The Love of God

The Promise of a new heart and the Fulfilment of this Promise

A) The Heart of Man

• Biblical description of man’s heart 

- The foundation of man’s reasoning, thoughts, passions, affections, motives and intentions – Matthew 15:18-19

- The hidden man – 1 Peter 3:4

B) The heart of the unregenerate man caused by the effect of sin:

Only evil continually - Gen 6:5 ‘And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.’

Will not seek or love God, full of filth and is ungodly – Psalm 14:2-3 ‘ The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. vs 3 ‘They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.’

Wicked, Deceitful, Sick – Jeremiah 17:9-10

Point for discussion:

- Genesis 4:6-10 – Cain’s heart was wicked and sick

- The Israelites’ wicked heart of unbelief

- King David’s story in 2^nd Samuel 12:1-9 and his prayer request in Psalm 51:10 after he realised the state of his heart.   King David realised this need after he committed the sin of adultery and murder and did not realise his terrible state until God sent Nathan the prophet to him.

- The fool who denies the existence of God in his heart    

- Ephesians 4:17-19

Ask members of the group to cite more examples of the various manifestation of the natural (carnal, unregenerate) man’s heart.

C)  God’s promise of a new heart

God gave this promise because of His love for man

Ezekiel 11:19-20

Ezekiel 36:26-27

Jeremiah 31:31-34

D) The fulfilment of the promise is made available through Christ

-  Romans 10:9-10; 2^nd Corinthian 5:17; 2^nd Peter 1: 3   

E) The fruit of the new heart is love – Love of God received, man becomes able to love God, to love himself and love his fellow human beings.

Man becomes a partaker of God’s nature – 1^st John 4:15-17;  2^nd Peter 1:3

Each of us having a new heart, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, a new spirit of faith, hope and love 2^nd Corinthians 5:17

Galatians 6:15

The Secret of a Happy Life

Text: Psalm 127:1

        Life is nothing without God. God created man with great aspiration to progress and move forward in all spheres of his endeavours. This desire had kept man labouring without ceasing. This restlessness and discontent generally develop themselves in man seeking outward escape from things, circumstances and miseries that can limit them. It is, however, regrettable that these man-made ways of escape generally carry us, as they did the Israelites out of one trouble, only to land us in another.

           Man’s effort will continue to be futile except he receives help from God. “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain” (Psalm 127: 1).

We are utterly helpless except we trust and depend on God for our life, direction and sustenance. David knew this and inspite of the various adversities he went through including the many attempts by King Saul to kill him, he depended on the Lord. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7). Our Lord Jesus authoritatively affirmed “…for without me, ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). Efforts of man can be ultimately successful only when they receive the favour of God. This is because “it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy” (Romans 9:16). You can overcome the current challenges of life you are going through only when you realize that God is turning the adversities and misfortunes of life Satan plans to choke you as stepping stones to climb the ladder of success in your life. What are your testimonies? Have you allowed the voice of Satan and his agents to overwhelm you with unbelief and doubt that you can never make it in your marriage, business, studies and in all endeavours of life? Now is the time to make an enduring decision to follow Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

          God wants us to depend on Him the Giver and Sustainer of man’s life. It is when a man discovers God and His saving power that the secret of a happy life can be revealed to him. When a sinner repents of his sins, he receives pardon and power to live successfully and happily in times of sorrows. You cannot live without God for Life without Christ is full of crises.             

Things to reflect/ponder on

• List some practical things that you need to do daily to show your dependence and trust in God and ask Him to empower you.

 Worthy of Praises

TEXT: Psalm 107:1, 8, 21, 31-32

An appreciative spirit is a sign of good conduct and attitude. Such attitude always attracts additional benefits. At whatever point in life, there is always something for which to be grateful unto God. The deliverance from the foolishness and negative effects of the sinful life, freedom from the afflictions of the wicked one, answers to prayers made to God in our times of sickness, trouble, distress, uncertainties and fear and the gracious salvation from eternal destruction should attract spontaneous gratitude from the depths of our hearts unto the great God. “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:21).  What shall we say of the wonders of His creation and the works of His hands which are daily manifest in the air, on land and in the deep waters. The whole realm of nature as beautifully made, are all under His firm control.  Fools may not appreciate God, but the discerning ought to. “And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving and declare his works with rejoicing”. (Psalm 107:22). 

            This is the time for us to look back in retrospect of all the dealings and doings of this wonderful God in our lives and raise up an altar of praise unto Him who is worthy of all praises and adoration. Think of His provision, protection, preservation and countless other blessings He has heaped upon you, the family, other brethren and the church. What a great God we serve who will never abandon His children no matter the challenges they face in life. Raise praises to God and make it a regular feature and pattern in your life as it attracts the presence and blessings of God into your life.

Things to reflect on.

Ponder on your blessings from the beginning of the year and have quality time to praise the Lord.