together 00:24:23.080 --> 00:24:24.000 help us to understand 00:24:24.000 --> 00:24:24.980 that what Jesus means 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.880 by pure in heart 00:24:25.880 --> 00:24:28.400 is not sinless perfection on earth 00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:31.660 but an active pursuit of holiness. 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.740 That's what he means. 00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.860 That word pure 00:24:39.860 --> 00:24:40.960 in the original language 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:42.360 is the word that we get 00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:43.640 catharsis from 00:24:43.640 --> 00:24:45.860 or catheter. 00:24:48.060 --> 00:24:49.740 In its most general meaning 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.960 it means clean. 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:53.960 But it also 00:24:53.960 --> 00:24:56.120 has a fuller sense. 00:24:58.080 --> 00:24:59.400 It's John MacArthur 00:24:59.400 --> 00:25:00.560 helping me understand 00:25:00.560 --> 00:25:01.420 helping us understand 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:02.160 that this word 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.259 was commonly used 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:06.240 to describe metals 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.860 that had been refined 00:25:07.860 --> 00:25:09.680 until all the impurity 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:10.980 were removed. 00:25:11.360 --> 00:25:12.700 It's unmixed, 00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:13.860 unalloyed, 00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:15.640 unadulterated metal. 00:25:16.080 --> 00:25:17.300 There is integrity 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:18.960 to the metal. 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.779 The finest gold 00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:22.480 is the gold 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:23.399 subjected to 00:25:23.399 --> 00:25:25.299 the longest refinement. 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:27.480 And when we think 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:28.799 about the heart 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:30.659 and we apply this word 00:25:30.659 --> 00:25:31.899 pure to the heart, 00:25:32.019 --> 00:25:33.139 the idea is 00:25:33.139 --> 00:25:35.139 unmixed motive. 00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:38.319 Single-minded commitment. 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:41.339 Undivided devotion. 00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:45.119 Spiritual integrity. 00:25:45.819 --> 00:25:47.799 Not pharisaical hypocrisy. 00:25:49.439 --> 00:25:50.459 Unity of heart. 00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:51.240 Oneness of heart. 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.879 So when you hear 00:25:52.879 --> 00:25:54.119 Jesus say, 00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:56.240 blessed are the pure in heart, 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.579 be thinking 00:25:57.579 --> 00:26:00.220 single-minded pursuit 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:01.819 of God's holiness. 00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:05.200 Unity of heart 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:06.159 and the worship of God 00:26:06.159 --> 00:26:07.619 in every area of your life. 00:26:09.139 --> 00:26:10.319 It's a huge call. 00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:12.899 It's what's to mark 00:26:12.899 --> 00:26:13.519 each of us 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.539 as citizens of the kingdom. 00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:17.579 We are to be singular 00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:18.879 in our pursuit of holiness. 00:26:22.679 --> 00:26:23.839 So this is not 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:26.859 something to diminish, 00:26:27.159 --> 00:26:28.279 but something to realize 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:30.399 this is a call 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:33.500 on all of our lives. 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:35.380 It is comprehensive 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.900 in its nature. 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:39.620 Every area of your life. 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.540 A singularity of focus. 00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:43.900 Holiness. 00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:48.019 It's an all-consuming pursuit 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:51.259 of that which pleases God most. 00:26:52.380 --> 00:26:52.900 Holiness. 