PR. DENIS KALUNGI

KIREKA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

8TH/07/2021 SERMON

THE HEART

The human heart renders dual purpose; (“God purposed to preach about the heart”)

1, Physical function {seen by the Physician}

2, Spiritual function {not seen by Physician but God} 

This is on research the physical Heart; our heartbeats almost 100 thousand times every day, every 24 hours, and over 4000 times an hour. The average Heartbeats at 60 to 100 times per minute, which translates to 86,400 to 144,000 beats per day. If you live to be 80 years old, your heart would have beaten over three billion heartbeats! What a muscle.

A very robust pump, the size of a fist that works for a lifetime without a single shut down for maintenance. As it beats, your heart pumps blood around your body. As it travels through your blood vessel, blood brings needed oxygen and nutrient to cells and carries away waste products. The heart pumps our entire blood supply through its chamber every four minutes. But the spiritual heart, the heart of the bible, is more than a blood pump. It is the mind, the very seat of our emotions. It is where we decide to take action; it is our will. It is with the heart that man believes or doubts accept or deny God. The heart reasons, plans, dreams.

When God looks at an individual He doesn’t see what we see of one another. We may be looking at the color of our skin {wonder why some tone their appearance}, we may be looking at the kind of clothes we are wearing, some will brag on their educational achievements in public gatherings because you dressed so, social position {followers in Instagram, Facebook or Twitter}, financial or political power. God does not look at all these things.

God told Samuel, “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” {1 Sam 16:7}. In scripture, the heart of a person is considered to be the real genuine individual. God sees the real us. He sees the heart. You could be pretending to be in worship today or a Christian, just to please your neighbors, your spouse, or your parents. God sees the intents of the heart. Our outward being is not important. What is of utmost importance is whether our heart is right. Are we right with God? Are we right with one another?

Whereas man places a high price on the external appearance God examines deep within that man for something more. Man judges one on the basis of one's appearance, but God critiques or evaluates the heart.

David's heart was right. He was the skinny little sheepherder who became King of Israel, the man whom Samuel sought and found to succeed Saul. He was a mighty warrior, a valiant general, an inspired leader, a successful businessman, a skilled marksman, and a gifted psalm writer. But the thing that impressed God about David was his heart. 

God "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will carry out all my will" {Acts 13:22}. David allowed God to mold and fashion his heart into that which would be pleasing to him. God focused on his character more than physical stature. He concentrated on his integrity and not just outward looks.

“Can you and I develop a heart for God, as David did? Yes. But before we examine how, let's identify what will destroy a heart for God.”

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE HEART?

Proverbs 23:7 tells us that as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. We are what we think. We will never rise above our thoughts. What we think controls the kind of person we are. Thinking evil thoughts makes us evil. Thinking Godly thoughts makes us more like Him.

Having this in mind, Apostle Paul wrote: Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. {Philippians 4:8} 

We are encouraged to focus our minds on things that are praiseworthy. Dwell on things that are Godly. Regardless of what others might try to tell us, we become what we think? Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring comes life. {Proverbs 4:23} Solomon is saying that real life is not made of material things, but heart issues. 

If men bestowed upon their hearts that care which they give to their estates, they would be rewarded with peace and prosperity, instead of disappointment and consuming anxiety. When the heart is well kept, and stored with heavenly wisdom, it sends forth life-giving streams.

Our thoughts, will, and affections, thence proceed all the actions, as of the natural, so of the spiritual life, which lead to eternal life.

What is our life made up of? Where is our focus? What goes on in our hearts? Are we concerned with the seen or the unseen? {2 Corinthians 4:18} Are we concerned with the material or issues of the heart? Are we concerned with hope, faith, love, joy, peace, patience? Proverbs 6:18 tells us that evil imaginations come from the heart. What do you imagine? What do you visualize? What are your dreams?

 Jesus said: “You have heard ‘You shall not murder “But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. “You have heard ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. {Mathew 5:21-28}

What we imagine we become. What we think, we are. Sin or Righteousness has its beginning within our imaginations.

