WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.580 Thank you very much. 00:00:10.580 --> 00:00:11.220 Well, good morning. 00:00:13.040 --> 00:00:17.339 You cannot imagine how happy I am to be here today. 00:00:17.339 --> 00:00:17.339 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.000 I'm just sort of nervous about all this. 00:00:33.420 --> 00:00:43.299 But when I came in this morning at the first service and saw a lot of people that I know and love, that stress just seemed to just leave me. 00:00:43.780 --> 00:00:45.679 And I just feel at home here today. 00:00:45.799 --> 00:00:48.240 A lot of new faces, and I'm glad to see these new faces. 00:00:49.400 --> 00:00:55.379 A lot of old faces like mine, and I'm glad to see yours. 00:00:55.960 --> 00:00:58.500 I've missed you, Lisa and I both. 00:00:58.500 --> 00:01:03.799 We see some of you around town, around the area, and we always enjoy that. 00:01:05.640 --> 00:01:12.099 This has been our home for 25 years, church family for 25 years, and it's just good to be back. 00:01:13.579 --> 00:01:17.680 But I'm glad to be retired, to be honest with you. 00:01:17.819 --> 00:01:19.019 Lisa and I enjoy that. 00:01:19.260 --> 00:01:20.180 It's good. 00:01:21.000 --> 00:01:28.000 You've got a good friend of mine who's your pastor now, and leave him alone for a month or two. 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:30.780 Let him recover well. 00:01:31.739 --> 00:01:39.760 But when he left this area several years ago, from time to time, I'd give him a call, shoot him an email, and say, 00:01:39.939 --> 00:01:45.900 I know of a church in this area that I'd love to recommend you to, and get him back up here. 00:01:45.900 --> 00:01:53.200 Most of the time, he did not even say that he would be interested. 00:01:54.500 --> 00:02:01.020 But I'm glad he waited, because he has now come to the best church he could possibly have come to, to be pastor. 00:02:01.240 --> 00:02:03.020 So I'm happy for you. 00:02:03.019 --> 00:02:05.659 I'm happy I'm retired. 00:02:07.659 --> 00:02:15.620 One of the things I had to get used to is I go sometimes and preach, fill in here and there for different pastor friends. 00:02:16.219 --> 00:02:18.460 And I don't know a soul. 00:02:19.199 --> 00:02:23.000 But when I walk in, I think, my only responsibility is to preach. 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:28.000 I have absolutely no other responsibilities. 00:02:29.360 --> 00:02:38.020 And so if somebody were to come up to me and say, I'm cold, you know what my response is going to be? 00:02:38.300 --> 00:02:39.300 I don't care. 00:02:39.900 --> 00:02:42.259 You know, that's not my problem. 00:02:42.259 --> 00:02:52.939 And some of you know, even when I was pastor, if you came up and told me you were cold, I didn't care then, you know? 00:02:53.859 --> 00:02:56.219 That's just who I am, and I can't help that. 00:02:57.079 --> 00:03:05.060 But when serious things are going on, like what has happened to Daniel with a serious heart attack, 00:03:05.699 --> 00:03:10.319 I get serious, and I have truly, at least I have prayed for him and will continue, 00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:15.799 and I know you have and will continue, because that is something you don't take lightly. 00:03:17.799 --> 00:03:21.739 But ingrown toenails, it's not worth a thought. 00:03:22.639 --> 00:03:25.099 You know, even if it comes off, it'll grow back. 00:03:25.819 --> 00:03:29.859 Don't get bent out of shape over things that really do not matter. 00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:35.120 I want you to turn, if you would, in your Bible to Mark chapter 7. 00:03:35.280 --> 00:03:36.759 We're going to get there in just a moment. 00:03:36.759 --> 00:03:50.379 While I am truly thrilled to be here, I am sorry for the occasion to be filling in for Daniel because of what he's gone through. 00:03:52.120 --> 00:03:59.739 You know, every time I hear of someone I know especially who is my age or younger, and Daniel's much younger. 00:04:00.079 --> 00:04:02.479 He may not look it, but he is much younger than me. 00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:06.879 I wonder, am I next? 00:04:08.179 --> 00:04:09.179 You never know. 00:04:11.019 --> 00:04:15.379 As far as I know, there is nothing wrong with my physical heart. 00:04:16.459 --> 00:04:17.759 I've not had any problems. 00:04:18.480 --> 00:04:20.399 It seems to be healthy. 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:24.500 But I cannot say that about my spiritual heart. 00:04:24.500 --> 00:04:29.040 It's far, far from healthy. 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:33.699 I have a serious spiritual heart problem. 00:04:33.800 --> 00:04:34.660 I'm going to be honest with you. 00:04:35.819 --> 00:04:36.939 And so do you. 00:04:38.680 --> 00:04:44.800 Every single one of us in this room, we have a heart problem. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:46.500 We have heart disease. 00:04:46.500 --> 00:04:58.639 Whether you're 12 or whether you're 92, we have serious heart problems. 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:02.259 Jesus repeatedly warns us about that. 00:05:02.920 --> 00:05:08.319 In Matthew, Mark, and Luke, there are extended passages. 00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:15.040 And we're looking at one in Mark 7, where Jesus confronts us about our heart. 00:05:15.579 --> 00:05:20.899 And tells us to look at what's coming out of our heart in our attitudes, words, and actions. 00:05:23.439 --> 00:05:24.920 I don't know if you thought about it. 00:05:24.920 --> 00:05:47.580 But when it comes to our bad attitudes, the hurtful words we say, our angry outbursts, our selfish actions, and other, any other bad behaviors, ungodly behaviors. 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:53.560 We have no one else to blame as the root source of it. 00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:56.600 Now, we don't want to hear that, do we? 00:05:57.680 --> 00:06:07.580 We don't want to think that way because we have convinced ourselves that our sinful words and actions are caused by the difficult people. 00:06:08.660 --> 00:06:11.740 Maybe we have to live with or work with or go to school with. 00:06:13.100 --> 00:06:24.900 Our sinful words and actions are caused by the unreal expectations, the stressful situations that we find ourselves in. 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:31.840 But we're going to see in Mark 7, how Jesus confronts us with the fact, the reality. 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:40.220 That the root cause, the real source of our sinful behavior is our sinful heart. 00:06:40.220 --> 00:07:00.220 Now, Jesus begins, or Mark actually recording this, Mark 7 begins with some of the Jewish leaders complaining about how Jesus' disciples were not really practicing what we would call ceremonial uncleanness. 00:07:01.620 --> 00:07:03.380 They were ceremonially unclean. 00:07:03.379 --> 00:07:07.379 It doesn't make any sense to us today. 00:07:07.379 --> 00:07:18.920 But it was a tradition, a Jewish tradition that, for example, if you went to the market and interacted with various kinds of people, 00:07:19.920 --> 00:07:30.959 you should wash your hands before you ate, not for hygiene purposes, but for religious purity purposes. 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:41.339 And some of these religious leaders who were always out to get Jesus, they were watching His disciples and they saw they didn't wash their hands. 00:07:41.879 --> 00:07:43.039 And they were all upset. 00:07:43.159 --> 00:07:44.500 They were complaining to Jesus. 