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:54.820 1 Peter, 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:56.140 be holy for I am holy. 00:26:56.280 --> 00:26:57.280 1 Thessalonians, 00:26:57.560 --> 00:26:58.300 God's not called us 00:26:58.300 --> 00:26:59.000 for impurity, 00:26:59.000 --> 00:27:00.779 but in holiness. 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:03.799 This purity of heart 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:05.259 is not sinless perfection, 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:07.759 but it's an active seeking 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:08.660 of holiness 00:27:08.660 --> 00:27:09.980 in your inner being. 00:27:10.519 --> 00:27:11.400 And so you end up 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.819 having to deal with your sin. 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:17.079 You deal with your sin 00:27:17.079 --> 00:27:18.000 in the ways that God 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:18.660 has prescribed. 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:21.500 You deal humbly with it. 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:26.799 The pure in heart 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:28.160 want holiness 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:28.980 more 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:30.880 than the fleeting 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:31.700 pleasures of sin. 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:34.180 And so what I'm trying 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:34.700 to help you see 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:35.160 this morning 00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:35.660 is that 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:36.880 this purity of heart 00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:37.740 is not a 00:27:37.740 --> 00:27:39.359 settled state 00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:40.660 of sinless perfection, 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:42.839 but an active state 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:45.140 of single-minded pursuit, 00:27:45.559 --> 00:27:46.880 all-consuming pursuit 00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:48.819 of the holiness of God. 00:27:48.819 --> 00:27:51.500 And so I want to kind of 00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.539 tease this out 00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.599 a little bit before you. 00:27:53.679 --> 00:27:55.319 And so here are five dynamics 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:57.039 of the pure of heart. 00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:59.000 Here's what this looks like 00:27:59.000 --> 00:28:00.700 on a daily basis. 00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:04.879 So this active pursuit 00:28:04.879 --> 00:28:05.659 of God's holiness 00:28:05.659 --> 00:28:08.000 means that the pure of heart 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:09.480 are always aiming 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:11.439 their heart at God. 00:28:12.439 --> 00:28:13.419 Always aiming 00:28:13.419 --> 00:28:14.519 your heart at God. 00:28:14.899 --> 00:28:15.659 You might stumble, 00:28:15.899 --> 00:28:16.639 you might fall down, 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.599 you might skin your knee, 00:28:17.599 --> 00:28:18.939 but you get back up, 00:28:19.139 --> 00:28:19.959 you wipe it off, 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:22.079 and you go after God again. 00:28:23.879 --> 00:28:24.359 Aiming, 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:25.519 always aiming 00:28:25.519 --> 00:28:27.319 your heart at God. 00:28:28.139 --> 00:28:29.719 A verse like Psalm 115 00:28:29.719 --> 00:28:31.059 would be something nice 00:28:31.059 --> 00:28:31.879 to hang on this. 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.779 Not to us, O Lord, 00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.299 not to us, 00:28:34.399 --> 00:28:35.539 but to your name 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:36.079 give glory 00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:37.419 because of your steadfast 00:28:37.419 --> 00:28:38.419 love and faithfulness. 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:40.039 I think of 00:28:40.039 --> 00:28:42.000 2 Corinthians 5.15. 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:43.240 He died for all 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.919 that those who live 00:28:43.919 --> 00:28:44.699 might no longer live 00:28:44.699 --> 00:28:45.199 for themselves, 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:45.919 but for him 00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:46.539 who for their sake 00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:48.039 died and was raised. 