WEBVTT 00:00:00.960 --> 00:00:07.179 So we're going to read together from Ezekiel chapter 36. 00:00:08.179 --> 00:00:13.960 So Ezekiel chapter 36 speaks promise of the new covenant. 00:00:15.780 --> 00:00:20.320 So I want to read this and see what it says about a pure heart here. 00:00:20.699 --> 00:00:22.420 And then we'll think about the Beatitudes. 00:00:22.420 --> 00:00:27.219 So in Ezekiel 36, verse 22, we're going to read to verse 32. 00:00:28.199 --> 00:00:29.980 This is what God's word says. 00:00:30.199 --> 00:00:35.340 Therefore, say to the Israelites, this is what the sovereign Lord says. 00:00:36.140 --> 00:00:39.600 It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, 00:00:39.659 --> 00:00:44.280 but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. 00:00:44.820 --> 00:00:49.840 I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, 00:00:49.840 --> 00:00:51.700 the name you have profaned among them. 00:00:52.320 --> 00:00:56.140 Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the sovereign Lord, 00:00:56.140 --> 00:01:00.380 when I am proved holy through you before their eyes. 00:01:00.380 --> 00:01:02.620 For I will take you out of the nations. 00:01:02.980 --> 00:01:07.140 I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 00:01:07.600 --> 00:01:10.560 I will sprinkle clean water on you and you will be clean. 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:14.359 I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 00:01:14.359 --> 00:01:17.859 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. 00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:22.400 I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 00:01:23.019 --> 00:01:28.219 And I will put my spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 00:01:28.219 --> 00:01:31.299 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors. 00:01:31.819 --> 00:01:34.900 You will be my people and I will be your God. 00:01:35.260 --> 00:01:37.920 I will save you from all your uncleanness. 00:01:38.280 --> 00:01:42.219 I will call for the corn and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. 00:01:42.519 --> 00:01:47.539 I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field so that you will no longer suffer disgrace 00:01:47.539 --> 00:01:49.780 among the nations because of famine. 00:01:49.780 --> 00:01:58.659 Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. 00:01:59.359 --> 00:02:04.859 I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. 00:02:05.180 --> 00:02:10.379 Be ashamed and disgraced for your actions. 00:02:10.379 --> 00:02:20.620 Now, we are here in Beatitude number six. 00:02:20.859 --> 00:02:27.060 Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God. 00:02:28.400 --> 00:02:34.120 Purity and cleanness, generally something that we value, see it as a good thing, isn't it? 00:02:34.180 --> 00:02:36.000 We think about it in the kitchen. 00:02:36.539 --> 00:02:38.939 We want to eat off dishes that are clean. 00:02:38.939 --> 00:02:45.259 In business dealings, we want there to be transparency and honesty. 00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:49.840 If we think about the motives of a friend, we want them to be pure. 00:02:49.979 --> 00:02:52.460 So purity is something that we value. 00:02:53.180 --> 00:02:57.300 And Jesus here is saying to be pure in heart is a good thing. 00:02:57.400 --> 00:02:59.060 It is blessed. 00:03:00.560 --> 00:03:01.460 But here's the thing. 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:04.219 Sometimes we're thinking about this a little on Wednesday. 00:03:04.400 --> 00:03:07.639 Sometimes because of the fear of man. 00:03:07.639 --> 00:03:11.139 Sometimes of a desire to fit in. 00:03:12.099 --> 00:03:16.859 Sometimes because of the cost of being holy. 00:03:17.819 --> 00:03:23.939 Maybe we're not always so sure that being pure in heart is a good thing. 00:03:24.539 --> 00:03:31.339 Holiness can be seen negatively as holier than thou. 00:03:31.340 --> 00:03:37.159 Even within the church, we can sometimes belittle holiness. 00:03:38.159 --> 00:03:44.480 We don't necessarily regard it in as high a way as Jesus does. 00:03:45.439 --> 00:03:49.939 And again, this beatitude certainly is a challenge to our culture. 00:03:49.939 --> 00:03:58.240 Because if we think about what's the message that we hear about our heart and our core identity in the world today. 00:03:58.859 --> 00:04:03.159 It's a message, something along the lines of you be you. 00:04:03.800 --> 00:04:05.680 Not be holy. 00:04:06.340 --> 00:04:07.379 Because I am holy. 00:04:07.379 --> 00:04:14.460 So we need to show today from the word of God, what is a pure heart? 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:17.000 How can I have one? 00:04:18.120 --> 00:04:19.340 And why is it a good thing? 00:04:21.300 --> 00:04:22.240 So we'll begin at the beginning. 00:04:22.360 --> 00:04:23.840 What is a pure heart? 00:04:23.920 --> 00:04:25.220 What does Jesus have in mind? 00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:26.819 What does the Bible teach? 00:04:26.879 --> 00:04:28.740 I think there are two aspects to this. 00:04:28.819 --> 00:04:32.579 First of all, the idea of inner moral purity. 00:04:32.579 --> 00:04:35.759 So this is why we read from Ezekiel 36. 00:04:35.879 --> 00:04:38.180 And especially verses 25 to 27 there. 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:45.360 In the promise of the new covenant, there is the idea of sprinkling and cleansing. 00:04:46.719 --> 00:04:53.639 Of God dealing with moral impurity, including dealing with false worship. 