Changing The Spiritual Heart Everyone admits that the heart of the sinner must be changed before he can be saved. 1

Changing The Spiritual Heart But what the heart is & how it is to be changed are different matters. When it comes to that, there is a lot of confusion & misunderstanding over these questions. 2

Changing The Spiritual Heart Tonight, we want to look at what the heart really is & what means God uses to bring about the necessary change. 3

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed It is not blood pump That cannot do things credited to the Bible heart 4

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed Only way to determine – look at what does Intellect Thinks – Matt. 9:4 5

Changing The Spiritual Heart 6 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?” Matthew 9:4

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed Only way to determine – look at what does Intellect Thinks – Matt. 9:4 Capacity to reason – Mk. 2:8 7

Changing The Spiritual Heart 8 But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?” Mark 2:8

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed Only way to determine – look at what does Intellect Thinks – Matt. 9:4 Capacity to reason – Mk. 2:8 Able to believe – Acts 8:37 9

Changing The Spiritual Heart 10 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Acts 8:37

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed Only way to determine – look at what does Intellect Thinks – Matt. 9:4 Capacity to reason – Mk. 2:8 Able to believe – Acts 8:37 Not able to motivate – Jas. 2:19 11

Changing The Spiritual Heart 12 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! James 2:19

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed Only way to determine – look at what does Emotions – powerful motivator but not reliable Man love with heart – Matt. 22:37 13

Changing The Spiritual Heart 14 Jesus said to him, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed Only way to determine – look at what does Emotions – powerful motivator but not reliable Man love with heart – Matt. 22:37 Trust God with heart – Prov. 3:5 15

Changing The Spiritual Heart 16 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed Only way to determine – look at what does Will – where plan is formed Has ability to intend – Heb. 4:12 17

Changing The Spiritual Heart 18 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two- edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed Only way to determine – look at what does Will – where plan is formed Has ability to intend – Heb. 4:12 W. E. Vine – Primarily a thinking; idea; consideration Could call it planning 19

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed Only way to determine – look at what does Will – where plan is formed Has ability to intend – Heb. 4:12 Purposes with heart – 2 Cor. 9:7 20

Changing The Spiritual Heart 21 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed Only way to determine – look at what does Will – where plan is formed Has ability to intend – Heb. 4:12 Purposes with heart – 2 Cor. 9:7 Obeys from heart – Rom. 6:17 22

Changing The Spiritual Heart 23 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. Romans 6:17

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed Only way to determine – look at what does Will – where plan is formed Has ability to intend – Heb. 4:12 Purposes with heart – 2 Cor. 9:7 Obeys from heart – Rom. 6:17 All these controlled by will 24

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed Only way to determine – look at what does Conscience – seat of right and wrong Heart either condemns or approves – 1 Jn. 3:

Changing The Spiritual Heart 26 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 1 John 3:20-21

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed Only way to determine – look at what does Conscience – seat of right and wrong Heart either condemns or approves – 1 Jn. 3:20-21 Pentecostians pricked (cut) – Acts 2:37 27

Changing The Spiritual Heart 28 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Acts 2:37

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed Only way to determine – look at what does Conscience – seat of right and wrong Heart either condemns or approves – 1 Jn. 3:20-21 Pentecostians pricked (cut) – Acts 2:37 All this part of conscience – Rom. 1:25 29

Changing The Spiritual Heart 30 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Romans 1:25

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed From the abilities inspired men ascribe to the heart, one must conclude the heart to be changed is the mind of a sinner – Matt. 22:37 31

Changing The Spiritual Heart 32 Jesus said to him, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

Changing The Spiritual Heart What Is The Heart That Must Be Changed From abilities inspired men ascribe to heart must conclude heart to be changed is mind of sinner – Matt. 22:37 Heart – Gr. Kardia – thought or feelings Mind – Gr. Dianoea – deep thought; by implication it’s exercise 33

Changing The Spiritual Heart How Does One Change Sinner’s Heart It is not, as some claim, done in some mysterious & miraculous manner 34

Changing The Spiritual Heart How Does One Change Sinner’s Heart Gospel is God’s power to save – Rom. 1:

Changing The Spiritual Heart 36 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." Romans 1:16-17

Changing The Spiritual Heart How Does One Change Sinner’s Heart Gospel is God’s power to save – Rom. 1:16-17 Bible facts Gospel presents evidence Jesus is Christ – 1 Cor. 15:1-4 37

Changing The Spiritual Heart 38 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-- unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Changing The Spiritual Heart How Does One Change Sinner’s Heart Gospel is God’s power to save – Rom. 1:16-17 Bible facts Gospel presents evidence Jesus is Christ – 1 Cor. 15:1-4 When man believes this – Jn. 20:

Changing The Spiritual Heart 40 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31

Changing The Spiritual Heart How Does One Change Sinner’s Heart Gospel is God’s power to save – Rom. 1:16-17 Bible facts Gospel presents evidence Jesus is Christ – 1 Cor. 15:1-4 When man believes this – Jn. 20:30-31 Faith is produces in his mind – Lk. 8:15 41

Changing The Spiritual Heart 42 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:15

Changing The Spiritual Heart How Does One Change Sinner’s Heart Gospel is God’s power to save – Rom. 1:16-17 Love of God Gospel tells lost sinner of God’s great love Where treasure is – Matt. 6:21 43

Changing The Spiritual Heart 44 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

Changing The Spiritual Heart How Does One Change Sinner’s Heart Gospel is God’s power to save – Rom. 1:16-17 Love of God Gospel tells lost sinner of God’s great love We love Him because He first loved us – 1 Jn. 4:19; Jn.3:16 45

Changing The Spiritual Heart 46 We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Changing The Spiritual Heart How Does One Change Sinner’s Heart Gospel is God’s power to save – Rom. 1:16-17 Love of God Gospel tells lost sinner of God’s great love Causes sinner to love God & trust Him 47

Changing The Spiritual Heart How Does One Change Sinner’s Heart Gospel is God’s power to save – Rom. 1:16-17 Gospel motives Gospel presents reasons for obeying God & leaving sin – Acts 17:30-31; Matt. 10:32; Mk. 16:16 48

Changing The Spiritual Heart 49 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.“ Acts 17:30-31 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16

Changing The Spiritual Heart How Does One Change Sinner’s Heart Gospel is God’s power to save – Rom. 1:16-17 Gospel motives Finding these reasons to be valid the sinner makes up his mind to quit sin & follow Christ – 1 Cor. 15:58 50

Changing The Spiritual Heart 51 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Changing The Spiritual Heart How Does One Change Sinner’s Heart Gospel is God’s power to save – Rom. 1:16-17 Obedience Knowing he has obeyed God’s terms for forgiveness Sinner has inner peace – Rom. 6:17- 18; 1 Pet. 3:21 52

Changing The Spiritual Heart 53 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. Romans 6:17-18 There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3:21

Changing The Spiritual Heart How Does One Change Sinner’s Heart Gospel is God’s power to save – Rom. 1:16-17 Obedience Knowing he has obeyed God’s terms for forgiveness Sinner has inner peace – Rom. 6:17-18; 1 Pet. 3:21 Instead of guilty mind – Heb. 10:22 54

Changing The Spiritual Heart 55 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22

Changing The Spiritual Heart The sinner (or anyone else) that tries to serve God with only the emotion will fail. It takes the entire heart to be faithful to God. 56

Changing The Spiritual Heart The writer of Proverbs tells us that everything in our lives is governed by the heart (Prov. 4:23). 57

Changing The Spiritual Heart 58 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

Changing The Spiritual Heart Let us use our minds for the purpose of serving God rather than serving the world. 59