Examining Our Hearts: A Path to Transformation
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound necessity of examining our hearts, both spiritually and emotionally. We began by reflecting on the story of King David, a man who, despite his grave sins, was still considered a man after God's own heart. This was largely due to his humility and willingness to repent and seek God's guidance. David's plea for God to examine his heart and know his anxious thoughts serves as a powerful reminder for us to do the same. We must be willing to lay ourselves bare before God, asking Him to reveal any wickedness or offensive ways within us and to lead us on the path to everlasting life.
We also delved into the importance of understanding the biblical concept of the heart, which goes beyond the physical organ to encompass our emotions, thoughts, and will. This heart is the center of our inner life, influencing how we feel, think, and make decisions. Just as physical heart disease can go undiagnosed, so too can spiritual heart issues. Many of us may be unaware of the spiritual ailments affecting us, which is why it's crucial to regularly examine our hearts and seek God's insight.
The process of heart examination requires humility, confession, and repentance. We must be willing to admit when we've fallen short and seek God's forgiveness and transformation. This leads to spiritual growth, greater intimacy with God, and an increased ability to witness to others. As we allow God to search our hearts, we become more aligned with His will and better equipped to reflect His light in the world.
Key Takeaways:
- The Importance of Heart Examination: Just as King David asked God to examine his heart, we too must invite God to search our hearts and reveal any hidden sins or anxieties. This process requires humility and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves. By doing so, we open ourselves to God's transformative power. [02:10]
- Understanding the Biblical Heart: The heart, in biblical terms, is not just a physical organ but the center of our emotions, thoughts, and will. It is where we make decisions and feel deeply. Recognizing this helps us understand the importance of guarding our hearts and aligning them with God's will. [16:27]
- Spiritual Heart Disease: Many of us may have undiagnosed spiritual issues, much like undiagnosed physical heart conditions. Regular self-examination and seeking God's insight are crucial to identifying and addressing these spiritual ailments. [10:56]
- Confession and Repentance: Admitting our faults and seeking God's forgiveness are essential steps in the heart examination process. God is faithful and just, willing to forgive and purify us from all unrighteousness when we come to Him with a repentant heart. [26:56]
- Transformation and Growth: Allowing God to examine our hearts leads to spiritual growth and greater intimacy with Him. As we align our hearts with His will, we become better equipped to reflect His light and love to others, enhancing our witness in the world. [31:36]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:52] - Opening Prayer
[02:10] - Examine Your Heart
[03:45] - The Story of David
[05:18] - David's Humility and Repentance
[09:06] - Heart Disease Statistics
[10:56] - Spiritual Heart Disease
[12:51] - Personal Heart Examination
[15:51] - The Heart Defined
[16:27] - Biblical Understanding of the Heart
[18:15] - Guarding Your Heart
[21:05] - Spiritual Insight and Self-Reflection
[26:13] - Humble Self-Examination
[28:58] - Renewal and Transformation
[31:36] - Results of Heart Examination
[35:00] - Witnessing to Others
[37:45] - Invitation to Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 139:23-24
- Proverbs 4:23
- 1 John 1:9
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Observation Questions:
1. What does David ask God to do in Psalm 139:23-24, and why is this significant in the context of the sermon? [02:10]
2. How does the sermon describe the biblical concept of the heart, and how does it differ from the physical heart? [16:27]
3. According to the sermon, what are some of the spiritual ailments that can go undiagnosed, similar to physical heart disease? [10:56]
4. What role does humility play in the process of heart examination, as discussed in the sermon? [26:13]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might David's plea for God to examine his heart be considered an act of humility and repentance? How does this relate to his status as a man after God's own heart? [05:18]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that spiritual heart disease can affect a person's relationship with God and others? [10:56]
3. How does the biblical understanding of the heart as the center of emotions, thoughts, and will influence the way we approach self-examination and spiritual growth? [16:27]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of confession and repentance in maintaining a healthy spiritual heart? [26:56]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt anxious or troubled. How might inviting God to examine your heart, as David did, help you address those feelings? [02:10]
2. The sermon discusses the importance of guarding our hearts. What practical steps can you take this week to protect your heart from negative influences? [18:15]
3. Consider any spiritual ailments you might be unaware of. How can you create a habit of regular self-examination to identify and address these issues? [10:56]
4. Humility is crucial in the process of heart examination. How can you cultivate a humble attitude when confronting uncomfortable truths about yourself? [26:13]
5. Confession and repentance are key to spiritual growth. Is there an area in your life where you need to seek God's forgiveness and make amends? How will you take action on this? [26:56]
6. The sermon emphasizes transformation and growth. What specific changes do you feel God is calling you to make in your life to align more closely with His will? [28:58]
7. How can you use the insights gained from examining your heart to enhance your witness to others and reflect God's light in your community? [31:36]
Devotional
Day 1: The Courage to Examine Our Hearts
In the journey of faith, examining our hearts is a courageous act that requires humility and vulnerability. King David's life exemplifies this as he openly asked God to search his heart and reveal any hidden sins or anxieties. This act of self-examination is not about self-condemnation but about opening ourselves to God's transformative power. By inviting God to search our hearts, we confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves, allowing His grace to heal and guide us. This process is essential for spiritual growth and aligning our lives with God's will. [02:10]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel anxious or uneasy? Can you invite God to search your heart and reveal the root of this anxiety today?
