Sermon Summary: “From Stone to Flesh: Receiving a New Heart from God”
Main Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26 – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
God desires to transform our hardened hearts into hearts that are soft, responsive, and alive to His Spirit. Today, we’ll explore what it means to have a heart of stone, why God wants to replace it, and how we can receive His transformation.
1. What Does It Mean to Have a Heart of Stone?
A heart of stone is hardened, unyielding, and resistant to God. This happens through:
- Unforgiveness (Genesis 27:41-43; Hebrews 12:15) – Bitterness makes our hearts cold.
- Emotional Hurt (Psalm 34:18) – Past pain creates walls that block God’s healing.
- Loss and Disappointment (Psalm 147:3) – Grief can cause us to grow distant from God.
📌 Application: Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there pain you need to surrender to God?
2. The Danger of a Hardened Heart
A heart of stone:
- Resists change and rejects God’s voice (Hebrews 3:15).
- Cannot produce spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).
🪨 Illustration: A rock cannot bear life—neither can a hardened heart.
3. God’s Promise: A Heart of Flesh
God’s solution is to replace our hardened hearts with one that is soft, responsive, and full of life.
- A Heart That Feels – Sensitive to God’s voice (Ezekiel 11:19).
- A Heart That Forgives – Extends grace, just as God forgave us (Ephesians 4:32).
- A Heart That Bears Fruit – Producing love, joy, peace, and more (Galatians 5:22-23).
📌 Application: A heart of flesh allows us to love, grow, and hear God clearly.
4. How to Receive a New Heart
God’s transformation is a gift, but we must respond:
- Surrender to God – Invite Him to renew your heart (Psalm 51:10).
- Let Go of the Past – Release pain and bitterness (Isaiah 43:18-19).
- Walk in the Spirit – Allow the Holy Spirit to shape you (Galatians 5:25).
Conclusion: Will You Let God Transform You?
God wants to remove your heart of stone and replace it with a heart that feels, forgives, and flourishes.
🔹 Call to Action: Pray for God to soften your heart. Surrender your hurts, unforgiveness, and past to Him.
📖 Closing Scripture: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)