Our Hearts, Your Throne Proverbs 4:23

Intro: Mark 7:1-8 Jeremiah 29:13 1 Samuel 13:14 1 Samuel 16:7

The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.)

So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands?” He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” (Mark 7:1-8)

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command. But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1. Lay hold of it with all your heart (Proverbs 4:4) a. To seize or to grasp b. Wholly, completely c. Maximum impact

2. Keep it within your heart (4:21) a. Never lose it b. Never allow it to be taken away c. Paul (2 Timothy 4:7) d. David’s heart

3. [Above all else] guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23) a. A treasure of great worth b. How to protect/guard it?

Power of Prayer And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)

Power of God’s Spirit I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:16-19)

Power of God’s Word 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. (Hebrews 4:12)

David – guarding his heart Heard the word of the Lord & was broken “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you will not despise” ( Psalm 51)