Day 2: Understanding the Heart's True Nature
The biblical concept of the heart extends beyond the physical organ to encompass our emotions, thoughts, and will. It is the center of our inner life, influencing how we feel, think, and make decisions. Recognizing this helps us understand the importance of guarding our hearts and aligning them with God's will. Just as physical heart disease can go undiagnosed, so too can spiritual heart issues. Regular self-examination and seeking God's insight are crucial to identifying and addressing these spiritual ailments. [16:27]
Proverbs 4:23 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."
Reflection: In what ways do you guard your heart against negative influences? How can you better align your thoughts and emotions with God's will today?
Day 3: Identifying Spiritual Heart Disease
Many of us may have undiagnosed spiritual issues, much like undiagnosed physical heart conditions. These spiritual ailments can hinder our relationship with God and others. Regular self-examination and seeking God's insight are crucial to identifying and addressing these issues. By allowing God to reveal the hidden areas of our hearts, we can experience healing and transformation. This process requires humility, confession, and repentance, leading to spiritual growth and greater intimacy with God. [10:56]
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"
Reflection: What spiritual ailment might be affecting your relationship with God? How can you seek His insight and healing in this area today?
Day 4: The Power of Confession and Repentance
Confession and repentance are essential steps in the heart examination process. Admitting our faults and seeking God's forgiveness opens the door to His transformative power. God is faithful and just, willing to forgive and purify us from all unrighteousness when we come to Him with a repentant heart. This leads to spiritual growth, greater intimacy with God, and an increased ability to witness to others. As we allow God to search our hearts, we become more aligned with His will and better equipped to reflect His light in the world. [26:56]
1 John 1:9 (ESV): "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Reflection: Is there a sin or fault you need to confess to God today? How can you embrace His forgiveness and allow it to transform your heart?
Day 5: Embracing Transformation and Growth
Allowing God to examine our hearts leads to spiritual growth and greater intimacy with Him. As we align our hearts with His will, we become better equipped to reflect His light and love to others, enhancing our witness in the world. This transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of growth and renewal. By regularly examining our hearts and seeking God's guidance, we can experience the fullness of life He desires for us. [31:36]
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV): "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."
Reflection: How can you invite God to transform your heart today? What steps can you take to align your life more closely with His will and reflect His love to others?