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:49.160 It's all about him. 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:52.180 Always aiming 00:28:52.180 --> 00:28:53.580 your heart at God. 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.519 That's why Jesus 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.720 shed his blood for you. 00:28:56.080 --> 00:28:57.440 To reorient your heart 00:28:57.440 --> 00:28:58.220 from yourself, 00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:59.160 from sin, 00:28:59.320 --> 00:28:59.840 into God. 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:02.980 So the first dynamic 00:29:02.980 --> 00:29:04.860 of the pursuit of God, 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:06.420 of the purity of heart, 00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.380 is always aiming 00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:08.180 your heart at God. 00:29:09.300 --> 00:29:10.080 That's what you've been 00:29:10.080 --> 00:29:10.539 bought for. 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:12.079 The second is 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:14.399 ceaselessly uniting 00:29:14.399 --> 00:29:16.619 your life for God. 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:18.200 Always aiming 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:19.980 and then uniting 00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.399 your heart. 00:29:20.819 --> 00:29:21.200 Do you know what 00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:21.859 cowboys do? 00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:24.960 They herd cattle. 00:29:25.700 --> 00:29:26.399 And cattle, 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.379 I have no experience 00:29:27.379 --> 00:29:28.079 herding cattle, 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:30.000 but I can imagine it. 00:29:30.619 --> 00:29:31.980 I've seen enough movies 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.579 to know 00:29:32.579 --> 00:29:34.180 that cattle 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:35.879 are herding 00:29:35.879 --> 00:29:37.079 something that is 00:29:37.079 --> 00:29:38.399 living and active. 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:40.140 And sometimes 00:29:40.140 --> 00:29:41.040 the living and active 00:29:41.040 --> 00:29:42.259 herd finds ways 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:42.860 to go places 00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:43.460 they're not supposed 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:43.780 to go. 00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:44.280 And so what do 00:29:44.280 --> 00:29:44.860 cowboys do? 00:29:45.820 --> 00:29:47.040 They herd them back 00:29:47.040 --> 00:29:48.200 to where they need 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:48.580 to go. 00:29:49.600 --> 00:29:50.320 And so when we talk 00:29:50.320 --> 00:29:51.160 about uniting, 00:29:51.780 --> 00:29:53.019 ceaselessly uniting 00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:53.519 your heart, 00:29:53.600 --> 00:29:54.680 what that means is 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:56.140 you start recognizing 00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:57.460 when there's an aspect 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:58.200 of your heart 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.880 that is wanting 00:29:58.880 --> 00:29:59.820 to go away 00:29:59.820 --> 00:30:00.440 in a direction 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.700 other than God's glory 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:02.759 and that you 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.920 herd it back. 00:30:04.860 --> 00:30:05.920 You herd it back. 00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:07.620 Every area 00:30:07.619 --> 00:30:08.399 of your life, 00:30:08.479 --> 00:30:10.099 you are actively 00:30:10.099 --> 00:30:12.379 herding your heart 00:30:12.379 --> 00:30:14.279 unto God. 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:17.519 What's going on there? 00:30:17.739 --> 00:30:18.219 I need to herd 00:30:18.219 --> 00:30:18.639 that back 00:30:18.639 --> 00:30:20.079 to the Lord Jesus. 00:30:21.599 --> 00:30:21.959 Yeah! 00:30:22.119 --> 00:30:22.319 Yeah! 00:30:23.399 --> 00:30:24.179 Come on now! 00:30:24.379 --> 00:30:24.819 Come on! 00:30:24.939 --> 00:30:25.379 Come on! 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.279 Come on, heart! 00:30:26.619 --> 00:30:27.199 Come on now! 00:30:27.719 --> 00:30:28.039 Yeah! 00:30:32.519 --> 00:30:33.239 That wasn't 00:30:33.239 --> 00:30:33.859 in my manuscript. 