Embracing Total Renewal: A New Heart in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: God Gives Us a New Heart and Spirit

God promises not to simply repair our brokenness, but to completely replace our old, stubborn hearts with new hearts that are alive and responsive to Him. This transformation is not about self-improvement or patching up what is damaged, but about receiving a brand new heart and spirit through His power. When we surrender to God, He removes our heart of stone and gives us a heart of flesh, making us His people and filling us with His Spirit so we can truly walk in His ways. [29:54]

Ezekiel 36:25-27 (ESV)
"I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: Where in your life do you sense you’ve been trying to “duct tape” your heart instead of letting God give you a new one? What would it look like to fully surrender that area to Him today?

Day 2: Our Hearts Are Deceitful and Need God’s Renewal

The human heart, left to itself, is desperately sick and deceitful, unable to be truly understood or fixed by our own efforts. Only God can diagnose the true condition of our hearts and provide the radical transformation we need. We must recognize our need for a new heart, not just a cleaned-up version of the old one, and invite God to do His renewing work within us. [33:46]

Jeremiah 17:9 (ESV)
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?"

Reflection: In what ways have you tried to “fix” your own heart or justify your actions, rather than bringing your true condition before God for His renewal?

Day 3: God Acts for His Glory, Not Our Worthiness

God’s work of salvation and renewal is not based on our merit or worthiness, but on the glory of His own holy name. Just as He restored Israel for the sake of His reputation, He saves and transforms us to display His faithfulness and holiness to the world. Our restarts and new beginnings are rooted in God’s character, not our performance, and we are called to live in a way that honors His name. [34:44]

Isaiah 48:11 (ESV)
"For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another."

Reflection: How does knowing that God saves and renews you for His glory—not your own—change the way you approach your relationship with Him and with others?

Day 4: Baptism Symbolizes Death, Burial, and Resurrection into New Life

Baptism is more than a ritual; it is a powerful symbol of dying to our old selves and being raised to new life in Christ. Going under the water represents our burial with Jesus, and coming out of the water signifies resurrection and the beginning of a new life empowered by the Holy Spirit. This act is a public declaration that we are no longer defined by our past, but are now new creations in Christ. [38:14]

Romans 6:3-4 (ESV)
"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Reflection: If you have been baptized, how does remembering your baptism encourage you to walk in newness of life today? If you haven’t, what is holding you back from taking this step of faith?

Day 5: The Holy Spirit Empowers Us to Live a New Life

Receiving a new heart means receiving the Holy Spirit, who not only gives us a new identity and belonging but also empowers us to live out God’s purposes. Like a powerful smartphone with many features, the Holy Spirit offers us guidance, healing, teaching, and comfort—far beyond what we often access. We are invited to stop living in our own strength and instead rely on the Spirit’s power to experience the fullness of life God intends. [45:49]

Romans 8:9 (ESV)
"You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been relying on your own strength instead of the Holy Spirit’s power? How can you invite the Spirit to lead you in that area this week?

Sermon Summary

September marks a season of restarts—a time when routines shift, school resumes, and the rhythms of life change. In this season, God invites us to experience a deeper kind of restart, one that goes beyond schedules and routines. Through the words of Ezekiel, God promises not just a fresh start, but a total transformation: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.” This is not about patching up what’s broken or polishing what’s old. It’s about God removing our hearts of stone—cold, stubborn, and unresponsive—and giving us hearts of flesh, alive and responsive to Him.

This promise, first given to Israel, is fulfilled in Christ for us today. God’s work of renewal is not because we deserve it, but for the sake of His holy name. Just as a company recalls a faulty product to protect its reputation, God acts to vindicate His name, showing mercy and faithfulness even when we fall short. Our salvation is not earned by our efforts or righteousness, but is a gift of God’s mercy, washing us clean and making us new.

Baptism is a powerful symbol of this transformation. It’s not just a ritual or a sprinkling, but a burial and resurrection—a public declaration that the old has passed away and the new has come. In Christ, we are not simply improved versions of ourselves; we are new creations. God doesn’t just clean up our mess; He replaces our old, deceitful hearts with new ones, filled with His Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is not just a passive presence in our lives, but an active power, equipping us to live in newness and fullness. Like a smartphone with endless capabilities, the Spirit offers us far more than we often realize—guidance, healing, teaching, and comfort. Yet, we often settle for less, trying to patch up our lives with spiritual “duct tape” instead of embracing the fullness of what God offers.

