Title: A Heart Condition
Text: Ezekiel 11:19
Intro: Whenever you think of someone having a heart condition, you think of a person that is feeble, that has no strength, and the least bit of excitement could cause them to die.
There are Christians today that are in need of a heart transplant. They have no strength in their lives. They are spiritually feeble. They never have excitement about their relationship with God. One good AMEN could send them over the edge. There are many reasons for a Christian to have allowed their hearts to become hard and stony. But God says that if you would let Him that he would take that heart of stone out of your life and replace it with a heart of flesh.
I. A Heart of Stone
1. What is a Heart of Stone like.
A. Has no feelings for the things of God.
Exodus 35:21 And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD’S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.
B. Has no desire to push into God’s presence. They are satisfied with their life and have all of God they want.
- Their favorite songs are; “I’m in the Way” & “I Shall Not Be Moved”
- Their attitude is that of; “ It’s all just emotionalism”
- Their prayer is; “Come Lord, but not during my favorite T.V. program”
- Their Idea of Christian Love is; “Not chewing out the waitress for messing up their order.”
(She better be glad that I’m a Christian or I’d really let her have it)
- This is God’s idea of Christian Love
Matthew 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
Matthew 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
A Stony Heart is a heart that has trouble with love and forgiveness
C. It is hard work to sometimes get into the presence of God. The priest did not just walk into the holy of holies. They had several things they had to do before they could enter in.
- Many people have lost ability and desire to pray and seek God for a move of His Spirit.
- Many have lost the fire that burned for souls.
- Many have lost their desire to live holy lives.
- Many have given over to being Entertained rather than convicted.
2. Why do so many have Stony Hearts?
Clogged Arteries & Plaque Build-up
A. Compromise
- What use to be wrong no longer seems so bad
- Like the parent that always gave into child because no desire to bring child under subjection; it is just to much trouble.
ILL. Commitment:
Sitting majestically atop the highest hill in Toledo, Spain, is the Alcazar, a 16th-century fortress. In the civil war of the 1930s, the Alcazar became a battleground when the Loyalists tried to oust the Nationalists, who held the fortress. During one dramatic episode of the war, the Nationalist leader received a phone call while in his office at the Alcazar. It was from his son, who had been captured by the Loyalists. The ultimatum: If the father didn’t surrender the Alcazar to them, they would kill his son. The father weighed his options. After a long pause and with a heavy heart, he said to his son, "Then die like a man." Daily Walk, April 16, 1992
- Compromise is another way of saying “backsliding
B. Complacent
- In our Walk
- In our Service
“Everybody waited for somebody to do what needed to be done;
Anybody could have done what needed to be done;
So as Everybody waited on Somebody to do it, Nobody want up doing what needed to be done.”
ILL. Someone once told a teenager that the greatest problem he faced was complacency. He responded, "Who cares?"
- A Father Of A Teenager Bill Gordon
C. Condemnation
- There are many Christians that have lived their lives in Christ beat down and discouraged, because of their past.
- They become tired; Fatigued from satans continued attacks of: “Guilt,” “Fear,” & “Doubt”
- They can not understand what Christ meant when He said:
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
- God does not expect us to get forgiveness of our sins and then pay penitence for them by carrying them around for the rest of our lives like some “Scarlet Letter”.
- Got to learn to take out the trash
II. A Heart Of Flesh
What is it like for God to give you a heart of flesh?
1. A heart of flesh is excited/ Stirred by the anointing of God.
- Knows what in means to “enter into his gates…”
- Knows the rush of the Spirit as it flows over you
2. A heart of flesh is always growing
- Never satisfied with yesterdays anointing
- Keeps a fresh vision before him of:
(Touching God)
(Touching others)
3. A heart of flesh knows how to keep plaque from building-up
- By staying close to God
Psalms 63:8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
- By keeping a holy passion
1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
- By rising up and become an overcomer
Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
What does he mean?
- Who is Good?
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
- Overcome Satan with the power of Christ
1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
2 Corinthians 4:8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2 Corinthians 4:9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