These people honor me with the lips, but their heart is far away from me; {Matthew 15:8} & {Isaiah 29:13}. This verse says that we can join the saints regularly for worship and live an outward good life, but inwardly our hearts can be far from God. Like Ananias and Sapphira, we can look good outwardly, while our hearts are black with sin and deceit. Consider this: For from within, out of the heart of men, go forth evil thoughts, adulteries, fornication, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness’s, deceit, licentiousness, a wicked eye, injurious language, haughtiness, folly; all these wicked things go forth from within and defile the man. {Mark 7:21-23}. 

Note the warning from the text – All these evils come from the heart. Gossip makes one unclean in God’s eye! Deceit, arrogance, and malice make one unclean.  Envy and slander make us unclean. What are your thoughts? Are clean or unclean?

The Hebrew writer presents the heart this way; See, brethren, lest there be in any one of you a wicked heart of unbelief, in turning away from the living God. But encourage yourselves each day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. {Hebrews 3:12-13}

We must know that doubt (a weakening faith) has its beginning in our thought. Satan plants a seed in the heart, that seed germinates and develops, and the result is doubt.

Satan plants seeds like: “One church is as good as another” ‘Is it only in the church of Christ one can be saved” “It’s OK as long as one is sincere”

Satan plants a seed of miss-using Grace “Grace covers all our sins regardless of our attitude or behavior” “After all, no one is perfect” “Not sure God hears my/our prayers”

The heart can be led astray by the deceitfulness of Satan. He has the ability to take the truth and turn it into a lie by planting the seeds of half-truths. He did this to our first parent in the Garden of Eden. Paul is advising us in the above verse – Don’t allow Satan to get to you by the deceitfulness of sin through a hardened heart!

The human heart could be filled with pride and the Lord hate such. Psalm 101:5 says God will exclude from His presence two groups of people: those who slander the brethren and those who have a proud heart. “Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; the one who has a proud look and a proud heart, I will not spare.”{Psalms 101:5}

What will destroy a heart for God?

Our physical heart is positioned by God to provide protection from destructive external forces. Not so with the spiritual heart. It is susceptible to all kinds of harmful diseases and influences that might jeopardize its integrity.

That's why the writer of Proverbs said, "Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life" {Prov. 4:23}. “Salvation it's free but you need to work to make heaven. Not all born again will make heaven.”

Simon the sorcerer was born again but, his heart is not right with God. He was following the apostles; peradventure also talking to people about the gospel but because his heart was not right, he asked Peter to give him the power to do miracles. {Act 8:9-25}, the health and productivity of the heart cannot be assumed. It must be constantly protected to ward off these destructive forces. And what are they?

Success. Success crowds our hearts with things and the signs of accomplishments. It tends to puff up our hearts  with counterfeit accolades causing us to say "look what I have done."

Wicked Heart: If a person does not put his heart under the guidance of the Holy Ghost, they will tend to enjoy doing evil. People with wicked hearts are dangerous to be friends with.

Selfishness. Selfishness shrinks our hearts to where there is room for only three - me, myself, and mine. It becomes grotesque and unable to face life because it alienates the needed life support of others.

Double-minded Heart: There are some people that are also full of doubts; even when the promises of God are so clear and sure they are still double-minded about it. "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." {James 1:8}

Idleness. Sloth dries up the heart with inactivity, laziness, and lack of service. The heart is like love, it functions to maximum capacity as it pumps out service to others {proverbs 16:27}.

Sin. Sin hardens the heart to the things that really matter in life. The heart becomes blackened like a chain-smoker's lungs as it is separated from its life source, God Himself {Matthew 19:8}

Stress. Stress breaks the heart by placing unnecessary demands on it. The heart crumbles under the pressure. It fails to recognize the power that has been made available to prevent {proverbs 24:10}

Stubborn heart, these people will refuse to yield to correction because of this kind of heart. Such people are usually destroyed at the end of the day because there is no counsel to put them in the right way. "But Sihon king of Heshbon refused to let us pass through. For the Lord your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate in order to give him into your hands, as he has now done." {Deut 2:30}

Proud heart: People with this heart are usually too proud to accept the truth. When the Holy Spirit is reproofing them through a lower status person, they will feel too ridiculed {Acts 12:21-22}, Herod wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people.