No matter where you are—whether you feel numb, burdened, or far from God—He offers you a new heart today. This is not about religion or self-help, but about surrendering to Jesus, who alone can make all things new. Lay down your regrets, your weariness, and your attempts to fix yourself. Let God restart your story with a new heart and a new spirit.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Renewal Is Total, Not Superficial God does not merely patch up our brokenness or polish our old selves. He promises a complete heart transplant, removing our hearts of stone and giving us hearts of flesh—alive, responsive, and open to His Spirit. This transformation is foundational to true spiritual renewal and cannot be achieved by self-effort or religious routine. [33:46]
2. Salvation Is Rooted in God’s Character, Not Our Worthiness God’s act of saving and renewing us is not a response to our merit, but a demonstration of His faithfulness and the holiness of His name. Like a company protecting its reputation, God acts for the sake of His glory, showing mercy even when we have failed. This truth humbles us and shifts our focus from self-justification to gratitude for His grace. [34:44]
3. Baptism Symbolizes Death, Burial, and Resurrection Baptism is more than a ritual; it is a vivid picture of dying to the old self and rising to new life in Christ. Going under the water represents burial, and coming out signifies resurrection and newness of life. This act is a public declaration that we are not just cleaned up, but made entirely new in Jesus. [38:14]
4. The Holy Spirit Empowers a Life Beyond Self-Improvement Receiving the Holy Spirit is not about becoming a better version of ourselves, but about living a Spirit-filled life that is empowered, guided, and transformed from within. The Spirit offers us gifts and abilities far beyond what we can achieve on our own, inviting us to move from self-reliance to Spirit-dependence. [45:49]
5. God’s Invitation Is for the Weary, the Numb, and the Broken No matter how heavy, numb, or calloused our hearts may feel, God’s promise remains: “I will give you a new heart.” He invites us to lay down our burdens, regrets, and failed attempts at self-repair, and to receive the newness only He can give. This is not about religion or self-help, but about surrendering to Jesus and letting Him restart our story.

** [49:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[27:16] - September: A Season of Restart
[28:41] - Praying for Renewal and Outreach
[29:54] - God’s Promise in Ezekiel: A New Heart
[31:50] - Fulfillment in Christ: Washed and Made New
[32:39] - The Limits of Self-Repair
[33:46] - Israel’s Heart Problem and God’s Solution
[34:44] - God Acts for His Name’s Sake
[36:32] - The Meaning of Baptism
[38:14] - Baptism: Death, Burial, and Resurrection
[39:44] - New Creation, Not Self-Improvement
[40:37] - The Heart Transplant: More Than a Clean-Up
[42:13] - Living with a New Heart
[43:33] - Spirit-Filled Life vs. Self-Empowered Life
[44:08] - The Holy Spirit: Power and Possibility
[45:49] - Embracing the Fullness of the Spirit
[46:42] - Invitation to Receive a New Heart
[47:58] - God’s Offer to the Weary and Numb
[49:39] - Renewal for the Believer
[50:13] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[54:14] - Announcements and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ezekiel 36:22-28 (ESV) — “Therefore say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. And I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord GOD, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.”

Romans 6:3-4 (ESV) — “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

Titus 3:5 (ESV) — “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”

Observation Questions

According to Ezekiel 36:26, what does God promise to do with our hearts?
In Romans 6:3-4, what does baptism symbolize about our old and new life?
What reason does God give for acting to save and renew His people in Ezekiel 36:22-23?
In the sermon, what are some examples given of trying to “patch up” or “duct tape” our lives instead of letting God make us new? ([32:39])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important that God’s renewal is described as a “heart transplant” rather than just a repair or a clean-up? How does this change the way we think about spiritual growth? ([33:46])
The sermon says God acts “for the sake of His holy name” and not because we deserve it. How does this truth affect our understanding of grace and our relationship with God? ([34:44])
Baptism is described as more than a ritual—it’s a picture of death, burial, and resurrection. What does this mean for someone who has been baptized or is considering baptism? ([38:14])
The Holy Spirit is compared to a smartphone with endless capabilities, but we often use only a small part of what He offers. What are some ways believers might be “settling for less” in their spiritual lives? ([45:49])