00:04:54.299 --> 00:04:57.879 This isn't some superficial clean-up operation. 00:04:58.019 --> 00:05:00.459 This is to the core washing. 00:05:00.459 --> 00:05:05.139 And that comes with a new heart being given. 00:05:05.879 --> 00:05:07.000 A heart of flesh, not a heart of stone. 00:05:07.079 --> 00:05:07.959 A pure heart. 00:05:08.579 --> 00:05:11.500 And God putting his spirit within us. 00:05:12.859 --> 00:05:17.099 So that for the believer, we are transformed by the grace of God. 00:05:17.699 --> 00:05:25.000 And the spirit is working in us at the level of our heart and our will towards obedience. 00:05:27.579 --> 00:05:29.839 Then we take it to the time of Jesus. 00:05:29.839 --> 00:05:37.659 And so much of the controversy that Jesus gets into with the Pharisees is over purity. 00:05:37.819 --> 00:05:41.419 Because the Pharisees had the idea of outward purity. 00:05:42.279 --> 00:05:45.500 Whereas Jesus emphasised inward purity. 00:05:46.339 --> 00:05:49.099 They were all about rule righteousness. 00:05:49.679 --> 00:05:53.539 Whereas Jesus was concerned with heart righteousness. 00:05:53.540 --> 00:05:57.060 They were about the letter of the law. 00:05:58.060 --> 00:06:03.860 Whereas Jesus wanted the heart and the spirit of the law to come through. 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:15.180 So to be pure in heart, according to Jesus, is to have a spiritual, an inner, a core purity. 00:06:15.180 --> 00:06:19.139 Not just something external and superficial. 00:06:20.939 --> 00:06:26.560 But having a pure heart is also about the idea of having undivided loyalty. 00:06:27.939 --> 00:06:35.620 Soren Kierkegaard, the Danish Christian philosopher, said that purity in heart is to will one thing. 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:41.459 So we began our time hearing from Psalm 24. 00:06:42.519 --> 00:06:45.280 And the question was asked in those verses, verses 3 and 4. 00:06:45.819 --> 00:06:46.800 Who can enter? 00:06:46.939 --> 00:06:48.879 Who can stand in God's presence? 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:52.899 And it was those who had clean hands and a pure heart. 00:06:52.959 --> 00:06:54.500 And what did that pure heart look like? 00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:56.699 It looked like not trusting in idols. 00:06:56.699 --> 00:07:00.560 It looked like giving God first place. 00:07:02.420 --> 00:07:06.360 Not making vows to idols or other gods. 00:07:06.759 --> 00:07:12.480 But rather having single-hearted loyalty to the Lord as the one true God. 00:07:12.620 --> 00:07:17.439 So purity in heart is about undivided loyalty to God. 00:07:18.240 --> 00:07:19.379 That was from David. 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:21.839 Again from David in Psalm 51. 00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:23.439 He returns to this idea. 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:27.040 Psalm 51 verses 10 and 11. 00:07:27.579 --> 00:07:32.500 Say, create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:38.000 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 00:07:38.480 --> 00:07:45.180 So this is after David's sin of adultery with Bathsheba and then having her husband murdered. 00:07:45.699 --> 00:07:51.620 After God's judgment had come and after Nathan exposes David as the sinner. 00:07:51.620 --> 00:07:57.000 And here David prays, create a pure heart in me. 00:07:57.620 --> 00:07:58.480 What does David want? 00:07:58.579 --> 00:08:04.740 David wants to be steadfast in his love and in his loyalty towards God. 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:07.660 He doesn't want to surrender to sin anymore. 00:08:07.780 --> 00:08:10.660 Rather, he wants to surrender to God's will. 00:08:10.660 --> 00:08:19.060 He does not want to lose God's presence or God's spirit with him. 00:08:19.480 --> 00:08:21.580 So he wants a pure heart. 00:08:22.660 --> 00:08:33.160 So to be pure in heart then is to be sincere, is to be transparent, to have no mixed or hidden motives, to have loyalty towards God. 00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:38.439 Now back in the day, I think it was quite common for people to ask the question of one another. 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:40.839 How is your heart? 00:08:41.299 --> 00:08:43.620 It's actually a really helpful question. 00:08:44.299 --> 00:08:48.319 How is your heart right now in this season? 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:51.559 Is it a pure heart? 00:08:51.559 --> 00:09:00.699 Soon, I am hoping to have an eye test because my glasses are getting really broken. 00:09:01.839 --> 00:09:05.559 I don't know about you, but I love the technology that goes into an eye test. 00:09:05.639 --> 00:09:10.659 All the little games and things that you do to give a sense of how your eyes are getting. 00:09:10.739 --> 00:09:12.759 I also love the result as well. 00:09:12.759 --> 00:09:17.240 Because the result is you get a lens and you get glasses that help your blurry vision. 00:09:17.500 --> 00:09:26.759 Well, here's a spiritual test for blurry vision to help examine our hearts. 00:09:26.939 --> 00:09:30.279 God says, numerous occasions, be holy. 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:31.179 Because I am holy. 00:09:32.580 --> 00:09:33.500 Think about our own heart. 00:09:34.419 --> 00:09:40.399 Do we find ourselves conforming to the standard and the spirit of the age? 00:09:40.399 --> 00:09:47.419 Do we find ourselves compromising because of the company that we're in? 00:09:47.939 --> 00:09:52.959 Do we find ourselves minimising sin or tolerating sin? 00:09:53.860 --> 00:10:00.079 Are there in our experience what Gerry Bridges calls respectable sins? 