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Questions Sermon 7 The Undivided Heart
- The poem by Earl D. Wilson was about the person who is conflicted about how life is to be lived, but doesn’t know how. He is plagued by anxiety and fear. He is at best functional, but internally, he is frozen. He seeks answers in the world of psychology and counseling first and that doesn’t work. He is sure that the preacher will help him, but he still finds himself captured by fear. Have you ever found yourself asking the questions Foxie asks, “How can I really live as a Christian?” Have you ever felt that knowing, feeling and doing conflict? Are you ever frustrated and confused about being a Christian? Have you ever felt that your life is just a big disappointment?
- I listed the dangers of what happens when any one of these three are emphasized to the detriment of the others, it may lead to just legalism, activism, or mysticism. How do you think that might be attempting to work its way in our church?
- In our relationships, do you find yourself hiding? Or blameshifting? Reflect and be honest – why is that?
- Look at Galatians 5:16-24. It speaks about a battle. is it possible to forget that there a war within? How? Is it possible to think that there should not be one? Where would that thought come from today?
- Look at Romans 8:18-26. What is Paul telling us about the future? What is he telling us about the present way to live as a Christian? Name them both.
- In its context Philippians 1:9-11 tells us why our cheese falls off our cracker. Love must stem from a heart transformed by God’s Word when it is accompanied by knowledge and discernment. Think about that for a moment. Ask yourself, “am I loving in the way the Bible says we are love?” and how then does real love grow?
- Blessed are the pure in heart. Again, Jesus is telling us something that is absolutely beautiful from God Himself. It is another ingredient of the happiest of lives. But what is he actually emphasizing? The purity or the heart? Why would knowing that be important? Is Jesus talking more about the totality of life stemming from the central headquarters of our internal life, the heart? What would be the implications of that in out priorities? In our relationships? And especially, in our relationship to God Himself? Be specific. If it is about Christ as Lord of the Heart, make three columns and reflect on what an unmixed singleminded devotion to Christ looks like in all three areas.
- Lastly, we know that Jesus is actually talking about seeing God when we are brought finally into His actual presence, but what does it mean for us now? In other words, does the hope of really seeing Him in heaven have any effect on our lives now? In what way(s)?
