Feeling What God Feels | Francis Chan

Sermon Summary

Main Message

This message emphasizes the importance of having a heart that can feel and respond to God's presence in our lives. We often numb ourselves to the world around us, using distractions like technology to avoid feeling deeply about anything. However, this is contrary to what God desires for us - He wants us to have hearts that are tender, responsive, and able to feel the conviction of His Spirit.

Key Scripture References

• Ezekiel 36:26-27 - This passage speaks directly to the heart condition we're discussing. God promises to give us a new heart, one that is not made of stone but of flesh. He says, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." This is the foundation for our understanding of what it means to have a heart that can feel.
• Psalm 51:10-12 - David prays, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." This passage shows us that having a heart that feels is not just about emotions but also about being in right relationship with God.
• Jeremiah 6:10 - The prophet Jeremiah writes, "To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will heed me that I may send them all to their master?" This passage highlights the issue of people becoming desensitized to the truth. We're not just talking about emotions here; we're talking about a heart condition that affects how we respond to God.
• Hebrews 4:12-13 - The writer of Hebrews says, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." This passage shows us that God's Word has the power to cut through our defenses and get to the heart of the matter.
• Proverbs 28:13 - The proverb says, "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and turns from them finds mercy." This passage emphasizes the importance of being honest with ourselves about our hearts. We can't just numb our feelings or ignore God's conviction; we must face the truth and turn to Him.
• 2 Corinthians 7:10 - The apostle Paul writes, "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow produces death." This passage highlights the difference between feeling sorry for ourselves (worldly sorrow) and feeling God's conviction (godly sorrow). We want to experience godly sorrow, which leads to repentance and a deeper relationship with God.

Key Takeaways

• We must recognize that our hearts can become hardened, like stone, making it difficult for us to feel the conviction of God's Spirit. This is not just about emotions but also about being in right relationship with God.
• God desires to give us a new heart, one that is tender and responsive to Him. We must be willing to let go of our defenses and allow His Word to penetrate our hearts.
• Honesty with ourselves about our hearts is crucial. We can't just numb our feelings or ignore God's conviction; we must face the truth and turn to Him.
• Godly sorrow, which leads to repentance and a deeper relationship with God, is what we should be striving for. This is not just about feeling sorry for ourselves but about experiencing the conviction of His Spirit.

This Week's Challenge

This week, take some time to reflect on your heart condition. Ask yourself, "Am I numb to God's presence in my life?" or "Do I feel like I'm just going through the motions without any real conviction?" Be honest with yourself and ask God to give you a new heart - one that is tender, responsive, and able to feel His conviction.

Reflection Questions

• What are some areas in your life where you may have become desensitized to the truth or hardened your heart against God's conviction? How can you take steps this week to soften your heart and allow God's Word to penetrate your soul?
• How do you respond when you feel convicted by God's Spirit? Do you run from it, ignore it, or try to justify it away? What would happen if you allowed yourself to truly feel the conviction of His Spirit?
• Think about a time when you felt deeply convicted by God. How did that experience shape your relationship with Him? What can you learn from that experience and apply it to your life today?