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:04.399 How we speak to and about others perhaps? 00:10:04.399 --> 00:10:05.840 How we act? 00:10:05.840 --> 00:10:10.560 Are we guilty of greed or pride or lust or envy? 00:10:11.740 --> 00:10:13.060 God says, be holy. 00:10:13.139 --> 00:10:15.320 How are we doing with that? 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:19.040 God wants integrity. 00:10:20.060 --> 00:10:25.000 In so many ways, he says, I hate hypocrisy to be two-faced. 00:10:25.120 --> 00:10:29.379 But here's the truth, that we like to wear masks. 00:10:30.440 --> 00:10:32.759 Either to live a double life. 00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:34.960 So we're sort of one way with our Christian circle. 00:10:35.019 --> 00:10:43.960 And then when we get to our colleagues or perhaps to the people that we share time with on campus, for example, we are another way entirely. 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:46.159 So we wear a mask to live a double life. 00:10:46.159 --> 00:10:50.639 Or we can wear a mask to put on a religious show. 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:54.059 To suggest that everything is fine. 00:10:54.059 --> 00:10:56.600 To suggest that we have all the answers. 00:10:57.019 --> 00:11:02.620 To suggest that we have attained to a level of religious achievement. 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:05.860 But God wants integrity in our hearts. 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:09.220 Another test. 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:11.779 See how blurry our vision is. 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:13.319 What's our motivation? 00:11:13.320 --> 00:11:16.820 The Psalms. 00:11:18.140 --> 00:11:21.200 David says, I want to enjoy being with God. 00:11:21.800 --> 00:11:25.580 I am motivated by a desire to be near to him and to enjoy his presence. 00:11:26.300 --> 00:11:27.660 Jesus promised the Lord. 00:11:28.020 --> 00:11:29.600 They will see God. 00:11:30.640 --> 00:11:31.640 Is that our delight? 00:11:34.040 --> 00:11:37.040 Do we want to be in the presence of God? 00:11:37.240 --> 00:11:39.740 To carve out time to enjoy being with him? 00:11:39.740 --> 00:11:43.180 Is fellowship with God something that we treasure? 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:47.100 Or are we acting out of duty and formalism? 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:51.620 Let's pray that God would examine us. 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:55.620 That we would reflect on how our heart is. 00:11:56.360 --> 00:12:01.320 That we would have a sharper view to see that purity is good. 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:06.399 That pursuing the glory of God should be our goal. 00:12:06.399 --> 00:12:11.340 Now having asked what is a pure heart. 00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:13.639 It's important to ask then. 00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:16.059 How can I have a pure heart? 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:17.459 And I imagine. 00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:20.399 For most if not all of us. 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:22.740 This is going to be something that's troubling and convicting. 00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:23.679 And maybe we're asking ourselves. 00:12:23.980 --> 00:12:25.819 Is it even possible? 00:12:25.959 --> 00:12:26.879 Or is it realistic? 00:12:27.819 --> 00:12:28.759 To say. 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:30.939 Blessed are the pure in heart. 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:34.279 In Proverbs chapter 20 and verse 9. 00:12:34.279 --> 00:12:35.919 The question is asked. 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:37.220 Who can say. 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:39.519 I have kept my heart pure. 00:12:39.939 --> 00:12:41.059 I am clean. 00:12:41.659 --> 00:12:42.659 And without sin. 00:12:43.699 --> 00:12:44.679 The answer. 00:12:45.579 --> 00:12:46.679 Is not one of us. 00:12:48.179 --> 00:12:49.439 Martin Lloyd-Jones says. 00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:51.360 The only way to have a pure heart. 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:53.039 Is to realise. 00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:55.139 You have an impure heart. 00:12:56.439 --> 00:12:57.199 Why is that? 00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:58.240 What does he mean by that? 00:12:58.240 --> 00:13:00.899 He means that recognising. 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:03.460 Our impurity. 00:13:04.060 --> 00:13:05.460 Recognising our guilt. 00:13:05.620 --> 00:13:06.399 Our sin in this. 00:13:06.700 --> 00:13:07.740 Should direct us. 00:13:07.899 --> 00:13:08.799 And drive us. 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:10.080 To the only person. 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:11.480 Who passes the test. 00:13:11.799 --> 00:13:13.759 The only one who always kept his heart pure. 00:13:13.840 --> 00:13:15.399 The only one who was always clean and without sin. 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:17.039 Jesus alone. 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.799 Who has that pure. 