Jesus is a Leader Worth Following

Pure in heart

Series: The Beatitudes – seven

Matt Kowalewski

Sunday Morning Message – 31st May 2026Citywest Church YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXm-MG_g2SQ

Overview:

Jesus is a leader worth following because He alone gives us a new heart, teaches us to live with an undivided devotion to God, and leads us into true life. As we surrender our hearts to Him, He transforms and refines us, helping us recognize His presence and faithfulness until the day we see Him fully.

Leader:

Please choose what best suits your group and fits your available time. This discussion is a little longer, so you do not need to cover every question. Feel free to create your own questions that better suit your group. Select two or three areas to focus on.

Have fun, Jesus people!

Discussion Time

Opening Question - What is one person, leader, or voice that has influenced your life? What made them worth following?

Read Together - Matthew 5:8

Today we're exploring Jesus' words: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

Our theme is simple:

Jesus is a leader worth following.

We live in a world full of competing voices. Politics, money, success, comfort, and security all promise peace and happiness. Yet many of the things we place our trust in can feel uncertain or unstable. Jesus offers something deeper: Life with God, peace beyond circumstances, hope that lasts and joy that cannot be taken away.

As Jesus says in John 10:10:

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Discussion Questions                            (Leader – Choose what works for your group)

1. What are some of the strongest competing voices for our trust and attention today?

2. Why do you think people are drawn to things like success, comfort, or security?

3. In what ways have you found Jesus to be a firm foundation during uncertain times?

Pure in Heart

When we hear the word pure, we often think of morality or good behaviour.

But the Greek word Jesus uses is katharos, meaning: Undivided, unmixed, wholehearted

The picture is not perfection but devotion, Jesus is talking about a heart fully aligned toward God.

The heart in Scripture refers to:

• Our thoughts

• Our desires

• Our emotions

• Our will

Read and discuss Psalm 24:3-4

This text connects purity of heart with not trusting in idols and an idol is anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts.

Discussion question

What are some modern-day idols that compete for our devotion?

Are there areas of your life where you feel pulled between following Jesus and trusting something else?

Leader - Examples might include Money, Success, Relationships, Comfort, Control, Security

Purity of heart is not pretending to be perfect. It is surrendering our whole selves to God.

Jesus Gives Us a New Heart

Discussion question

Why is it important that transformation begins with God's grace rather than our effort?

The challenge is obvious:

Purity means wholehearted devotion to God, none of us do that perfectly. That is why the Gospel is such good news. Jesus is the only person who perfectly lived this beatitude through His life, death, and resurrection, we are made new.

Read and discuss - John 3:3 "No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."

And Ezekiel 36 promises: "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you."

Transformation begins with God's work before it becomes our response, and God changes us from the inside out. Like soil being prepared before seed is planted, God often softens and prepares our hearts before growth begins.

Discussion Questions                            (Leader – Choose what works for your group)

Looking back, how have you seen God soften or prepare your heart?

How have you experienced the Holy Spirit leading or changing you?

Walking With God

Christianity is not just believing in Jesus. It is learning to walk with Him.

Remember God speaks through:

• Scripture

• The Holy Spirit

• His people

The Jewish idea of Shema teaches that hearing and obeying are inseparable. To truly hear God is to respond. Jesus calls us to a life of continual repentance—not simply feeling sorry but turning and walking in a new direction.

Following Jesus is a daily journey of learning to trust Him and lean into His leading.

Discussion Questions                            (Leader – Choose what works for your group)

1. How do you most often hear God speaking to you?

2. What makes obedience difficult at times?

3. Can you share a time when saying "yes" to God led to growth in your life?

God Refines Us

The Bible often compares God's work in us to refining gold. Trials and difficulties can reveal what we are truly trusting in. While we may not understand every hardship, we can trust that. God works in us through trials.

Read and discuss - 1 Peter 1:6-7

God does not abandon us in suffering. Instead, He often uses difficult seasons to deepen our dependence on Him and strengthen our faith.

Discussion Questions                            (Leader – Choose what works for your group)

How have difficult seasons shaped your faith?

Have you ever learned something about God through hardship that you could not have learned any other way?

The big time promise - See God

Jesus promises: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

As we walk with God, we begin to recognize:

• His presence

• His guidance

• His faithfulness

• His work in others

Read and be encouraged by Psalm 23

"Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life."

Sometimes we see God's hand most clearly when we look back. As we mature in faith, our eyes become more attuned to His activity around us.

One day we will see Him fully, when all things are made new.

Discussion Questions

Where have you seen God at work recently?

Can you think of a time when you recognized God's faithfulness only in hindsight?

Conclusion

Jesus' invitation is not perfection - It is surrender.

As we surrender our hearts to Him, He transforms us, refines us, and opens our eyes to see Him at work.

Final Reflection Questions                   (Leader – Choose what works for your group)

1. If you have not yet fully surrendered your life to Jesus, what might be holding you back?

2. For those already following Him, what is one area of your life that God may be asking you to surrender more fully?

3. What is one practical step you can take this week to walk more closely with Jesus?

Prayer

Spend some time in prayer together.

Ask God to:

• Reveal any divided loyalties in your heart.

• Help you trust Him more deeply.

• Open your eyes to see His presence and work around you.

• Give you courage to surrender whatever He is calling you to lay before Him.

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