Sermon Outlines . Volume 02 | Issue 11

Heart to Heart

By Michael Catt

These sermon outlines are taken from the sermon series “Heart to Heart” by Rev. Michael C. Catt. This series is a study in selected Psalms. Messages are available at SherwoodBaptist.net/bookstore.

HOW’S YOUR HEART
Psalm 4

  1. The Burdened Heart v. 1-3
    1. The PERSON “O God”
    2. The PROBLEM “my distress”
    3. The PROMISE “God of my righteousness”
    “godly”People who respond to the loving kindness of God.
    1. EXPERIENCE the loving faithfulness of God.
    2. EXPRESS a faithful love for God.
    3. ENJOY being set apart for God.
     
  2. The Adoring Heart v. 4-6
    1. The SELF SUFFICIENT v. 2
    2. The SANCTIFIED – response.
      1. Remember what GOD is doing. v. 3
      2. Remember to REVERENCE God. v. 4 “tremble”
      3. Remember to gain God’s PERSPECTIVE “meditate”
      4. Remember to WORSHIP v. 5
      5. Remember to WALK by faith. “trust”
      6. Remember to let God SHINE through you. v. 6
     
  3. The Glad Heart v. 7, 8
    If your heart is right, you will:
    1. BELIEVE – the Word of God Romans 10:9
    2. KNOW – the truth of God John 8:32
    3. ACCEPT -the Son of God 1 John 5:9-13
    4. LOVE – the people of God 1 John 5:12
    5. OBEY – the Spirit of God Romans 8:1
    6. WALK – in the will of God Romans 12:1, 2
    7. LOVE – the Lord your God Matthew 6:33
    “with ALL your HEART!”

WHEN YOUR HEART IS BREAKING
Psalm 13

  1. When Your Heart Is Breaking, God Wants You On Your Face. V. 1, 2
    Psalm 12 – David felt all ALONE.
    Psalm 13 – David felt even GOD had left him.
    1. David feels God has FORGOTTEN him.
      Andrew Fuller – “It is not under the sharpest, but the longest trials, that we are most in danger of fainting… When Job was accosted with evil tidings, in quick succession, he bore it with fortitude: but when he could see no end to his trouble, he sunk under them.”
    2. David feels God doesn’t CARE about him.
    3. David feels he must TAKE MATTERS into his own hands.
      “take counsel”
    4. David felt RESENTMENT for this trial.
     
  2. When Your Heart Is Breaking, God Wants You On Your Knees v. 3,4
    He turns from SORROW to SUPPLICATION.
    From ANXIETY to INTERCESSION
    1. David requests some CONSIDERATION. “O Lord, My God” – He is the God of PROMISE & POWER.
    2. David desires to be ENLIGHTENED.
     
  3. When Your Heart Is Breaking, God Wants You On Your Feet In Faith v. 5, 6
    A pronouncement of PRAISE
    A proclamation of FAITH
    The perspective of HOPE
    “Loving kindness” the God of PROMISE
    “Thy salvation” the God of POWER
    When the outlook is dark, it’s a good time to count your blessings.These books are great resources on this topic.
    “When Heaven Is Silent” Ron Dunn
    “In God’s Waiting Room” Lehman Strauss
    “On The Anvil” Max Lucado

THE APRIL FOOL’S HEART
Psalm 14; Psalm 53

  1. The Fool Speaks of God v. 1
    1. The THEOLOGICAL fool.
      “fool”
      Oswald Chambers – “A man never believes what Jesus Christ says about the human heart until the Holy Ghost gives him the startling revelation of the truth of His diagnosis. ” The theological fool denies the REALITY of God.
    2. The FUNCTIONAL fool.
      “in his heart…..there is no God”
      “God”
      The functional fool denies the REVELATION and RULE of the Lord. SOCIOLOGICAL problems are really SPIRITUAL problems. The essence of the problem is the condition of the human heart.
     
