God Wants Me To Be Happy
Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Our walk with God begins on the ________________, not on the outside.
Matthew 15:19 – “out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”
Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
What is purity of heart? We often first think about sexual purity. It certainly includes that – but it’s much more than that. Purity of heart has to do with our ____________________.
Proverbs 16:2 says: “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.”
Purity of heart has to do with our ____________________. Paul spoke in I Corinthians 13:1-3 of speaking with the tongues of men and angels, having spiritual gifts, having great faith, and even making great sacrifices – but he said if these are done in and with love – I’m nothing, and I gain nothing.
Purity of heart also has to do with moral ____________________.
THE PURE, PEACEMAKERS, AND PERSECUTED
Purity of the heart produces good ______________ and good _____________.
Matthew 12:34-35 – “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good.”
Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Jesus gives us peace with ____________.
Colossians 1:20-21 says that we were once alienated from God, enemies in our minds, but through Jesus God reconciled all things: “making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
Jesus gives us peace with _____________.
Peace with God enables us to be at peace within ______________.
Jesus gives us peace with __________________.
Ephesians 2:13-16 – “…he is our peace, who has made us both one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility.”
Hebrews 12:14 – “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone.”
Matthew 5:43-45: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. That you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:10-12 – “Blessed 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. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
John 15:20 – “If they persecuted me, they’ll persecute you.”
QUESTIONS & EXERCISES
For Daily Devotionals or Bible Study Group
- “Blessed are the pure in heart.” (Matthew 5:8) In what ways have you found yourself making your Christian walk more about external behavior than internal change in the heart? What are the results of focusing on the outer person, and neglecting the inner?
- This message was intended, in part, to broaden our understanding of what constitutes a pure heart. It includes sexual purity, but much more. How would you describe the qualities of a person who has a pure heart? How do we cooperate with God so that our hearts become increasingly purer?
- “Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9) Kevin described three important ways that we can have peace: Peace with God, peace with ourselves, and peace with others. Of these, where do you most struggle? What is critical to having peace within ourselves?
- How is “peacemaking” different than simply keeping the peace by merely avoiding conflict? Hebrews 12:14 teaches us to “make every effort to live in peace with everyone.” In a world of hostility, what are ways that we as believers can put this passage into practice?
- “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness…” (Matthew 5:10). Considering this statement, why are we Christians sometimes surprised when the world is hostile toward us as believers, or doesn’t applaud and approve of righteousness? Why are faith in Christ and the Christian life often criticized? What should our response be as believers to such hostility?
