The Growth of a New Heart

The Reasons for Maintaining One’s Heart

I. The Existence of the New Heart:

A. The Need for a New Heart (Jn. 4:21-24)

B. The Gift of a New Heart (Ezek. 36:25-28)

C. The Disposition of the New Heart (Eph. 4:24b; Rom. 5:5)

II. The Maintaining of the New Heart

A. The Call to Maintain One’s Heart (Prov. 4:23)

B. The Growth of the New Heart (1 Pet. 2:1-3)

Does the New Heart Grow?

! The Fact of Growth (1 Tim. 3:6)

" new convert (neophutos) neophyte, newly planted, novice, beginner

! The Trajectory of Growth (1 Jn. 2:12-14)

! The Sustenance That Drives Growth (1 Pet. 2:1-3)

The Book of 1 Peter

The Growth of the New Heart

I. Our Obligation – The Demand (2:1)

A. The Call for Us to Undress (2:11-3)

B. The Old Clothes We Must Cast Away (2:14-15

)

! malice wickedness, evil intent

! guile craftiness or treachery

! hypocrisy pretense or outward show

hypokrites (actor); hypokrisis (acting)

! envy ill-will, malice

! slander evil speech, defamation

II. Our Need – The Word (2:2a-b)

A. The Nature of Our Need (2:2a)

! long for crave

{The Hindering of This Need}

B. The Nature of the Word (2:2b3-8)

! of the word spiritual (logikos)

! pure without guile, without deceit; undiluted or unmixed

III. Our Intent – Growth (2:2c)

IV. Our Motivation – God’s Kindness (2:3)

! tasted to taste or to experience

! kindness good

“These very clear distinctions identify 3 stages of spiritual growth in God’s family.

‘Fathers,’ the most mature, have a deep knowledge of the Eternal God. The pinnacle of

spiritual maturity is to know God in His fullness (cf. Phil. 3:10). ‘Young men’ are those

who, while not yet having the mature experience of knowing God in the Word and

through life, do know sound doctrine. They are strong against sin and error because they

have His Word in them. Thus they overcome the wiles of the devil, who makes havoc of

children (cf. Eph. 4:14). Since Satan’s efforts are in falsehood and deception, they have overcome him. ‘Little children’ are those who have only the basic awareness of God and

need to grow. All are in God’s family and manifest Christ’s character at different levels.”

The MacArthur Study Bible.