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:20.039 Sinless heart. 00:13:20.279 --> 00:13:21.600 And who is the way. 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:23.200 That we. 00:13:23.860 --> 00:13:24.659 Can see God. 00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:25.940 Think about Jesus. 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:27.720 Think about his moral purity. 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:29.580 We meet in Jesus. 00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:30.180 Someone who is. 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:31.820 Perfectly obedient. 00:13:32.480 --> 00:13:33.420 To the will of God. 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:33.820 Not just. 00:13:34.279 --> 00:13:35.019 On the outside. 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:36.040 But from his heart. 00:13:36.800 --> 00:13:37.680 We meet in Jesus. 00:13:37.800 --> 00:13:38.779 One who is motivated. 00:13:38.779 --> 00:13:40.019 By God's glory. 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:41.340 At all points in our life. 00:13:42.040 --> 00:13:43.060 We meet in Jesus. 00:13:43.160 --> 00:13:45.220 Someone who is surrounded by sin. 00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:47.980 But remained undefiled. 00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:50.620 Someone who is tempted by sin. 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:52.340 But never fell. 00:13:53.860 --> 00:13:54.700 Think about Jesus. 00:13:55.040 --> 00:13:56.160 Undivided loyalty. 00:13:56.699 --> 00:13:58.759 What was it that motivated Jesus. 00:13:58.939 --> 00:13:59.480 And gave him joy. 00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:00.519 It was the Father's will. 00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:01.860 And the Father's work. 00:14:01.939 --> 00:14:03.159 And the Father's glory. 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:04.360 Especially in John's Gospel. 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:05.600 We've been seeing that so often. 00:14:06.179 --> 00:14:08.539 Two places where we can see that. 00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:10.600 At the beginning of his ministry. 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:11.899 We can think about the temptation. 00:14:13.299 --> 00:14:14.439 When the devil came to him. 00:14:14.439 --> 00:14:14.879 When he was hungry. 00:14:14.959 --> 00:14:15.719 He was in the wilderness. 00:14:16.519 --> 00:14:18.259 Turned these stones into bread. 00:14:18.259 --> 00:14:19.679 Jesus said. 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:21.460 Man should not live by bread alone. 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:23.419 But by every word that comes from the mouth of God. 00:14:24.080 --> 00:14:27.179 Or when Satan tempts Jesus. 00:14:27.819 --> 00:14:30.539 To buy down to him. 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:31.700 To receive all the kingdoms. 00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:32.559 And all the glory. 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:33.720 To have the glory. 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:34.500 Without the suffering. 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:35.319 Without the cross. 00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:35.840 Jesus said. 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:36.840 Worship the Lord your God. 00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:37.879 And serve him only. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:39.939 So from at the beginning of his public ministry. 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:42.639 Concerned of undivided loyalty. 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:44.899 Towards his father. 00:14:44.899 --> 00:14:47.139 And then at the Garden of Gethsemane. 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:49.220 As Jesus was anticipating the cost. 00:14:49.419 --> 00:14:50.620 The dreadful call. 00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:53.319 Of taking to himself. 00:14:53.439 --> 00:14:55.179 The cup of God's wrath. 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:58.000 Reserved for the enemies of God. 00:14:58.419 --> 00:15:01.199 Those who were sinful. 00:15:01.439 --> 00:15:02.159 And rebellious. 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:03.059 And unrepentant. 00:15:03.179 --> 00:15:05.639 And Jesus was going to drink that cup. 00:15:05.819 --> 00:15:06.819 To the dregs. 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:08.639 In our place. 00:15:08.960 --> 00:15:10.639 So that we might be forgiven. 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.580 And have eternal life. 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.920 That he was going to give his life. 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:15.960 And as he faced that dreadful prospect. 00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:17.720 Still he prayed. 00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:18.780 Not my will. 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:19.879 But yours. 00:15:20.560 --> 00:15:21.720 Be done. 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:26.139 To read of Jesus in the Gospels. 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:28.139 Is to read of one who is truly pure. 00:15:28.620 --> 00:15:29.660 Truly holy. 00:15:30.020 --> 00:15:32.820 And whose life was truly beautiful. 