Good evening.  A couple of weeks ago we began this series that is focused on discovering the unique way that God has shaped me.  Last week we took a look at the spiritual gifts that God blesses people with when they become Christians.  We took a look at the “Who,” “What,” “When,” “Where,” “Why,” and “How” of spiritual gifts.  This evening, we make a move to the next letter in the word SHAPE, and we will discuss the Heart.

What do you think our hearts have to do with ministry and the way that God has shaped us?

Well, before we take a look at our hearts, and their importance, let’s open with a word of prayer.  Let’s Pray!

So, this evening we are talking about monitoring our heartbeat.  And I believe that the first thing that we have to realize, is that the heart is the seat and the whole of the inner man.  The most in-depth point of a person’s spiritual life.  What do you think I mean by that statement?

Well, I believe that it is like this: the heart is like the cockpit of the airplane.  It is the motivating force within us.  The heart helps to control our feelings, our desires, affections, and even our motives.  You see, the heart is the central point of the inner man, and it helps to define your spiritual life.

Now, I think that there are 4 things that we need to take a look at in order to get a proper understanding of the heart.

First, we need to take a look at the fact that your heart is the real you!

What is it that makes your heart the real you?

Each of us has a unique heartbeat.  Each person alive has a slightly different pattern.  Likewise, God has given each of us a unique emotional “heartbeat” that races when we encounter activities, subjects, or circumstances that interest us.  We instinctively feel deeply about some things and not so deeply about others.  There are just some things that we feel passionate about.  And I believe that some times, that is what God wants you to use in you ministry.

The Bible uses the term “heart” to represent the center of your motivation, desires, and inclinations.  In the King James version of the Bible in Proverbs 23:7 it says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”  You know, as I think about this verse, and the way that God has made each and every one of us, it is easy to understand that the heart is what can be used to define the real you.

Secondly, I believe that your heart is determined by 3 things.

First, your heart is determined by what you think about.  In Proverbs 23:7 again it says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.”  I think that one of the things that will lead you to the ministry that God has in mind for you is to realize what it is that you spend your time thinking about.

Secondly, your heart is determined by what you talk about.  Proverbs 24:1-2 says, “1”

Now, in this passage, notice that the heart is focused on violence, and their lips speak about making trouble.  Sometimes, it is our hearts that are in the wrong place.  God desires that we be focused on good, and that our hearts and our lips present that good.

Thirdly, your heart is determined by what you spend your money on.  We all know the familiar passage of Luke 12:34 when Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Take a look at what you spend your money on.  That will be a sure sign of where your heat is also.

Now, God’s desire for us when it comes to those 3 defining points of our lives is simple.  He wants us to be thinking about Him, talking about Him, and spending our money in a way that glorifies Him.

Now, once you realize what is in your heart, and what your heart is focused on, you will find that your heart determines at least 3 things about you.

What things do you think your heart determines about you?

Well first, it determines why you say the things you do.  Does anyone know of any passages of scripture that support that statement?

Well, in Matthew 12:34 it says, “…out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.”  Your heart will determine what you say.  If Christ is in your heart, then you will find that the things you say should be Christ-like.  However, many of us find ourselves slipping a little when it comes to what comes out of our mouths.  We claim to be Christians, while at the same time saying things that we know we shouldn’t be saying.  God calls us all use our mouths in a way that will show others Him.  And that is what we need to start doing more of.

Secondly, your heart determines why you feel the way you do.  Hebrews 4:12 says, “The Word of God…examines (or judges) the thoughts and attitudes (or motives) of the heart.”  Your heart, and the way that it is designed will cause you to feel the way that you do about things.  Now when we think about this in terms of our ministry that God has designed us for, we need to realize that what we feel strongly about, may be a way to use our spiritual gifts.  I don’t believe that God is going to give a person strong feelings about something, and then not have them use those feelings to accomplish something good for Him.

And then thirdly, our heart determines why you act the way you do.  I want you to notice the progression in this next passage.  Proverbs 4:23-27 says, “2”

Notice that your heart plays a role in the way that you act.  Your mouth, your eyes, your feet, it all starts with your heart.  The core, or the heart is the center of your being, out of which your life flows.  The heart affects and directs the rest of you life, and that includes the way that you act.  We need to remember the law of the mirror, and that states: we reflect what is on our hearts.

