Sermon Central
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Dry Bones Series
Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jan 19, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: There are three things for us to do to receive a breath of Heaven in 2011, for our families, our church, and for our community. We must allow the hand of the Lord to guide our lives by His Spirit. We must speak his word faithfully and truthfully. Then we
Series: Breath of Heaven 2011
Introduction:
I am praying for a fresh Breath from Heaven to bring new life back into dead lifeless bones, lifeless church systems, lifeless ministries, lifeless communities and even lifeless lives. To do this I am allowing myself to be placed into the hands of God and to be willing to be directed by His Spirit. I am going to speak His words to others without fear or apprehension and I am going cry out for Him to send a fresh breath of His Spirit into my life, my family, my church, my community and my country!
Sermon: Dry Bones
Opening:
The question for us today is: “Can dry bones be brought back to life?
Introduction to Ezekiel:
Ezekiel was a priest who was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC. He started his ministry or was called into the ministry at 30 years of age.
Ezekiel’s message is all about the “Glory of the Lord.” This book is a compilation over a 23 year period of messages from Ezekiel.
Ezekiel is one of the most colorful prophets. He used pantomime, crying, wailing, slapping his thighs, he ate a scroll, and did many dramatic elements to deliver his message and get his message across to the people (Morris).
Stedman notes, “The story of this book is the story of human life and the book begins with a tremendous vision of God, because all life starts with God…The glory of the prophet Ezekiel was that he saw God more clearly than any other of the other prophets. If your heart needs to be set on fire by the revelation of the character and glory of God, read Ezekiel. He is the great prophet who saw the glory of God.
Ezekiel saw the Lord and a fresh “Breath of Heaven” rushed over his soul, he understood that even though he was hauled off into captivity God had a specific purpose and call on his life. He revealed himself to Ezekiel and this gave Ezekiel a vision of restoration and renewal that only could come from the breath of God!
Highlight Beth’s song:
As We Gather – Beth Benda
Chorus:
C G/B Am F C/E Dm F6/G G
As we gather here, all in one accord
C G/B Am F C/E Dm G2 G
Let your mighty wind, come rushing through our souls
Pre-Chorus:
Gm/Bb F/A C/G G
We want to see visions, we want to dream dreams
Gm/Bb F/A
Breathe life in your people
Dm C/E G
We want to be saved
Chorus:
F G
As we gather here, meet us
C/E F
As we gather here, free us
Dm G
As we gather here, restore us
Gm/Bb
As we gather in this place,
F/A G/B C
Lord we’ve come to seek Your face
Scripture Text: Ezekiel 37
Ezekiel 37:1-14(NIV)
1The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.
2He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry.
3He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “O Sovereign LORD, you alone know.”
4Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!
5This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath£ enter you, and you will come to life.
6I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’”
7So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.
8I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
9Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’”
10So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
11Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’
12Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel.