00:15:33.780 --> 00:15:35.920 A patience like nobody else. 00:15:35.920 --> 00:15:38.180 A kindness beyond measure. 00:15:38.520 --> 00:15:39.259 A mercy. 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:40.919 And a love. 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:42.259 That is breathtaking. 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:44.620 So it's no wonder. 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:45.960 That from the beginning. 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:47.319 People were compelled. 00:15:48.539 --> 00:15:49.939 Towards Jesus. 00:15:50.480 --> 00:15:51.360 As Lord. 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:52.879 And Saviour. 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:55.019 Jesus has a pure heart. 00:15:55.100 --> 00:15:56.980 But how does that help us? 00:15:58.139 --> 00:16:00.639 Well it's because Jesus alone. 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:03.299 Can give you. 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:04.279 And give me. 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:05.539 That pure. 00:16:05.939 --> 00:16:06.659 And clean heart. 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.139 That we need. 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.980 To see and enjoy the presence of God. 00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:09.659 And he does it. 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:10.779 As a gift. 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:12.460 He does it by his grace. 00:16:13.039 --> 00:16:14.139 We can use Psalm 24. 00:16:14.699 --> 00:16:15.539 As a picture. 00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:16.100 You know. 00:16:16.159 --> 00:16:16.659 Psalm 24. 00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:17.740 As who can ascend. 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:18.919 The mountain of the Lord. 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:19.120 Well. 00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:20.480 Think about what Jesus does. 00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:21.639 Jesus comes down. 00:16:22.199 --> 00:16:22.960 The mountain of the Lord. 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:23.819 Jesus leaves. 00:16:24.319 --> 00:16:25.700 The Father's side. 00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:26.919 Leaves the glory of heaven. 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:28.639 To come and live among us. 00:16:28.659 --> 00:16:29.699 As a suffering servant. 00:16:29.819 --> 00:16:31.500 And he lived a perfectly pure life. 00:16:31.599 --> 00:16:32.579 While on earth. 00:16:33.459 --> 00:16:34.199 Here is Jesus. 00:16:34.279 --> 00:16:35.139 The one who has every right. 00:16:35.219 --> 00:16:36.639 To see and to enjoy. 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:37.979 God his Father. 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:39.679 And then we recognise him. 00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:40.500 In love. 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:41.539 Going to the cross. 00:16:41.620 --> 00:16:42.759 And what happens there. 00:16:42.819 --> 00:16:43.279 At the cross. 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:44.939 Is that he absorbs. 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:47.819 Our moral impurity. 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:49.620 Our stain. 00:16:50.219 --> 00:16:51.139 He is punished. 00:16:51.219 --> 00:16:53.399 As if he were disloyal. 00:16:53.919 --> 00:16:55.779 If he were a hypocrite. 00:16:55.779 --> 00:16:57.819 And he dies. 00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:58.919 In the place. 00:16:58.919 --> 00:16:59.720 Of sinners. 00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:01.819 With the result. 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:04.059 That by faith. 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:05.639 You and I. 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:07.000 Might be washed clean. 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:08.779 We might be forgiven. 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.940 We might get that new heart. 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:11.839 That pure heart. 00:17:11.920 --> 00:17:12.539 We might have that. 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.700 New power. 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.779 As the spirit comes to. 00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:16.039 Dwell in us. 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:17.279 To fight remaining. 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:18.440 Impurities. 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:20.259 He gives us the privilege. 00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:21.240 To see. 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:22.940 The glory. 00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:24.799 Of God. 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:29.859 How can I have a pure heart. 00:17:31.119 --> 00:17:32.899 Our only response. 00:17:33.379 --> 00:17:35.480 Is to ask the Lord Jesus. 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:37.200 Wash me. 00:17:37.859 --> 00:17:38.920 From my guilt. 00:17:39.099 --> 00:17:39.899 And my sin. 00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:41.259 And my disloyalty. 00:17:42.139 --> 00:17:42.960 Renew. 