Upside Down 6 // Blessed are the Pure in Heart

Last Week

• Blessed are the Merciful – get in someone else’s skin
• Mercy Displays Strength – God put on skin in Jesus to win us to Him

Motivations Shaped by

1. Expectations
2. Fear
3. Guilt
4. Reward

Matthew 5:8

• NIV: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
• MSG: You’re blessed when you get your inside world — your mind and heart — put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

There are three ways to view this concept

1. Washed clean
2. Free from weeds
3. Pure and undiluted

This speaks to the heart and mind of a person. It is purity of intention and motive.

Wesley and Perfection

• Not free of errors/mistakes
• Pure motives & intentions
• Reconciliation w/ God and others

Matthew 5:48 (ESV) | You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Take-Aways

• Look for ways to lift up others
• Don’t misplace kindness
• “Get in a person’s skin”

Reflection Questions

1. What are the four things that generally shape our motivations? What tends to motivate you most reliably?
2. This week’s Beatitude about purity of intention seeks to align the head and the heart. What causes the disconnection in the first place? How is Jesus at work in us to help facilitate this?
3. What are the three basic ways to understand this week’s Beatitude? Which do you presume is the biggest risk to you and your journey with Jesus?
4. What is the doctrine of Christian perfection? Where do you agree? Where do you struggle with it?
5. Pastor Mark offered three take-aways. Which one do you need to focus on this week?