The Hypocrite's Only Care
A sincere Christian's main concern is to keep their heart clean, understanding that a pure heart leads to a pure life.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the distinction between hypocrites and sincere Christians, noting that while hypocrites focus on outward appearances, sincere Christians prioritize the purity of their hearts. He illustrates that a clean heart leads to a clean life, as the heart is the source of all actions. Brooks expresses the sincere Christian's longing for a heart that is enlightened, humble, holy, and zealous for God, contrasting this with the superficiality of hypocrisy. The sermon calls for introspection and a deeper commitment to spiritual integrity rather than mere external compliance.
Text
The hypocrite's only care is to keep his outward life
from defilement. But the sincere Christian's care is mainly
to keep his heart from defilement; for he very well knows,
that if he can but keep his heart clean--he shall with more
ease keep his life clean. If the fountain is kept pure--the
streams will run pure. The heart is the spring of all actions,
and therefore every action is as the spring is, from whence
it flows; if the spring is good--the action is good which flows
from it; if the spring is evil, the action is evil which flows
from it.
Hypocrites are all for the outside; they wash the platters
and the cups, and beautify the tombs--like an adulteress
whose care is to paint a fair face upon a foul heart.
But a sincere Christian, though he has a great concern for
the well-ordering of his outward life--yet his main business
and work is about his heart--
"Oh that this ignorant heart were but more enlightened!
Oh that this proud heart were but more humble!
Oh that this profane heart were but more holy!
Oh that this earthly heart were but more heavenly!
Oh that this unbelieving heart were but more believing!
Oh that this passionate heart were but more meek!
Oh that this carnal heart were but more spiritual!
Oh that this vain heart were but more serious!
Oh that this dull heart were but more quickened!
Oh that this dead heart were but more enlivened!
Oh that this lukewarm heart were but more zealous
for God, and Christ, and the gospel, and the great
concerns of eternity!"
Sermon Outline
- I. The Hypocrite's Care
- A. Focus on outward appearance
- B. Neglect of inner heart condition
- II. The Sincere Christian's Care
- A. Focus on keeping the heart clean
- B. Understanding that a pure heart leads to a pure life
- III. The Importance of a Pure Heart
- A. The heart is the spring of all actions
- B. Good actions flow from a good heart, evil actions from an evil heart
Key Quotes
“If the fountain is kept pure--the streams will run pure.” — Thomas Brooks
“Oh that this ignorant heart were but more enlightened!” — Thomas Brooks
“Oh that this proud heart were but more humble!” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- Prioritize keeping your heart clean and pure, and ask God to enlighten and humble your heart.
- Reflect on your actions and motivations to determine if your heart is pure or not.
- Pray for a heart that is more heavenly, believing, meek, and spiritual.