00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:44.980 A right spirit within me. 00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:46.200 Give me a new desire. 00:17:46.319 --> 00:17:48.019 To live for your glory. 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:51.279 Give me an undivided heart. 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:53.440 That would surrender. 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.960 To his will. 00:17:54.960 --> 00:17:56.480 Rather than living. 00:17:56.480 --> 00:17:57.660 My way. 00:17:59.819 --> 00:18:01.619 Last question. 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:02.960 To ask. 00:18:03.399 --> 00:18:04.200 This evening. 00:18:04.819 --> 00:18:06.519 Why is a pure heart. 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.799 A good thing. 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:10.740 Why go against culture. 00:18:11.159 --> 00:18:12.639 In order to follow Jesus. 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.359 Why instead. 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:17.139 Of listening to the message. 00:18:17.379 --> 00:18:19.159 Of follow your heart. 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.500 We would follow. 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:22.599 God's word. 00:18:23.879 --> 00:18:24.500 Not. 00:18:24.919 --> 00:18:26.019 Be true to yourself. 00:18:26.139 --> 00:18:26.319 But. 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:27.759 Die to self. 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.339 To live for Jesus. 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:29.740 Why. 00:18:30.139 --> 00:18:30.859 Go down. 00:18:31.139 --> 00:18:31.960 That path. 00:18:32.379 --> 00:18:33.299 What's the reward. 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:36.019 Blessed are the pure in heart. 00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:37.079 Jesus says. 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:38.839 For they. 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:39.359 Will. 00:18:39.680 --> 00:18:39.940 See. 00:18:40.399 --> 00:18:40.779 God. 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.079 That's the reward. 00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:43.859 It's like David's desire. 00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:44.559 In the Psalms. 00:18:44.639 --> 00:18:45.240 To enjoy. 00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:46.559 God's presence. 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:48.279 To know. 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:48.879 And enjoy. 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.220 Relationship with him. 00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.000 Is. 00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:51.659 Our. 00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.379 Reward. 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:53.419 Is the goal. 00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:54.099 Of faith. 00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.539 And this is also. 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:57.359 How to pursue. 00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:58.919 A pure heart. 00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:00.740 How are we going to avoid. 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:01.759 Moral compromise. 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:03.700 Divided loyalty. 00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:05.559 Being soft on sin. 00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.160 Ultimately. 00:19:06.379 --> 00:19:07.579 Our need is to get a vision. 00:19:07.579 --> 00:19:08.819 Of the glory of Jesus. 00:19:09.819 --> 00:19:11.079 That we would be transformed. 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:11.660 By that. 00:19:13.420 --> 00:19:13.940 Think. 00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:14.500 With me. 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:15.619 About the efforts. 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:17.140 That people go to. 00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:17.559 Perhaps. 00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:18.539 That we've gone to. 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:20.480 In order to pursue. 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:22.079 Pure beauty. 00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:24.119 People will climb. 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:25.559 A mountain. 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:26.940 In the darkness. 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:28.359 In order to see the beauty. 00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:30.099 Of a sunrise at dawn. 00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:33.179 People will cross continents. 00:19:33.679 --> 00:19:35.179 To discover beautiful. 00:19:35.659 --> 00:19:36.539 Architecture. 00:19:37.399 --> 00:19:38.319 Or landscapes. 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:40.559 We will travel. 00:19:40.719 --> 00:19:41.079 Hours. 00:19:41.179 --> 00:19:41.779 And some of us. 00:19:41.899 --> 00:19:43.079 Will travel days. 00:19:43.919 --> 00:19:45.319 For the beautiful feeling. 00:19:45.559 --> 00:19:46.679 Of being whole. 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.179 We make effort. 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:49.839 To pursue. 