1. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:20

2. Blessed are the pure in heart

3. Recapping from last week…… What does it really mean to be merciful? How do we practice mercy? Do we have to show mercy all the time? How does God view our acts of mercy?

4. Sermon outline What does it mean to have a pure heart? Can I see God in this life? How can I apply this to my life?

5. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger are thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

6. Who can ascend to the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart.. Psalm 24:3-4 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. James 4:8

7. How does the heart affect us? Discerning internal heart attitudes from external actions. Recognizing how to activate lasting transformation. Realize the potency of the heart.

8. Discerning internal heart attitudes and external actions. Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matt 6:1-4 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self indulgence. Matt 23:25

10. Dennis Rader, Church Council Chairman. Church member- 30 years

11. Dennis Rader aka BTK Killer

12. Recognizing how to activate lasting transformation.

13. Can external rule keeping make you pure?

15. When your heart is not into…

16. Real transformation begins from inside out, not outside in. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”, this is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matt 22:35-40

17. Realize the potency of the heart For out of the heart come evil thoughts- murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. Matt 15:19 You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matt 5:27-28

20. My conscience is clear but that does not make me innocent. 1 Cor 4:4a He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and expose the motives of men’s hearts. 1 Cor 4:5b

21. What does it mean to see God? Pharaoh said to Moses, “Get out of my sight! Make sure you do not appear before me again. The day you see my face you will die.” Exodus 10: 28

22. When in the presence of God… My ears have heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42:5-6 Hear my voice when I call, O Lord: be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Psalm 27:7-8

23. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

24. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. James 4:8

25. Who we are affects what we see.

26. Real transformation requires an undivided heart towards God.

27. A pure heart energized by God’s presence/ the Holy Spirit A renewed mind (Romans 12:1-2) A disciplined body (1 Cor 6:12-20) Real transformation begins with a pure heart and will lead to clean hands.

28. What do you think about most of the time? Are there areas in your life no one knows and you prefer it that way? Are there issues you always avoid talking about? Do you have difficulties admitting to mistakes? Are you comfortable leading a spiritual double life? Do you avoid accountability? Real transformation recognizes a deceitful heart.