00:07:47.199 --> 00:07:57.459 The problem was not, even in their mind, the problem was not Jesus' disciples are disobeying Scripture. 00:07:57.459 --> 00:08:04.620 Jesus' disciples were not honoring human traditions. 00:08:05.399 --> 00:08:09.060 What Jesus called the traditions of the elders in this passage. 00:08:10.379 --> 00:08:13.779 Well, Jesus rebukes these critics. 00:08:14.979 --> 00:08:20.439 And He points out that they had really rejected the teaching of Scripture. 00:08:20.599 --> 00:08:21.799 And He gives some examples. 00:08:21.800 --> 00:08:32.500 They had rejected the true meaning of Scripture, the teaching of Scripture, and elevated their own traditions in place of Scripture. 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:35.600 And He condemns them for it. 00:08:36.659 --> 00:08:44.360 Now, in Mark 7, beginning in verse 14, Jesus now turns His attention to everybody who's been listening to this. 00:08:44.360 --> 00:08:50.659 And He's going to tell people, the real problem is not what comes through your body. 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:55.860 The real problem that we all have is what comes out of our body. 00:08:56.639 --> 00:09:01.039 Because that's coming from our heart, our attitudes, our words, and our actions. 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:08.480 And those things, they reveal the real condition of our heart. 00:09:08.480 --> 00:09:14.639 Let's read Mark 7, beginning in verse 14. 00:09:15.639 --> 00:09:20.480 And He, that is Jesus, called the people to Him again and said to them, 00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:24.420 Hear me, all of you, and understand. 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:29.639 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him. 00:09:30.500 --> 00:09:34.460 But the things that come out of a person are what defile him. 00:09:34.460 --> 00:09:40.620 And when He had entered the house and left the people, His disciples asked Him about the parable. 00:09:41.600 --> 00:09:43.560 That, what Jesus said was a little parable. 00:09:44.560 --> 00:09:45.720 And He said to them, 00:09:46.220 --> 00:09:48.740 Then are you also without understanding? 00:09:51.940 --> 00:09:56.180 Other translations basically say, 00:09:56.960 --> 00:09:59.759 Are you so dumb? 00:10:01.920 --> 00:10:04.360 Don't you get it by now? 00:10:04.460 --> 00:10:08.000 Are you so dull? 00:10:09.040 --> 00:10:09.600 They say. 00:10:12.060 --> 00:10:13.639 And then Jesus continues. 00:10:14.040 --> 00:10:18.780 Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 00:10:19.019 --> 00:10:24.019 since it enters not his heart, but his stomach, and is expelled? 00:10:25.700 --> 00:10:27.840 It goes into the latrine. 00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:29.460 There's another way to translate that. 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:33.240 Mark now tells us parenthetically, 00:10:33.240 --> 00:10:36.519 Thus He declared all foods clean. 00:10:38.200 --> 00:10:39.320 Now verse 20. 00:10:39.980 --> 00:10:40.659 And He said, 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:43.899 What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 00:10:44.340 --> 00:10:48.680 For from within, out of the heart of man come evil thoughts, 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:50.399 sexual immorality, 00:10:50.820 --> 00:10:52.879 theft, murder, adultery, 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:54.700 coveting, wickedness, 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:55.379 deceit, 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:56.720 sensuality, 00:10:57.060 --> 00:10:57.460 envy, 00:10:57.919 --> 00:10:58.500 slander, 00:10:58.940 --> 00:10:59.519 pride, 00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:00.720 foolishness, 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:00.720 00:11:00.720 --> 00:11:05.559 all these evil things come from within, 00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:10.019 and they defile a person. 00:11:10.019 --> 00:11:14.559 Now before we look at that more closely, 00:11:14.980 --> 00:11:16.579 we need to be clear about two things. 00:11:16.699 --> 00:11:17.399 First of all, 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:19.139 the meaning of the word heart. 00:11:19.939 --> 00:11:25.980 The Bible uses the word heart hundreds of times in both the Old and New Testament 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:30.800 to talk about the inner core of a person. 00:11:30.799 --> 00:11:34.159 In this kind of context, 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:37.799 when you read Jesus or another Bible writer using the word heart like this, 00:11:38.319 --> 00:11:40.240 they're talking about the real you, 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:42.019 who you are on the inside. 00:11:43.179 --> 00:11:44.539 It includes our mind, 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:45.179 our conscience, 00:11:45.319 --> 00:11:45.740 our will, 00:11:45.859 --> 00:11:46.519 our desires, 00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:47.219 our emotions, 00:11:47.359 --> 00:11:48.039 our motivations, 00:11:48.579 --> 00:11:50.259 and it is the source of our attitudes, 00:11:50.479 --> 00:11:51.039 our words, 00:11:51.179 --> 00:11:52.000 our actions. 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:54.980 I want you to understand, 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:57.399 because it applies to all of us. 00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:00.320 When Jesus talks about what comes out of our heart, 00:12:01.320 --> 00:12:05.759 he's referring to what comes out of the real you. 00:12:11.100 --> 00:12:13.259 The words that I say, 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:16.620 the things that I actually do, 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:19.659 that you might hear and see, 00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:22.199 the things that I think, 00:12:23.639 --> 00:12:25.219 and thank God you don't know that. 00:12:26.659 --> 00:12:28.500 That comes from me, 00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:32.699 who I am at the core of my being, 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:34.980 and those same things, 00:12:35.079 --> 00:12:35.339 attitude, 00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:35.779 words, 00:12:35.839 --> 00:12:36.259 and actions, 00:12:36.579 --> 00:12:37.480 that come from you, 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:38.600 that you think, 00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:39.120 that you say, 00:12:39.179 --> 00:12:39.740 that you do. 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:44.720 That's what is the condition of your inner being, 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:49.079 what Jesus and Bible writers call our heart. 00:12:50.079 --> 00:12:52.779 And so what I'm trying to get us to understand here at the beginning, 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:57.860 we can't blame other people for this. 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:00.600 Sure, 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:03.279 other people provoke us, 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:05.399 but then, 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:08.939 we let out what's already there. 00:13:08.940 --> 00:13:11.520 And so right now at the beginning, 00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:16.300 own how you think. 00:13:17.780 --> 00:13:20.740 Own the words that you speak. 