00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:33.979 Yeah! 00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:41.019 But you know 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:41.619 what's going to happen 00:30:41.619 --> 00:30:42.139 when you're hurting 00:30:42.139 --> 00:30:42.619 your heart? 00:30:44.939 --> 00:30:45.739 There's going to be 00:30:45.739 --> 00:30:46.219 desires. 00:30:46.899 --> 00:30:47.639 There's going to be 00:30:47.639 --> 00:30:48.139 decisions. 00:30:48.979 --> 00:30:49.599 There's going to be 00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:51.679 actions that are like, 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.879 that's wrong. 00:30:54.979 --> 00:30:56.199 And so not only 00:30:56.199 --> 00:30:57.919 are you always aiming 00:30:57.919 --> 00:30:59.779 and ceaselessly uniting, 00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:00.959 you are quickly 00:31:00.959 --> 00:31:01.659 confessing. 00:31:02.659 --> 00:31:03.399 A pure heart 00:31:03.399 --> 00:31:04.159 quickly confesses 00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:05.440 confesses sin. 00:31:06.620 --> 00:31:08.100 1 John 1.9, 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:09.440 I hope you know this, 00:31:10.040 --> 00:31:12.300 if we confess 00:31:12.300 --> 00:31:14.080 our sins. 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:15.880 That word confess 00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:17.019 simply means 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:17.560 to agree. 00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:19.060 You are, 00:31:19.120 --> 00:31:20.200 you are agreeing 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:20.660 with God 00:31:20.660 --> 00:31:21.500 that what I just did 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.580 was wrong in His eyes. 00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:24.519 You're calling it 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:25.240 what it is. 00:31:25.480 --> 00:31:26.519 If we confess 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:27.740 our sins, 00:31:29.300 --> 00:31:30.340 1 John 1.9, 00:31:30.580 --> 00:31:31.220 we're quickly 00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:32.620 confessing our sins. 00:31:32.619 --> 00:31:34.359 That's part of 00:31:34.359 --> 00:31:35.299 hurting your heart. 00:31:35.779 --> 00:31:36.339 It's part of 00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:37.519 being a cowboy 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.099 for Jesus. 00:31:40.479 --> 00:31:41.519 Always aiming, 00:31:41.819 --> 00:31:42.979 ceaselessly uniting, 00:31:43.159 --> 00:31:44.379 quickly confessing. 00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:45.119 Fourth, 00:31:45.919 --> 00:31:46.759 because of your 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:48.059 quickly confessing 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:48.639 your sin, 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.979 you are regularly 00:31:49.979 --> 00:31:51.699 receiving forgiveness 00:31:51.699 --> 00:31:52.519 and cleansing 00:31:52.519 --> 00:31:53.619 from God Almighty. 00:31:54.899 --> 00:31:56.059 If we confess 00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:56.559 our sins, 00:31:56.659 --> 00:31:57.319 He's faithful 00:31:57.319 --> 00:31:58.359 and just. 00:31:58.579 --> 00:31:59.339 It's right 00:31:59.339 --> 00:32:00.079 of Him 00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:00.739 based on what 00:32:00.740 --> 00:32:01.460 Jesus has done 00:32:01.460 --> 00:32:01.900 for you 00:32:01.900 --> 00:32:03.180 to forgive you 00:32:03.180 --> 00:32:03.700 and cleanse you 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:04.799 from all unrighteousness. 00:32:06.120 --> 00:32:07.500 You experience it. 00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:10.160 Purity of heart 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.539 is dealing 00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:11.220 with your sin 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:12.819 and receiving 00:32:12.819 --> 00:32:14.200 God's forgiveness 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:15.440 and His 00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:18.059 cleansing grace 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:18.900 time and again. 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:20.940 The fifth thing 00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:22.559 that the pure 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.259 heart do, 00:32:24.519 --> 00:32:26.019 they are eagerly 00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:27.079 expressing their 00:32:27.079 --> 00:32:27.500 gratitude. 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:27.660 gratitude. 