The Son of Man: God’s Promises and Our Transformation

Devotional

Day 1: God Uses Imperfect People for His Purposes

No matter how flawed or frail a person may feel, God delights in using ordinary, imperfect people to accomplish His extraordinary plans. The repeated use of "son of man" for Ezekiel is a reminder that God works through human weakness, not because of our strength, but to display His own power and faithfulness. Even when we feel unworthy or inadequate, God’s desire is to speak through us and bring life to what seems dead, showing that it is not about the vessel, but about the God who fills and uses it. [03:39]

Ezekiel 2:1-3 (ESV)
And he said to me, “Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.” And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. And he said to me, “Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel too weak or unworthy for God to use you, and how might you invite Him to work through your frailty today?

Day 2: God’s Promises Remain Powerful and Unchanged

God’s promises are as potent today as they were when first spoken, and He is faithful to fulfill them—not because of our perfection, but often in spite of our failures. Even when we have wandered or tested His patience, God’s commitment to His word stands firm, and He gathers, restores, and delivers His people for His glory. The world will see the reality of God when they witness His transforming work in us, and His promises are not diminished by our shortcomings. [10:37]

Ezekiel 36:24-28 (ESV)
“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.”

Reflection: What is one promise of God you have doubted or given up on, and how can you choose to trust in its power again today?

Day 3: God Transforms Hearts and Gives New Life

God does not merely clean up our old ways; He gives us a new heart and a new spirit, making possible a genuine transformation from the inside out. This supernatural change is not about behavior modification but about a deep, inward renewal that only God can accomplish. When we allow Him to do this work, our desires begin to align with His, and we find ourselves drawn to His ways, no longer bound by the things that once held us captive. [16:06]

Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV)
“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: In what area of your life do you most need God to give you a new heart, and what would it look like to invite Him to begin that transformation today?

Day 4: God Desires Partnership, Not Just Obedience

God’s longing is not only to rule over us, but to walk in partnership with us—inviting us to share in His work, to learn from Him, and to experience His presence within. This partnership is not based on fear or religious duty, but on love and relationship, as Jesus invites us to take His yoke and walk together with Him. When we embrace this partnership, we move from mere compliance to joyful participation in God’s purposes for our lives. [21:49]

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Reflection: What would it look like for you to intentionally walk in partnership with Jesus today, rather than simply trying to obey Him from a distance?

Day 5: God’s Faithfulness Extends to Every Generation

The promises God makes are not limited to one generation; His faithfulness endures, reaching our children, grandchildren, and beyond. Even when we are gone, God’s word remains, and the prayers and faith we sow today can bear fruit in the lives of our descendants. We can trust that God will continue to reveal Himself and fulfill His promises long after our earthly journey is over, and we are invited to pray and believe for the salvation and blessing of those who come after us. [27:17]

Psalm 37:25-26 (ESV)
“I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.”

Reflection: Who in your family or future generations can you pray for today, asking God to fulfill His promises and reveal Himself to them in a powerful way?

Sermon Summary

In reflecting on the phrase “son of man” as used in Ezekiel, it becomes clear that God delights in using ordinary, even frail, people to accomplish His extraordinary purposes. The repeated use of “son of man” is not to belittle, but to highlight that God’s power is made perfect in human weakness. No matter how far someone has wandered or how broken their life may seem, God’s desire is to restore, redeem, and use them as a testimony to His faithfulness. When God’s people are transformed, the world takes notice—not because of their own greatness, but because of the undeniable work of God in their lives.

God’s promises remain steadfast, regardless of our failures or doubts. Just as He promised to gather Israel from among the nations and restore them, He promises to deliver us from the things that hold us captive—be it mindsets, habits, or circumstances. His promises are not diminished by time or by our shortcomings. In fact, God often fulfills His promises in spite of us, so that His glory is unmistakable. The transformation He brings is not just external; He promises a new heart and a new spirit, a supernatural change that only He can accomplish. This is not about mere behavior modification, but about a deep, inward renewal that changes our desires and empowers us to walk in His ways.

God’s ultimate desire is partnership with His people. He is not a distant, angry master, but a loving Father who wants to dwell with us, to be our God, and for us to be His people. This partnership is marked by love—Jesus’ command to love one another is the defining mark of His followers. When the world sees genuine love and transformation among God’s people, they are compelled to acknowledge the reality of God. The promises made to our spiritual ancestors are still alive and active, extending to us and to generations yet unborn. Our faith is not in our circumstances, but in the unchanging Word of God, who has never forsaken the righteous or their descendants.

Key Takeaways

1. God Uses Human Frailty for His Glory God repeatedly called Ezekiel “son of man” to emphasize that He works through ordinary, flawed people. Our weaknesses do not disqualify us; rather, they become the very stage upon which God displays His power and faithfulness. When God transforms us, it is clear to all that the change is His doing, not ours. [03:39]
2. God’s Promises Remain Unchanged and Powerful No matter how much time has passed or how much we have failed, God’s promises retain their potency. He gathers, restores, and fulfills His word, not because of our merit, but because of His faithfulness. Our doubts and detours cannot nullify what God has spoken over us and our descendants. [10:37]
3. True Transformation Begins with a New Heart God promises not just to clean us up, but to give us a new heart and a new spirit. This is a supernatural work that goes beyond surface-level change. When God’s Spirit is within us, our desires shift, and we are empowered to walk in His ways—not out of fear, but out of genuine love and partnership. [13:36]
4. Partnership with God Is His Deepest Desire God seeks a relationship with us that is marked by partnership, not just servitude. He wants to dwell with us, to be our God, and for us to be His people. This partnership is rooted in love, and it is through loving one another that the world recognizes the reality of God among us. [21:49]
5. God’s Faithfulness Extends to Future Generations The promises God made to our spiritual ancestors are still active today and will continue for generations to come. Our faith is anchored in His unchanging word, and we can trust that He will never forsake those who are in right standing with Him, nor their descendants. [27:17]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:35] - The “Son of Man” in Ezekiel
[03:39] - God Uses Human Frailty
[06:36] - The Nature of Prophecy and Judgment
[09:10] - God’s Name Sanctified Among the Nations
[10:37] - God’s Promises to Restore
[13:36] - A New Heart and Spirit
[16:06] - The Work of the Holy Spirit
[18:35] - The Meaning of “Son of Man”
[21:49] - God’s Desire for Partnership
[24:24] - God’s Promises Outlast Our Lives
[27:17] - Promises for Future Generations
[29:47] - Righteousness and God’s Faithfulness
[32:10] - Prayer of Commitment
[33:00] - Announcements and Closing

