Jeremy Utley - Seeking Pure-Hearted Running Mates
Speaker: Jeremy Utley Title: Seeking Pure-Hearted Running Mates Date: 01-29-2017 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Summary
The central goal for Christians is to become an exact reflection of Jesus Christ. This transformation happens both individually through personal purity and corporately by functioning fully within the local church.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Counting all things as loss for ChristPaul considered everything he once viewed as a personal or religious benefit to be a loss for the surpassing value of knowing Christ.
The pure in heart shall see GodJesus teaches that the pure in heart will see God, which differs from having a clean conscience because it means having no room in your heart for anything other than Jesus.
The higher standard of the New CovenantThe New Covenant calls for complete devotion where nothing else takes up residence in our hearts, going deeper than just outward obedience.
Cutting off what causes stumblingJesus uses strong imagery about tearing out an eye or cutting off a hand to show that it is better to rid ourselves of anything dear that causes us to stumble than to have a divided heart.Matthew 5:29
Avoiding secondhand surrenderBelievers cannot live off secondhand surrender or blindly imitate others, but must personally offer their lives and convictions directly to the Lord.
The command to pursue righteousness with othersScripture commands believers to flee youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace specifically with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.2 Timothy 2:22
Five types of Christians to avoidTo properly discern who to run with, believers must identify five types of Christians and attitudes to avoid, starting with a personal examination.
1. Those prone to speculation and quarrelsBelievers must avoid people interested in foolish speculations, empty chatter, and endless genealogies that lead to wrangling rather than the administration of God by faith.
2. The way of Cain and spiritual selfishnessLike Cain asking 'Am I my brother's keeper?', believers must avoid people who are completely self-absorbed and only concerned with their own spiritual development.
3. The rebellion of Korah and insubordinationBelievers should avoid those who demonstrate a lack of submissiveness and an unwillingness to submit to God-appointed authority.
4. Surrounding oneself with men of renownJust as Korah surrounded himself with great and chosen men, believers must avoid seeking worldly greatness and reputation instead of holiness and purity of heart.
5. The error of Balaam and technical obedienceThe most dangerous error to avoid is Balaam's spirit of technically obeying God while secretly pursuing personal profit, ambition, and self-interest.
