“Dead Hearts” – Jodocus van Lodenstein (1620 – 1677)

Sermon text is from Ezekiel 37:7-10

“…Added to this is the notion that, after the fall, man still possessed the ability to turn to the Lord of his own volition. We are of the opinion that we are capable of something and we do not consider that our doctrine teaches that we are dead in sins and trespasses (Eph. 2:1-3, 5) and are unable to make ourselves alive (John 15:4-5). If, by way of this sermon, I could help you to see your own inability toward any spiritual good in your soul so that you view yourself as being spiritually dead, I would judge that I have received much from God.

What then must we do? Shall we depart in despair? No, that is not my intent in saying this. What then?
First, we must give God the honor of all the good that is found in us or may yet be found in us. Second, we must humbly wait until it pleases the Lord to come in order to give us the Spirit of life – just as Ezekiel had to wait until it pleased the Lord to blow His Spirit into the dead bodies so that they might live (Ezekiel 37:9-10).

This waiting on the Lord is lacking among us. We rely too much on our own strength, thereby burrowing ourselves to death and accomplishing nothing.

The Lord Jesus did everything in His power to show in the gospel that man is not capable of anything. He expressed this in John 9:41: “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.” On another occasion, He preached about those who hunger and thirst, and those who are poor in spirit (Matt. 5:3, 6). Oh, if only we were to recognize that we are dead indeed! If only I could bring you to the point that you would see how wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked you are (Rev. 3:17); then together we would cry out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Luke 18:38). The Lord would surely come and give us sight.

Oh, that this would be the day ordained of God to give life to the dead and that the Babylon of this sinful walk would fall! Amen.”

– Jodocus van Lodenstein (1620 – 1677), A spiritual appeal to Christ’s bride (classics of Reformed Spirituality),
sermon entitled “Dead Hearts”