1. The Rewards of Purity

2. Review Matt. 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”

3. Review Psalm 24:3-5, “Who may ascend into the hill of the L ORD ? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the L ORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.”

4. What is the heart? The heart – the control center of the inner man. Prov. 4:23 The seat of emotions, thoughts, understanding, attitudes and will. Purity means undiluted and unpolluted

5. Qualities of a pure heart Undivided and prioritized Integrity Honesty Exercises self-control Patient and humble

6. Qualities of a pure heart Content Kind and dignified Confident It Demonstrates love 2 Pet. 1:5-7

7. Dangers: Sensual lust - 1 Jn. 2:15-16 Pride and Covetousness Ignorance and unbelief Busyness and clutter The tongue

8. Maintaining purity Make up your mind! Cf. Joshua 24:15 Sanctify God in your heart – 1 Pet. 3:15 Choose your associates – 1 Cor. 15:33 Be zealous “Meditate on these things” – Phil. 4:8

9. Rewards of a pure heart Living with a pure heart is a great challenge. It is NOT easy! Matt. 7:13- 14

10. Rewards of a pure heart Matt. 11:28-30 What did Jesus mean? “Easy” (χρηστός, chrestos), pleasant, good, etc. Luke 5:39 – “better”; Eph. 4:32 – “kind”; Rom. 2:4 – “goodness”; 1 Pet. 2:3 – “gracious”

11. Rewards of a pure heart Matt. 11:28-30 His “yoke” is better (good), especially in contrast to the yoke (burden) of sin. Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

12. Rewards of a pure heart Fellowship with God 1 John 1:3 Fellowship in this life, 1 John 1:5-7 Imitating His good character Eph. 5:1, 2 Pet. 1:4 Our life to come Psa. 23:6

13. Rewards of a pure heart A good conscience This world is filled with disappointments. With purity of heart, our conscience is clear. Heb. 13:6 2 Tim. 1:3, Heb. 10:22

14. Rewards of a pure heart A good conscience This world is filled with disappointments. With purity of heart, our conscience is clear. Heb. 13:6 2 Tim. 1:3, Heb. 10:22

15. Rewards of a pure heart Hope of heaven We are here because of our desire to spend eternity in heaven. John 14:1-3, 2 Cor. 5:1-5 Heb. 11:13-16 Eternal life – Rom. 2:7, Titus 3:7, 2 Tim. 4:7-8

16. Rewards of a pure heart God’s Blessings In whatever way He blesses His people. Primarily spiritual 1 Tim. 4:8, 1 Pet. 3:12 Eph. 1:3, 2 Pet. 1:3-4

17. Rewards of a pure heart Answered prayers We can pray with confidence 1 Pet. 3:12 1 John 5:14,15; Phil. 4:6- 7, James 5:16

18. Heaven is a pure place for purified people If you miss heaven, you’ve missed all there is! Matt. 16:26, Rev. 21:27