Heavy heart: When people with this kind of heart have troubles; they will let it burden them. The heavy heart is not able to give any solution but instead confuse, complicate the issue more and it is even difficult to pray with this kind of hearth. “Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart." {Proverbs 25:20}

Foolish & Darkened heart: A lot of people have been brought down because of the foolishness of their hearts; it is such heart that claims that; God does not exist. Such people’s heart is now darkened that they cannot see the light even when it is obvious. “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. {Rom 1:21}

Deceitful & Mischievous heart: People with such hearts are fraudulent and cannot be trusted with any business, their family, or any position of integrity. "O Jerusalem, wash the evil from your heart and be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts?" {Jeremiah 4:14}

Troubled heart:  Problems of life is normal. Being born again does not excuse you from the troubles of life. The bible says that “You shall have tribulation, Rejoice because He has conquered the world.” The bible also says that; God will deliver you in trouble and not from trouble. 

When faced with these troubles, the troubled heart is not able to receive this word of God; instead, begins to panic. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid"{John 14:27}

Child of God let us examine our heart and do a cleanup; because of the deceptive attribute of the heart, one might think all is well. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test??" {2 Corinthians 13:5}

WHAT KIND OF HEART SHOULD WE HAVE? 

First, we must have a heart focused on God.  When asked what the first commandment was, Jesus replied, ‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. {Mark 12:30}

God must be first and foremost in our lives. In Matthew 6:33 Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. {Matthew 6:33}. 

Secondly, we must have a heart that is sensitive to serving others. Jesus said for us to love our enemies {Matthew 5:44}. Why must we love our enemies to have a good and right heart? ”So that you may be sons of our Father who is in heaven” {Matthew 5:45}. Loving others makes us like God. God causes the sun to rise and sends the rain on the just and the unjust.

“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. {Matthew 7:12}. 

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others. {Philippians 2:4 NKJV}. A heart that is sensitive to serving others will always seek peace, shun arguments over judgmental issues. “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another”. {Romans 14:19}.

Thirdly, we must have a heart that acts out of pure motives. Jesus said: Take care not to do your good works before men, to be seen by them; or you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. When then you give money to the poor, do not make a noise about it, as the false-heated men do in the Synagogues and in the streets, so that they may have glory from men. 

Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you give money, let not your left hand see what your right-hand does: So that your giving may be in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will give you your reward. {Matthew 6:1-4}

Jesus is saying that coming to worship, doing good works, giving money to the church, fasting, praying, or assisting the poor accomplishes nothing when we do it just to be seen by others.

Loving God with all our hearts will automatically exclude loving the praise of men. If we obey God because we love Him with all our heart, mind, strength, and soul, there is no room for us to do things out of improper motive. Doing things out of proper motive pleases God because God is always and absolutely pure in motive.

How to develop a heart for God

Developing a heart for God is not as difficult as it may sound. It involves concerning our heart with the concerns of God's heart. We must develop those qualities that are worth having in our lives.

Each of these steps is an antidote, a cure, or a remedy, to the diseases we have just discussed. Based on David's life, they provide the necessary ingredients for developing a heart for God.

A. Be humble in spite of the success

Without a doubt, David was successful. "And continued to be successful in all his activities because the Lord was with him" {1 Sam. 18:14}. David first appears on the scene in the Bible to confront and defeat the giant Goliath. He led Saul's armies into battle with arousing victories. 

David marched out{with the army}, and was successful in everything Saul sent him to do" {1 Sam. 18:5}. In fact, David was so successful that the people sang songs to him, "Saul has killed his thousands, but David his tens of thousands" {1 Sam. 18:7}. It was David's success that drove Saul insane with jealousy and envy.

