Serving God From The Heart
By Pastor Boffey
Created May 30 2010 - 05:44
SERVING GOD FROM THE HEART
I.
Jesus Christ knows men's hearts. JOH 2:25 [5] c/w MAT 9:4 [6]; HEB 4:12 [7].
A.
He routinely searches and proves His people's hearts. REV 2:23 [8]; DEU 8:2 [9].
B.
Outward appearances do not carry much weight with God. 1SAM 16:7 [10]; JOH 7:24 [11].
C.
He is at least as interested in inward devotion and motivation as He is in outward
obedience. MAR 12:32-34 [12].
D.
Obedience should come from the heart. EPH 6:5-6 [13]; ROM 6:17 [14].
1.
From one's heart: “Out of the depths of one's soul, with the sincerest or deepest
feeling.”
2.
With all one's heart: “With great sincerity, earnestness, or devotion....with the
utmost goodwill or pleasure.”
3.
The first commandment is to love the Lord with all of the heart. MAT 22:37 [15].
4.
We are to trust the Lord with all of our heart. PRO 3:5 [16].
5.
We are to believe in our heart unto righteousness. ROM 10:9-10 [17].
6.
We are to from our hearts forgive our brethren. MAT 18:35 [18].
II.
Periodic examination of our lives is a necessary part of Christian experience.
LAM 3:40-41 [19]; 2CO 13:5 [20].
A.
Regular check-ups can be profitable in assuring good spiritual health. 1 [21]JO 3:18-19 [22].
B.
We ought to be willing to invite God's scrutiny of our heart. PSA 26:2 [23]; 139:23-24.
III.
God is not looking for part-time devotion or restricted service. Half-hearted service misses the
whole point. PSA 119:2, 10 [24] ct/w JER 3:10 [25].
A.
God is not interested in divided allegiances. MAT 6:24 [26]; EZE 20:39 [27].
1.
Our service should be with singleness of heart (sincerity, straightforwardness,
honesty, integrity, freedom from deceit, duplicity or guile ) or our efforts
for the kingdom of God will never amount to much.
ACT 2:46 [28] ct/w JAM 1:8 [29] c/w JAM 4:8 [30].
2.
The church's corporate strength is directly relative to the spiritual unity of the body,
striving together to serve God to the utmost of their ability.
ACT 4:32 [31]; 1CH 12:33 [32].
B.
Feigned service and devotion which is only done for appearance's sake is the stuff of
Pharisaism: hypocrisy! MAT 23:5, 25-28 [33].
C.
Outward appearances can be deceiving. True service to God does not place qualifications
and restrictions on itself or “go through the motions” for appearance's sake.
2CO 5:12 [34] c/w 2TI 3:5 [35].
1.
There is a tendency to only take the parts of the religion of God which we like but
disregard the areas which conflict with personal interests.
ISA 58:1-3 [36]; AMO 8:4-5 [37].
a.
If we could get away with it, our flesh would take the benefits of
Christianity without the attached stigma, duty and trouble. GAL 6:12 [38].
b.
But whole-hearted faith claims cross as well as crown.
PHIL 1:29 [39]; 2TI 3:12 [40].
2.
Talk is cheap. ISA 29:13-14 [41]; PSA 78:36-37 [42]; EZE 33:30-31 [43].
3.
Pious appeals for the will of God are not always sincere. JER 42:1-6 [44]; 20.
4.
Outward beauty without inward dedication and sanctification is as a jewel of gold
in a pig's snout. 1PE 3:3-4 [45]; REV 3:17 [46].
Serving God From The Heart
5-30-10
Page 1 of 2
5.
Not all repentance is because of godly sorrow. JER 2:26 [47]; MAT 27:3 [48].
6.
Displays of pious emotion aren't necessarily born from a sincere heart.
EZE 8:14 [49]; MAT 6:16 [50].
7.
God prefers inward humility to outward displays of devotion.
JOEL 2:12-13 [51]; PSA 51:17 [52].
8.
“Table scraps” service does not glorify God. MAL 1:13 [53].
IV.
The measure of our heart's dedication is according to our priorities. LUK 12:34 [54].
A.
How much do you love the Lord Jesus Christ? MAT 22:37 [55] ct/w REV 2:4 [56].
1.
Do you count all things loss for Him? PHIL 3:7 [57].
2.
The love of Christ should constrain (force, compel, oblige) us. 2CO 5:14 [58].
B.
How much do you love God's word? PSA 119:10-11, 72, 97, 128, 162 [59].
C.
How much do you love God's house? PSA 137:6 [60]; 84:1-2, 10.
D.
How highly do you esteem the overseer of that house? 1TH 5:12-13 [61] ct/w ISA 29:20-21 [62].
E.
Does the fellowship of like-minded brethren mean much to you?
MAL 3:16 [63]; PSA 133:1-3 [64]; 1TH 2:17 [65].