  2. God Speaks About The Fool v. 2-6
    The theological atheist doesn’t want God in GOVERNMENT, SCHOOL, or SOCIETY. The practical atheist doesn’t want God telling him how to LIVE, SPEND HIS TIME or MONEY. How do you know if you are a practical atheist?
    What does God see when He looks down from Heaven?
    1. Total DEPRAVITY v. 3 “not even one”Professor Edwin Conklin, Princeton University, biologist – ‘The probability of life originating from an accident is comparable to the probability of the unabridged dictionary resulting from an explosion in a printing factory.
    2. Total INSENSITIVITY v, 4 “Do the workers of wickedness not know”
      “wickedness”
      “know”
    3. Total HOSTILITY v. 4 “who eat up my people”
    4. Total INDIFFERENCE “and do not call upon the Lord”
    5. Total HOPELESSNESS v. 5 “they are in great dread”
     
  3. The Psalmist Speaks To Us v. 7
    1. Practice the PRESENCE of God. v. 5 “God is the righteous generation”
    2. Permit God to be your REFUGE v. 6 “The Lord is his refuge”
    3. Pray to the God of REDEMPTION v. 7; 1 Cor. 1:30

WHEN YOU’RE HAVING HEART TROUBLE
Psalm 25

If you were to read Psalms 22-25 in order, you would find the Psalmist in 4 postures:
In Psalm 22 – He is lying down, on his face crying out, “My God, why have You forsaken me?”
In Psalm 23 – He is walking with the Lord as his Shepherd.
In Psalm 24 – He is sitting and meditating on the greatness of God.
In Psalm 25 – He is kneeling before the Lord seeking God’s mercy in times of trouble.

  1. David Restates His Faith In The Lord. v. 1-7
    1. His prayer reflects his TRUST . “To Thee, O Lord”
    2. His heart is open to God’s WORD. v. 4, 5
    3. His mind recalls God’s FAITHFULNESS. v. 6, 7
    God is: faithful v. 3; truth v. 4, 5; my salvation v.5b; compassionate & loving v. 6; good and upright v. 8; keeps His covenant v. 10; forgiving v. 11; listening v. 14; gracious v. 16; able to save those who take refuge in Him v. 15, 20. 
  2. David Reminds Himself of God’s Patience. v. 8-15
    1. Patient with SINNERS. v. 8, 11
      1. Because He is UPRIGHT He can’t ignore sin.
      2. Because He is GOOD He can forgive us.
    2. Pleased by the HUMBLE.
    How does humility express itself before God?
    1. The humble are SUBMISSIVE. v. 10
    2. The humble know FORGIVENESS comes from God. v. 11
    3. The humble FEAR the Lord and FOLLOW. v. 12
    4. The humble experience the BLESSINGS of God. v. 13
    5. The humble enjoy FELLOWSHIP with God. V. 14
    6. The humble are delivered from the DECEPTIVE heart. v. 15
     
  3. David Reveals The Feelings of Troubled Hearts v. 16-22
    1. You and your feelings. What to do with them. Where to take them.
      1. Feelings of LONELINESS & AFFLICTION. The solution v. 16
      2. Feelings of STRESS & TENSION. The solution v. 17
      3. Feelings of FAILURE. The solution v. 18
      4. Feelings of FEAR. The solution v. 20
    2. Where should you focus your feelings?
      1. Let God KEEP what you can’t. v. 17, 21
      2. Look for ways to GIVE YOURSELF away. v. 22

WHEN YOUR HEART SKIPS A BEAT
Psalm 27

  1. Defining The Causes Of Fear
    1. NATURAL causes
    2. PSYCHOLOGICAL causes
    3. SPIRITUAL causes
     
  2. A Delight That Will Cure Our Fears v. 1-6
    1. See life from God’s PERSPECTIVE. v. l-3
      1. When the Lord is the light of our life – the light dispels DARKNESS.
      2. When the Lord is my salvation – the liberty delivers from DISTRESS.
      3. When the Lord is my defense – the life He gives defeats DEATH.
      “in spite of this I shall be confident”
    2. Live life with Biblical PRIORITIES. v. 4-6
     
  3. A Determination To Call On The Father v. 7-13
    1. The Father is ACCESSIBLE. v. 7-9
    2. The Father accepts us UNCONDITIONALLY. v. 10
    3. The Father is RELIABLE. v. 11-13
     
  4. A Declaration of Courageous FAITH.
    “wait”
    If you are FAITHLESS and FEARFUL.
    If you are FEARLESS and FAITHFUL.

IS YOUR HEART COMMITTED? Part 1
Psalm 37

  1. The Character of the Godless v. 1, 2
    1. Their description v. 1, 10, 35, 38
      1. They do things that make us ENVY them. v. 1
      2. They enjoy SUCCESS in what they do. v. 7
      3. They get away with MURDER. v. 12, 13
      4. They enjoy FAME, FORTUNE, POWER, PLEASURE. v. 12, 13
      5. They never pay for their DISHONESTY. v. 21
      6. They seem to get all the BREAKS IN LIFE. v. 35
       
    2. Their destiny v. 2, 9, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 28, 34, 38
      “they will be cut off’ 
    3. Our dilemma
      3 reasons you shouldn’t watch the wicked:
      1. You might ENVY THEM.
      2. You might BEGIN TO COVET WHAT THEY HAVE.
      3. You might – BEGIN TO THINK God is unfair.
     
