The Stony Heart
E.A. Johnston explains how God transforms a hardened, stony heart into a tender heart of flesh through the regenerating work of grace and the new birth.
In 'The Stony Heart,' E.A. Johnston explores the biblical promise of God to transform hardened hearts through His grace and the new birth. Drawing from Ezekiel, Johnston vividly illustrates the spiritual condition of a heart dominated by sin and the miraculous change God brings by replacing a heart of stone with a heart of flesh. This sermon encourages believers to embrace God's regenerating power and live sensitively to His Spirit.
Full Transcript
In the Word of God we read in Ezekiel 11 and 19, as it declares, And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. And I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh. This verse, friends, speaks of the work of grace that God wroughts in the heart through regeneration by the new birth, whereby He takes the heart of stone and makes it a heart of flesh, sensitive to His spirit.
Here now is my little poem. It is entitled The Stony Heart. Where sin remains in power, self sits upon the throne, Though beating by the hour, the heart is still a stone.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Condition of the Stony Heart
- Sin's dominion hardens the heart
- Self rules as king over the soul
- The heart beats but remains unresponsive
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II. The Promise of God’s Transformation
- God will give a new heart and spirit
- The stony heart will be removed
- A heart of flesh will be given
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III. The Work of Regeneration
- Grace wrought by God in the heart
- The new birth brings sensitivity to the Spirit
- Transformation from hardness to tenderness
Key Quotes
“And I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh.” — E.A. Johnston
“Where sin remains in power, self sits upon the throne, Though beating by the hour, the heart is still a stone.” — E.A. Johnston
“This verse, friends, speaks of the work of grace that God wroughts in the heart through regeneration by the new birth.” — E.A. Johnston
Application Points
- Examine your heart for areas hardened by sin and invite God to soften them.
- Trust in God's promise to renew your spirit through the new birth.
- Cultivate sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s guidance in daily life.