F.
Are you 100% convinced of the reality of Jesus Christ being the Son of God? If not, you
should have never been baptized. ACT 8:37 [66].
G.
Is heaven really all that important to you? MAT 6:20 [67]; COL 3:1-2 [68].
H.
Is your service to God performed out of drudgery or out of joyful willingness?
PSA 122:1 [69]; 1CH 29:9 [70]; 2CO 9:7 [71].
I.
How much do you desire the Lord's table? LUK 22:15 [72].
J.
Which grieves you more: personal loss or sin and the abominations done in God's name?
PSA 119:53, 136, 158 [73]; JER 23:9 [74]; EZE 9:4 [75].
V.
Perhaps this study has pricked your heart ( ACT 2:37 [76]).
A.
God's word to such is, “Repent.” ACT 2:38 [77].
B.
Get your priorities straight so your heart will be in the right place. LUK 12:34 [78].
C.
Guide your heart (PRO 23:19 [79]) and incline it to the Lord. JOS 24:23 [80].
D.
He will be found of them that seek Him with all their heart. JER 29:13 [81].
E.
1JO 3:20-21 [82].
VI.
It is your pastor's hope that you have come through this heart check-up with flying colors. If not,
consider your ways and HEB 3:12-15 [83].
Links:
[1] http://www.cincinnatichurch.net///audio/by/artist/pastor_tim_boffey
[2] http://www.cincinnatichurch.net///audio/by/title/serving_god_from_the_heart
[3] http://www.cincinnatichurch.net///audio/by/genre/gospel
[4] http://www.cincinnatichurch.net///audio/by/year/2010
[5] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=JOH++2%3A25
[6] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=MAT++9%3A4
[7] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=HEB++4%3A12
[8] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=REV++2%3A23
[9] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=DEU++8%3A2
[10] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=1+SAM++16%3A7
[11] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=JOH++7%3A24
[12] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=MAR++12%3A32-34
[13] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=EPH++6%3A5-6
[14] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=ROM++6%3A17
[15] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=MAT++22%3A37
[16] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=PRO++3%3A5
[17] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=ROM++10%3A9-10
[18] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=MAT++18%3A35
[19] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=LAM++3%3A40-41
[20] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=2+CO++13%3A5
[21] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=th.+1
[22] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=JO++3%3A18-19
[23] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=PSA++26%3A2
[24] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=PSA++119%3A2%2C+10
[25] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=JER++3%3A10
[26] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=MAT++6%3A24
[27] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=EZE++20%3A39
[28] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=ACT+2%3A46
[29] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=JAM++1%3A8
[30] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=JAM++4%3A8
[31] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=ACT+4%3A32
[32] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=1+CH++12%3A33
[33] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=MAT++23%3A5%2C+25-28
[34] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=2+CO++5%3A12
[35] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=2+TI++3%3A5
[36] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=ISA++58%3A1-3
[37] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=AMO++8%3A4-5
[38] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=GAL++6%3A12
[39] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=PHIL++1%3A29
[40] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=2+TI++3%3A12
[41] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=ISA++29%3A13-14
[42] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=PSA++78%3A36-37
[43] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=EZE++33%3A30-31
[44] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=JER++42%3A1-6
[45] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=1+PE++3%3A3-4
[46] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=REV++3%3A17
[47] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=JER++2%3A26
[48] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=MAT++27%3A3
[49] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=EZE++8%3A14
[50] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=MAT++6%3A16
[51] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=JOEL+2%3A12-13
[52] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=PSA++51%3A17
[53] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=MAL++1%3A13
[54] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=LUK++12%3A34
[55] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=MAT++22%3A37
[56] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=REV++2%3A4
[57] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=PHIL++3%3A7
[58] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=2+CO++5%3A14
[59] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=PSA++119%3A10-11%2C+72%2C+97%2C+128%2C+162
[60] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=PSA++137%3A6
[61] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=1+TH++5%3A12-13
[62] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=ISA++29%3A20-21
[63] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=MAL++3%3A16
[64] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=PSA++133%3A1-3
[65] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=1+TH++2%3A17
[66] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=ACT+8%3A37
[67] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=MAT++6%3A20
[68] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=COL++3%3A1-2
[69] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=PSA++122%3A1
[70] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=1+CH++29%3A9
[71] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=2+CO++9%3A7
[72] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=LUK++22%3A15
[73] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=PSA++119%3A53%2C+136%2C+158
[74] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=JER++23%3A9
[75] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=EZE++9%3A4
[76] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=ACT+2%3A37
[77] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=ACT+2%3A38
[78] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=LUK++12%3A34
[79] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=PRO++23%3A19
[80] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=JOS++24%3A23
[81] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=JER++29%3A13
[82] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=1+JO++3%3A20-21
[83] http://biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible?language=english&version=KJV&passage=HEB++3%3A12-15