Transcript II. True devotion flows from the heart

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• Legalism is performing our way to God’s
approval.
• Legalism adds requirements in order for us to be
loved and accepted by God.
• Jesus plus anything is a perversion of the gospel.
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• “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his
appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have
rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man
looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on
the heart.’” (1 Sam 16:7)
“We change what God intends as a means of experiencing
grace into a means of earning grace.”
- C. J. Mahaney, Living the Cross-Centered Life
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“Now these Jews were more noble than those in
Thessalonica; they received the word with all
eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see
if these things were so.” -Acts 17:11
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“[that] the eyes of your hearts [be] enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope to which he
has called you . . .” (Ephesians 1:18).
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“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous
things out of your law” (Psalm 119:18).
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a) True devotion to God flows from the inside
out.
• What comes out of our lives is simply an
indicator of what is in the heart.
b) Christianity is a matter of the heart.
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The Importance of the Heart
“What is the first thing we need in order to be Christians? A
new heart. What is the sacrifice God asks us to bring to him?
A broken and contrite heart. What is the true circumcision?
The circumcision of the heart. What is genuine obedience?
To obey from the heart. What is saving faith? To believe
with the heart. Where ought Christ to dwell? To dwell in our
hearts by faith. What is the chief request that Wisdom makes
to every one? My son, give me thine heart.” - J. C. Ryle
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The Importance of the Heart
“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree
bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For
figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes
picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the
good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil
person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the
abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:43-45).
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“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see
God” (Matthew 5:8)
“Religion says, ‘I obey; therefore, I’m accepted.’
The gospel says, ‘I’m accepted; therefore, I obey.’”
– Tim Keller
“How do we cultivate a heart truly
devoted to God?”
1) Fill your mind with God’s truth.
2) Draw near to the cross.
3) Rely on the power of Christ’s resurrection.
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