Blessed are the Pure in Heart (Matthew 5:8)
“The Heart That Sees”
1. Introduction – Setting the Scene
Main Verse: Matthew 5:1–10 (focus on v.8)
- The Good News: The long-awaited kingdom of God had begun to break into the world. The reign of heaven had started to break in upon the earth!
- To repent = to think again, think anew, or turn around
- Darrell Johnson – “The clearest sign that human beings are in fact ‘turning around and believing’ [the Good News] is that they are becoming ‘Beatitude people.’”
- Each Beatitude focuses on the qualities or characteristics that all of Jesus’ followers will experience, they’re not describing eight different people.
- They show the “norms” of life in God’s Kingdom — both present blessings and future hope.
- Each Beatitude builds on the previous; purity of heart grows out of dependence on God, mourning over sin, meekness, hunger for righteousness, and mercy.
2. Understanding “Pure in Heart” - Three Aspects:
- Main Verse: Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
A. Our Hearts Are Unmixed at the Centre of Who We Are
- Heart = the core of our being — where thoughts, feelings, and decisions flow from.
- A pure heart is unmixed at the center of who we are.
- Purity = unmixed devotion to God (James 4:8; Matthew 6:21).
- Divided loyalty between God and the world blocks purity.
- What we treasure reveals our heart’s focus.
- Ask: “What do I love most? What holds my ultimate allegiance?”
B. Not Perfect People, but People of Integrity
- J.B. Phillips – “Blessed are the utterly sincere.”
- God desires integrity: same person inside and out, in public and private (1 Thessalonians 2:4; Jeremiah 17:10; 1 Samuel 16:7)
- God sees the motives of our hearts, not just outward actions.
- Pretending to be perfect prevents authenticity before God.
- Ask: “Are my action and words accurate reflections of what is in my heart? Am I covering up what’s in my heart?”
C. Allowing God to Search Us and Transform Us
- Psalm 139:23–24; Ezekiel 11:19; 1 Thessalonians 3:13
- Invite God to reveal hidden motives.
- Johnson – “The pure in heart open up the whole of life to God’s searching, cleansing, healing light.”
- Transformation is God’s work through His Spirit.
- Peter Kreeft – “We attain purity of heart… by the incorporation into Christ.”
- Purity flows from being united with Christ.
3. The Promise – “They Will See God”
- Psalm 27:8; Deuteronomy 4:29; 1 Peter 1:8–9; Colossians 1:15; John 12:44–46
- Don Carson – “Our perception of God… depends on our purity of heart.”
- God’s presence isn’t always experienced as we expect; He reveals Himself in His timing and ways.
- Look to Jesus!
- Darrell Johnson – “In Jesus of Nazareth, infinitude is focused… the face of the Living God is made manifest.”
- Final fulfillment: seeing God face-to-face in eternity.
- Present reality: glimpses of God through Scripture, creation, His people, and the Spirit’s presence.
- Jesus reveals the Father — to see Him is to see God, He’s “the visible image of the invisible God.”
4. Application & Call to Response
- Psalm 139:23–24
- Fix your heart’s devotion on God alone.
- Live with integrity — authentic before God and people.
- Invite God to search and purify your heart daily.
- “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” – Jesus (Matt. 5:8)
- Purity of heart is God’s transforming gift, not our self-made achievement.
- Choose daily to look to Jesus and be captivated by Him.
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