00:13:22.400 --> 00:13:25.420 Own your actions, 00:13:25.540 --> 00:13:26.240 how you live, 00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:28.000 what you do and don't do. 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:29.640 Now, 00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:32.980 we also need to be clear about the natural condition of our heart. 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:35.259 Everyone is born with a sick heart. 00:13:36.200 --> 00:13:39.200 Look at how Jeremiah describes this. 00:13:39.940 --> 00:13:41.980 The heart is deceitful above all things, 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:44.460 and desperately sick. 00:13:44.580 --> 00:13:46.700 A lot of translations say desperately wicked. 00:13:47.740 --> 00:13:49.659 Who can understand it? 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:53.539 What he's describing here is how we all come into the world. 00:13:53.879 --> 00:13:56.420 Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, 00:13:56.419 --> 00:14:01.620 every human being who's born into this world 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:04.379 is born with a sinful nature. 00:14:06.219 --> 00:14:07.659 A sinful heart. 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:10.459 That's what it's talking about. 00:14:11.339 --> 00:14:12.919 We see evidence of this. 00:14:14.199 --> 00:14:15.559 This is the Word of God. 00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:18.639 The heart is deceitful above all things, 00:14:18.719 --> 00:14:19.860 and desperately sick. 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:24.100 And Jesus is saying all this bad stuff that comes out, 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:25.219 it comes from our heart. 00:14:25.719 --> 00:14:26.959 This is the Word of God. 00:14:28.959 --> 00:14:31.419 But we can actually see this in practice. 00:14:32.819 --> 00:14:36.100 Think about or look at your little children. 00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:38.480 Your little grandchildren. 00:14:40.200 --> 00:14:44.060 Those sweet, innocent, not. 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:52.519 Little children never have to be taught to lie, do they? 00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:59.040 Little children never have to be taught to disobey their parents 00:14:59.040 --> 00:15:03.639 and then lie about what they did or didn't do. 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:07.199 Little children are not taught to be selfish 00:15:07.199 --> 00:15:09.500 and not share their toys over in the nursery. 00:15:10.919 --> 00:15:11.439 No. 00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:15.960 They have this ingrained sinful nature that says, 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:17.600 what I've got is mine. 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:21.159 And when another little child comes over to steal it, 00:15:21.340 --> 00:15:22.759 that, you know, they want to do, 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:25.600 they'll smack them upside the head. 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.700 And that all comes naturally. 00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:29.080 Some children don't smack them. 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:30.779 Some will just cry and let them take it. 00:15:31.220 --> 00:15:32.080 But they don't like it. 00:15:32.080 --> 00:15:33.660 Some children are bite. 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:35.820 I had a biter in one of my boys. 00:15:35.900 --> 00:15:36.820 I won't say who it is. 00:15:41.060 --> 00:15:42.259 I'm no longer a pastor. 00:15:43.040 --> 00:15:44.280 I can't help it. 00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:47.000 I couldn't help it when my son bit another child. 00:15:47.540 --> 00:15:48.840 Don't get mad at me. 00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:50.100 What am I going to do? 00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:50.920 Pull all his teeth? 00:15:51.780 --> 00:15:52.040 You know? 00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:54.720 Things happen like that. 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:59.639 And it's because our children are sinners just like we are. 00:16:00.040 --> 00:16:03.580 Even our grandchildren are little sinners just like we are. 00:16:03.700 --> 00:16:05.500 That's how we all enter the world. 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:06.519 That's us. 00:16:07.340 --> 00:16:08.460 That's what Scripture teaches. 00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:12.600 And that's what our experience sees. 00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:17.740 Now, let's evaluate the condition of our hearts. 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:24.740 Don't think about your spouse or your child or your parent or your friend. 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:27.240 Think about you. 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:31.519 Let's evaluate the condition of our heart right now in light of what Jesus said. 00:16:32.040 --> 00:16:33.060 Test your heart. 00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:38.199 What's coming out of your heart? 00:16:38.479 --> 00:16:39.739 Look at the words of Jesus. 00:16:40.739 --> 00:16:46.339 And he said, what comes out of a person's heart, what comes out of a person is what defiles them. 00:16:47.099 --> 00:17:02.719 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:04.799 pride, and foolishness. 00:17:06.360 --> 00:17:09.400 That's obviously not an exhaustive list. 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:17.539 What Jesus is doing is describing various attitudes, thoughts, and desires that we have. 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:24.500 He's describing some of the kinds of words we say to other people. 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:29.079 He's talking about some of the things that we do. 00:17:30.140 --> 00:17:32.819 And it all originates within a person. 00:17:33.839 --> 00:17:38.759 Now, he's obviously describing sinful behaviors that come from an unbeliever's heart. 00:17:39.599 --> 00:17:40.759 Everybody knows that. 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:48.000 But these things sometimes come out of our heart as Christians. 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:51.220 No Christian is perfect. 00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:58.180 You know, in the model prayer, what we call the Lord's Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray for forgiveness. 00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:00.680 Because we sin. 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:03.440 We sin every day. 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:10.900 We need to be aware of that, admit that, confess that to God and to the people we sin against. 00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:15.680 We need to learn to ask God for forgiveness, ask other people for forgiveness. 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:17.200 We need to own our sin. 00:18:18.820 --> 00:18:27.240 These kinds of things, some of them, sometimes, are on display in our lives. 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.940 So here's what I want you to do. 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:32.660 Examine yourself right now. 00:18:32.660 --> 00:18:34.740 The way you think. 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:39.380 The things you truly desire. 00:18:40.580 --> 00:18:42.420 The way you speak. 