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  PROVERBS 4:23
  by Chuck Smith
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Summary: The sermon emphasizes the importance of keeping your heart
pure, full, in peace and quietness, and united, as the issues of life
flow from it.

Topics: "Guarding the Heart", "Spiritual Renewal"
Scripture References: Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 12:34, John 7:37

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DESCRIPTION
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Chuck Smith emphasizes the significance of guarding our hearts, as they
are the source of our actions and thoughts. He explains that to keep our
hearts pure, we must rely on the cross and the Word of God, ensuring
that our hearts are filled with the Spirit and His love. Smith also
highlights the importance of maintaining peace through prayer and unity
in our hearts, warning against the dangers of a divided heart.
Ultimately, he stresses that true transformation comes from a change of
heart rather than external circumstances, urging listeners to give their
hearts to Jesus for renewal.

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CONTENT
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Intro: The Bible says much about the heart. The throne room of the
spirit,

the Holy of Holies of the body temple. It is the reservoir from which

flows the issues of life.

I. "KEEP YOUR HEART WITH ALL DILIGENCE."

A. Keep your heart pure.

1. If the source is polluted, channels polluted, issue

polluted.

a. "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,

murderers, adulteries, fornications, thefts,

false witness, blasphemies."

2. How can you keep your heart pure?

a. Bitter waters of Marah - tree.

1. Another tree, the cross.

b. It necessitates the cross..."but if we walk in

the light... the blood."

c. It necessitates the Word... "How ye are clean

through the Word."

B. Keep your heart full.

1. "If any man thirst...this spake He of the Spirit."

2. The thirsty world about you is dying for a satisfying

drink.

3. Let the Spirit fill your reservoir and His love will flow

forth.

C. Keep your heart in peace and quietness.

1. The answer here is prayer. "Thou wilt keep him..."

2. The confidence of prayer is His Word.

3. We go into the conflict, victors, the outcome has already

been decided.

D. Keep your heart united. "Unite my heart to fear thy name."

1. Beware of a divided heart (you cannot serve two masters).

2. Beware of too many outlets.

a. Do not attempt more than God lays upon you.

II. WHY KEEP YOUR HEART? "FOR OUT OF IT ARE THE ISSUES OF LIFE."

A. What you say, what you think, what you do, are all reflections of

what you are.

1. The folly of the social gospel.

a. God says you need a change of heart.

b. The social gospel ways you need a change of

environment.

1. Reservoir that is cesspool some sage says

change the pipes that run out from

reservoir, let it run through new pipes.

a. God say you need a change of heart.

b. Social gospel says you need education.

1. The mind is like a control valve that

opens and closes to release the flow.

2. Hire a new man to operate the valve.

a. God says you need a change of heart.

b. The social gospel says new motivation.

1. Motivation the pump that pushes water

through the lines.

2. The answer is to buy a new pump. "Keep

your heart will all diligence." Some

of your hearts are not worth keeping:

1. The wisest thing you could do would be to get rid of them

immediately.

2. Give your heart to Jesus Christ.

3. "Create in me a clean heart O God."

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/chuck-smith/proverbs-423/
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