Issues of the Heart (Part 1)

Issues of the Heart

(Part 1)

By Pastor Gary Wayne

Text: Luke 2:34-35, Luke 4:17-21, Proverbs 4:23
NIV – “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
NASB - Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.

It’s all about the heart. It’s a heart thing.
Our relationship with God – is a heart thing.
Our response to pain – it’s a heart thing.
Our response to forgiving – it’s a heart thing.
Our response to money - it’s a heart thing.
Our response to authority – it’s a heart thing.
Our response to responsibility – it’s a heart thing.
Our response to Church – it’s a heart thing.
Our response to church people – it’s a heart thing.
Our response in marriage – it’s a heart thing.

Our heart is the well spring from where life flows.

When it says to guard your heart, there is a “God way” of doing this and a “flesh way.”

When I say that, what is the method my flesh uses to guard my heart?
“Stay away,” “don’t touch me,” - we cover up and don’t let people in.

How does God want me to “guard, or watch over” my heart?
I open my heart to Him, and to those around me.

What did Jesus say was part of His ministry – why He came?
Luke 4:17-21 Ver.18 “to heal the brokenhearted.”

Luke 2:34-35 “that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."

Hearts = the most inward part of a person. Your hidden you.
Revealed = to take off the cover.
Jesus came to reveal our heart – the most inward part of our being.

Why does Jesus seek to reveal our hearts?
Because “out of the heart flows the issues of life.” - I have issues.

He reveals hidden things in my heart in order to bring wholeness to you and me.
It is those hidden wounds, those buried response to pain, that OFTEN manifests itself in bad behavior.

That is why I frequently ask this question: “Where is this coming from?”

Jesus doesn’t reveal my heart so He can expose us to those around us, but it’s for your sake.

When Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar his hidden dream Daniel said:
"… this secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but … that you may know the thoughts of your heart. Dan 2:30

We OFTEN don’t know our own heart – so Jesus in healing our wounded places of our hearts needs to expose those hidden areas in order to bring healing.

And until I let Jesus reveal them, and bring wholeness to my wounded broken, bruised heart, it stays hidden, and then surfaces in a number of uncomfortable ways.
Fear, anger, insecurity, lack of trust, suspicion, arrogance, pride, selfishness, accusation, ETC!

In marriage counseling – going to church can be the best on-going marriage counseling possible. Because on a given Sunday, when I open my heart to God, He reveals the issues that are causing or will be causing a problem.

Jesus never reveals anything in my heart to shame me! Anytime He bring things to light, or to the surface is so the poison can be taken from my life well.
Like a goldsmith that deals with the dross.

What happens when we have issues we don’t deal with? They come out sideways, and often we don’t realize where it’s coming from.
So we blame our spouse, our kids, our boss, our parents, our church, our pastor, our society, etc.

What is the #1 thing God is after more than anything else in your life? Your heart.

If He can have your heart, He gets your treasure, your time, your marriage, your influence, your occupation, your passions, etc.
So He is in a constant pursuit of our heart.

Prayer:
Father I open my heart to You – come and reveal any hidden thing that is hindering my closeness with You.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. Ps 139:23-24

I give you permission to go into places I have closed to bring healing.
Every area my heart has been wounded by others – I forgive.