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

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.

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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

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

1. In Ezekiel 36:26, what does God promise to give His people, and what does this mean for their hearts and spirits?
2. According to the sermon, why does God repeatedly call Ezekiel “son of man”? What point is God making by using this phrase? [[03:39]]
3. What is the result, according to Ezekiel 36:27-28, when God puts His Spirit within His people?
4. 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

1. 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]]
2. 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]]
3. 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]]
4. 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

1. 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]]
2. 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]]
3. 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]]
4. 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]]
5. 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]]
6. 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]]
7. 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]]