We learn from David that one can be successful and still have a heart for God. But in order to keep success from crowding God out of the heart, it must be kept in check. The antidote is humility. Humility is not lowliness or to be humiliated or to be abased. One does not have to be a doormat to humankind to be humble. Humility is simply recognizing the grace and mercy of God. When it comes to success and accomplishment, humility recognizes where these things come from.

The arena of politics, or sports, or business, or even the religious community teaches us that success and humility often don't mix. Like water and oil, they seem to disperse each other. But in so doing, a fall is certain. In prayer, David said, "You rescue an afflicted people, but your eyes are set against the proud - You humble them" {2 Sam. 22:28}.

I keep a quote by John Henry Jowett, a preacher of the last century, on my desk. It reads: "A man's devotion is apt to dwindle or decline as he becomes more successful. Our piety or devotion does not keep pace with our purse. Absorption in plenty makes us forgetful of the Giver. We can be so concerned in the pasture that the Shepherd is forgotten. Our very fullness is apt to become our foe or adversary."

Perhaps the ultimate test of a heart for God is: How do you handle success? The greatest test of our character is not adversity but prosperity. When things are going well do you pray as often? When you are enjoying promotions and bonuses do you recognize God as the ultimate source of those blessings?

B. Be mindful of the Shepherd

David is known for many things but one of his greatest feats or deeds was the writing of the majority of the Psalms. Inspired and composed in cycle with God, they are the original Rock music with a capital "R." Many of these psalms probably were written when David sat alone on the Judean hillside tending his flock of sheep. They are expressive words directing his attention to his Heavenly Father. As one Psalm puts it, "Proclaim with me the Lord's greatness; let us exalt His name together" {Psalm 34:3}. The summation of David's life could very easily be expressed in these words, "David inquired of the LORD" {2 Sam. 21:1}. He worshiped and lifted up the name of the Lord.

The antidote for selfishness is the exaltation of God. Whereas selfishness shrinks the heart, the exaltation of God expands the heart. It creates room for God. It dispels the unnecessary things in life.

What are you worshiping? Be careful how you answer. David said, "I will not set anything godless before my eyes" {Psalm 101:3}. For many, we have filled our thoughts and our sights on those things that do not matter. They are insignificant and worthless. For a lot of people, the trivial pursuit is not a game, it is a lifestyle. We need to pray as David prayed, "Confirm what you said to your servant, for it produces reverence for you" {Psalm 119:38}.

C. Be available in service

God said of David, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will carry out all my will" {Acts 13:22}. If we could eavesdrop on David's relationship with God throughout his life we would probably discover a scene every morning of David approaching God saying, "Reporting for duty, Sir. What are my orders today?" He wholeheartedly served his Master through thick and thin, through easy times and difficult times. God could count on David. 

When he completed his life this is what the Scriptures said of him. "For David, after serving his own generation in God's plan, fell asleep" {Acts 13: 36}. Meaning he had completed the task God had assigned him and then he died. Who would want to stick around here after one had finished his assigned responsibility?

The antidote for sloth or laziness is service. Sloth dries up the heart. Service opens a floodgate of life-giving resources to bring energy and power to one's heart and devotion to God.

It has been said that God wants our availability before he wants our ability. The truth is he wants both. But the fact remains that he can't use our ability unless we have made ourselves available to him. Have you made yourself available to God? Are you reporting for duty? Do you want to be used by God?

D. Be repentant of sins

I love the Bible for many reasons. One reason, in particular, it doesn't cover up anyone's sins or faults. It paints a picture of people warts and all. David is no exception. A low point in David's life involved his adultery with Bathsheba and the eventual murder of her husband Uriah.

David was a great sinner. But he was also a great repentant. He confessed, "I have sinned against the LORD" {2 Sam. 12:13}. Psalms 51:5-11 is his confessional statement. He sinned desperately, but he wanted desperately not to sin.

