Sermon Supplement, Lord’s Day, October 8, 2006

Morning Worship Service, Kihei Baptist, Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

A COMMITMENT OF THE HEART, Ephesians 6:6

Glenn Armstrong, D.D., Pastor

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COMMITMENT OF THE HEART, Ephesians 6:6

INTRODUCTION: "…As the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart," Ephesians 6:6. The heart is the chief organ of the physical body, but it is also used figuratively as the seat of emotional, rational behavior, reasoning powers as well as the will to act. These attributes are often used as the definition of a "person". They are involved in making a meaningful decision to trust Christ for salvation and are needed for a believer to make a commitment to a life of service to Jesus as Lord. However, mediocrity rather than commitment seems to best describe the Christian church.

I. THE HEART OF THE PERSON WITHOUT A SPIRITUAL BIRTH

A. Matthew 15:16-20. Until an individual is "born again" they may very well be religious but their religion will favor a humanistic message. This may be noticed by adapting Christianity to fit the philosophy that humans are the highest beings and their benefits are emphasized, stressed and valued as the major purpose of religion. The center of humanistic religion is the good of the person and God is seen as the Divine Giver, who serves the "faithful". By definition, this is really a form of atheism since it stresses the human over the divine emphasizing how to get rather than who to worship.

B. I Peter 3:4. The heart of a person without spiritual regeneration contains and conceals the character of a self-centered individual. In forthright contradiction, God expects the believer is to be known for his chaste conduct, meekness and a quiet (peaceful, controlled, undisturbing) spirit.

C. Romans 2:15. The heart of a person before their conversion contains an innate knowledge of God. However, the lostness of the unsaved nature causes rebellion against this universal awareness of a creative God. It is this rebellion that causes God to conclude the whole world as guilty before God. Theologically, this is known as the doctrine of the "universal depravity of all humanity" – a subject neglected by humanistic preachers and religion systems.

OBSERVATION: In an unregenerate state people will favor religion that does not require redemption.

II. THE HEART OF A PERSON WHO HAS BEEN REDEEMED THROUGH CHRIST

A. Romans 10:9,10. The heart (emotions) of an individual is an essential ingredient in redemption. While believing may be an academic activity when it relates to truth, trusting the truth is an emotional decision. Both are listed as elements in conversion. The facts to be believed are: Christ’s death, burial and resurrection are the sole factors in paying for sin. Trusting these facts for forgiveness is a personal decision that results in being declared by God as righteous (Christ’s righteousness credited to our account, not self-righteousness). Our change in standing before God should naturally result in an open confession of our conversion.

B. Acts 15:7-11. Peter is an example of a life changed through conversion. He once hated the Gentiles and refused to share the gospel with them. Later he defended their conversion on the same conditions that he was redeemed, believing (7), faith (9), and grace (11).

OBSERVATION: In a regenerate state, it is still possible for Christians to demonstrate little or no compassion for the lost.

III. THE HEART OF A PERSON WHO HAS COMPASSION TO SHARE THE GOSPEL

A. Acts 2:23,24. God’s omniscience causes Him to know the heart of everyone. He can work in the lives of spiritually alive people to direct them in making right decisions. This is one purpose of prayer, (24).

B. Mark 16:14. It is very possible for believers to retain a hard heart (destitute of perception) toward spiritual matters. Jesus upbraided (defamed, reproached, cast into their teeth) the disciples for their hardness in rejecting His resurrection.

OBSERVATION: A believer may have conflicts between what they want to believe and do with their lives and what God reveals. This can be caused by rejecting revelational information.

IV. THE HEART OF A PERSON WHO HAS A PASSION FOR GOD

A. Colossians 3:18-23. The context of this passage includes wives, husbands, children, fathers, and workers. The teaching of the text is that all believers are to serve God with fear and total dedication and without looking for benefits to come as a result. Our dedication is to be total (single-hearted) and spirited (heartily).

B. Ephesians 6:6. As children are to obey parents, as workers are to serve employers, so believers are to willingly obey God. This is to be done with sincerity and fear.

OBSERVATION: Every action of a believer’s life is to be accomplished with dedication as a service to the Lord and without looking at anyone else.

GAA/October, 2006 (f)