Bible Study Guide

**Small Group Bible Study Guide**

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### Bible Reading

**Ezekiel 36:24-28 (ESV)**
> 24 I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.
> 25 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.
> 26 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.
> 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
> 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.

**Psalm 37:25 (ESV)**
> I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.

**John 13:34-35 (ESV)**
> 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
> 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

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### Observation Questions

In Ezekiel 36:26, what does God promise to give His people, and what does this mean for their hearts and spirits?
According to the sermon, why does God repeatedly call Ezekiel “son of man”? What point is God making by using this phrase? [[03:39]]
What is the result, according to Ezekiel 36:27-28, when God puts His Spirit within His people?
In John 13:34-35, what is the “new commandment” Jesus gives, and how will people recognize His disciples?

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### Interpretation Questions

The sermon says God delights in using ordinary, even frail, people to accomplish His purposes. Why might God choose to work through human weakness instead of strength? [[03:39]]
When God promises a “new heart and a new spirit,” what kind of transformation is He talking about? How is this different from just changing our behavior? [[13:36]]
The pastor mentioned that God’s promises are not diminished by our failures or doubts. What does this say about God’s character and faithfulness? [[10:37]]
Jesus says the world will know we are His disciples by our love for one another. Why is genuine love among believers such a powerful testimony to the world? [[21:49]]

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### Application Questions

The sermon talked about God using “frail” and “ordinary” people for His glory. Is there an area in your life where you feel too weak or unqualified for God to use you? How might God want to use you right where you are? [[03:39]]
God promises to deliver us from things that hold us captive—like mindsets, habits, or circumstances. Is there something in your life right now that you feel stuck in? What would it look like to trust God to bring freedom in that area? [[10:37]]
The idea of a “new heart” is about deep, inward change, not just acting better. Can you think of a time when God changed your desires or attitudes from the inside out? How did that affect your actions? [[13:36]]
The pastor said God wants partnership, not just servitude. Do you tend to relate to God more as a distant master or as a loving Father who wants to walk with you? What would it look like to grow in partnership with Him this week? [[21:49]]
Jesus’ command is to love one another. Is there someone in your life (maybe even in this group or your family) that you find hard to love? What is one practical step you could take this week to show them Christ-like love? [[21:49]]
The sermon reminded us that God’s promises extend to future generations. How can you pray for or invest in the faith of your children, grandchildren, or spiritual descendants? [[27:17]]
The pastor quoted Psalm 37:25 about never seeing the righteous forsaken. When you look back on your life, can you see ways God has been faithful to you or your family, even when things were hard? How does that encourage you to trust Him now? [[29:47]]

Sermon Clips

He's going to go the heathen are going to look and go what he's saying is the lord's going to look at you and know you and will have known your situations and they're going to look at you this time and go god must be real if he can save cringe y'all he can save anybody now aren't you glad i can point out a few if he can say this one he can save anybody hallelujah if he can deliver this one he can deliver anybody and that's what it's saying is going they're not because you profaned my name with them and in front of them when they see the change in you and they see that now he's sanctified in you they're going to go there must be a god if that happened. [00:09:18] (60 seconds) #GodSavesAnyone

That way my heart has been changed and i'm beginning to want things that i used to not want and some of the things that i used to want that i thought i was going to find happiness or whatever in and i'm realizing all it's ever done is kill me all it's ever done is mess things up and he's going to go now i'm going to put my spirit in and ladies and gentlemen when this happens it gives birth to transformation that's what the gospel is about being saved delivered and healed being translated from one kingdom to another kingdom when you're born again you're no longer an inhabitant of the kingdom of darkness you're no longer a servant to the kingdom of darkness hallelujah you ain't gotta wait till you die and go to heaven to live that. [00:16:16] (60 seconds) #SonOfManTruth

Through religious teaching and wrong thinking and different stuff we i believe sometimes we're in the bible says the fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom and so we think all we got to do is be scared of him and then we're scared of him and we're afraid to walk with him we're afraid to enter in a partnership with him because we're still convinced that all he wants to do is kill us because some religious teaching told us that when in fact what he's always wanted to do is partner with you be your lord be your master but not like humans think of lords and masters. [00:21:19] (37 seconds) #PromisesLastForever

His desire is for you to walk in his promises his desire is to partner inside of you remember where jesus at one point jesus said i'm with you but i'm going to be in you now that don't you know that jewish first century mind that freaked them out but they all knew they all knew the scripture i think they all understood what he meant. [00:25:50] (34 seconds) #NeverForsaken

Righteous not behavior modification righteousness those that are in right standing with god it can even almost be interpreted like that those that are in agreement with him righteousness those in right standing never seen those in right standing with god forsaken never seen any of his children begging bread so i speak that over us today and i'd love for you to get an agreement with me on that. [00:30:15] (46 seconds)

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