Cleanse: Week 2

CLEANSE WEEK 2: CLEANSE THE HEART

Exodus 34: “I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.”

1 John 1:9 NLT: [9] But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

• A moment when your heart was cleansed and free?

Proverbs 4:23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

• The heart is the source of words, choices, and character, so it deserves the highest level of vigilance we can give...

Philippians 4:7: “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,”

• This guarding happens as we pray, give thanks, and hand our worries to God, revealing that relying on Him is one of the main ways our hearts are cleansed.

• PROBLEM: The heart is under constant assault from the flesh, the world, the devil, and an undisciplined thought life, all of which seek to draw our inner life away from love and obedience of God.

1 Kings 8:22-23 NLT: [22] Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire community of Israel. He lifted his hands toward heaven, [23] and he prayed, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.

• The confidence I have in my life, which I experience daily, is not due to my achievements in education, experience, or wealth. Instead, it stems from my relationship with God’s grace and my reliance on gospel principles for guidance and governance in my life.

• God lovingly calls His people to guard and cleanse their hearts from sin and divided loyalties, allowing Him—through His Spirit, His Word, and the work of Christ—to purify the inner life so that everything flowing from the heart, honors Him.

Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God,”

• The great reward of a clean heart is a deeper sight of and fellowship with God.

1 Peter 1:22 NLT: [22] You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.

• Purified souls lead to “unfeigned love of the brethren,” showing that a cleansed heart overflows in sincere love.

• Greater sensitivity to sin and quicker repentance.

• Growing love, humility, and sincerity.

• Increasing hunger for the Word and presence of God.

Psalm 51:10: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”