Point of Grace Worship 10.3.21 Sermon Notes – “The Art of the Open Heart”

So much life-giving impact flows when a heart is open! It’s the way of Jesus!

Open hearts give away patience generously … because they’ve already been given so much by God.

1 Timothy 1 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Galatians 5 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control;

Colossians 3 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Open hearts see people … grace-fully! Open hearts are present … with a Jesus presence! Open hearts show compassion … praying and listening!

Open hearts give away patience generously … realizing so much has been given to them.

Why is impatience so natural and patience so hard?

Patience with God? With people? With circumstances? With ourselves?

Impatience may run deep in the human heart BUT patience runs deeper in the heart of God.

Exodus 34 “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished;

Hebrews 414 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

What now?

The Open Heart of Jesus for me and in me means I get to;

See people - gracefully,

Be present - with a Jesus presence,

Show compassion – listening and praying

Give away patience - that has already generously been given to me!

How could a group of people who lived like this change the world?

Prayer of the Week Jesus, I come to You now to be restored in my relationship with You today. Thank You Jesus for reconciling me to my Father in heaven who loves me very much. Thank You Spirit for filling me afresh with the very presence of Jesus. I receive You now and consecrate myself to You and Your purposes for me this day. I am Yours and You are mine.

Jesus, today I praise You for Your amazing grace towards me – Your unmerited favor that You continue to show me day in and day out. Your grace blows me away. Thank you! I specifically praise You for patience with me. You patiently love me when I act unlovable, You wait for me when I stray to other gods, You pursue me when I stand You up repeatedly, You keep calling me when I ignore You, choosing other interests over shared moments with You. I am so sorry and yet so thankful for Your patience with me. I now receive Your deep, personal and patient love for me. I love you Jesus … thank You! In this moment I rest in You and intentionally allow Your patient love to touch my soul, heal my heart, extinguish my rebellion, soften pride’s hardness, soak my lifelessness into living. Thank You for being compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness and for maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. (Exodus 34).

Jesus, I am the daily recipient of the blessings of Your Open Hearted love. I join You in the mission of revealing Your Open Heart to the world. I join You as Your missionary in my little part of the world making a “salt and light” difference in the lives of the people around me. Jesus with an open heart towards others I ask You to live through me; - so that I see people , really see them with grace filled eyes, - so that I am present, fully present with people ushering in a sense of Your presence with them, - so that I show compassion in real and tangible ways, - so that I give away patience today generously and abundantly.

I expectantly pray for You to do this in me and through me today! Amen

Resources for this Week

Here are some suggested readings for each day of this week. The Meditation Hints below may help you listen and receive all God has for you.

Mon – Exodus 34:4-14 Tue – 2 Corinthians 6:3-10 Wed – 2 Timothy 4:1-5 Thu – James 5:7-11 Fri – 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Sat - Colossians 1:9-14

Meditation Hints:

Solitude – Spend TWO minutes quietly alone. Take some deep breaths… Just be… “Holy Spirit, speak to me through Your Word! I rest in You!”

Scripture – Read the scripture slowly, out loud if possible, listen, reread, dwell, notice words & phrases you are drawn to & return there! Reflect on what you are noticing and where He is leading your thoughts.

Prayer – Have a conversation with God, “What are You saying to me, God?” Talk about what you notice is on your heart. Begin to own the “word of God” being revealed to you.

Finish - Spend TWO minutes again with God, resting and listening and being loved.