  2. The Confidence of the Godly
    1. The duties of the godly:
      1. Trust GOD WHEN YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND. v. 3
      2. Do GOD WHEN OTHERS DON’T. v. 3
      3. Take a REST. v. 7
      4. Keep your COOL. v. 8
      5. Remember GOD keeps the books. v. 11
      6. Practice a GIVING SPIRIT. v. 21
      7. Watch your MOUTH. v. 30
      8. Watch your HEART. v. 31
      9. Watch your FEET. v. 31
     
  3. The Commands of God
    1. Do not fret – 3 times Psalm 73
      “fret”
      When God begins to balance the books, you will find Him.
      1. JUDGING SINS AND SINNERS
      2. PROTECTING HIS OWN
      What do you need to do to have a committed heart?
      1. Make sure Jesus is your SAVIOR.
      2. Make sure Jesus is your SOVEREIGN.
        1. Sovereign over your AFFECTIONS. Luke 14:22
        2. Sovereign over your OCCUPATION. Luke 14:27
        3. Sovereign over your POSSESSIONS. Luke 14:33

HEARTS AFIRE
Psalm 39

Introduction
When you are angry you can respond in one of four ways:

  1. REPRESSION – angry, but refuse to admit it.
  2. SUPPRESSION – indignant, but can’t let others know how angry I am.
  3. EXPRESSION – never hide feelings; no self control; venting.
  4. CONFESSION – there is a God I am accountable to.
  1. Silence v. 1-3
    1. RESOLVE v. 1a David resolves to:
      1. WATCH his ways.
      2. MUZZLE his mouth.
    2. RESTRAINT v. lb
      What comes out of us is what is in us.
    3. REACTION v. 2
    4. RESULT v. 3
     
  2. Speech v. 4-6
    1. PRAYER v. 4
      He talked to God
    2. PURPOSE v. 4
      “make me know my end”
    3. PHANTOM v. 6
      1. Life is BRIEF
      2. Life is FUTILE
     
  3. Submission v. 7-11
    What are you hoping for?
    1. His CONFIDENCE
    2. His REQUEST
    3. His ACCEPTANCE OF DISCIPLINE
     
  4. Supplication v. 12, 13
    Lord, don’t be DEAF to my prayers.
    Lord, let me SENSE your presence.
    Lord, let me REJOICE before I am no more.

CLEARING UP HEART CLOTS
Psalm 51

v. 10 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Introduction
Four times in the Psalms David uses the word “spirit” v. 10, 11, 12, 17

  1. Let God Renew A Right Spirit In You. 
  2. Walk In The Power Of The Holy Spirit. Hebrews 13:50; II Peter 1:3
    “sustain me with a willing spirit”How can God do this in us?
    1. Accept your personal RESPONSIBILITY.
      “cleanse ME” “create in ME” “restore ME” “wash ME”
    2. Accept God’s FORGIVENESS. 1 John 1:9
    3. Ask for FORGIVENESS.
    4. Forgive OTHERS. Matt. 6:12-15
    5. Accept what you cannot CHANGE.
     
  3. Understand The Benefits Of A Broken Spirit
    1. You’ll have a CLEAN HEART. v. 10
    2. You’ll have a STEADFAST SPIRIT. v. 10, 12
    3. You’ll experience a new ASSURANCE. v. 11
    4. You’ll display a new JOY. v. 12
    5. You’ll receive a new MINISTRY. v. 13
    6. You’ll enjoy A NEW ATTITUDE ABOUT WORSHIP. v. 14-16
    7. You’ll develop a new ATTITUDE. v. 17
    8. You’ll have a restored VISION. v. 18, 19

A Nation of Victims, author Charles Sykes wrote of America as a nation with an irresistible search for someone or something to blame colliding with the unmovable unwillingness to accept responsibility.

Against Thee and Thee only have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight -Until you can say it – and mean it – your heart will continue, to have clots that can one day break loose and destroy you.

