New Heart

We started a new series at my church yesterday. It's called "New Heart" and it's a study of The Sermon on the Matthew from Matthew 5-7. Westwind studied through Matthew last year but we skipped over The Sermon on the Mount in order to do this more in-depth study now. And let me tell you…it was worth the wait! The "New Heart" theme comes from Ezekiel 36:26 where God says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

Here's a brief overview from my notes on Matthew 5 yesterday. I am continuing to chew on what was taught yesterday and God is using it to transform some areas of my life. And we just got through first 6 verses! I can't wait for the rest! If you want in on this transforming study come on over to Westwind!! Sunday's at 10:00am. Or you can listen to the podcast here. You won't regret it...

Verse 1-2: There were two kinds of people present. 1) The crowd (who followed Jesus), and; 2) The disciples (to whom He was speaking/teaching). It says, "His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying…" The disciples were already committed followers - and they were to whom Jesus was teaching. The crowd was "listening in". So which am I? Which are you?

Then we camped on the word "Blessed" for a bit...and what exactly that means. It does not mean happy. Or even "blessed" as we tend to think of the word. You can listen to the podcast for more of the explanation but basically what it means is to be completed. But a completeness that grows. What? Podcast...

Vs 3- Poor in spirit: No poor physically...but spiritually bankrupt. It's the acknowledgment that without the heart of God beating in me I am nothing...and I have nothing to offer.

Vs 4 - Those who mourn: Understanding the heinousness, the weight, the horror of my sin and being broken over it. Not simply sadness…or even anger over my sin...but brokeness before God. Like David in Psalm 51 when he said, "Create in me a pure (new) heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me." Have I gotten used to living in "the dark"? Does my sin horrify me?

Vs 5 - The meek: Have you ever heard the saying, "The meek horse wins the derby?" The meek horse is the one with the most spirit and passion. But that spirit and passion is under the control of the jockey. The idea is not being timid. It's power under control. My passion, my spirit, my gifts...under the control of the Master. Who's control do I live under? Mine? Or my Savior?

Vs 6 - Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness: This is the first Beatitude with action. What do I hunger and thirst for? The more I thought about this I thought about all that the world advertizes to satisfy our hunger and thirst. "Snickers really satisfies", "White Castle - what you crave", McDonalds - "What you want is what you get", Wendys - "Do what tastes right"…and that's just food slogans! The one thing they never advertize to satisfy my hunger and thirst is God and His righteousness. Does my life advertize to the world that God truly satisfies?

Geoff taught us a prayer that the church in the early centuries used to pray as part of their liturgy. (He actually taught it to the worship team a couple weeks ago). Now I'm not big on liturgical stuff….but God has really used this little prayer in my life the last couple weeks. My whole focus changes when I stop and pray, "Lord Jesus Christ...Son of God...have mercy on me...a sinner."

Why do I need a "New Heart"? Because this morning in my quiet time I read the context of Ezekiel 36:26. And in verses 22-23 God says, "...'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes."

'Nuff said...