20Something 11-16-05 (Jen Austin)
The 6th Beatitude – The pure in heartHere are the Beatitudes:
Matthew 5
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The sixth Beatitude is our focus for this week. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
What does it mean to be pure in heart?
How is purity different from innocence in this case? Or is it the same?
Have there been times in your life when you’ve felt more “pure in heart” than others? Give examples.
Hebrews 10:22-25
22…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for the One who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Many people can be accused of having impure hearts, but in religious circles it seems that gay people usually take the brunt of the condemnation. It is by faith that we know our hearts are pure and that we are right with God.
Although faith means we don’t always have evidence for the things we believe, is there evidence to go with the pure hearts in this room? If so, what is it? Think fruits of the Spirit. Goodness, kindness, gentleness, self-control, etc. Name some things that you notice about the hearts of other 20somethings.
In the Bible, the "heart" is most-often used as an analogy for the center of emotions or character. A pure heart was used as an analogy for the righteous:
"Who shall ascend into the hill of God? Or who shall stand in God’s Holy Place? The one that hath clean hands, and a pure heart" (Psalm 24:3 KJV)
In the Messiah's parable of the sower, those with a good heart were like seed planted in good soil. Matthew 13:3-9 says:
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Those who have ears, let them hear."
In what ways is a good heart like good soil?
How can we be certain the good soil will never go bad?
Paul talked about the virtues of a heart that has been purged of carnal behavior, and is pure in God’s eyes.
2 Timothy 2:22-25 says:
22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on God out of a pure heart. 23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, you must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25Those who oppose us we must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant us repentance leading us to a knowledge of the truth…
Maintaining a pure heart is an active process. The more we seek God the more pure our hearts will become. How can having a pure heart empower us and change us for the better?
When we discussed the third Beatitude—Blessed are the meek—we talked a lot about the inner peace that is able to ground us and keep us content even in the midst of challenging circumstances and chaotic surroundings. Jesus seems to be reiterating that sentiment with the sixth Beatitude—Blessed are the pure in heart. Meekness and numerous other positive qualities are born out of a pure heart.
Having a pure heart is a matter of setting the right priorities in this temporary physical life, so we can become empowered with the Spirit of God and so we can grow closer to God through all that we do.
What distractions can threaten a pure heart?
How can we reinforce the purity of our hearts?
Matthew 6:19-21
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
A pure heart is a heart that is one with God. Psalm 51:10 says,
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
God works to rejuvenate us, and create pure hearts in us, no matter what stage of life we’re in and no matter where we are on our journey of faith. We just have to return to God as a matter of faith and discipline and we will be sustained. The ability to be one with God and have a pure heart is a privilege that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s a lifelong project that requires the initiative to seek God continually and the strength to maintain the relationship even when the going gets tough. God is good and God is pure. In God we will become pure in heart.
Go in peace, and with purity.
Pray and dismiss.
Matthew 5
1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The sixth Beatitude is our focus for this week. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
What does it mean to be pure in heart?
How is purity different from innocence in this case? Or is it the same?
Have there been times in your life when you’ve felt more “pure in heart” than others? Give examples.
Hebrews 10:22-25
22…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for the One who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Many people can be accused of having impure hearts, but in religious circles it seems that gay people usually take the brunt of the condemnation. It is by faith that we know our hearts are pure and that we are right with God.
Although faith means we don’t always have evidence for the things we believe, is there evidence to go with the pure hearts in this room? If so, what is it? Think fruits of the Spirit. Goodness, kindness, gentleness, self-control, etc. Name some things that you notice about the hearts of other 20somethings.
In the Bible, the "heart" is most-often used as an analogy for the center of emotions or character. A pure heart was used as an analogy for the righteous:
"Who shall ascend into the hill of God? Or who shall stand in God’s Holy Place? The one that hath clean hands, and a pure heart" (Psalm 24:3 KJV)
In the Messiah's parable of the sower, those with a good heart were like seed planted in good soil. Matthew 13:3-9 says:
"A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Those who have ears, let them hear."
In what ways is a good heart like good soil?
How can we be certain the good soil will never go bad?
Paul talked about the virtues of a heart that has been purged of carnal behavior, and is pure in God’s eyes.
2 Timothy 2:22-25 says:
22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on God out of a pure heart. 23Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, you must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25Those who oppose us we must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant us repentance leading us to a knowledge of the truth…
Maintaining a pure heart is an active process. The more we seek God the more pure our hearts will become. How can having a pure heart empower us and change us for the better?
When we discussed the third Beatitude—Blessed are the meek—we talked a lot about the inner peace that is able to ground us and keep us content even in the midst of challenging circumstances and chaotic surroundings. Jesus seems to be reiterating that sentiment with the sixth Beatitude—Blessed are the pure in heart. Meekness and numerous other positive qualities are born out of a pure heart.
Having a pure heart is a matter of setting the right priorities in this temporary physical life, so we can become empowered with the Spirit of God and so we can grow closer to God through all that we do.
What distractions can threaten a pure heart?
How can we reinforce the purity of our hearts?
Matthew 6:19-21
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
A pure heart is a heart that is one with God. Psalm 51:10 says,
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
God works to rejuvenate us, and create pure hearts in us, no matter what stage of life we’re in and no matter where we are on our journey of faith. We just have to return to God as a matter of faith and discipline and we will be sustained. The ability to be one with God and have a pure heart is a privilege that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s a lifelong project that requires the initiative to seek God continually and the strength to maintain the relationship even when the going gets tough. God is good and God is pure. In God we will become pure in heart.
Go in peace, and with purity.
Pray and dismiss.
posted by Jen Austin at 4:24 PM
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