THE HEART THAT NEVER SKIPS A BEAT
Psalm 57; I Samuel 23 & 24

  1. A Prayer In The Place of Disaster v. l-6
    1. God is our refuge v. 1
    2. God is the source of our resolve “Most High”
    3. God is our reward v. 3, 10
    John Phillips – “David personifies loving kindness and truth as two of God’s angels. They are seen by David as spirits sent forth to minister to those who are the heirs of salvation.” 
  2. Praise for Our Deliverance v. 7-11
    1. David’s desire
    2. David’s decision v. 7 Food for thought:
      1. Have you come to the point in your life where you really believe that ALL things work t together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
      2. Is there a situation in your life where you are more concerned about getting even, getting your way or getting out than God getting the glory? Are you more interested in getting even with your Saul or getting right with your God?
      3. Have you ever made a specific decision to trust Jesus Christ alone for your salvation?
      4. Are you willing today to settle your heart and take refuge in the Most High God? Are you willing to trust Him with your past, present and future? Are you ready to acknowledge that trust to others? “I will sing praises to Thee among the nations”.

A SMART HEART
Psalm 90

  1. The Immutability of God v. 1, 2 
  2. The Infirmity of Man v. 3-11
    1. The contrast between this present life and eternal life. v. 3-6
      1. God sets the LIMITS of our life.
      2. God sets the LENGTH of our life.
    2. The concern because of man’s sin and God’s wrath. v. 7-l 1
     
  3. The Intensity of Moses’ Prayer v. 12-17

The smart hearted person understands life from an eternal perspective. They view life in light of creation, fall, salvation, and coming glory. They then live their lives in light of these truths and number their days accordingly.

If you were to die today, would the Lord confirm the work of your hands? Would you have spent your life wisely, serving the Lord or foolishly serving yourself? Would God call you, right now, based on your choices and priorities, a smart hearted person?

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF YOU HAD YOUR LIFE TO LIVE OVER?

Why aren’t you doing something about that right now?

WHEN YOUR HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE
Psalm l19:1-18

Foundational Facts About The Psalm:

  1. GOD is mentioned in every verse. Implied in v. 121
  2. Jehovah is addressed by NAME 22 times.
  3. Every verse except verses 90, 122, 132, has a reference to THE WORD.
  4. The Psalmist uses PERSONAL PRONOUNS 325 times.
  5. The Psalmist refers to keeping the LAW 29 times.
  6. A person is known by what he HATES and what he LOVES.
  7. The central feature of the Psalm is the WORD.
  1. Discerning A Heart In The Right Place v. 7; Jeremiah 17:9,14
    In our hearts we (1) DISCERN (2) DESIRE (3) DECIDE WHAT IS RIGHT. 
  2. Desiring A Heart That Will Be In The Right Place
    “Blessed”
    This can be revealed in three ways:
    1. Your walk is BLAMELESS v. 1
    2. Your heart is SEEKING AFTER GOD v. 1
    3. You walk your TALK v. 3
    There are erroneous thinkers who believe they know more than God. Every person falls into one of these categories. Only one of them reflects a Biblical mindset.
    1. Modernists evaluate the Word on the basis of the LIMITED INTELLECT.
    2. Postmodernists believe there is no such things as ABSOLUTE TRUTH.
    3. The person with a right heart believes the Word of God is the REVELATION of God Himself.
     
  3. Developing A Heart That’s In The Right Place
    1. Practice what God has COMMUNICATED. v. 1 “law”
    2. Accept what God has REVEALED. v. 2 “testimonies”
    3. Follow what God has PROVIDED. v. 3, 15 “ways”
    4. Apply what God has DETAILED. v. 4, 15 “precepts”
    5. Obey what God has clearly STATED. v. 5, 8 “statutes”
    6. Do what God has COMMANDED. v. 6, 10 “commandments”
    7. Affirm what God has RULED. v. 7 “Thy righteous judgements”
    8. Believe what God has SAID. v. 9 “Thy Word”
    9. Claim what God has PROMISED.v. 11

THE HEART OF THE MATTER
Psalm 131

  1. A Word of Caution v. 1
    1. Three Negatives
      1. Not proud . . .
      2. Not haughty . . .
      3. Nor do I involve myself . . .
    2. Three Recognitions
      1. The Lord is SOVEREIGN, we are His creation.
      2. The Lord expects DEPENDENCE and OBEDIENCE.
      3. The Lord hates PRIDE because it denies our need of Him and destroys us.
     
  2. A Word of Contentment v. 2
    “composed”
    “quieted” 
  3. A Word of Confidence v. 3
    1. Reliance v. 3a SIN
    2. Rest v. 3b DEATH