00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:50.399 Beauty. 00:19:50.679 --> 00:19:51.399 How much. 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:52.219 Greater. 00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:54.359 Is God's beauty. 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.839 God's glory. 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:57.639 And our calling. 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:59.299 As the people of God. 00:19:59.299 --> 00:20:01.019 Is to invest ourselves. 00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:03.019 In seeing more of. 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:04.119 Enjoying more of. 00:20:04.180 --> 00:20:04.619 The beauty. 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.779 And the glory of Jesus. 00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:09.779 That we would engage ourselves. 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:12.139 In discovering more. 00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:13.960 Of him. 00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:14.759 Why? 00:20:15.899 --> 00:20:17.399 So that we would become. 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:19.039 What we behold. 00:20:20.359 --> 00:20:21.639 The gospels. 00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:22.680 Are painting for us. 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:23.940 A beautiful portrait. 00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:26.639 Of Jesus. 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:28.139 The true image of God. 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:30.140 The pure. 00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:30.160 The pure. 00:20:30.560 --> 00:20:31.440 Image of God. 00:20:31.520 --> 00:20:32.420 One with a pure heart. 00:20:32.520 --> 00:20:33.780 And with Christ's help. 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.740 And with the spirit. 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:36.560 In us. 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:38.020 And as we see. 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.060 More of Jesus. 00:20:40.020 --> 00:20:41.440 We are called to work. 00:20:41.540 --> 00:20:42.380 Towards. 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.660 That kind of purity. 00:20:45.300 --> 00:20:45.680 In. 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.520 Our own. 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:47.340 Lives. 00:20:48.340 --> 00:20:49.700 Just as we. 00:20:50.520 --> 00:20:51.220 Close up. 00:20:51.300 --> 00:20:51.460 One. 00:20:51.820 --> 00:20:52.500 Practical. 00:20:52.880 --> 00:20:53.320 Way. 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:54.980 That we might go about this. 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:57.140 Is to take the idea. 00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:57.940 Of a snapshot. 00:20:58.680 --> 00:20:59.940 To carry around. 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:00.380 You know. 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:01.160 It's something that we do. 00:21:01.660 --> 00:21:02.960 For treasured memories. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.360 Isn't it? 00:21:03.880 --> 00:21:05.099 For people that we love. 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:06.079 We take photos. 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:06.400 Or we. 00:21:06.819 --> 00:21:08.460 We sometimes find ourselves. 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.539 Maybe sitting back. 00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:10.460 And thinking about. 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:13.160 Meals that we enjoyed. 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:14.000 With friends. 00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:15.640 Holidays that we went on. 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.299 With our family. 00:21:16.360 --> 00:21:16.920 That kind of thing. 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:17.180 Or. 00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:19.980 We scroll through photos. 00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.660 On our phone. 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.320 Because they. 00:21:23.360 --> 00:21:24.160 Bring us. 00:21:24.580 --> 00:21:25.240 To see. 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.279 People. 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:27.360 And events. 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:27.759 That we. 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:28.860 Cherish. 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.060 This week. 00:21:32.580 --> 00:21:33.580 Why not. 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:34.840 Take. 00:21:35.340 --> 00:21:35.980 A snapshot. 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:37.700 Of Matthew. 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:38.400 Chapter 5. 00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:38.900 Verse 8. 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:40.720 Blessed are the pure in heart. 00:21:40.820 --> 00:21:41.779 For they will see God. 00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:42.900 Maybe you could have it. 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.940 As a screensaver. 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.420 On your phone. 