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:29.839 When you're 00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:30.660 hurting your heart 00:32:30.660 --> 00:32:31.619 and you recognize 00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:32.559 sin and you 00:32:32.559 --> 00:32:33.599 quickly confess it 00:32:33.599 --> 00:32:34.720 and you go to 00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.599 your God with it 00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:37.299 and you confess it 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:37.700 and you know 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:38.400 He's forgiven it 00:32:38.400 --> 00:32:39.059 based upon the 00:32:39.059 --> 00:32:39.720 finished work of 00:32:39.720 --> 00:32:40.059 Jesus, 00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:40.700 do you know 00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:41.319 when that happens? 00:32:42.599 --> 00:32:43.039 Gratitude. 00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:44.640 You remember 00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:45.799 that prostitute 00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:46.420 that showed up 00:32:46.420 --> 00:32:47.339 at Simon's house 00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:48.019 when Jesus was 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:48.460 in there eating 00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:48.720 dinner? 00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:50.319 And she shows up 00:32:50.319 --> 00:32:50.900 and she's just 00:32:50.900 --> 00:32:51.940 an emotional mess 00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:53.160 and she's like 00:32:53.160 --> 00:32:54.640 weeping and crying 00:32:54.640 --> 00:32:55.740 washing Jesus' 00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:57.420 feet with her hair. 00:32:57.940 --> 00:32:58.619 And Simon's like 00:32:58.619 --> 00:33:00.180 surely he knows 00:33:00.180 --> 00:33:01.180 who this woman is. 00:33:02.740 --> 00:33:04.460 And Jesus drops 00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:05.359 a parable on him. 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:07.680 This woman loves 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:08.700 much because she's 00:33:08.700 --> 00:33:09.779 been forgiven much. 00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:12.140 Simon, you don't 00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:12.900 love much because 00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:13.660 you don't think 00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:14.380 you have a need 00:33:14.380 --> 00:33:15.460 to be forgiven. 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:18.019 When we are 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:18.880 aiming our hearts, 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:19.680 when we are 00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:21.940 uniting our lives, 00:33:22.099 --> 00:33:23.259 when we are 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:24.740 quickly confessing 00:33:24.740 --> 00:33:25.279 and regularly 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:25.900 receiving, 00:33:25.900 --> 00:33:27.259 you're going to 00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:27.980 be a grateful 00:33:27.980 --> 00:33:29.400 brother and sister 00:33:29.400 --> 00:33:30.019 in Christ. 00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:30.620 You're going to 00:33:30.620 --> 00:33:31.380 be constantly 00:33:31.380 --> 00:33:32.740 aware of your 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:33.720 ongoing need 00:33:33.720 --> 00:33:34.400 for the blood 00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:34.860 of Jesus. 00:33:35.240 --> 00:33:35.980 And the result 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:37.019 is gratitude. 00:33:38.019 --> 00:33:39.360 You are happy 00:33:39.360 --> 00:33:42.200 in your holiness. 00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:42.420 holiness. 00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:46.620 You're delighting 00:33:46.620 --> 00:33:47.759 in your devotion. 00:33:50.559 --> 00:33:51.860 By God's grace, 00:33:52.460 --> 00:33:54.340 those who are 00:33:54.340 --> 00:33:55.140 pure in heart 00:33:55.140 --> 00:33:56.920 are happy. 00:33:57.140 --> 00:33:57.620 They're blessed. 00:33:58.640 --> 00:33:59.360 Do you know 00:33:59.360 --> 00:34:00.180 what OCD is? 00:34:01.240 --> 00:34:02.440 My kids call me 00:34:02.440 --> 00:34:03.440 OCD once in a while. 00:34:03.600 --> 00:34:04.200 Dad, you can see 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:05.039 you being so OCD. 00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:05.159 OCD. 00:34:07.440 --> 00:34:08.579 Obsessive compulsive 00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.099 disorder. 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:13.139 What we're talking 00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:13.779 about, the pure 00:34:13.779 --> 00:34:14.219 in heart, 00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:15.039 are OCD. 00:34:17.159 --> 00:34:18.079 It's not a 00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:18.480 disorder. 