This week we are considering the sixth Beatitude,
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
We can define a pure heart as unmixed or sincere in its devotion to God. It’s authenticity. It’s doing things to be seen by God rather than doing things to be seen by people.
Today, we are considering the great promise that those who have a pure heart will 'see God'. This is a great promise. If you have a pure heart you will see God! If you have a sincere desire to know and experience God, you will do so. This promise requires your faith - you and I need to trust such a promise as this. Our faith needs to be built upon an unmixed trust that Jesus has removed our sin, gifted us with righteousness and has removed all that stands in the way of meeting God. Jesus promises His presence with us by the Spirit,
‘I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me any more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.’ (John 14:18-19)
Seeing God comes in three main forms
Firstly, seeing God is a constant gift to those who have true faith. Through Christ, we know that God is present. We know that He ‘never leaves us or forsakes us’. At all times, the true Christian sees God with the eye of faith by the Spirit. They see Him at work in the world, in creation, in their lives (providence)…
Secondly, Seeing God involves the extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit. There are seasons of the outpouring of God’s power on individuals, churches and nations. At such times people speak of ‘seeing God’ in conviction, courage, miracles, salvations, reviving…
Thirdly, those with a pure heart will see God in eternity. When they leave their mortal body in death, or if Jesus should return before that moment, they will see God.
Paul writes of our current vision of God being transformed at His coming in these words,
‘For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.’ (1 Corinthians 13:12-13)
RESPONSE
Are you pure in heart in the sense of being unmixed in your trust in the promise that you will see God? Are you expectant when you come in prayer, in the word, meeting with the church, through your day… that you will meet God? Let’s pray, asking Jesus to lead us into a greater vision of God.
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART
Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
In particular, if you are married, do sign up for our marriage evening on 13th February.
Suggested opener/Ice-breaker
Are there circumstances in which you feel that you have to put on a 'show' - you are tempted to be inauthentic?
Introduction - please share in your group
This week in our discipleship series, we are considering the sixth of the Beatitudes,
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8)
We can define a pure heart as unmixed or sincere in its devotion to God. It’s authenticity. It’s doing things to be seen by God rather than doing things to be seen by people.
Jesus regularly pointed to the religious leaders of his day as those who looked good on the outside, but who were doing their acts for a show; they were often not pure in heart! Jesus said of them,
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.” (Matthew 23:27-28
We are often more concerned about the outward, but Jesus is most concerned for the hidden - the motives of the heart. Jesus urges us,
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. (Matthew 6:1)