God is Greater than our Heart – audio

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Text: 1 John 3:19-21 (reading by Don Treadway)

Introduction

A. As John is addressing Christians, he stresses the importance of brotherly love.

B. We must not love in words only; we must love with action (1 John 3:18).

C. When this love is accompanied by action, John says we know we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before Him. John first says “our hearts (1 John 3:19),” and then “our heart (1 John 3:20-21).”

D. Although we are individuals, together we are the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12ff.).

E. Thus we are to be of one heart and one soul (Acts 4:32).

Body

I. God is greater than our heart.

A. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

B. The word of God is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

C. The Lord will reveal the counsels of the hearts (1 Corinthians 4:4-5).

D. Jesus knows what is in the hearts of men.

1) The scribes accused Jesus of blasphemy in their hearts (Matthew 9:4; Mark 2:6-8; Luke 5:22).

2) The Pharisees had hardened hearts as they accused Jesus of doing good on the Sabbath (Mark 3:5).

3) Jesus said that God knew the hearts of the Pharisees, lovers of money (Luke 16:14-15).

4) The disciples had doubts in their hearts as they saw Jesus risen from the dead (Luke 24:38).

E. The Lord may establish our hearts blameless in holiness before God (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13).

F. The Lord may direct our hearts into the love of God and patience of Christ (2 Thessalonians 3:5).

II. Our heart may or may not condemn us.

A. God tests our hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:4; Proverbs 17:3).

1) David recognized this, and prayed that Solomon would have a loyal heart (1 Chronicles 29:17-19).

2) David prayed that his own heart would be tested and proven (Psalm 26:2ff.)

3) Solomon knew the hearts of men are before the LORD (Proverbs 15:11).

4) Jeremiah said the LORD knows and tests the hearts of men (Jeremiah 17:9-10).

B. As a man thinks in his heart, so he is (Proverbs 23:7).

C. Jesus said some worship Him with their mouth and lips, but their heart is far from Him (Matthew 15:7-9).

D. We must not have bitter envy and self-seeking in our hearts (James 3:14).

E. Some have fattened their hearts by living in pleasure and luxury (James 5:5). However, the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10).

F. If we forgive others from our heart, God will forgive us (Matthew 18:35).

G. God can comfort our hearts, and establish us in every good work and deed (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).

III. We can assure our hearts before God.

A. Our hearts must be sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:22).

1) We purify our souls in obeying the truth, and must love our brethren with a pure heart (1 Peter 1:22).

2) We purify our hearts by drawing near to God (James 4:8). We draw near to God by being obedient to the gospel!

3) In Christ we have boldness and access with confidence through faith. He will dwell in our hearts through that faith (Ephesians 3:12-17).

B. Because we are sons of God, He sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts (Galatians 4:6).

C. We can let the peace of God rule our hearts (Colossians 3:15; Philippians 4:7).

D. We must sanctify the Lord God in our hearts (1 Peter 3:15).

E. We must establish our hearts because the Lord is coming soon (James 5:8)!

F. If we abide in Him, we have confidence at His coming (1 John 2:28).

Conclusion

A. Is your heart right with God?

B. Are you confident in His coming?

C. God knows your heart; therefore, make sure it is right today!