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:19.539 It's devotion. 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.800 Obsessive compulsive 00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:24.019 devotion to Jesus. 00:34:25.300 --> 00:34:26.099 It's what you're 00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:26.639 living for. 00:34:27.480 --> 00:34:29.039 It's your singularity 00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:29.500 of aim. 00:34:30.199 --> 00:34:30.960 It's what you're 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.559 going after. 00:34:32.279 --> 00:34:32.960 It's what you're 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:34.039 hurting towards. 00:34:34.039 --> 00:34:34.840 It's what you're 00:34:34.840 --> 00:34:35.579 dealing with 00:34:35.579 --> 00:34:36.699 for the glory 00:34:36.699 --> 00:34:37.179 of Jesus. 00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:40.320 These are the 00:34:40.320 --> 00:34:40.960 pure of heart. 00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:44.239 Purity is an 00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:45.460 active pursuit 00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:46.219 of holiness. 00:34:47.420 --> 00:34:48.460 That's what Jesus 00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.340 is calling us to 00:34:49.340 --> 00:34:49.599 here. 00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:51.039 The third and 00:34:51.039 --> 00:34:52.519 final point of 00:34:52.519 --> 00:34:53.079 this morning's 00:34:53.079 --> 00:34:53.900 message is this. 00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:56.440 You will see 00:34:56.440 --> 00:34:56.639 Him. 00:34:57.960 --> 00:34:58.519 You will see 00:34:58.519 --> 00:34:58.699 Him. 00:34:59.400 --> 00:34:59.820 Your heart 00:34:59.820 --> 00:35:00.300 matters. 00:35:01.099 --> 00:35:01.699 Purity is an 00:35:01.699 --> 00:35:02.320 active pursuit 00:35:02.320 --> 00:35:02.779 of holiness. 00:35:03.400 --> 00:35:04.019 And you will 00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:04.759 see Him. 00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:06.139 Blessed are the 00:35:06.139 --> 00:35:06.900 pure in heart 00:35:06.900 --> 00:35:07.860 for they 00:35:07.860 --> 00:35:09.679 shall see 00:35:09.679 --> 00:35:11.380 God. 00:35:12.280 --> 00:35:12.800 Amazing. 00:35:15.219 --> 00:35:16.400 Amazing what's 00:35:16.400 --> 00:35:16.900 being said. 00:35:17.039 --> 00:35:18.199 It's amazing what 00:35:18.199 --> 00:35:19.139 Jesus is saying 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:19.500 here. 00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:22.440 Those who are 00:35:22.440 --> 00:35:23.559 active pursuing 00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:24.440 holiness, because 00:35:24.440 --> 00:35:24.860 they've been 00:35:24.860 --> 00:35:25.719 changed, they're 00:35:25.719 --> 00:35:26.480 going to see God 00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:26.860 someday. 00:35:26.860 --> 00:35:28.860 God's 00:35:28.860 --> 00:35:29.860 happy. 00:35:29.860 --> 00:35:31.180 Why are the 00:35:31.180 --> 00:35:31.780 pure in heart 00:35:31.780 --> 00:35:32.860 happy? 00:35:32.860 --> 00:35:33.200 Because they're 00:35:33.200 --> 00:35:33.519 going to see 00:35:33.519 --> 00:35:34.260 God someday. 00:35:36.640 --> 00:35:37.280 You know, we're 00:35:37.280 --> 00:35:38.140 all looking forward 00:35:38.140 --> 00:35:38.920 to something. 00:35:39.140 --> 00:35:39.860 We're all looking 00:35:39.860 --> 00:35:40.680 forward to laying 00:35:40.680 --> 00:35:41.940 our eyes on 00:35:41.940 --> 00:35:42.360 something. 00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:43.180 I mean, it's tax 00:35:43.180 --> 00:35:44.200 season, and maybe 00:35:44.200 --> 00:35:44.900 some of you have 00:35:44.900 --> 00:35:45.740 got a tax return 00:35:45.740 --> 00:35:46.400 coming, and you're 00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:47.059 just looking to 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:48.599 lay eyes on that 00:35:48.599 --> 00:35:49.680 tax return check, 00:35:49.740 --> 00:35:51.360 or at least on 00:35:51.360 --> 00:35:53.220 your online account 00:35:53.220 --> 00:35:53.800 where you see it 00:35:53.800 --> 00:35:54.280 deposited. 00:35:54.400 --> 00:35:54.800 You just want to 00:35:54.800 --> 00:35:55.660 lay eyes on that. 00:35:56.540 --> 00:35:57.380 I think I'm going 00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.019 to owe money this 00:35:58.019 --> 00:35:58.940 year, so I'm not 00:35:58.940 --> 00:35:59.880 looking to lay 00:35:59.880 --> 00:36:00.400 eyes on that. 00:36:02.600 --> 00:36:03.640 But you may be. 00:36:05.500 --> 00:36:07.060 Or others of you 00:36:07.060 --> 00:36:08.420 on a chilly 00:36:08.420 --> 00:36:10.040 Palm Sunday 00:36:10.040 --> 00:36:11.200 morning are 00:36:11.200 --> 00:36:12.100 looking forward to 00:36:12.100 --> 00:36:13.180 laying your eyes 00:36:13.180 --> 00:36:13.940 on a sandy 00:36:13.940 --> 00:36:14.500 beach. 