The Vision of the Pure: Seeing the God Who Sees - Matt. 5:8 by Pastor Paul Jacks

In a world obsessed with outward appearances, God’s kingdom flips the script and focuses on the heart. The words of Jesus in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God,” invite us to consider what it truly means to be pure before God. Purity of heart isn’t about ritual or external cleanliness, but about an inner transformation—a heart that is honest, humble, and surrendered to God. David’s prayer in Psalm 51, written after his darkest failures, shows us the way: he doesn’t offer God empty rituals or shallow apologies, but a broken and contrite heart. David acknowledges his sin, confesses it, and pleads for God to create in him a clean heart and renew his spirit. This is the posture God desires—not perfection, but genuine repentance and humility.

God is not impressed by our outward show or our attempts to cover up our flaws. He sees through every mask and knows the true state of our hearts. When we come to Him with honesty and brokenness, He promises not only to forgive but to restore us. The story of Hagar reminds us that God is El Roi, the God who sees. Even in our lowest moments, when we feel invisible or abandoned, God sees us and meets us with compassion. When our hearts are pure—when we are honest, humble, and open before Him—our spiritual eyes are opened to see God at work in our lives, both in the present and in the hope of eternity.

This vision is not just for the future, but for now. The pure in heart begin to see God’s hand in their circumstances, His presence in their pain, and His faithfulness in their journey. Yet, there is also a promise for the future: one day, we will see God face to face, fully known and fully knowing, rejoicing in His presence forever. Until that day, we are called to pursue purity of heart—not as a means to earn God’s favor, but as a response to His grace, knowing that He alone can cleanse and renew us from the inside out.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God Values the Heart Over Appearances While society is preoccupied with how we look and what we present outwardly, God’s concern is always with the state of our hearts. He is not fooled by external rituals or performances; He desires authenticity, humility, and a heart that is truly surrendered to Him. This challenges us to examine our motives and to seek transformation from the inside out. [00:32]
• 2. True Repentance Requires Brokenness and Honesty David’s example in Psalm 51 teaches that God is not looking for empty apologies or ritual sacrifices, but for a broken and contrite spirit. When we come to God with genuine sorrow for our sin and a willingness to be changed, He responds with mercy and restoration. This kind of repentance is the foundation for a pure heart. [18:58]
• 3. God Sees Us in Our Lowest Moments The story of Hagar reveals that God is El Roi, the God who sees. Even when we feel overlooked, mistreated, or alone, God is intimately aware of our struggles and steps into our pain. Knowing that God sees and cares for us gives us hope and courage to persevere, trusting that He is working even when we cannot see it. [23:39]
• 4. Purity of Heart Opens Our Eyes to God’s Presence Now Purity is not just about future reward; it transforms our present reality. When our hearts are pure, we begin to recognize God’s handiwork in our daily lives, seeing His intervention, guidance, and love in ways we might otherwise miss. This spiritual vision is a gift that comes from walking in humility and honesty before God. [25:02]
• 5. The Promise of Seeing God Face to Face Ultimately, the pure in heart are promised the greatest reward: to see God. This is both a present reality—experiencing His presence and guidance now—and a future hope, when we will see Him fully in eternity. This promise encourages us to pursue holiness, not out of fear, but out of longing for deeper fellowship with the One who knows and loves us completely. [27:36]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:32] - God’s Kingdom and the Heart
• [01:14] - Opening Prayer
• [02:28] - The Meaning of “Blessed”
• [03:09] - What Does It Mean to Be Pure in Heart?
• [04:28] - David’s Story and Psalm 51
• [07:10] - David’s Confession and God’s Mercy
• [09:51] - God’s Promise to Forgive
• [11:12] - The Heart in Hebrew Thought
• [13:47] - The Holy Spirit’s Indwelling
• [15:05] - The Importance of Christian Community
• [16:24] - The Progression of Repentance
• [18:58] - The Sacrifice God Desires
• [20:58] - Holiness and Seeing God
• [22:17] - Hagar and the God Who Sees
• [24:22] - Seeing God in the Present
• [27:36] - The Future Promise: Seeing God Face to Face
• [28:55] - The Song of Anticipation
• [30:17] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Reading

Matthew 5:8 (ESV) — > “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Psalm 51:1-12 (ESV) — > 1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
> according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
> 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
> 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
> 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
> so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
> 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
> 6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
> 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
> 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
> 9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
> 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
> 11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
> 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Genesis 16:13 (ESV) — > So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”

Observation Questions

1. In Matthew 5:8, what does Jesus say is the reward for those who are “pure in heart”?
2. According to Psalm 51, what does David ask God to do for him after his sin? What kind of heart does David say God desires? [17:01]
3. In the story of Hagar (Genesis 16:13), what name does Hagar give to God, and why? [23:39]
4. According to the sermon, what is the difference between outward rituals and true purity of heart? [03:09]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus focuses on the heart rather than outward appearances or rituals when talking about being “blessed”? [00:32]
2. What does it mean for someone to have a “broken and contrite heart” like David describes in Psalm 51? How is this different from just saying sorry? [18:58]
3. The sermon says God is “El Roi,” the God who sees. How might knowing that God sees us in our lowest moments change the way we approach Him? [23:39]
4. The promise of “seeing God” is both for now and for the future. What do you think it means to “see God” in your life today, not just in eternity? [25:02]

Application Questions

1. The world often values how we look or what we do on the outside. Are there ways you find yourself focusing more on appearances than on your heart? What would it look like to shift your focus? [00:32]
2. David’s prayer in Psalm 51 is honest and humble. Is there an area in your life where you need to stop making excuses and come to God with a “broken and contrite heart”? What’s holding you back? [18:58]
3. The sermon talked about empty apologies versus true repentance. Can you think of a time when you apologized but didn’t really mean it? How can you practice genuine repentance with God and others? [20:20]
4. Hagar felt invisible and mistreated, but God saw her. Have you ever felt overlooked or alone? How does it help to know that God sees you, even when others don’t? [23:39]
5. The pure in heart begin to see God’s hand in their daily lives. What are some ways you can look for God’s presence or guidance in your current circumstances? [25:02]
6. The promise is that one day we will see God face to face. How does this future hope encourage you in your struggles right now? [27:36]
7. Pursuing purity of heart is not about earning God’s love, but responding to His grace. What is one practical step you can take this week to be more honest, humble, or open before God? [11:51]