This lesson is a part of Mike’s series on the Beatitudes, the words of Jesus found in Matthew 5.
“Above all else, guard your heart…”
Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Who are those who will see God? The pure in heart.
The questions are these: How to make our hearts pure? How to guard our hearts from impurity?
In exploring these thoughts, Mike reveals that one aspect of being impure is the sense of “wearing a mask” or pretending to be something one is not. In Scripture, the word that is used to illustrate that idea is the word “hypocrite.” In the Greek language, that word literally meant an actor on a stage. It is used 20 different times, always by Jesus, to describe those are unable to “see” God.
Why? Because they are wearing a mask; they are acting. They “acted” as though they were of God, but their actions said otherwise. In Matthew 23 alone, Jesus uses the word hypocrite seven times to describe the Pharisees.
Hypocrites. Impure in heart.
Lesson Text:
“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.
He said:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’”
Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV)