"Journey of Stones: Hearts of Stone” | Rev. Roberto Chaple
The Problem Jesus Exposed
During a meal with a Pharisee, Jesus confronted the religious leaders about their hearts.
They were careful about religious rules but ignored what mattered most: justice, love, and humility (Luke 11:37–52).
Jesus exposed a dangerous spiritual condition:
A person can look religious on the outside while being hardened on the inside.
Signs of a Heart of Stone
Pastor Roberto highlights several symptoms Jesus addressed:
Image without integrity — looking spiritual while hiding corruption
Passion without compassion — arguing doctrine but neglecting love
Platform without humility — seeking recognition instead of service
Rules without relationship — making faith heavy instead of life-giving
Tradition without obedience — honoring the past but resisting God today
A heart of stone appears whenever religion replaces relationship.
God’s Promise for a New Heart
God does not leave us stuck with hardened hearts.
Ezekiel 11:19 promises:
“I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.”
Transformation begins when we allow God to examine our hearts.
Even a small opening is enough.
“All it takes is a tiny crack in a hardened heart for the Holy Spirit to go to work.”
A Prayer for the Heart
David prayed:
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
The most important spiritual journey is the one from the head to the heart.
Today God invites us to let Him soften what has grown hard.
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On Easter Sunday at New Hope Church, Pastor Vicki Harrison reminded us that the resurrection is not just a past event to celebrate once a year. Jesus is alive, the stone has been rolled away, and that living hope still brings forgiveness, freedom, and new life today.