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:44.640 Or. 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.820 You could write it. 00:21:45.860 --> 00:21:46.340 In a journal. 00:21:47.180 --> 00:21:47.420 But. 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:49.000 But to carry it around. 00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:50.120 With us. 00:21:50.860 --> 00:21:51.980 So that would be something. 00:21:52.120 --> 00:21:52.440 As it were. 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:52.620 We. 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:53.680 We'd pull out. 00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:54.000 And. 00:21:54.580 --> 00:21:55.200 Reflect on. 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.700 It's so easy. 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:55.960 Isn't it? 00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:56.759 To be distracted. 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.880 There's always the pull of our phone. 00:21:59.000 --> 00:21:59.880 The pull of our computer. 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.420 Our TV. 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.440 There's so many things going on. 00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:04.120 But to have those kind of snapshots. 00:22:04.120 --> 00:22:05.100 From the word of God. 00:22:05.160 --> 00:22:06.560 That we can then reflect on. 00:22:06.620 --> 00:22:06.720 To. 00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:08.759 To keep giving us a concentrated. 00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.000 Vision. 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:10.720 Of. 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:11.940 The Lord Jesus. 00:22:13.560 --> 00:22:14.360 When we read. 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.340 Our Bibles. 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:16.620 Through the week. 00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:19.519 Focus on an idea. 00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:21.299 Pray over it. 00:22:22.120 --> 00:22:22.980 Carry that. 00:22:23.600 --> 00:22:25.519 As a mental snapshot. 00:22:26.120 --> 00:22:27.920 Into the rest of our day. 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:30.539 That when we're on the commute. 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.039 Or. 00:22:32.420 --> 00:22:33.480 When we have. 00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.759 Time at lunchtime. 00:22:34.920 --> 00:22:35.920 We'd be able to. 00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:36.799 Reflect. 00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:37.380 On. 00:22:37.860 --> 00:22:38.320 That. 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:39.759 Snapshot. 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:44.420 So that we'd be taking steps like that. 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.339 To pursue. 00:22:45.879 --> 00:22:47.099 A pure heart. 00:22:48.379 --> 00:22:48.980 Recognizing. 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.819 The reward. 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.140 Is great. 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:55.079 I want to finish with. 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.279 Words. 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.400 From 1st John. 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:58.519 Chapter 3. 00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.400 Verse. 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:01.420 2 and 3. 00:23:02.700 --> 00:23:03.940 Where John writes. 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:04.879 Dear friends. 00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:07.200 Now we are children of God. 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.700 And what we will be. 00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:10.380 Has not yet been made known. 00:23:11.140 --> 00:23:13.180 But we know that when Christ appears. 00:23:13.340 --> 00:23:14.260 We shall be like him. 00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:16.460 For we shall see him. 00:23:16.800 --> 00:23:17.960 As he is. 00:23:18.540 --> 00:23:21.020 All who have this hope in him. 00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:22.900 Purify themselves. 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:25.660 Just as he is. 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.340 Pure. 00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:28.820 Now we are seeing. 00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:29.800 As it were. 00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.660 Through a mirror. 00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.320 Darkly. 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:32.140 But then. 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.700 We will see. 00:23:34.280 --> 00:23:35.060 God's glory. 00:23:35.620 --> 00:23:36.800 In the face of Jesus. 00:23:37.120 --> 00:23:37.600 Completely. 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:39.320 We shall see him. 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:41.120 We shall be made like him. 00:23:41.580 --> 00:23:43.120 And we shall enjoy him. 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.200 Forever. 00:23:45.280 --> 00:23:46.640 Blessed are the pure in heart. 00:23:47.300 --> 00:23:48.240 For they will. 00:23:48.940 --> 00:23:49.980 See God.