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:45.700 The way you speak to other people or about people. 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:48.320 The way you act. 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.980 You, right now. 00:18:51.580 --> 00:18:54.200 Do you see evidence of evil thoughts? 00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:59.519 Sexual immorality? 00:19:01.860 --> 00:19:02.340 Theft? 00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:03.100 Murder? 00:19:04.580 --> 00:19:14.340 You know, I've never, that I know of, even been in a room preaching, that when this came, you know, we look at something like this where somebody had actually murdered someone. 00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:26.720 But in the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5, Jesus tells us, murder, before it ever takes place, it begins in a person's heart with anger. 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:33.140 It comes out in angry words before it ever becomes an action. 00:19:34.140 --> 00:19:34.860 The next one. 00:19:34.859 --> 00:19:35.419 Adultery. 00:19:35.419 --> 00:19:35.699 The next one. 00:19:35.699 --> 00:19:36.339 Adultery. 00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:36.419 Adultery. 00:19:36.419 --> 00:19:36.419 00:19:36.419 --> 00:19:36.419 00:19:36.419 --> 00:19:36.419 00:19:36.419 --> 00:19:36.419 00:19:36.419 --> 00:19:36.419 00:19:36.419 --> 00:19:37.419 Adultery. 00:19:37.419 --> 00:19:53.419 In the same Sermon on the Mount, same chapter 5, Jesus says, if you've ever looked at a woman and had lustful thoughts, you've committed adultery with her in your mind, in your heart. 00:19:53.420 --> 00:19:58.900 See, these things are more than just the actual physical act. 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:01.820 We're talking about what's going on in our mind. 00:20:02.820 --> 00:20:04.779 Things we say is what we do. 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:05.779 Look at it. 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.180 Look at it. 00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:06.279 Look at it. 00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:08.420 Coveting. 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:09.799 That's greed. 00:20:11.099 --> 00:20:12.379 Wanting what other people have. 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:19.259 Never being satisfied or content with what God's given us. 00:20:20.839 --> 00:20:21.559 Wickedness. 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:22.539 Deceit. 00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:24.440 Deception. 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.500 Lies. 00:20:26.299 --> 00:20:27.220 Sensuality. 00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:28.879 Envy. 00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:30.879 Slander. 00:20:31.879 --> 00:20:32.539 Pride. 00:20:33.460 --> 00:20:34.220 Foolishness. 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.700 Examine yourself. 00:20:40.079 --> 00:20:45.920 Now, listen closely to your words. 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.759 Words matter. 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:55.180 Jesus says that our words are an overflow of what's in our heart. 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:57.920 I want you to look at Luke chapter 6. 00:20:58.599 --> 00:21:00.279 Jesus also says this in Matthew. 00:21:00.379 --> 00:21:03.220 It's recorded in Matthew 12 and Matthew 15. 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:05.140 But we're going to look at it in Luke 6. 00:21:05.200 --> 00:21:05.559 45. 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:10.440 He says the good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good. 00:21:10.660 --> 00:21:14.360 And the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil. 00:21:14.359 --> 00:21:21.059 For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:26.619 That's convicting. 00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:29.679 That's talking about you. 00:21:29.939 --> 00:21:30.919 That's talking about me. 00:21:30.979 --> 00:21:32.759 And I know very well it's talking about me. 00:21:32.759 --> 00:21:37.240 One of the reasons that I am preaching this message this morning. 00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:38.460 By the way, this is brand new. 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:42.599 This is brand spanking new. 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:52.839 Two or three years ago, I was reading Paul Tripp's devotional book, New Morning Mercy. 00:21:52.980 --> 00:21:54.180 It's a great devotional book. 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:55.160 Highly recommend it. 00:21:55.160 --> 00:22:06.660 He has several daily devotions that confronted me, confront whoever's reading it, about the kind of thing we're talking about. 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:14.440 The problem with my mouth, the problem with my attitude, the problem with things I do, it's not other people or situations. 00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:15.560 It's me. 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.600 It's my heart. 00:22:17.560 --> 00:22:18.540 That's convicting. 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:25.740 And then the occasion I'm here, Daniel had a physical heart attack. 00:22:26.680 --> 00:22:29.980 I just thought, well, the Lord, it's just given me. 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:32.019 I've been wanting to develop a sermon like this. 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:33.240 This is the right occasion. 00:22:33.319 --> 00:22:36.700 I can use his heart attack as a good illustration, as a good opening, you know. 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:48.240 Our words are an overflow of what comes out of our hearts. 00:22:48.539 --> 00:22:57.359 I am not proud for you that know me to know that. 00:22:58.899 --> 00:23:11.819 Are you really proud of the overflow that's coming out of your mouth on a daily basis or a weekly basis or even just on a monthly basis? 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:18.799 Paul Tripp, he helps us to think through what Jesus is saying here. 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:22.980 He says, words reveal the heart. 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:32.559 He says, the heart thinks and our words are the way those thoughts are communicated and transferred to God and others. 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:35.259 He's talking about both good and bad words. 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:42.740 The heart desires and our words are the way we communicate what, how, why, when, and where. 00:23:43.079 --> 00:23:48.960 We want the things that our hearts have come to desire, both good and bad. 00:23:49.660 --> 00:24:02.259 The heart loves and every day the loves of our heart are intentionally or unintentionally communicated to God and to those near us, both good and bad. 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:11.799 The heart worships and our words reveal what rules our hearts, good and bad. 00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:18.519 What do your words reveal about the condition of your heart right now? 00:24:19.759 --> 00:24:20.720 Be honest. 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:30.940 Jesus is telling us that the ultimate source of our sinful attitudes, words and actions is within us. 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:33.319 It's in our heart. 