August 14, 2005 Summit AM

Is Your Heart Right With God?

Introduction

A. Text – Genesis 6:1-8

B. Scripture not definite as to time it took for God to regret making man

            1. Is definite that man’s heart became so corrupt that He had to destroy man

            2. In story of Noah – of all men on earth – only 1 found favor with God

            3. Only one whose heart was in tune with God

C. Song – Is thy heart right with God?

            1. Important question to ask self

            2. Mt.22:34-40 – Greatest command = love God - all heart, soul, mind, strength

            3. Ponder question – Is your heart right with God?

D. Pray

 

I. Importance Of Heart Being Right With God

            A. Prov.4:23 – well spring of life

                        1. Means – source – very fountainhead – everything in life affected

                        2. What’s in heart determines our outcome – physically, emotionally &

spiritually

            B. Examples

                        1. Mt.6:21 – where treasure is heart is (determine what we treasure)

                                    (what treasure determine spiritual focus)

                        2. Mt.12:33-35 – what in heart determines words & actions

                                    a. Overflow – what we allow to fill the heart

                                    b. Affects everything we say & do

                        3. Mt.15:8,9 – worship in vain because of the condition of the heart

                        4. Mt.13:13-15 – condition of heart determined spiritual understanding

 

II. Consequences When Our Hearts Are Not Right With God

            A. 2 Chron.12:14 – did evil because not set heart on serving the Lord

                        1. Over & over in OT – see kings go wrong

                        2. Result – led the people further & further from God

                        3. Finally God had to have whole nation carried off into captivity

                        4. To return – had to seek God with whole heart

            B. NT examples

                        1. Acts 5:1-5 – Annais & Sapphira – motivated to lie to God’s Spirit

                                    a. Although Christians – allowed Satan to fill hearts

                                    b. Thought could hide something from God

                        2. Acts 8:18-23 – Simon – tried buy Spirit’s power

                                    a. Wanted Spirit’s power to exalt his self-interests

                                    b. Turn spiritual things into a self-serving enterprise

                                    c. Unable have any share in ministry = heart not right

                        3. Judas – allowed Satan to fill his heart – betrayed Jesus

 

 

III. How Can We Know If Our Hearts Are Right With God?

            A. Our words

                        1. Eph.4:29 – no unwholesome speech = always building up others

                                    a. Listen to yourself – what kind of words do you use?

                                    b. Are they judgmental; harsh; cutting?

                                    c. Do they encourage or discourage those that hear you?

                        2. James 3:9,10 – same tongue praises God & curses man = wrong

                                    a. Do you justify your gossip?

                                    b. What about your words when you are angry?

                                    c. Are we comfortable lying? Being deceitful?

            B. Lifestyle

                        1. Isa.58:1-4 – religion was just a ritual

                                    a. Focus was doing as they pleased – not what pleased God

                                    b. Interest is selfish & self-serving

                                    c. Calls them to focus on God’s interests

                                                Dealing with oppression & justice

                                                Dealing with what enslaves others

                                                Sharing what you have with others

                                                Stop the pointing of fingers & malicious talk

                                                Delight in the things God delights in

                        2. Titus 2:11-14 – say no to ungodliness

                                    a. Practice self-control

                                    b. Live godly lives in your world

                                    c. Seek to be a pure people

                                    d. Being eager to do good works

 

IV. How Do We Get Our Hearts Right With God?

            A. Accept Jesus as your Lord & master

                        1. Jn.14:6 – no one comes to the Father except through Jesus

                        2. Acts 4:12 – no other name under heaven whereby men saved

                        3. Jn.14:15-21 – obey Him = come into heart – make home there

            B. Ask God to create in you a new heart

                        1. Ps.51:9

                        2. Ps.139:23,24 – search me & try me

                        3. Seek for Him to reveal any inadequacies – hindrances

            C. Guard your heart with all diligence

                        1. Rom.12:2 – be not conformed to the world – renew thinking

                        2. Rom.13:14 – make no provision to fulfill lust of the flesh

                        3. 1 Cor.6:19,20 – seek to glorify God with your body

            D. Quickly obey the truth

                        1. 1 Pet.1:22 – purified heart through obedience to truth

                        2. Peter only had 1 chance to walk on water

                                    a. Take advantage of the opportunity while you can

                                    b. Remember Satan able blind mind of unbeliever – 2 Cor.4:4