ER, Part 1: A Matter of the Heart

Title: A Matter of the Heart (Matthew 19:6-8)  "So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."  "Why then," they asked, "did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?"  Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning." (Proverbs 4:23)  "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." Heart Attack Largely lifestyle related        Selfishness instead of serving. (James 3:14-16)  "But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.  Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."          Rejection instead of respecting. (Mark 3:25)  "If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand."        Bitterness instead of blessing. (Ephesians 4:31-32)  "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."        Lust instead of loyalty. (Mark 7:21)  "For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.  All these evils come from inside and make a man unclean." That was the diagnosis – here is the remedy Triple Bypass Surgery 1.      Cleanse you from your past. (Ezekiel 36:25)  "I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 2.      Change you for a new start. (Ezekiel 36:26)  "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." 3.      Fill you with His Spirit.         (Ezekiel 36:27)  "And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws."For more information on the vision of Freedom Church, please visit our website at www.freedom-church.org.