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:36.299 But I want to be clear about something. 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:47.420 Jesus does not mean this, what we're talking about this morning, does not mean that we are unaffected by what other people have done to us. 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:53.920 By some of the hard situations we've had to go through in life. 00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:54.720 No. 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:58.960 We are affected by what happens to us. 00:25:00.820 --> 00:25:02.560 People can hurt us. 00:25:02.840 --> 00:25:04.120 They can abuse us. 00:25:04.900 --> 00:25:06.519 Life can just be very difficult. 00:25:06.820 --> 00:25:10.340 Some of the situations, some of the circumstances that we have to deal with and go through. 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:13.339 I want you to understand. 00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:24.220 You may have suffered real, personal pain from other people, evil people. 00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:37.279 You may have suffered tremendously from unfair situations or events outside of you that you had no control over. 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:41.920 Don't ignore those things. 00:25:44.399 --> 00:25:47.200 And Jesus is not saying you've got to pretend they didn't happen. 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:48.480 You don't deny those things. 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:51.240 They are real. 00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:59.119 And you need to acknowledge them and get help. 00:25:59.339 --> 00:26:03.420 Ask God to help you to deal with it, to work through it. 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:10.120 Find a Christian friend who will walk with you, help you, encourage you. 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:15.920 Find a biblically sound Christian counselor. 00:26:16.700 --> 00:26:23.539 If they're deep-seated and you really need to spend some time and work on dealing with those things, 00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:27.100 those outside forces that have hurt you. 00:26:27.099 --> 00:26:35.000 But at the same time, don't blame other people or situations, 00:26:35.839 --> 00:26:38.299 those that have hurt you even, 00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:45.740 and say that they are the cause of your sinful behavior. 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:50.740 They may present you with occasions to sin. 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:55.599 They may cause you to have temptations to sin. 00:26:56.000 --> 00:27:00.819 They may influence you in a lot of terrible, bad, harmful ways. 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:06.200 But bottom line, they don't make you sin. 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:07.380 That's what Jesus is saying. 00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:09.359 Jesus is making it very clear. 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:16.979 The ultimate cause of our sinful attitudes, words, and actions is within ourselves, our own hearts. 00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:19.059 And we've got to own that. 00:27:19.879 --> 00:27:25.339 And quit blaming everybody and everything for what's wrong with us. 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:31.839 Your wife, she may be a pill to live with. 00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:38.659 And if I was really going to be a smart aleck this morning, I'd point out some as illustrations, you know. 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:47.419 Your husband, it may take the grace of God to stay in that marriage with him. 00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:51.879 Your children may be little terrorists. 00:27:53.419 --> 00:27:56.980 Your parents may be just ungodly influences. 00:27:56.980 --> 00:28:00.740 And that does make your life difficult. 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.860 There is no doubt. 00:28:05.160 --> 00:28:09.440 But those people, you can't point at and say, 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:14.680 that's why I say the things I say and do the things I do. 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:17.500 That's why I do that sinful stuff. 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:17.920 No. 00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:20.660 Jesus won't let us. 00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:26.160 He's given us a simple test to check the condition of our heart. 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:29.599 All we've got to do is look at our behavior. 00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:30.440 What comes out? 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:34.299 So what does this test reveal about you? 00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:39.539 Let's turn our attention now to how we can treat this heart problem. 00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:41.480 There's some good things here. 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:43.980 Treat your heart problem. 00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:51.759 One of the best pictures, places to point to is the life of King David. 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:52.759 King David. 00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:53.759 King David. 00:28:56.440 --> 00:29:00.740 When he realized the seriousness of his heart problem, 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:02.420 and he had to be confronted about it. 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:06.640 He had committed adultery with Bathsheba. 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:11.080 And he had tried to cover it up by having her husband killed. 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:16.940 And at first, he seemed to not be bothered by it. 00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:20.440 But when Nathan the prophet confronted him over his sin, 00:29:20.660 --> 00:29:22.660 when Nathan the prophet said some things, 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:26.880 gave him a little story that really revealed what he had done, 00:29:27.100 --> 00:29:28.259 what was in his heart, 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:30.340 David was broken. 00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:34.619 He cried out to God in confession and repentance 00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:36.519 and begging God for forgiveness. 00:29:38.919 --> 00:29:42.220 And he asked God to cleanse his heart. 00:29:44.679 --> 00:29:46.000 Create a new heart. 00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:48.099 It's in Psalm 51. 00:29:49.459 --> 00:29:51.720 After it was all over, after this time period, 00:29:51.779 --> 00:29:53.759 after he had prayed, David recorded this prayer. 00:29:53.819 --> 00:29:55.799 It's a great prayer for all of us to read, 00:29:56.220 --> 00:29:59.199 to use even as our own prayer of confession and repentance. 00:29:59.200 --> 00:30:01.779 Here's what I want to ask you. 00:30:01.900 --> 00:30:02.799 In treating your heart, 00:30:03.340 --> 00:30:05.279 do you need to ask God to cleanse your heart? 00:30:07.180 --> 00:30:08.559 David said in this Psalm, 00:30:09.000 --> 00:30:10.660 Create in me a clean heart, 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:13.319 or a pure heart, some translations say, O God, 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:16.220 and renew a right spirit within me. 