Sermon on the Mount - Beatitudes:Pure In Heart

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”        Matthew 5:8 BSBTitle: “I See The Light” Key Text: Matthew 5:8 Opening Reading: Matthew 15:10-20Cross References: Psalm 24:3-4; Exodus 33:20; Revelation 22:4; 1 John 3:2-3; Hebrews 12:14; Isaiah 29:13Burning Question: What did Jesus mean by pure in heart? Pure-katharos (kath-ar-os'): Clean, pure, clear2513 katharós (a primitive word) – properly, "without admixture" (BAGD); what is separated (purged), hence "clean" (pure) because unmixed (without undesirable elements); (figuratively) spiritually clean because purged (purified by God), i.e. free from the contaminating (soiling) influences of sin.(In) Heart- kardia (kar-dee'-ah): Heart1. the heart2. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind)3. (by analogy) the middle[Heart (2588 /kardía) is mentioned over 800 times in Scripture, but never referring to the literal physical pump that drives the blood. That is, "heart" is only used figuratively (both in the OT and NT.]Will See (God)-horaó (hor-ah'-o): To see, perceive, attend to1.   (properly) to stare at2. (by implication) to discern clearly (physically or mentally)3. (by extension) to attend to4. (by Hebraism) to experience5. (passively) to appear Burning Question: What did Jesus mean by pure in heart?We can turn to Jesus to answer this Himself, elsewhere in scripture to find a more complete answer. Matthew 15:10-20.   *Spoiler Alert: Sometimes The Best Way to Know What “It” is, is to Recognize What “It” isn’t…* V10-14 – What it DOES NOT look like to “see” God1.   The Proud (the Pharisees) were offended, pride is found in self-righteousness [v12]2.   Self-Righteousness does not “see” the Eternal God [v13]3.   The Self-Righteous will lead the lost AWAY from God [14] V15-18 – An Troubled Heart is the Sign of a Troubled Soul1.   A troubled heart sometimes takes more tilling [v15-16]2.   The things of this world are temporary and failing [17]3.   A proud mouth comes from a troubled heart that remains unchanged [18] V19-20 – Those Who Won’t SEE God1.   Those who live from a troubled heart [v19] *The side effects of a troubled heart are…*Internal Realitya.   Evil Thoughts - the seedbed of sin (Gen 6:5; Prov 23:7) [1st-3rd Commandments]Destruction Against Personhoodb.   Murder - the culmination of unchecked anger [6th Commandment]c.    Adultery - the betrayal of covenantal fidelity [7th Commandment]d.   Sexual Immorality - the distortion of God’s design for embodied life [10thCommandment]Destruction Against Communitye.   Theft - the violation of trust and property. [8th Commandment]f.     False Testimony - the corruption of justice [9th Commandment]g.   Slander - the poisoning of communal relationships [10th Commandment]2.   Those who live from tradition rather than transformation [v20] Perspective Shift: How Does This Change Our Lives?-       They will see God.o   Not merely a glimpse or a momentary recognition. Rather an eternal dwelling. To live alongside of God. o   I can “see” the most beautiful things in this world: The Grand Canyon, The Mona Lisa, the look on my brides face as she walks down the isle, the birth of my children, etc.§  I can capture those in photographs, videos, etc. and I can enjoy them for temporary fleeing moments. But they all come to an end. This “reality” as we know it comes to an end. §  Only those who dwell Within the Most High God, Yahweh, will truly “see” Him. An eternal destiny without end.  Closing Scripture and Prayer: 2 Corinthians 4:4-6Those living in darkness, will never see GodThose who see God, will be bearers of His Light-       Pray for opportunities to be a bearer of His Lighto   That is what it means to be one who is pure in heart, a bearer of His Light…