Sunday Preview: Seeing God

May 17th, 2024
by Matthew Allen

The true desire of those who love God is to see Him face-to-face. The Psalmist said: "I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking him in his temple” (Psalm 27:4). This desire to see and be with God is profound, yet our human condition makes it impossible. In Scripture, those who found themselves in God's presence were often terrified. However, there is an incredible promise from Jesus in Matthew 5:8: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

Defining a Pure Heart
Purity of heart is essential for seeing God. What does it mean to have a pure heart? "Pure" suggests being clean, unmixed, unadulterated, or unalloyed. Purity in heart refers to our motives and attitudes. Jesus highlights the potential for both good and evil within our hearts: "For from the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slander" (Matthew 15:19).
Jesus calls for radical inner purity and holiness, a single-minded, undivided devotion to spiritual integrity and true righteousness. Psalm 86:11 echoes this sentiment: "Teach me your way, Lord, and I will live by your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear your name." Our hearts must be wholly devoted to God, free from hypocrisy and double mindedness.

The Challenge of Purity
Achieving a pure heart is challenging. Psalm 24:3-4 asks, "Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not appealed to what is false, and who has not sworn deceitfully." We must long for purity, striving against our flesh and the world's temptations.

Jesus warns that no servant can serve two masters: "No servant can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money" (Luke 16:13). Similarly, James 4:4 cautions that friendship with the world is hostility toward God, making one an enemy of God.

Purity as a High Standard
Purity is not just a suggestion; it is a high standard to which disciples are called. Matthew 5:48 states, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Our lives should reflect this pursuit of holiness. 2 Corinthians 7:1 urges us to cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. Additionally, 1 Peter 1:15 commands, "But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct."

We must never be content with our sins. 1 Corinthians 10:13 assures us that with every temptation, God provides a way out, and 1 John 1:9 encourages us to confess our sins, trusting that God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus’ Promise
The promise in Matthew 5:8 - "for they will see God" - is both present and future. Currently, we see God through the eye of faith. But one day, we will see Him face-to-face. 1 John 3:2 offers this hope: "We know that when he appears, we will be like him because we will see him as he is." The book of Revelation paints a glorious picture of this future vision, where we see God around the throne (Revelation 5:10-12).

Are You Ready to Meet Him?
Hebrews 12:14 implores us to "pursue peace with everyone, and holiness—without it no one will see the Lord." One day, we will all see God face-to-face. Will you greet Him as your Father or your Judge? Purity will transform your motives, attitudes, and actions. In doing so, you will be blessed with the ultimate reward: seeing God.

As you prepare for Sunday, think about these questions:

What does it mean to have a pure heart? How can we strive towards achieving this purity in our daily lives?
In what ways do worldly temptations, such as materialism and societal pressures, challenge our pursuit of a pure heart? How can we resist more effectively?
Given Matthew 5:48, what does this standard of perfection mean in practical terms, and how can we aim to embody this in our conduct?
How does confession and seeking forgiveness, as mentioned in 1 John 1:9, contribute to maintaining a pure heart?
How does the promise of seeing God face-to-face in the future, as described in 1 John 3:2 and Revelation 5:10-12, influence you? How can this motivate you to live a life of purity and holiness?

Those Serving

OPENING / WELCOME
Matthew Allen
SONG LEADER
Jim Rutter
PRAYER OF PRAISE
Kevin Shanesy
LEAD LORD'S SUPPER
Drew Triplett
ASSIST LORD’S SUPPER
Joel Zehring
Paul Braden
Gary Jackson
Kody Pritt
SCRIPTURE READING
Titus Sullivan
Matthew 5:8
PREACHING
Matthew Allen
CLOSING PRAYER
Bob Hoopes
CLOSING COMMENTS
Boyd Hastings
WELCOME CENTER
Judy Hickey / Sadonna Schofield
USHERS
Nathan Armstrong / Randy Mullins
SONG DEVOTIONAL
Mark Ringle
COMMUNION PREP
Jeri Hastings
CLOSING THE BUILDING
Rich Jacobs

Posted in From Our Ministers
Posted in heaven, God, Purity