What is hardening of the heart and how is it done? Does the bible warn of this and if so how can we prevent it? In this lesson we answer the questions. Both audio and slides can be viewed together at www.cmcoc.org Sermon by: Brian Birdow

1. The hardening of the heart
by
Brian Birdow
Sermon text:
www.cmcoc.org

2. Objective of Lesson
1. To define hardness of the heart
2. What causes the hardness of the heart?
3. Why do we often harden our heart?

3. Hardness defined
• A measure of how difficult or easy it is for a
substance to scratched…(we have not yet
begun to scratch the surface)
• Something that is not easily penetrated
• Something with much Resistance
• Not easily dissolved

4. Heart defined
• This is an expression or saying in regards to the
mind and man’s ability to receive information that
will ultimately benefit him.
• Heart = Mind, the mind (brain) controls the body and
all its actions. The mind emits and controls
emotions. It is the mind that enables us to be aware
of the world and our experiences, to think, and to
feel (emotion).
• Intellect, reasoning, judgment, intelligence and
sense.

5. The hardness of the heart
• When we plainly and clearly see and understand
God but reject Him we start the process of
hardening our heart.
• Mark 6:52 For they considered not the miracle
of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
• Mark 8:17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith
unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no
bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand?
have ye your heart yet hardened?

6. #2 What causes a hard heart?
• When what I hear goes
against what I believe
• When what I hear goes
against what I been
taught
• When what I hear and
understand condemns
many of my loved ones.
• When what I see I don’t
want to believe
• When what I
understand now proves
me to be in error!
• When what I hear
means that I must
repent (change)

7. #2 What causes a hard heart?
• Not handling the cares of the world properly
and life in general.
• Pride
• Self
• Acts 9:39-43 turn with me please.

8. #3 Why we harden our hearts
• (A) Because we love ____ more than God!
• Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and
hate not his father, and mother, and wife,
and children, and brethren, and sisters,
yea, and his own life also, he cannot be
my disciple.

9. #3 Why we harden our hearts
• (B) We don’t want to let go of the world or
be hated by the world.
• John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the
world would love his own: but because ye
are not of the world, but I have chosen you
out of the world, therefore the world hateth
you.

10. #3 Why we harden our hearts
• (B) We don’t want to let go of the world or
be hated by the world.
• Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two
masters: for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to
the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot
serve God and mammon.

11. #3 Why we harden our hearts
• (C) We don’t want to change
• Paul an Apostle changed.
• Philippians 3:4-5 Though I might also have
confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinks
that he has reasons he might trust in the flesh, I
more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock
of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of
the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;

12. Philippians 3:6-8
• Concerning zeal, persecuting the church;
concerning the righteousness which is in the
law, blameless. But what things were gain to
me, those I counted loss for Christ.
• Yea doubtless, and I count all things but
loss for the excellency of the knowledge of
Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have
suffered the loss of all things, and do count
them but rubbish, that I may win Christ,

13. #3 Why we harden our hearts
• The Apostle Paul made a change
• Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who
separated me from my mother's womb, and
called me by his grace,
• Galatians 1:16 To reveal his Son in me, that I
might preach him among the Gentiles;
immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

14. Admonition
• Hebrews 3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the
provocation, in the day of temptation in the
wilderness:
• Hebrews 3:15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear
his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the
provocation.
• Hebrews 4:7 Again, he limiteth a certain day,
saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is
said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not
your hearts.

15. Review of Lesson
1. To define hardness of the heart
2. What causes the hardness of the heart?
3. Why do we often harden our heart?