============================================
IS THY HEART RIGHT WITH GOD?
TEXT:
Acts 8:14-24
INTRODUCTION:
Read Acts 8:14-24.
2. Regarding the text:
(1) Philip was preaching in Samaria.
(2) Many of the Samaritans, and Simon, obeyed
the gospel.
(3) Peter and John come from Jerusalem; they
perform miracles.
(4) Simon seeks to buy the ability to work
miracles.
(5) Peter rebukes him; Simon repents.
3. The heart is the center of man. Proverbs
23:7 - "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."
4. In this lesson we shall ask the question, "Is
Thy Heart Right With God?"
DISCUSSION:
Concerning the question we notice:
I. THE NECESSITY OF OUR HEARTS BEING RIGHT.
Proverbs 4:23 - "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues
of life."
2. The heart is where the treasure is. (Matt.
6:21)
3. Purity of heart necessary to see God. (Matt.
5:8)
4. Purity of the heart is attained by: Psalms
119:11 - "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
5. The good heart represented by good soil. (Lk.
8)
6. Some examples of those whose hearts were not
right.
(1) Those before flood -- "imaginations of the
thoughts of his heart was only evil continually..." (Gen. 6:5)
(2) Ananias and Sapphira -- "conceived this
thing in thine heart..." (Acts 5:4)
(3) Matt. 5:28 - Lust -- commits adultery in his
heart.
(4) Diotrephes who "loveth to have the
pre-eminence" (III John 9)
II. TIMES WHEN THE CHRISTIAN'S HEART IS NOT RIGHT.
1.
When he finds church services boring:
(1) "I don't get anything out of the services."
(cf. Psa. 122:1) - How much does one put into the services?
(2) "Entertain me; don't offend me; don't be
against anyone or anything."
(3) Church services are to offer worship to God,
not to please ourselves.
2. When he finds no joy in Bible study. (cf. Psa.
1)
3. When singing praises does not uplift the
heart.
4. When giving is stingy and grudging.
5. When one is angered at a rebuke administered
from God's word.
6. When an attitude of malice and an unforgiving
spirit is maintained.
7. When there is no interest in saving souls.
8. When God is relegated to some place other
than first in his life. (Matt. 6:33)
III. WHEN THE NON-CHRISTIAN'S HEART IS NOT RIGHT.
1.
When he turns a deaf ear to God's word. (Matt. 13:15; Acts 7:57)
2. When he refuses to believe when evidence
requires it. (Rom. 10:10)
3. When he refuses to repent. (Lk. 13:3)
4. If and when he refuses to confess his faith
in the risen Lord. (Matt. 10:32-33)
5. When he rejects the Lord's command to be
baptized for the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38, 41)
WHY THESE THINGS? -- Romans 6:17-18!
CONCLUSION:
1.
Without one's heart being right he cannot be pleasing to God.
2. Peter said, "Thou art in the gall of
bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity."
3. Where and how is your heart.
4. Appeal
From E. Underwood
============================================