Now, the last thing that I want us to look at is this: God has given each person a unique “heartbeat.”

God has a purpose in giving you your inborn interests.  In fact, your emotional heartbeat reveals a very important key to understanding God’s design and intention for your life.  Every person is unique, and has a unique heart.  Psalm 139:13-14 tells us, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

God took time on each person, just as each snowflake is different, so is each person.  The Bible makes it very clear that your heart was designed by God, but it is also clear in the fact that it says that you make the choice to use it for good or for evil; for selfish purposes or for service.

You may have as James 3:14 says, “…selfish ambition in your heart…” or you may be able to do what Ephesians 6:6 says when it says to, “Do the will of God from your heart.”  The choice is yours.

Now, as we close this evening, I want to encourage you to take your own heart test.  If you are like most people, you have never taken time to sort out and identify the things you are good at and motivated to accomplish.  As a result, it is unlikely that you use these talents as completely or effectively as you could.  One of the keys to understanding your heartbeat is to look at some of the things that you love to do.  Doing this test may also lead you to what it is that God has in plan for you to take on as your ministry.  So, take a look at this test with me as we close this evening.

Step 1:  List and describe those things you have done well and enjoyed since childhood.

Here is an idea of some things to include in this section: accomplishments at home, school, work, sports, etc., things you enjoy doing, things that you believe you do well.  Make sure that you forget what others might think about your answers.  These are YOUR answers.

Remember, you’re recalling things that you enjoyed and did well, not simply pleasant memories or experiences.  So go ahead and take a few minutes to do that.  List and describe the things that you have done well, and the things that you enjoy doing.

(Take a couple of minutes.)

Step 2:  Discover the “Loves” of your heart.

Examine your answers for a common motivational thread.  See if you can find one of the loves listed to match to your answers on the previous step.  Remember, these are all God-given motivations.  They are only sinful when used selfishly.  Every one of these can be used in effective ministry.  Don’t be embarrassed to identify a basic heartbeat that doesn’t “SEEM” to be spiritual.  In fact, almost every one of these that we are about to look at can be identified in the ministry of one of the 12 Apostles.

Now, the motivations are:

Design/Develop – Maybe you love to make something out of nothing.  You enjoy getting something started from scratch.

Pioneer – You love to test and try out new concepts.  You are not afraid of failure.

Organize – You love to bring order out of chaos.  You enjoy organizing something that is maybe already started.

Operate/Maintain – You love to effectively maintain something that is already organized.

Serve/Help – You love to assist others in their responsibilities.  You enjoy helping other people to succeed.

Acquire/Possess – You love to shop, collect, or obtain things.  You enjoy getting the highest quality for the best price.

Excel – You love to be the best and make your team the best as well.  You enjoy setting and attaining the highest standard.

Influence – You love to convert people to your way of thinking.  You enjoy shaping the attitudes and behaviors of others.

Perform – You love to be on stage and perform.  You enjoy being in plays, dramas, leading music, etc.

Improve – You love to make things better.  You enjoy taking something that someone else has designed or started and you like to improve it.

Repair – You love to fix what is broken or change what is out of date.

Lead/Be In Charge – You love to lead the way, oversee and supervise others.  You enjoy determining how things will be done.

Persevere – You love to see things to completion.  You enjoy sticking with something until it is finished.

Follow The Rules – You love to operate by policies and procedures.  You enjoy meeting the expectations of an organization or a boss.

Prevail – You love to fight for what is right and oppose what is wrong.  You enjoy overcoming injustice.

And finally, Other – Because it is possible that there is some other motivating factor that leads you to enjoying the things that you do.  All we hope is that it is for the right reasons.

Now, if you chose one or more of these motivation factors, you should be able to support your choice with examples from your achievements.  Remember this though, each of these motivations can be used for good, just as easily as they can be used of bad.  Please make sure that you are using your giftedness and the things that you enjoy doing for the proper reasons; to serve others, to serve God, and to build up the body of Christ.

Now, with the knowledge of what it is that you enjoy doing, and the motivating factor behind those things, hopefully we can all get a little closer to understanding our unique shape.  Because doing that will lead us to the unique ministry that God has designed for each of us.

So, if you remember just one thing from this evening, let it be this.  Find out what it is that you love, what you enjoy doing.  Then find our in what area you can use that “heartbeat” for the Lord.

Let’s Pray!