Proverbs 4:23
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.
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.
Text
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."
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Keep your heart pure - Keep your heart full - Keep your heart in peace and quietness - Keep your heart united
- II points: - Why keep your heart?
Key Quotes
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murderers, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” — Chuck Smith
“If any man thirst...this spake He of the Spirit.” — Chuck Smith
“Create in me a clean heart O God.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- You need a change of heart, not just a change of environment or education.
- Prayer and the confidence of His Word are essential for keeping your heart in peace and quietness.
- Give your heart to Jesus Christ and ask Him to create in you a clean heart.