00:36:16.540 --> 00:36:17.360 Crystal blue 00:36:17.360 --> 00:36:17.800 water. 00:36:19.880 --> 00:36:20.860 A steady 84 00:36:20.860 --> 00:36:21.580 degrees. 00:36:22.860 --> 00:36:23.660 Slight wind 00:36:23.660 --> 00:36:24.260 coming out of 00:36:24.260 --> 00:36:24.760 the east. 00:36:26.740 --> 00:36:27.460 You can hear 00:36:27.460 --> 00:36:28.240 kids giggling. 00:36:29.580 --> 00:36:30.500 You can feel the 00:36:30.500 --> 00:36:31.400 sand between your 00:36:31.400 --> 00:36:31.860 toes. 00:36:32.040 --> 00:36:32.980 It's a warm 00:36:32.980 --> 00:36:33.440 beach. 00:36:35.840 --> 00:36:36.600 Oh, I can't 00:36:36.600 --> 00:36:37.260 wait to lay my 00:36:37.260 --> 00:36:37.820 eyes on that. 00:36:39.900 --> 00:36:40.620 We're all looking 00:36:40.620 --> 00:36:41.340 forward to something, 00:36:41.420 --> 00:36:41.720 aren't we? 00:36:43.440 --> 00:36:44.120 We're all looking 00:36:44.120 --> 00:36:44.700 forward to something. 00:36:44.780 --> 00:36:45.240 Maybe you're looking 00:36:45.240 --> 00:36:45.980 forward to laying 00:36:45.980 --> 00:36:46.980 your eyes on a 00:36:46.980 --> 00:36:47.440 loved one. 00:36:49.240 --> 00:36:49.900 Maybe you have a 00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:50.580 loved one living in 00:36:50.580 --> 00:36:51.300 another state that 00:36:51.300 --> 00:36:51.920 you don't see too 00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:52.400 often, and you're 00:36:52.400 --> 00:36:53.000 just looking forward 00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:53.540 to seeing them. 00:36:53.539 --> 00:36:55.960 Maybe you have 00:36:55.960 --> 00:36:56.599 someone serving in 00:36:56.599 --> 00:36:57.300 the military, and 00:36:57.300 --> 00:36:57.739 you're just looking 00:36:57.739 --> 00:36:58.320 forward to seeing 00:36:58.320 --> 00:36:58.940 them when they get 00:36:58.940 --> 00:36:59.279 back. 00:37:01.119 --> 00:37:02.179 So they get back. 00:37:04.420 --> 00:37:05.019 Maybe you have 00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:05.820 someone living in 00:37:05.820 --> 00:37:06.519 prison, and you're 00:37:06.519 --> 00:37:07.699 just longing to see 00:37:07.699 --> 00:37:08.099 them. 00:37:09.380 --> 00:37:10.800 Lay eyes on them. 00:37:12.759 --> 00:37:13.779 Someone who's away 00:37:13.780 --> 00:37:14.480 from you. 00:37:14.480 --> 00:37:26.960 You want to be in 00:37:26.960 --> 00:37:27.680 their presence. 00:37:30.140 --> 00:37:31.600 In Matthew 5, 8, Jesus 00:37:31.600 --> 00:37:32.500 gives us the reason 00:37:32.500 --> 00:37:33.500 why the pure in heart 00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:34.340 are so blessed. 00:37:35.140 --> 00:37:36.260 They will see God. 00:37:37.240 --> 00:37:37.960 They will be in his 00:37:37.960 --> 00:37:38.860 presence. 00:37:39.120 --> 00:37:40.800 Brother and sister of a 00:37:40.800 --> 00:37:42.700 pure heart, those who 00:37:42.700 --> 00:37:44.039 are actively pursuing 00:37:44.039 --> 00:37:46.800 holiness, be happy, for 00:37:46.800 --> 00:37:47.539 you're going to see 00:37:47.539 --> 00:37:47.820 him. 00:37:48.700 --> 00:37:49.440 You're going to see 00:37:49.440 --> 00:37:49.600 him. 00:37:49.820 --> 00:37:50.340 You're going to lay 00:37:50.340 --> 00:37:51.980 your eyes on him. 00:37:52.660 --> 00:37:53.400 You will be in his 00:37:53.400 --> 00:37:54.220 very presence. 00:37:56.440 --> 00:37:57.440 What I love to think 00:37:57.440 --> 00:37:59.039 about it is, I'm one 00:37:59.039 --> 00:38:00.080 day closer than 00:38:00.080 --> 00:38:01.960 yesterday than seeing 00:38:01.960 --> 00:38:03.000 him face to face. 00:38:04.440 --> 00:38:05.360 The window's getting 00:38:05.360 --> 00:38:05.860 smaller. 00:38:05.860 --> 00:38:09.539 God, there's coming 00:38:09.539 --> 00:38:10.539 a day when you will 00:38:10.539 --> 00:38:12.000 lay eyes on your 00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:12.360 Savior. 00:38:12.539 --> 00:38:13.200 You're going to see 00:38:13.200 --> 00:38:14.760 the creases in his 00:38:14.760 --> 00:38:15.300 face. 00:38:16.079 --> 00:38:16.500 You're going to see 00:38:16.500 --> 00:38:17.360 the twinkle in his 00:38:17.360 --> 00:38:17.700 eye. 00:38:22.700 --> 00:38:23.480 You're not going to be 00:38:23.480 --> 00:38:23.960 disappointed. 00:38:25.400 --> 00:38:26.300 Not in the least. 00:38:26.400 --> 00:38:27.840 In fact, probably the 00:38:27.840 --> 00:38:28.960 biggest problem we're 00:38:28.960 --> 00:38:29.680 going to face, I don't 00:38:29.680 --> 00:38:30.460 know if there's traffic 00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:32.140 in heaven, but the 00:38:32.140 --> 00:38:33.120 biggest problem we're 00:38:33.120 --> 00:38:34.280 going to face is getting 00:38:34.280 --> 00:38:35.559 our eyes off Jesus. 