Scripture: Jeremiah 12:1-3a

C.I.: “The Heart of the Problem…”

We are involved in a series on Christian Morality. – Last week, Morality = “The Quality of being virtuous.”
Today we begin looking at specific aspects of morality- by discussing our “Attitudes.”

I. “…Is the Problem of the Heart”

A. Kinds of Hearts (i.e., “Attitudes”)

1. There are a number of things that can affect our heart towards God. Jesus warning in a parable…
a. To show some of the different types of hearts - Jesus used the parable of the sower (Mark 4).
1) Hard heart – (v. 15), “There are the ones who are beside the road – where the word is sown; when they hear it; immediately Satan comes and takes away the word sown in them.”
(i) Satan takes away our desire for the things of God – be replacing them with something else
(ii) (Heb. 3:13), “…encourage one another day after day- as long is it is called ‘Today,’…”
2) Troubled Heart – (v. 17), “…when affliction or persecution arises on account of the word…”
(i) Troubles arise in each life – those whose attitude sees only problems… runs!!!
3) Materialistic Heart – (v. 19), “…the worries of the world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the desire for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
(i) This is the person whose attitude is characterized by always wanting more - never enough!
(ii) Materialism is nothing more than faith – in a lesser god … money/things/stuff.
(iii) (I Tim. 6:10), “The love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, - and some by longing…”
(iv) (Matt. 6:21), “…for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

2. Yet the kind of heart/attitude we have – is the kind of attitude/heart we choose.
a. Some people excuse their attitude by blaming their circumstances, other people, or even God!
1) God made us with the ability to choose – (Gen. 1:26), “Let us make man in Our own image.”
2) (Titus 1:15), “To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled & unbelieving…”
3) ILLUST.: Man at the city gates – “What kind of people live in this city?…”
4) Outlook determines outcome! – “2 men looked through prison bars – 1 saw mud other saw stars!”

3. While we cannot control what happens to us – we can choose how we will respond to it.
a. Hard hearted … our choice – (Jn. 11:45-46, 53), “Many of the Jews who had come to Mary and beheld what He had done believed in Him. – But some of them went away to the P. and told them the things Jesus had done.’- …From that day on they planned together to kill Him.”
b. Troubled heart … our choice – (Heb. 10:32, 39), “Remember your former days, when after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of suffering … - We are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul.”
c. Materialistic heart … our choice – (Mk. 10:22; Lk. 19:8-9), “..he went away grieved because he was one who owned much property” – “Behold, Lord, ½ of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back 4x… ‘Today, salvation...

d. So…we are WHO we are – because this is precisely who we choose to be!!!

B. King of Hearts (Jesus & our heart, i.e., salvation)

1. Knowing that we get to choose our attitude – determines how we then choose to relate to JESUS!
a. Below are some choices – we should make regarding our heart/attitude towards Jesus…
1) Openness: (Acts 17:32), “Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, ‘We will hear you again concerning this.’”
2) Brokenness: (Acts 2:36-37), “‘Let all the house of Israel …’ – …pierced to the heart…”
3) Willingness: (Heb. 10:22), “Let us draw near with a sincere heart – in full assurance of faith
4) Submissive: (I Pt. 3:21), “Baptism now saves you – not the removal of dirt from the flesh….”
5) Singleness: (Phil. 3:13-14), “…one thing I do: forgetting… I press on towards the goal…!”
6) Tenderness: (Rom. 5:5), “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts thru the H.S…”
7) Closeness: (Eph. 3:17), “…Christ may dwell in your heart through faith.”
b. Remember…no excuses! – We either choose for these things to be true – we choose to walk away

C. Protecting Our Hearts (The Xn and their heart)

1. Once a person gives their whole heart to Jesus – we need to be vigilant in its care!
a. Our attitude/heart needs to be guarded…
1) (Pro. 4:23), “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”
2) We guard our attitude - by being careful what we allow into our hearts
(i) What we look at – (Pro. 6:24-25), “Stay away from the evil woman, - from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. – Do not desire her beauty in your heart.””
(ii) What we listen to – (Eccl. 7:5), “It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man – than for one to listen to the song of fools.”
(iii) What we think about – (Phil. 4:8), “Whatever is pure, whatever is honorable….”
3) If we dont guard what we allow into our hearts – we shouldn’t be surprised by what comes out
(i) (Mk. 7:21), “From out of the heart proceed, evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders..”

b. Our attitude/heart needs to be trained…
1) This begins at an early age (Pro. 22:6), “Train up a child…”
2) This training takes place – by teaching & correcting – (Eph. 6:4), “…bring up your children...
3) This training continues throughout our lives – (Mk. 12:30; Psa. 119:69), “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…” – “With all my heart I will observe Your teachings.”

c. Our attitude/heart needs to be shared…
1) (Mk. 12:31), “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
2) (Jer. 20:9), “If I should say, ‘I will not remember God or speak any more in His name,’ – then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire – shut up in my bones; - and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it.’”

CONCLUSIONS:

1. There may be some here today – who have never heard they had a choice – re: Attitudes or Jesus!
a. Today YOU get to choose both – your attitude & your relationship with God!
b. If you desire Jesus in your life – He said, “The one who has believed and…,” (Mk. 16:16).

2. There are perhaps a lot more in here – who have failed to choose a godly attitude.
a. Many have been brainwashed to believe – “Your attitude is determined by life’s circumstances!”
b. If you are ready to throw off this false belief – and clean up your stink’en think’en – but want help…!