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:19.240 In the first several verses of this Psalm, 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:23.200 David confesses his sin wholeheartedly. 00:30:24.640 --> 00:30:26.539 He seeks God's forgiveness. 00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:28.080 But here in verse 10, 00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:32.579 he is demonstrating the sincerity of his confession. 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:37.000 He is really serious about wanting to be clean before God. 00:30:37.579 --> 00:30:40.500 And so he asks God to purify his heart 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:43.919 so he would not fall back into his sin. 00:30:45.279 --> 00:30:48.399 Do you need to confess some specific sins this morning, 00:30:48.659 --> 00:30:49.720 right now, to God? 00:30:49.819 --> 00:30:52.559 Not publicly, but just you and God. 00:30:52.559 --> 00:30:58.359 Maybe some sins about your thought life. 00:30:59.339 --> 00:31:00.480 Some of the things you think about. 00:31:02.059 --> 00:31:05.039 You know, I have thought in preaching and teaching, 00:31:05.179 --> 00:31:05.919 thinking about this. 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:10.500 If my thoughts could ever be put on that screen, 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:13.539 I'd run away. 00:31:16.880 --> 00:31:19.359 No one would ever see me again. 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:21.700 I'd be that ashamed if my, 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:23.619 some of the things I think sometimes 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:26.640 were on the screen. 00:31:27.700 --> 00:31:29.500 If you're honest, you'd have to say the same thing. 00:31:29.500 --> 00:31:32.180 But God knows. 00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:35.960 You need to confess some of the things 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:37.900 that you are playing with in your mind. 00:31:38.339 --> 00:31:40.039 You need to confess some of the words you, 00:31:40.380 --> 00:31:43.180 you use, you speak. 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:46.759 I'm not talking about just about maybe using profanity, 00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:48.259 although that may be something you need to confess. 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:52.740 I'm talking about slander, gossip, uncontrolled anger. 00:31:53.379 --> 00:31:55.579 I'm talking about words that come out 00:31:55.579 --> 00:31:57.619 that reveal there's a problem in my heart. 00:31:58.379 --> 00:31:59.480 Confess that to God. 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:01.500 Or things you do, actions, 00:32:02.299 --> 00:32:03.980 things you don't do that you should do. 00:32:07.559 --> 00:32:10.779 Don't offer excuses if you're confessing your sin. 00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:13.140 Don't go to God and say, 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:14.099 Lord, I know I'm wrong, 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:17.799 but you can't blame other people. 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:20.379 You can't excuse yourself before the Lord. 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:22.019 Confess your sin to God, 00:32:22.119 --> 00:32:24.359 ask Him to create within you a new attitude, 00:32:25.139 --> 00:32:25.940 a new vocabulary, 00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:28.180 a new way to talk about people 00:32:28.180 --> 00:32:29.180 or talk to people, 00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:30.960 new actions. 00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:33.099 Sincerely pray. 00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:34.680 If God's convicting you, 00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:36.919 sincerely pray David's prayer, 00:32:37.279 --> 00:32:38.700 creating me a clean heart of God 00:32:38.700 --> 00:32:40.579 and renew a right spirit within me. 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.899 Maybe write this down. 00:32:43.099 --> 00:32:44.619 Put it on the mirror in the bathroom. 00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:46.639 Put it on the dash of your car. 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:49.220 As a reminder, 00:32:50.139 --> 00:32:51.460 I need this new heart. 00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:53.319 I need to be renewed day by day. 00:32:53.960 --> 00:32:54.099 You know, 00:32:54.119 --> 00:32:56.079 this was originally a prayer of David. 00:32:57.119 --> 00:32:57.819 The scripture calls him 00:32:57.819 --> 00:32:58.899 a man after God's own heart. 00:32:58.960 --> 00:32:59.899 He's a man of God. 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:03.200 It's the prayer that we as Christians 00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:03.759 need to pray, 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:04.279 is what I'm saying. 00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:05.960 But it could also be a prayer 00:33:05.960 --> 00:33:07.079 that you could pray 00:33:07.079 --> 00:33:08.359 if you're not a Christian 00:33:08.359 --> 00:33:10.299 and God's calling you right now 00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:10.839 to salvation. 00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:11.980 He's convicting you. 00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:14.059 Confess your sin to God. 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.659 Be honest with Him about it. 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:16.880 Change your mind. 00:33:17.000 --> 00:33:17.519 Turn from it. 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.519 That's what repentance is. 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:20.860 Trust that when Jesus died on the cross, 00:33:20.920 --> 00:33:22.480 He actually paid the penalty for your sin. 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:24.460 Trust that He died as your substitute. 00:33:25.400 --> 00:33:27.640 Taking the wrath of God that you deserve, 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:30.060 trust that Jesus died 00:33:30.060 --> 00:33:31.279 to pay the penalty for your sins. 00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:33.000 Put your faith, 00:33:33.120 --> 00:33:33.519 your trust, 00:33:33.560 --> 00:33:34.600 your confidence in Him. 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:36.060 And realize that 00:33:36.060 --> 00:33:37.740 just as Jesus died on the cross 00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:38.340 for your sins, 00:33:38.420 --> 00:33:39.820 He arose triumphantly. 00:33:39.940 --> 00:33:41.560 God brought Him back from the grave. 00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:43.019 He is the King of kings 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:44.119 and Lord of lords today 00:33:44.119 --> 00:33:45.299 at the right hand of the Father. 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:47.139 Surrender you to the control 00:33:47.139 --> 00:33:48.440 of your life to Jesus right now 00:33:48.440 --> 00:33:49.659 as your Lord. 00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:50.819 That's what it means to follow Him. 00:33:51.059 --> 00:33:51.779 You trust Him. 00:33:52.559 --> 00:33:53.480 You follow Him. 00:33:53.879 --> 00:33:54.659 You love Him. 00:33:54.919 --> 00:33:55.779 You obey Him. 00:33:57.240 --> 00:33:59.179 It may be that you've tested your heart 00:33:59.179 --> 00:33:59.879 this morning. 