00:38:35.860 --> 00:38:38.099 We're just going to be 00:38:38.099 --> 00:38:40.640 fixed, transposed. 00:38:40.820 --> 00:38:41.500 We just want to be 00:38:41.500 --> 00:38:42.039 with him. 00:38:44.480 --> 00:38:45.760 The Apostle Paul talks 00:38:45.760 --> 00:38:46.660 about this a little bit 00:38:46.660 --> 00:38:47.880 in 1 Corinthians 13. 00:38:49.260 --> 00:38:50.120 He's talking about, 00:38:50.360 --> 00:38:52.519 now I see him through a 00:38:52.519 --> 00:38:53.920 glass dimly, but then 00:38:53.920 --> 00:38:55.059 face to face. 00:38:56.220 --> 00:38:57.220 Right now, we see 00:38:57.220 --> 00:38:58.140 through eyes of face. 00:38:58.260 --> 00:38:59.400 We fix our eyes on 00:38:59.400 --> 00:39:01.019 Jesus by faith. 00:39:02.180 --> 00:39:03.099 But there's coming a 00:39:03.099 --> 00:39:05.840 day when faith turns 00:39:05.840 --> 00:39:06.500 to sight. 00:39:07.900 --> 00:39:09.120 We see him face to 00:39:09.120 --> 00:39:09.440 face. 00:39:10.720 --> 00:39:11.480 You're going to be 00:39:11.480 --> 00:39:12.300 face to face with 00:39:12.300 --> 00:39:12.460 him. 00:39:14.900 --> 00:39:15.880 When was the last 00:39:15.880 --> 00:39:16.720 time you imagined 00:39:16.720 --> 00:39:17.019 that? 00:39:18.920 --> 00:39:19.820 When was the last 00:39:19.820 --> 00:39:20.840 time you brought to 00:39:20.840 --> 00:39:22.680 your mind that you 00:39:22.680 --> 00:39:24.019 were going to stand 00:39:24.019 --> 00:39:26.480 face to face with 00:39:26.480 --> 00:39:28.039 your king, Jesus? 00:39:28.680 --> 00:39:29.660 The one who shed his 00:39:29.660 --> 00:39:30.280 blood for you. 00:39:30.280 --> 00:39:33.180 What are you going to do 00:39:33.180 --> 00:39:33.780 in that moment? 00:39:36.340 --> 00:39:37.400 So when you think 00:39:37.400 --> 00:39:39.140 about that, that you 00:39:39.140 --> 00:39:40.500 will see him someday, 00:39:41.500 --> 00:39:44.460 what effect does that 00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:46.360 have on your pursuit 00:39:46.360 --> 00:39:48.440 of holiness now? 00:39:48.440 --> 00:39:53.099 It's to motivate you to 00:39:53.099 --> 00:39:54.880 pursue holiness. 00:39:56.300 --> 00:39:57.539 Seeing him then, the 00:39:57.539 --> 00:39:58.960 promise of that compels 00:39:58.960 --> 00:40:00.260 us to live for him 00:40:00.260 --> 00:40:01.480 now. 00:40:03.480 --> 00:40:04.599 In other words, this 00:40:04.599 --> 00:40:06.280 promise to the pure in 00:40:06.280 --> 00:40:08.500 heart is a way in which 00:40:08.500 --> 00:40:14.300 we aim our hearts at our 00:40:14.300 --> 00:40:19.260 Lord has a purifying 00:40:19.260 --> 00:40:19.740 effect. 00:40:22.680 --> 00:40:23.840 Your heart matters to 00:40:23.840 --> 00:40:24.100 God. 00:40:25.260 --> 00:40:27.600 This purity of heart is 00:40:27.600 --> 00:40:28.580 an act of pursuit of 00:40:28.580 --> 00:40:30.200 holiness and it's capped 00:40:30.200 --> 00:40:30.920 with this wonderful 00:40:30.920 --> 00:40:31.760 promise you're going to 00:40:31.760 --> 00:40:32.840 see him face to face. 00:40:34.160 --> 00:40:35.260 So brothers and 00:40:35.260 --> 00:40:36.200 sisters in Christ, can I 00:40:36.200 --> 00:40:36.780 just call you to 00:40:36.780 --> 00:40:37.280 something now? 00:40:37.560 --> 00:40:38.180 To two things. 00:40:39.720 --> 00:40:41.920 Set your heart, set your 00:40:41.920 --> 00:40:42.820 heart on Jesus. 00:40:42.820 --> 00:40:46.280 Pursue holiness and long 00:40:46.280 --> 00:40:47.539 for the day that you'll 00:40:47.539 --> 00:40:49.820 see him face to face. 00:40:49.960 --> 00:40:51.620 You will experience his 00:40:51.620 --> 00:40:52.400 blessing. 00:40:53.559 --> 00:40:54.660 Strive for holiness 00:40:54.660 --> 00:40:57.180 without which no one will 00:40:57.180 --> 00:40:57.940 see the Lord. 00:40:58.260 --> 00:40:58.920 Hebrews 12. 00:40:59.220 --> 00:40:59.720 Let's pray. 00:41:02.080 --> 00:41:05.500 God, we can just spend a 00:41:05.500 --> 00:41:06.480 lot of time thinking 00:41:06.480 --> 00:41:07.400 about that day. 00:41:09.240 --> 00:41:10.320 God, we come to you now 00:41:10.320 --> 00:41:11.860 and ask that in light of 00:41:11.860 --> 00:41:13.940 what you've done for us 00:41:13.940 --> 00:41:15.120 already and what you will 00:41:15.120 --> 00:41:17.320 do for us then that you 00:41:17.320 --> 00:41:20.039 will now make us holy as 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:20.700 you are holy. 00:41:21.700 --> 00:41:22.820 That you would do a deep 00:41:22.820 --> 00:41:23.539 work in us. 00:41:24.539 --> 00:41:26.620 That we will crave for that 00:41:26.620 --> 00:41:29.539 which was foreign to us. 00:41:30.760 --> 00:41:33.700 That we will crave holiness. 00:41:35.079 --> 00:41:36.420 That we would be the pure in 00:41:36.420 --> 00:41:36.640 heart. 00:41:37.519 --> 00:41:38.680 Pray this in Jesus' name. 00:41:38.679 --> 00:41:39.460 Amen. 00:41:39.899 --> 00:41:40.460 Amen. 00:41:40.679 --> 00:41:41.679 God. 00:41:43.859 --> 00:41:48.440 Amen.