Quotes
"Over the book of Psalms, Psalms chapter number 139 verses 23 through 24, the writer David said, God examine me and know me, know my heart, test me, and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any bad thing in me, and lead me on the road to everlasting life. This is the writer David. And we know that David, King David committed very bad sin." [00:02:48]
"David here is saying, God, examine me. We know that he was very repentant. We realize that David was very torn up in his sin. We realize that David wanted to be right. I'm here to let you know this morning that if you have a little bit of desire to be right, God will honor that. God will take that little bit of fire, that little bit of smoke." [00:05:54]
"thoughts Lord what led me to make these decisions Lord let what led me to make these bad choices Lord what was going on in my experience God examine me know my heart test me know my anxious thoughts see if there be any bad thing in me the King James Version says see if there be any wicked way this morning I want to encourage us as a church we start individually individually examine your heart this morning if you know anything about me you know that I love data I did a team day down in Millbrook Alabama yesterday and I spent the first portion of the class that I taught talking about statistics data in my mind drives decisions and so when we talk about examine your heart I thought that it would be fitting to talk about the natural heart that's why when you see the graphic behind me go back to that slide that's why you see the graphic there we're going to get into the definition of the biblical definition and we're gonna get into the Greek the Hebrew a little bit and talk about what it means but that's why I chose that graphic why because it's not just talking about the beating heart it's talking about this heart this heart this heart that beats that pumps blood through your body does not have quote emotions this beating heart can't make a decision to commit adultery this beating heart can't make a decision to make a bad investment this heart cannot make a decision if you will to purchase a car this heart that's beating in your chest can't decide whether you should run with Alabama or Auburn or Georgia huh I heard somebody say War Eagle we're gonna have an altar call okay here we go here we go the altars will be open here momentarily but the natural heart you" [00:07:08]
"Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, affecting millions of people each and every year. I am not a medical doctor, but we're going to talk about heart disease and the necessity for you and I to examine our personal hearts. According to the World Health Organization, approximately, look at this number, 17 .9 million people die from cardiovascular diseases. Each and every year, 17 .9 million people." [00:09:21]
"The issue that I have this morning is that the next slide says that it's not just about heart disease. It is estimated that about 10 % to 20 % of individuals with heart disease don't even know they have it. It's undiagnosed. I'm going to jump to the spiritual really quick. How many of us are sitting in here this morning with undiagnosed spiritual issues?" [00:11:10]
"I can prove this out by the next slide in Proverbs 4 .23. It says, above all else, guard your heart for everything you do. Flows from it. King James Version says, guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. It is not talking about the beating. It's talking about the mental." [00:17:28]
"Confession and repentance is important. 1 John 1 and 9. If we confess our sins. Ain't nobody here. From myself all the way to the back door, no one here has arrived. We have not. All of us are trying, amen. We're trying to make heaven our home. That's the goal. And so even as I go through life, if there's an issue, I can't just gloss over the issue." [00:27:12]
"Confession. And repentance. 1 John 1 and 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just he being who, God, I'm so thankful that he is faithful. I'm so thankful that he is just, I'm so thankful that he will forgive us for our mistakes. He'll forgive us brother for our sins. He did it for me. He's done it for us. He did it for everybody that we have baptized here." [00:28:02]
"Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world. The pattern of this world, you pray for me, the pattern of this world is to do what feels good. The pattern of this world is to get people up off your chest, to get people out your face. That's the pattern of this world." [00:30:00]
"When we examine our heart, we will see results. We will see an increased spiritual growth. When you allow yourself to lay on the examination table of God and God says, Brother X, you got a problem in this area. You got a problem in this area and this area." [00:31:30]
"walk with him he reveals certain things to us for us to tighten up in a particular area and that will lead to an increase in your spiritual growth galatians 5 22 describes the fruit of the spirit it talks about that love joy peace like these are words that we read we've heard them since we were kids love joy peace forbearance kindness goodness faithfulness gentleness and self -control but how many times is this tested well we exemplify something different than the fruits of the spirit we exemplify fruits of another spirit but when we allow ourselves to allay on the spiritual examination table of god and he points certain things out to us and he will reveal certain things to us if we are humble enough to lay there on the table lord examine my heart like david wrote know me god try me god if we're able to humbly lay there god will reveal things to us so it will lead to increased spiritual growth if we lay there and allow god to talk to us that will lead to greater intimacy with god over in the book of james 4 8 god says come to me come to me and i will come near to you i love i love this this two -way street god is saying hey draw not to me or come near to me and you know what i'm not just gonna leave you hanging there i'm gonna draw not to you too like i'm gonna come to you you make an effort to see me you ever you're making an effort to be a better christian i tell you what i will meet you there we will be a better christian together that's the god that we serve he doesn't just leave us out here hanging so when we allow ourselves to lay there on the table and we say you know what lord i was wrong in that area but god i'm gonna get in you to your word i'm gonna get into you into your bible i'm gonna pray god will meet us there and i believe also the results of a heart transfer uh heart examination will increase our witness to others it will increase our witness to others matthew 5 16 let your light shine before others what light are we displaying to the community what light are we displaying on the job what light are we displaying to others what light are we displaying at the coffee shop what light amen Man, are we just playing at Walmart? I know Walmart." [00:32:06]
"So this morning as we lay on the spiritual exam table, examine your heart. Allow God to examine your heart. Allow God to examine our hearts. We want to be better Christians, amen? We want to have a closer relationship with God, amen?" [00:37:05]
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