00:34:02.399 --> 00:34:03.240 And while, 00:34:04.339 --> 00:34:04.579 yes, 00:34:04.659 --> 00:34:05.559 there's some things there 00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:06.220 that shouldn't be, 00:34:06.299 --> 00:34:07.500 there's some things I need to confess. 00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:08.420 It could be that 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:09.699 as we've gone through this this morning, 00:34:09.699 --> 00:34:11.960 that God has comforted you. 00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:15.059 God has given you assurance 00:34:15.059 --> 00:34:17.859 that you are seeking 00:34:17.859 --> 00:34:19.500 to live a life that pleases Him. 00:34:19.539 --> 00:34:20.299 Not perfectly, 00:34:21.419 --> 00:34:22.319 but your attitudes 00:34:22.319 --> 00:34:24.159 as a general rule, 00:34:24.259 --> 00:34:25.899 your words normally, 00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:27.199 your actions 00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:28.139 are those that 00:34:28.139 --> 00:34:30.179 attempt to please God. 00:34:30.679 --> 00:34:31.639 And it may be this morning 00:34:31.639 --> 00:34:33.419 that there's not really 00:34:33.419 --> 00:34:34.319 a prayer of confession. 00:34:34.419 --> 00:34:35.199 It may be what you need to do 00:34:35.199 --> 00:34:35.739 is ask God 00:34:35.739 --> 00:34:37.579 to protect your heart. 00:34:38.379 --> 00:34:39.379 Above all else, 00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:40.460 guard your heart, 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.220 Scripture says, 00:34:41.480 --> 00:34:42.720 for everything you do 00:34:42.720 --> 00:34:44.559 flows from it. 00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:45.780 There's a negative 00:34:45.780 --> 00:34:46.579 and positive way 00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:48.099 to guard your heart. 00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:49.000 Negatively, 00:34:49.940 --> 00:34:50.579 to guard your heart 00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:51.720 means to protect yourself 00:34:51.720 --> 00:34:53.039 from sources of evil 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:53.640 and temptation. 00:34:54.340 --> 00:34:55.059 Are there some people 00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:55.720 in your life, 00:34:56.640 --> 00:34:57.680 certain places, 00:34:58.680 --> 00:34:59.680 certain places you go, 00:35:00.280 --> 00:35:01.740 certain forms of media 00:35:01.740 --> 00:35:02.619 you use, 00:35:03.160 --> 00:35:03.800 are there some things 00:35:03.800 --> 00:35:04.340 in your life 00:35:04.340 --> 00:35:05.420 that you know 00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:06.000 is not good, 00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:06.740 it's not healthy? 00:35:06.739 --> 00:35:08.679 It arouses 00:35:08.679 --> 00:35:10.519 the wrong kinds 00:35:10.519 --> 00:35:11.419 of desires. 00:35:12.379 --> 00:35:13.739 It causes you 00:35:13.739 --> 00:35:14.379 to want to say 00:35:14.379 --> 00:35:15.099 the wrong kind 00:35:15.099 --> 00:35:15.799 of words. 00:35:16.979 --> 00:35:17.939 Are there some things 00:35:17.939 --> 00:35:18.419 in your life 00:35:18.419 --> 00:35:18.919 that you know 00:35:18.919 --> 00:35:19.979 it's not helpful, 00:35:20.139 --> 00:35:21.219 it's only hurtful? 00:35:22.159 --> 00:35:23.119 Well, guard your heart 00:35:23.119 --> 00:35:25.019 by don't hang around 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:25.579 those people. 00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:28.019 Don't go to those places. 00:35:28.759 --> 00:35:30.179 Don't expose yourself 00:35:30.179 --> 00:35:31.679 to that kind of media 00:35:31.679 --> 00:35:32.979 or that kind of influence. 00:35:32.980 --> 00:35:35.380 Ask God to help you. 00:35:36.679 --> 00:35:37.360 Positively though, 00:35:37.880 --> 00:35:38.559 guarding our heart 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:39.320 means to surround 00:35:39.320 --> 00:35:40.420 ourselves with things 00:35:40.420 --> 00:35:41.639 that promote 00:35:41.639 --> 00:35:42.880 closeness with God 00:35:42.880 --> 00:35:43.679 and will help us 00:35:43.679 --> 00:35:45.199 to live a pure 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:46.599 and holy life. 00:35:46.960 --> 00:35:47.719 The place to begin 00:35:47.719 --> 00:35:49.559 is to be consistent, 00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:50.820 spending time with God 00:35:50.820 --> 00:35:51.480 in His Word 00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:52.519 and in prayer. 00:35:53.260 --> 00:35:53.920 We're never going 00:35:53.920 --> 00:35:54.360 to have a close 00:35:54.360 --> 00:35:55.059 relationship with God 00:35:55.059 --> 00:35:56.280 if we don't listen to Him 00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:57.280 as He speaks through His Word. 00:35:57.519 --> 00:35:58.440 If we don't talk to Him 00:35:58.440 --> 00:35:58.940 and listen to Him 00:35:58.940 --> 00:35:59.280 in prayer, 00:35:59.440 --> 00:36:00.219 we never will. 00:36:00.219 --> 00:36:02.319 I want to encourage you 00:36:02.319 --> 00:36:03.239 to spend time with the Lord 00:36:03.239 --> 00:36:04.759 every day 00:36:04.759 --> 00:36:06.619 in meaningful prayer, 00:36:07.119 --> 00:36:07.899 just talking to Him, 00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:08.599 listening to Him. 00:36:09.319 --> 00:36:10.099 In Bible studies 00:36:10.099 --> 00:36:10.599 where you realize 00:36:10.599 --> 00:36:11.279 this is God, 00:36:11.439 --> 00:36:12.179 God's Word 00:36:12.179 --> 00:36:13.000 and He's speaking to me, 00:36:13.099 --> 00:36:13.859 I'm going to listen to Him, 00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:14.980 I'm going to agree with Him, 00:36:15.139 --> 00:36:16.019 I'm going to obey Him. 00:36:18.239 --> 00:36:19.939 We can't really 00:36:19.939 --> 00:36:21.619 surround ourselves 00:36:21.619 --> 00:36:22.239 with things that 00:36:22.239 --> 00:36:22.939 are going to promote 00:36:22.939 --> 00:36:23.539 the right kind of thing 00:36:23.539 --> 00:36:24.199 if we don't hang out 00:36:24.199 --> 00:36:25.039 with the right kind of people. 00:36:26.299 --> 00:36:27.939 We need meaningful relationships 00:36:27.939 --> 00:36:28.719 with other Christians. 00:36:28.919 --> 00:36:29.639 Do you have it? 00:36:30.219 --> 00:36:30.659 You know, 00:36:30.719 --> 00:36:31.579 there's things going on 00:36:31.579 --> 00:36:32.559 in this church right now. 00:36:32.859 --> 00:36:33.559 Small groups 00:36:33.559 --> 00:36:34.419 that meet on Sunday 00:36:34.419 --> 00:36:35.259 during the week 00:36:35.259 --> 00:36:36.419 with Christians 00:36:36.419 --> 00:36:37.799 who can help you 00:36:37.799 --> 00:36:39.719 just by being there, 00:36:39.839 --> 00:36:40.539 being a friend, 00:36:40.679 --> 00:36:41.759 being an encourager, 00:36:42.239 --> 00:36:42.939 pray with you, 00:36:43.019 --> 00:36:43.679 pray for you. 00:36:43.839 --> 00:36:44.539 I want to encourage you 00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.019 to get involved 00:36:45.019 --> 00:36:45.719 in a small group 00:36:45.719 --> 00:36:47.019 if you're not involved 00:36:47.019 --> 00:36:48.500 right here in this church. 00:36:49.259 --> 00:36:49.980 But it may be 00:36:49.980 --> 00:36:50.739 you can do some things 00:36:50.739 --> 00:36:51.679 just as an individual. 