We continue this week through the Beatitudes and come to Matthew 5:8. Growing in our understandings of the greatest sermon by Jesus we now come to…
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
The main idea that we will focus on this week is that being pure in heart is not about being perfect but being honest and transparent before God and others.
To know that the pure in heart don’t hide from God when in distress but run to him. We will realize that we can feel confident that God welcomes us with grace when we turn to him. One of our biggest challenges may be the act of running to God, practicing ongoing confession and repentance before him and others.
What’s you’re favorite social media platform? Do you think people or accounts you follow give a real depiction of their lives? Why, or why not?
Honesty is difficult. We don’t want people to see our flaws or even that we may not be as exciting, stylish, or happy as the people around us. So, instead of being honest, it can be much easier to tell people we are “doing fine.”
When it comes to our relationship with God, we may think that honesty is the last thing he wants from us. He wants us to obey him, be righteous, and live like Jesus. We fail so often that we assume honesty will only hurt our relationship with him. But when Jesus commands us to be “pure in heart,” he is not after perfection. He wants honesty—an undivided heart rather than a high-powered resume. In this session, we’ll learn that being pure in heart is an invitation to come into the presence of God just as we are.
1Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
The Beatitudes
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.”
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” – Matthew 5: 1-12 ESV
This weeks focus is on the fourth Beatitude…
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” – Matthew 5:8 ESV
Before viewing the session, here are a few important things to look for in Matt’s teaching. As you watch, pay attention to how he answers the following questions.
Why does this Beatitude tend to trip us up?
According to Matt, what is one of the clearest ways to know whether you understand the gospel?
What is the primary mark of the pure in heart?
The Beatitudes we have encountered so far seem relatively achievable. Some of these things, like being poor in spirit or mourning, are sometimes thrust upon us by the circumstances of life—they just come naturally because we live in a world broken by sin. But this Beatitude feels different. For those of us who know ourselves well, and who are honest enough to admit it, being pure in heart feels impossible.
Have you ever tried to achieve pureness of heart? What actions or discipline have you tried to get rid of your struggles, doubts, or fears? Were those attempts successful?
The video suggested that Jesus isn’t telling us to purify our own hearts. When we try to fix ourselves, we enter what Matt called the “cycle of shame”—vowing to stop practicing sin, falling into that sin, hiding that sin, and then resolving to do better, only to repeat the cycle.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar cycle of shame? What was that like? How long did that season last?
The cycle of shame is marked by running from God, not to him. We think God will be angry or disappointed in us, so we hide from him. But when we hide from God, we also hide from his mercy.
What do you think God sees when he looks at you? How might your perception of God be keeping you from running to him?
Many of us carry a fear of being found out. We’re aware of our struggles and sins but are afraid about making them known. But God sees us. He is already aware of our struggles, and he is inviting us to come to him—to abide in him—hold nothing back, and receive his mercy.
What will it take for you to let down your guard and offer your whole life to God? How might remembering that God abides in you, and you in him, help you let your guard down?
Jesus is trying to call us out of the cycle of shame and into honesty and transparency before God.
What do you think it looks like to be transparent with God? Are there people in your life who model being transparent with God well? Who are they?
When you think about being completely honest with God, what emotions does it stir in you? In what ways do you find yourself reluctant to be honest and transparent with God?
In what ways could honesty and transparency build your relationship with God and give you freedom from your sin?
One of the critical pieces to being pure in heart is not only being honest and transparent with God but embracing and practicing the same honesty and transparency with other Christians as well.
What is your experience with Christian community and accountability? Who are some of the people in your life with whom you can be honest and transparent about your struggles, doubts, and fears?
What steps could this small group take to become more accountable and transparent with one another? What could help you continue to grow as a community that gives mercy to one another?
The pure in heart are not perfect people. The pure in heart are those who exercise honesty and transparency before God, knowing that to hide from God is to hide the very thing we need most—his mercy. So, we run to him, especially in our distress. And as we do so, God welcomes us into his presence with love and grace.