Grace Bible Church Gillette, Wyoming

A. The purposes of the heart are the goals and objectives that internally drive us. It is the foundation for the intentions and treasures of the heart.

B. The Lord has His own purposes in His heart (Jer 23:20).

C. The believer must follows after God’s heart, not his own (Nu 15:38-40; 1Sa 13:14 cf. Ac 13:22).

1. Num 15:38-40

a) We are not to follow our own heart, perspectives, or purposes.

b) Instead, we are to follow God’s purposes by knowing and remembering God’s principles (“remember God’s commandments).

c) Like the Jews who wore phylacteries, we must keep God’s purposes in front of us at all times.

d) Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 11:13–21 were two of the four Scripture texts (with Ex. 13:1–10 and 13:11–16) that were copied on small pieces of parchment and placed in phylacteries that were worn on the foreheads and left arms of Jewish men during prayer. The practice was based on the admonition of Deuteronomy 6:8, “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead” (cf. 11:18). It was for the ostentatious display of phylacteries that Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees only a short while later, while He was still teaching in the Temple (Matt. 23:5). In a similar way, copies of Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 11:13–21 were placed in mezuzahs, small boxes that Jews attached to their doorposts, following the instruction of Deuteronomy 6:9 and 11:20. Both phylacteries and mezuzahs are still used by many orthodox Jews today. (MAC)

e) In a similar way, God’s purposes, which are contained in His Word, are to be kept on our hearts. So that ,we do everything with God’s Word in view.

2. Ac 13:22

a) The phrase “after God’s heart” also suggests that God has intents and purposes in His heart or being.

b) Therefore, we are to seek to know God’s heart and follow God’s heart. We are to seek God’s purpose in His Word and follow after those purposes.

c) Those purposes are also called His “will.” The phrase “a man after My heart,” is qualified by, “who will do all My will.”

d) David uses the word “heart” in Psalms in approximately 127 verses. It is certainly used for the seat of his emotions. However, it is depicted as the seat of David’s internal worship.

e) Jesus was the ultimate example of the One after God’s heart, in the garden He prayed, Luk 22:42 saying, "Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done."

f) The purpose in our hearts is to follow after God’s heart and do His will.

II. TO LOVE GOD A BELIEVER MUST SEEK TO GLORIFY GOD

A. A purpose of the believer is to walk in His ways (Dt 10:12a).

1. The Lord required Israel to love Him with all their heart and soul. But He also spells out exactly what that means.

2. They were to “fear” Him, which means they were to reverence Him so that they would do nothing to offend Him.

3. If they loved and reverenced Him, they would indeed “walk in His ways.” They would follow after His will and obey His Word.

B. A purpose of the believer is to serve the Lord (Dt 10:12b).

1. In addition, they would “serve” the Lord. This means that they would choose to serve God and not follow after other gods (Jos 24:15).

2. When believers think of serving God, the NT especially views our service to God within the church (Ac 13:1; 14:23; 15:3; 20:28; Ro 16:1, 5; 1Co 12:28; 14:12; 1Ti 3:15).

C. A purpose of the believer is to love with a pure heart (1Ti 1:5).

1. Paul stated that the goal of his instruction and teaching was love. His teaching would help them understand God’s love. It would also encourage them to love God with all their heart and fulfil the essence of the Law (Ro 13:10).

2. Along with a “good conscience” and a “sincere faith,” a “pure heart” is needed to love fully. A “pure” (katharos - clean) heart is a clean heart, one that is free from sinful thoughts, treasures, intentions, and purposes (cf. Ps 119:9).

D. A purpose of the believer is to give his heart completely to the Lord (2Ch 16:9).

1. We often hear the expression, “give your heart to the Lord.” 2Ch 16:9 states that God is looking over the entire earth for one whose heart is completely given to Him.

2. It becomes abundantly clear that God is not only a personal God, but He seeks those who will have a loving and faithful personal relationship with Him.

E. A purpose of the believer is to glorify God (1Co 10:31).

1. WLC 1 What is the chief and highest end of man? A. Man's Chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever.

2. The ultimate purpose of the believer’s heart is to glorify God.

3. To “glorify God” (doxazō) means to extol, honor, and praise the magnificence, wonder, and worthiness of His person, work, and will.

4. We are to do this with all our heart in thoughts, words, and actions to bring God’s greatness to light.

5. Questions we can ask ourselves about glorifying God.

a) Are my ulterior intentions and purposes attempting to bring glory to God or myself?

b) Does it bring glory to God (Ro 15:6-7; 1Co 10:31)?

c) Will this bring harm on God’s reputation?

d) Is this something that is a clear violation in Scripture (Psa 119:11; Jam 2:10)?

e) Is this something that would displease God in principle?

f) Does this edify the body of Christ (Ro 15:2; 1Co 10:23b)?

g) Will it cause another brother to stumble (Ro 14:13, 21; 1Co 8:13)?

h) Does it bring peace among the brethren (Ro 14:19; Col 3:15)?

i) Will it help evangelize the lost (1Co 10:33)?

j) Will it stand the test of the Bema Seat (Ro 14:10-12)?

6. Categorization of the believer’s purposes according to Scripture

a) Purpose in relation to one’s personal spiritual life (Gal 5:16-17; 2Pe 3:18)

b) Purpose in relation to one’s family (Eph 6:4; Eph 6:1-3)

c) Purpose in relation to one’s spouse (Eph 5:22-24; Eph 5:25-33)

d) Purpose in relation to one’s occupation (Col 3:22-25; Eph 6:5-9)

e) Purpose in relation to one’s church (Acts 2:42-47; Heb 10:24-25)

f) Purpose in relation to other believers (Eph 4:11-16; 1Co 14:12; 1Th 5:11)

g) Purpose in relation to unbelievers (Mat 28:19-20; Mar 16:15; Acts 1:8).

h) Purpose in relation to being a citizen (Ro 13:1-7; 1Ti 2:1-3)

F. The believer’s heart is the abode of the Son (Eph. 3:17; Col 1:27), the Spirit (2Co 1:22; 1Co 6:19), and the Father (2Co 6:16; 1Pe 3:15).

1. To conclude the study on the heart, we find that each member of the Trinity dwells in the heart of the believer.

2. Therefore, the believer’s heart is the Lord’s. Now we must live our lives with all our heart in love toward the God who love us.

3. If we are going to love God with all our heart, we must love Him as our supreme treasure, have every inward intention directed toward Him, and must follow after the purposes of His heart.

Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516