TEXT:  1 John 3:1-3;  Matt. 5:8

INTRODUCTION:

A.  PURITY IS IMPORTANT IN PREPARING TO MEET JESUS.

          1.  Matt. 5:8.  The beatitude – The pure in heart shall see God.

          2.  Involves fellowship – not just eye-balling.

B.  DEVOTION TO GOD MUST BE PURE (2 Cor. 11:2-3).  As God directs (vs. 4).

C.  PURITY OF LIFE IS ESSENTIAL (1 Tim. 5:22;  2 Cor. 7:1).

D.  AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT THAT NEEDS STUDY.

I.  DEFINITIONS:

A.  1 John 3:3 – PURE - hagnos,  a. pure from carnality, chaste, modest;  b. pure from every

          fault,           immaculate: (Thayer).

B.  Matt. 5:8 – PURE –katharos,  1. to make clean, to cleanse;  …  b. in a moral sense;  to free

          from the defilement of sin and from faults; to purify from wickedness:  2 Cor 7:1;  to free

          from the guilt of sin, to purify: 1 John 1:7 (Thayer).

II.  PURITY OF LIFE DERIVES FROM PURITY OF MIND

A.  DEEDS REFLECT OUR HEART’S CONDITION (Prov. 23:7;  Matt. 12:35).

          1.  We are to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind (Luke 10:27).

          2.  Our love should be genuine (Rom. 12:9).

B.  WE ARE CALLED TO A CHANGED MIND (Rom. 12:2)

C.  AND A NEW PERSPECTIVE (Col. 3:1-2).

D.  IMPURITY COMES FROM AN EVIL HEART (Gen. 6:5;  Heb. 3:12;  Matt. 12:34-35).

III.  3 ELEMENTS ARE INVOLVED IN A PURE HEART.

A.  CLEAN THINKING.

          1.  Man forgets God when he exalts himself (Rom. 1:22-24, 28-32;  Eph. 4:17-19).

          2.  Leads to degrading bestial behavior (2 Pet. 2:12;  Jude 10).

          3.  Sheep scattered and distressed – without a shepherd (Matt. 9:36).

          4.  We don’t have to grope in the darkness (John 8:12;  6:63).

          5.  What we feed on effects us (Phil. 4:8;  Psa. 1:1-3).

B.  SINCERE MOTIVES.

          1.  The problems of the Pharisees.

                   a.  They sought the favor of men (Matt. 6:1 ff.;  Gal. 1:10).

                   b.  There treasures were laid up on the earth (Matt. 6:19-24, 33;  2 Cor. 4:16-18).

          2.  Others (Jas. 4:3;  3 John 9 - 2 Pet. 2:18-19;  1 Tim. 4:6).

          3.  God desires a true heart (Heb. 10:22;  Josh. 24:14;  2 Cor. 1:12)

          4.  A true heart proves itself (Phil. 2:22;  1 Pet. 1:6-7).

C.  SINGLE-MINDED COMMITMENT.

          1.  The teaching of Jesus (Matt. 6:24).  Serving a master.

          2.  Paul’s attitude.

                   a.  Gave up everything (Phil. 3:7-8).

                   b.  Eye on the goal (Col. 3:1-2).

                   c.  Crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20;  Acts 20:24;  2 Cor. 4:7-12, 13-14).

                   d.  A commitment borne of faith (2 Cor. 5:1, 7;  2 Tim. 1:12).

                   e.  Total – all things – commitment (1 Cor. 9:23).

          3.  Where is your heart?  Is it where Jesus can guard it?

CONCLUSION:

A.  PURITY OF LIFE IS DEPENDENT ON A PURE HEART.

B.  OCCASIONALLY THE HEART MUST BE RENEWED.

C.  RENEWAL OCCURS THROUGH BIBLE STUDY AND APPLICATION.

D.  HAVE YOU DONE WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO?