The Lord Knows Your Heart!

22nd Sunday after Pentecost, 10/20/24 Hebrews 4:12-13 The Lord Knows Your Heart! I. A truth that warns us II. A truth that warms us “Less is more.” I’ve heard that statement more than a few times lately. I usually hear it used by a national merchant that is advertising its low prices. You pay less but get more. I’ve also heard it used by those who are promoting the wise use of natural and finite resources. The less we use, the more we have. That statement seems to be nonsensical, unless you take into consideration its context. In other words, what are we talking about? What’s under consideration? I’ll come back to that point in a moment. This morning’s worship theme urges us to maintain proper priorities. But anyone who has tried to accomplish that endeavor realizes how difficult it is. We easily get things turned upside down in our lives. What’s urgent takes priority rather than what’s important. Even worse, our sinful nature is constantly in play, and it screams incessantly for us to put ourselves and what we want first. But as Christians, you know that your God establishes priorities for you. At first that sounds rather tyrannical, but it only makes sense. He’s the one who created you and he’s the one who has redeemed you. In a good and holy sense, you belong to him so that he can bless you now and forever. And that means what he thinks about you and what he knows about you are critically important. They really do matter, more than what anyone else thinks or knows about you. More than what you think or know about yourself. And he reveals that very truth to us this morning here in Hebrews 4. Earlier in this chapter, the writer assures us that real rest, true rest, spiritual rest, the only rest that matters, the rest we need most of all, comes only through the word of God. But rather than thinking of that word only as a helpful sedative that brings us rest, this portion of Hebrews 4 highlights the power of God’s word. It’s through his word that God reveals what’s in our hearts. The Lord knows your heart. Think about that truth for a moment. What’s your reaction? Are you thrilled or dismayed? The fact is, both can and should be true at the same time. It’s one of those truths from our God that works both ways, just like “less is more.” Let’s see how as we ponder this portion of God’s word this morning. I. I want you to consider for a moment how the use of words has changed. For instance, 500 years ago, for the vast majority of the people on the face of the earth, the only words you encountered were the ones you were hearing from or speaking to the person directly in front of you. If you were fortunate to be able to read and even more fortunate to have a book to read, you might read some words each day, but most people didn’t. Since you didn’t encounter words that often, every one of them mattered. Now consider how things have changed regarding words. You encounter too many words each day to pay attention to most of them. You see them, hear them, speak them, but there are so many of them, that they tend to decrease in importance. Even worse, you know how true it is that too many people speak words only because they want you to believe that what they are saying is true. Which means you need to be constantly vigil and discerning regarding every word you see, hear, and read. But you only have so much time. You only have so much energy. And so, for our own wellbeing, we push words aside. We choose not to pay attention to them. And usually, there aren’t any negative consequences. They’re just words. But this morning the Lord Jesus is speaking his words to us. And here’s a truth I want you to ponder: The only true God—our God—does not separate himself from his word. The only way we know our God is through his word. And our immediate response is, “That’s great! We have his word right now. We’re listening to it. How fortunate we are!” But listen what the Lord says about his word, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Ponder those words once more. Do they fill you with the warm fuzzies, or do they make you squirm uncomfortably? God’s word is a double-edged sword. The word used here for “sword” is one that is short, and very easy to handle. It cuts fast and cleanly. It divides, right down to the bare bones. In other words, God’s word is not some topical treatment; it cuts right down to what matters, what matters to him. It also penetrates or pierces. Recall the dishonesty of Gehazi in today’s First Reading. Gehazi proceeded with his greedy attempt, wrongly thinking that he was the only one who knew what he was doing. God penetrated his rouse with the bunker-buster of his word. Boom! And Gehazi was exposed. The writer shares one more characteristic of God’s word with us: it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. We live in a society that opposes judgment from others with every fiber of its being. Modern society insists on the right to think and feel as I please. It allows no one to tell me what’s right or wrong. That’s for me to decide. Not so! Even when we end up saying and doing the right thing, if our thoughts or attitudes at any point were sinful, God holds us accountable. His word judges. I’ve become accustomed to look for security cameras just about everywhere I go. For two reasons. One, I want to be secure. I want anyone who is thinking about harming me to know that someone is watching. Two, when I see a security camera, I’m extra careful about what I say and do. I don’t need any help convincing anyone that I’m not so wonderful all the time. Are you listening to the word of God? Do you read it and ponder it on your own from time to time? I hope so. If not, subscribe to our synod’s daily e-devotion. They’re excellent! But be ready! Ready? For what? For God’s word to divide, penetrate, and judge you. I realize that might be reason enough for you not to do what I just encouraged you to. But I want you to know this. Rather, your Lord wants you to know this: He knows your heart. And that’s an uncomfortable truth. Honestly? It’s very uncomfortable. You mean that God knows not only what I say and do, but also what’s in my mind and heart? Indeed. He does. And if that doesn’t make you uncomfortable, you’re not listening to what he says here. You’re viewing God’s words as if they were just a few of the hundreds of thousands of words you see and hear every day. Instead, take his words to heart. The Lord knows your heart. I know that no one likes to hear a preacher go on and on. But I’m also guessing that you don’t want me to stop preaching right now. Not right yet. Because if I do, you’ll leave these friendly confines feeling miserable about the truth that the Lord knows your heart. What a warning! II. But recall how I began this sermon. I spoke about how a statement can mean two things. And that’s true of this truth: the Lord knows your heart. There’s also a comforting side to that truth. Let me give you an example. Have you ever done something nice, something wonderful, something helpful to someone, but that person took it the wrong way? Maybe they told you in a very hurtful way to mind your own business. Maybe they accused you of sinful motives for doing what you did. Perhaps they even accused you of doing so only to make yourself look good in front of others. I’m sure it’s happened to you. It’s happened to me. How did you deal with it? I suppose we could go around the room and have everyone who is willing share their experience and fill us in. That might be helpful. Or we can listen to what our God says with the guarantee that it will be helpful. Are you ready to hear what God says? The Lord knows your heart. The One who matters most knows the truth. He knows what you intended, and it pleases him. On the other hand, when our motives aren’t so pure, when the double-edged sword of God’s word cuts us to the heart, the most important truth to remember is the same one: The Lord knows your heart. And your heart, by his grace, through the working of the Holy Spirit, has been washed clean by the blood of Christ. Your heart is pure by faith in Jesus. In fact, the entire YOU is righteous or holy before God. You have the holiness of Jesus. You have the holiness that God requires. That holiness fills your God with pleasure over YOU. The Lord knows your heart. That truth warms us! You wouldn’t know it by the English translation, but the first word of our sermon text in Greek is the word “living.” In other words, the sentence reads, “Living is the word of God.” Most people in our world today have no use for the word of God. Some even make it their goal in life to malign it. But that doesn’t change the fact that the word of God is living. It has made you spiritually alive. You have life with God through his word. That’s the most important life there is. In the end, it’s the only life that matters. Today we’re focusing on Christian priorities. Focus on what matters. I’m sure you don’t despise the word of God, at least not consciously. You know how important it is. That’s one of the reasons you’re listening to it right now. But I urge you to move it up on your priority list. Don’t let a day pass without pondering the love Jesus displayed for you when he offered his life on the cross for you. Don’t let a day pass without rejoicing inwardly in the resurrection of Jesus. Because he rose from the dead, today, tomorrow, and forever are certain for you. Don’t let a day pass without appropriating the saving truth that the holiness of Jesus, in spite of your daily sins, is yours by faith in him. By the grace of God, that’s what’s in your heart. And the Lord knows it. That’s what he’s done for you. How will you show him how much it means to you? Make it your highest priority! Amen.