00:36:52.679 --> 00:36:53.699 Eat lunch with some people, 00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:55.059 play golf with some people, 00:36:55.139 --> 00:36:56.099 go out and do things 00:36:56.099 --> 00:36:56.739 for some people. 00:36:56.739 --> 00:36:58.079 And it may be that 00:36:58.079 --> 00:37:01.579 it's not your nature 00:37:01.579 --> 00:37:02.859 to call somebody up 00:37:02.859 --> 00:37:03.739 or just point blank 00:37:03.739 --> 00:37:04.679 ask somebody to do something, 00:37:05.219 --> 00:37:05.919 but do it. 00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:08.399 Do what you know 00:37:08.399 --> 00:37:09.059 will help you 00:37:09.059 --> 00:37:09.439 to have, 00:37:09.779 --> 00:37:10.379 to be surrounded 00:37:10.379 --> 00:37:11.579 by some healthy, 00:37:11.799 --> 00:37:13.539 positive Christian influences, 00:37:14.319 --> 00:37:15.359 people I'm talking about, 00:37:16.119 --> 00:37:17.519 who can help you 00:37:17.519 --> 00:37:19.559 guard your heart. 00:37:20.679 --> 00:37:22.019 Ask God to surround you 00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:22.899 with those kind of people, 00:37:23.239 --> 00:37:25.199 those kind of situations even. 00:37:25.199 --> 00:37:27.199 Now, finally, 00:37:27.279 --> 00:37:27.939 we'll wrap it up. 00:37:28.839 --> 00:37:31.839 How healthy is your heart? 00:37:34.079 --> 00:37:36.039 How healthy is your soul? 00:37:37.859 --> 00:37:39.939 Well, consider your thoughts, 00:37:40.939 --> 00:37:42.059 your attitudes, 00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:44.279 your desires, 00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:46.399 your words, 00:37:47.919 --> 00:37:49.359 your lifestyle, 00:37:49.839 --> 00:37:50.460 your actions. 00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:53.519 If you want to have 00:37:53.519 --> 00:37:54.300 a healthy heart, 00:37:56.780 --> 00:37:57.900 cry out to God 00:37:57.900 --> 00:38:00.239 to clean it up. 00:38:00.800 --> 00:38:01.739 Confess your sin. 00:38:02.340 --> 00:38:02.599 You know, 00:38:02.659 --> 00:38:03.460 there's a verse of Scripture 00:38:03.460 --> 00:38:04.280 in 1 John. 00:38:04.619 --> 00:38:05.099 John says, 00:38:05.219 --> 00:38:06.400 if we confess our sins, 00:38:06.980 --> 00:38:08.179 He is faithful and just 00:38:08.179 --> 00:38:09.579 to forgive us our sins 00:38:09.579 --> 00:38:11.659 and to cleanse us 00:38:11.659 --> 00:38:13.679 from all unrighteousness. 00:38:13.840 --> 00:38:14.699 That's one of my favorite 00:38:14.699 --> 00:38:15.400 verses of Scripture. 00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:19.579 There's a lot of things 00:38:19.579 --> 00:38:21.819 I am short coming on. 00:38:23.539 --> 00:38:24.940 But I'm a good confessor. 00:38:27.900 --> 00:38:29.279 Confess your sin today. 00:38:29.900 --> 00:38:30.819 And the Word of God 00:38:30.819 --> 00:38:32.199 says that God will forgive you. 00:38:32.400 --> 00:38:33.319 He'll cleanse you. 00:38:33.400 --> 00:38:34.840 He'll give you a fresh start. 00:38:35.719 --> 00:38:37.480 Fresh start in the way you think. 00:38:37.599 --> 00:38:39.199 A fresh start in the way you speak. 00:38:39.420 --> 00:38:40.559 A fresh start in the way 00:38:40.559 --> 00:38:40.960 that you live. 00:38:41.079 --> 00:38:42.059 It can happen today. 00:38:42.860 --> 00:38:44.719 If you make that kind of commitment 00:38:44.719 --> 00:38:45.839 and you mess up, 00:38:46.879 --> 00:38:48.099 confess your sin tonight. 00:38:48.939 --> 00:38:50.319 Confess your sin tomorrow. 00:38:51.139 --> 00:38:52.699 Confess your sin tomorrow night. 00:38:52.980 --> 00:38:53.779 God will continue. 00:38:53.859 --> 00:38:54.779 If we come to Him 00:38:54.779 --> 00:38:55.419 honestly, 00:38:55.579 --> 00:38:56.959 sincerely, 00:38:57.519 --> 00:38:58.980 creating me a clean heart of God, 00:38:59.339 --> 00:39:00.219 confessing our sin, 00:39:00.459 --> 00:39:01.299 God will forgive us. 00:39:01.500 --> 00:39:02.619 He'll cleanse us. 00:39:03.459 --> 00:39:04.699 And that's how we walk with Him. 00:39:04.839 --> 00:39:07.199 Nobody walks perfectly, 00:39:08.099 --> 00:39:08.899 no problems, 00:39:09.059 --> 00:39:09.659 no issues, 00:39:09.879 --> 00:39:10.459 no stumbles. 00:39:10.759 --> 00:39:11.519 We all, 00:39:11.799 --> 00:39:12.719 we all 00:39:12.719 --> 00:39:14.039 fail. 00:39:14.039 --> 00:39:16.340 But we can walk with God 00:39:16.340 --> 00:39:18.820 as the Chuck Swindoll book title says. 00:39:19.259 --> 00:39:20.500 We can all walk with God 00:39:20.500 --> 00:39:21.079 and make 00:39:21.079 --> 00:39:23.380 three steps forward 00:39:23.380 --> 00:39:27.039 and two steps back. 00:39:28.119 --> 00:39:29.460 But every time you make 00:39:29.460 --> 00:39:30.380 three steps forward 00:39:30.380 --> 00:39:32.219 and just two steps back, 00:39:32.619 --> 00:39:33.699 you're making progress. 00:39:34.840 --> 00:39:35.920 God's not called us. 00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:37.519 God is not, 00:39:38.679 --> 00:39:40.480 God knows we're not going to be perfect. 00:39:40.480 --> 00:39:44.000 But God knows the desire of our heart 00:39:44.000 --> 00:39:47.780 and God knows when it is truly 00:39:47.780 --> 00:39:48.780 our heartfelt desire 00:39:48.780 --> 00:39:49.920 to please Him 00:39:49.920 --> 00:39:51.159 in spite 00:39:51.159 --> 00:39:53.179 of our failures. 00:39:55.340 --> 00:39:55.900 So, 00:39:56.420 --> 00:39:58.260 how healthy is your heart? 00:39:59.059 --> 00:39:59.840 You know. 00:40:03.139 --> 00:40:04.539 Respond to God in a way 00:40:04.539 --> 00:40:05.719 that you can walk out of your, 00:40:07.460 --> 00:40:08.820 with a fresh start 00:40:08.820 --> 00:40:11.940 because you've got right now 00:40:11.940 --> 00:40:13.580 a clean heart 00:40:13.580 --> 00:40:15.620 cleansed by the blood of Jesus, 00:40:16.440 --> 00:40:18.220 clothed with the righteousness of Jesus. 00:40:19.180 --> 00:40:19.840 Let's pray. 00:40:27.160 --> 00:40:27.600 Father, 00:40:27.700 --> 00:40:28.300 you know us 00:40:28.300 --> 00:40:30.240 and Lord, 00:40:30.320 --> 00:40:30.820 we know ourselves 00:40:31.340 --> 00:40:31.820 better 00:40:32.700 --> 00:40:33.920 maybe right now 00:40:33.920 --> 00:40:34.340 than we did 00:40:34.340 --> 00:40:35.160 when we came in here. 00:40:35.159 --> 00:40:38.059 convict us of our sin, 00:40:38.920 --> 00:40:39.519 of our 00:40:39.519 --> 00:40:41.339 diseased heart. 00:40:42.759 --> 00:40:44.199 Help us to truly 00:40:44.199 --> 00:40:45.779 repent, 00:40:46.239 --> 00:40:46.899 turn from it. 00:40:47.480 --> 00:40:48.659 Help us to truly seek 00:40:48.659 --> 00:40:51.579 your cleansing, 00:40:52.299 --> 00:40:53.139 your forgiveness. 00:40:54.039 --> 00:40:54.639 Help us to 00:40:54.639 --> 00:40:54.940 experience 00:40:54.940 --> 00:40:56.940 by your grace 00:40:57.460 --> 00:41:00.519 a fresh start. 00:41:01.539 --> 00:41:02.639 Show every person in this room 00:41:02.639 --> 00:41:03.839 how to respond this morning. 00:41:06.179 --> 00:41:07.299 Show every one of us, 00:41:07.539 --> 00:41:07.659 Father, 00:41:08.519 --> 00:41:09.859 about how we can have 00:41:09.859 --> 00:41:10.759 a clean heart. 00:41:11.699 --> 00:41:12.019 But Lord, 00:41:12.099 --> 00:41:13.239 also help us this morning 00:41:13.239 --> 00:41:15.900 to guard our heart, 00:41:16.319 --> 00:41:17.699 to protect our heart 00:41:17.699 --> 00:41:19.920 by surrounding ourselves 00:41:19.920 --> 00:41:21.440 with godly influences. 00:41:21.859 --> 00:41:22.500 Your word, 00:41:22.659 --> 00:41:22.960 prayer, 00:41:23.500 --> 00:41:24.319 godly people. 00:41:24.320 --> 00:41:31.380 help us to 00:41:31.380 --> 00:41:32.780 obey you now, 00:41:32.840 --> 00:41:33.360 dear God. 00:41:33.980 --> 00:41:35.220 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:41:36.100 --> 00:41:36.420 Amen.