A Clean Heart
Andrew Strom passionately teaches that true holiness and victory over sin come not from legalistic striving but from living in the reality of Christ's righteousness within us, enabling believers to walk clean and free before God.
This sermon emphasizes the importance of total victory over sin by focusing on the need for deep repentance, faith in Jesus for righteousness, and maintaining a clean conscience before God. It highlights the transformation that occurs when individuals trust in Christ's righteousness and experience a true sense of cleanness before God, leading to a life of holiness and communion with Him.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The trap of legalism in holiness preaching
- The need for a supernatural cleansing beyond mere rules
- The goal: living in the cleanness of God and communion with Him
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II
- Scriptural foundation from 1 John on purity and sinlessness
- The reality of abiding in Christ and not sinning
- The call to experience a clean heart as preached by revival preachers
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III
- Historical examples: John Wesley and Charles Finney's clean heart experiences
- Justification by faith as a present reality removing guilt and condemnation
- Trusting in Christ's righteousness, not self, for holiness
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IV
- Romans 8 teaching on no condemnation in Christ
- Walking by the Spirit versus walking by the flesh
- Living in the reality of Christ within as the source of true holiness
Key Quotes
“The point of all this is that Christ is so in you, the hope of glory, that your life is so transformed, that you are so clean and so in communion with God that your life is utterly changed.” — Andrew Strom
“Whosoever is born of God does not commit sin, for his seed remains in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God.” — Andrew Strom
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.” — Andrew Strom
Application Points
- Trust fully in Christ's righteousness within you rather than your own efforts to be holy.
- Seek to live by the Spirit daily, embracing the freedom from condemnation promised in Scripture.
- Reject legalistic striving and instead pursue a deep, experiential relationship with God that brings true cleansing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have a 'clean heart'?
A clean heart means living in the reality of Christ's righteousness within us, free from the consciousness of sin and condemnation.
Is it possible for a believer to live without sinning?
According to 1 John 3 and the teaching of revival preachers, abiding in Christ enables believers to not commit sin, as Christ's life in them overcomes sin.
How does justification by faith relate to holiness?
Justification by faith is a present experience that removes guilt and condemnation, allowing believers to trust fully in Christ's righteousness rather than their own efforts.
What is the danger of legalism in holiness preaching?
Legalism traps believers into striving to keep rules without experiencing true transformation and the supernatural cleansing Christ provides.
How can I practically live in victory over sin?
By trusting in Christ living within you, walking by the Spirit, and embracing the reality of no condemnation as taught in Romans 8.