Matthew 5:1-8 (ESV) Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
What does Pure in Heart Mean?
Pure – Greek word is Katharos
Malachi 3:1-2 (ESV) “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.
Matthew 3:11 (ESV) “I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Heart – Greek word is Kardeeah
What is our part of developing a pure heart?
Steps to Developing a Pure Heart
- Accept Christ as our savior
- Pursue living in kindness
- Pursue living in humility
- Pursue God’s truths
- Pursue honesty
- Pursue gentleness
- Pursue deeper relationships with fellow believers
- Pursue patience with others
- Pursue, daily, a clean heart and a new spirit
1 Thessalonians 4:3 (ESV) For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
Psalms 51:10 (ESV) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
BIG IDEA: We are to pursue a pure heart through sanctification, requiring us to follow God’s ways and God’s will over our own way and our own will.