Sermon Tone Analysis

THE DUTY OF HEART KEEPING.

Keep your heart, seems to put it upon us as our work, yet it does not imply sufficiency in us to do it.

We are no more able to stop the sun in its course, or to make a rivers run backward, as by our own will and power to rule and order our hearts.

We may as well be our own saviors as our own keepers; and yet Solomon speaks rightly when he says, Keep your heart, because the duty is ours, though the power is of God; what power we have depends upon the assisting strength of Christ.

THIS DUTY REQUIRES . . .

Keeping one’s heart is the Christian’s chief business.

Christian’s have been given a new not a neuter heart.

Christian’s have been given a new not a neuter heart.

A new heart is not free from sin but free not to sin.

Our new heart gives us a new spiritual inclination but it does not inoculate us from sin.

Our duty is to keep our hearts from defilement.

A new heart is like a musical instrument which no matter how well built and tuned will require constant tuning and attention.

Neglecting to tune one’s instrument negates the instruments intended glory.

Our duty is to keep our hearts from disorder.

DILIGENCE

Diligience describes its difficulty.

VIGILANCE

Vigilance describes its duration.

The keeping of the heart is a work that is never done until life is ended.

There is no time or condition in the life of a Christistian which will allow for an intermission of this work.

THE DESIGN OF HEART KEEPING

DILIGENCE

Diligence describes its difficulty.

Participation in religious duties with a carefree spirit will cost a person nothing.

To set ones self constantly and seriously before the Lord will cost something.

Possessing a proficient prayer language is easy; but to have one’s heart broken while confessing sin is quite different.

The latter guards the first doesn’t.

Supplicate the Scriptures

Whatever it takes, Lord. . .

give me delight in you as the greatest treasure of my heart.

align the desires of my heart with yours.

increase my awareness of my dependence on you in everything so that I will live continually by faith.

teach me to discern good from evil through the rigorous exercise of constant practice.

keep me desperate for you because i tend to wander when I stop feeling my need for you.

discipline me for my good that i may share your holiness and bear the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

increase my resolve to do your will with all diligence.

VIGILANCE

Vigilance describes its duration.

The keeping of the heart is a work that is never done until life is ended.

There is no time or condition in the life of a Christian which will allow for an intermission of this work.

Remember Moses hands; when they were raised Israel had success against Amalek.

However, the moment his hands begin to sink due to weariness Amalek prevailed.

Let us not forget Peter sad state when he failed to be vigilant on the night of Christ denial.

THE DRIVE OF HEART KEEPING

THE DUTY

THE MOTIVE

“The wellspring of life” is the capacity to live with joy and vigor ultimately comes from within and not from circumstances.

It is “the wellspring of life” in that the capacity to live with joy and vigor ultimately comes from within and not from circumstances.

Keeping our hearts has an eternal and earthly consequences.

THE DETAILS OF HEART KEEPING

The word keep is a military word and that is why it is often translated “guard”.

I want to give you an acronym to help you to apply today’s teaching and the remaining sermons in this series.

I want to use a military term as well “AIM”.

Aim means to to intend or direct for a particular effect or purpose.

ATTENTIVE

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“I am the resurrection and the life.

INCLINE

Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.

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MEDITATE

Do you believe this?”

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Let’s read this together:

“Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ,

the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

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If you are in Christ, be reminded this morning that our God doesn’t just see your sorrow and need from afar, but he knows it intimately.

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He experienced sickness and death as he walked this earth among us.

Most of all, he is good, and he is for you.

Let’s continue to sing about the God who cares for us.