Application Questions

The sermon talks about God giving us a new heart, not just fixing the old one. Is there an area in your life where you’ve been trying to “patch things up” instead of letting God make you new? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him? ([32:39])
God’s renewal is a gift, not something we earn. Do you ever find yourself trying to “earn” God’s favor or approval? How can you remind yourself this week that your salvation is rooted in God’s character, not your performance? ([34:44])
Baptism is a public declaration of dying to the old self and rising to new life. If you have been baptized, how does this truth shape your daily choices? If you haven’t, what questions or hesitations do you have about it? ([38:14])
The Holy Spirit offers guidance, healing, teaching, and comfort. Which of these do you most need right now? How can you intentionally invite the Spirit to work in that area this week? ([45:49])
The sermon invites those who feel numb, burdened, or far from God to receive a new heart. Have you ever felt spiritually numb or worn out? What steps can you take to lay down your regrets and let God restart your story? ([49:39])
The pastor mentioned that sometimes we try to live the Christian life with “spiritual duct tape.” What are some practical ways you can move from self-reliance to Spirit-dependence in your daily walk? ([43:33])
God’s promise is for everyone, no matter how far they feel from Him. Is there someone in your life who needs to hear about God’s offer of a new heart? How can you reach out to them this week? ([49:39])

Sermon Clips

At one point, we have to decide that I have to stop repairing this. You know, and this is the story of my life. I am the duct tape mechanic. Like, I fix everything with duct tape. And now they got all kinds of different colored duct tape. I can actually match the color to what I'm working on. And so it looks better. But eventually, there comes a time that duct tape's going to quit fixing it. And I have to break down and replace it. And so this is what God's telling Israel is, I'm going to replace your hearts. I'm not going to rebuild it. I'm going to replace it. [00:32:50] (44 seconds) #ReplaceDontRepair

Salvation isn't about polishing up the old person. You've been made brand new when you've been saved. Forgiveness isn't God ignoring your mess either. We can be forgiven, but God's still not going to ignore the mess. But here's the thing. It says, God making you new. God replaces our heart. In verse 26, he says that I'm going to take that heart from stone, and that's hard, and it's cold, and it's resistant, and I'm going to make it to flesh, soft, alive, and responsive. [00:40:00] (37 seconds) #SelfReplacementNotImprovement

God doesn't just pull our heart out and polish it all up. The Bible is very clear that he gives us a new heart, and so when we get this new heart, the gospel isn't the self -improvement. It's the self -replacement. God fills us with his Holy Spirit. [00:41:18] (22 seconds) #SpiritGivesIdentity

Ezekiel's promise was for Israel, but it's fulfilled in Christ for us today. God restarts your story by replacing your heart. Filling you with the Holy Spirit. And calling you His own. [00:43:57] (20 seconds) #HolySpiritEmpowers

The Bible says that our hearts without Christ are our hearts of stone, cold, stubborn, and dead. But there's great news to this. God doesn't leave us there. When we come to Him through Jesus, He offers us this heart transplant. At the cross, He took your sin and shame and He exchanged it. And He offers that. And He offers you forgiveness. He offers you His Spirit and a brand new heart. [00:48:28] (27 seconds)

And you don't need religion. You know, I hear people all the time say, well, I'm just not a very religious person. I don't want to come to church and be religious. Well, a brand new heart doesn't mean that you need religion. And you don't need self -help. You don't need another empty promise. What you need is Jesus. And if you surrender your life to Him, He will do what only He can do. And that's to take away your old heart and give you a new one. [00:48:55] (32 seconds)

Now, if you're a believer today, you came in, maybe your heart has grown hard and calloused. Maybe your heart has been full of anger or disappointment or bitterness. Maybe it's tired. Maybe your spirit is also calloused. You've been living like you've patched everything together with this duct tape, right? But today God's promise is still true. I'll give you a new heart. I'll give you a new spirit. He wants to soften your heart, refresh your spirit, and restart your walk with Him. [00:49:28] (42 seconds)

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