From David's life, I learn that one does not have to be perfect to have a heart for God. One can be a sinner and still be devoted to God. One can experience a dreaded past and still be used to God. We are going to sin. That is a fact. That sin separates us from God. It stains and hardens our hearts. But the great antidote is repentance. Repentance occurs by not just feeling sorry for sin, but when we turn away from sin. One can't repent and keep on sinning. Renunciation of sin has to occur.

I don't have to ask if there is sin in your life. The question is: are you turning away from your sin? Are you repenting of known sin?

David prayed, "God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me" {Psalm 51:10}. He wanted a heart that was clean before God. This represents an individual who devotes their life to God.

E. Be trusting in a Savior

David experienced constant stress. For much of his younger adulthood, he was pursued by Saul who sought to kill him. He became the king of a nation that endured wars, giants, national problems, famine, only to name a few. His family problems were horrendous. Sibling rivalry looked petty compared to the soap opera of David's family. This guy was a potential psychiatric patient.

Stress breaks even the most solid hearts. David had an antidote - Trust in a living God. This was the controlling factor in his life. David composed a song that began, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain [where I seek refuge. My shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior, You save me from violence. I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I was saved from my enemies" {2 Sam. 22:1-4}. David's basic philosophy for dealing with the problems and frustrations of life stated, "I pray. I trust. I keep moving."

Hebrews 3:15 says, “Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as your forefathers did in the time of the provocation.” {Hebrews 3:15} another translation renders it— ‘If today you hear God’s voice, harden not your hearts, as when Israel provoked me.’ {Heb. 3:15} The Hebrews’ writer is saying we can harden our own hearts by choice. 

We are admonished to have a humble heart. “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” {James 4:6}. 

Ezekiel 6:9 speaks of an idolatrous heart, a heart that has gone after its own idols. What is your idol? Money?  Power? Popularity? Entertainment? Fashion? Social media? Just name it

Do you spend more time with TV than we do in the word of God? {African Magic, Premier League, Laliga league} Then TV is an idol. Some even adore Players, actors, and actresses.

Are you faithful to your worldly meetings, your associations, and social clubs than to the church of God? Then we have an idol. Are we more interested in things {clothing, jewelry, exotic Cars, lavished adornment}    than people? Then things have become our idols. 

The bible made it very clear that God will tolerate no rivals! He did not allow it in the days of Moses and He will not today. Anything you so much cherished more than God is your idol. “You shall have no other gods before Me. {Exodus 20:3}.  “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. {Deuteronomy 6:5}

The Bible teaches that we are keepers of our own hearts. We decide what we will allow into our hearts. We decide what attitudes and dispositions that we hold. Our will has control over our hearts. We are what we decide to be. We decide to use the words of God that come a decide to us daily to remold our lives or decides to harden our hearts to His words. 

God knows what’s going on inside us. “Would not God search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart”. {Psalms 44:21} This verse says God has discovered our wickedness because He knows the secret of the heart. You may hide it from the Bishops, The Evangelist, or your brethren, but the Lord knows. You may have evil intent in your heart today. 

The Lord knows. Harden, not your heart today; Allow God to open your heart to His words. Allow the words of God to liberate you from the bondage of Satan. Confess your evil deeds and the Lord is willing to forgive you. Don’t sit on edge because God knows the secrets of your heart. There is nothing hidden from Him. Man observes outward behavior, but God sees our inner thoughts and attitudes.

David admonished Solomon “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. 

If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.” {1 Chronicles 28:9} Paul says that God examines our hearts.  “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so, we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.” {1 Thessalonians 2:4}

Our society is obsessed with physical appearance. That's why many people spend time at beaut clubs, why one of the fastest-growing industries in this country is cosmetic industries, and why people are continually on diets and joining Weight Watchers. Ladies spend money beautifying themselves than looking unto God the portal.

Be blessed sisters and brothers.