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Title: "Awakening Hearts: The Valley of Dry Bones"
Introduction:
Good morning, beloved congregation. As we embark on a two-week journey delving into the theme of revival, we begin with a powerful story from the Book of Ezekiel that vividly illustrates the awakening of hearts and the path to revival.
I. The Call to Humility and Prayer
Our key verse, 2 Chronicles 7:14, lays the foundation for understanding revival: "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
A. The Elements of Revival:
Humbling Ourselves: Revival begins with humility. It's the recognition that we are utterly dependent on God's grace and mercy. It acknowledges our need for His divine intervention.
Prayer: Revival is marked by fervent, heartfelt prayer. It's the means through which we communicate with our Heavenly Father, laying our burdens and desires before Him.
Seeking His Face: True revival is about passionately pursuing a deeper relationship with God, desiring to know Him more intimately, not just seeking His blessings.
Turning from Sin: Revival entails genuine repentance. It requires a turning away from our sinful ways and a commitment to live in accordance with God's will.
B. Bible Story: The Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14)
Our story today comes from the book of Ezekiel. In the vision of the Valley of Dry Bones, Ezekiel saw a desolate, lifeless place filled with dry bones. These bones represented a people who had lost hope and spiritual life. However, at God's command, Ezekiel prophesied, and the bones came to life, forming a vast army.
The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”
So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”
II. The Impact of the Valley of Dry Bones
The Valley of Dry Bones represents a people in dire need of revival. God's Spirit brings about a miraculous transformation, breathing new life into them. This story highlights that even when all seems lost, God can bring revival and renewal.
III. The Challenge: Pursuing Revival Today
Today, we face our own spiritual valleys and dryness. The call to revival remains the same - humility, prayer, seeking God's face, and turning from sin. Revival may manifest differently in our lives and our church, but the essence remains unchanged - a renewed, vibrant relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Recognizing Our Spiritual Valleys: Just as the Valley of Dry Bones symbolized a people in a state of spiritual dryness and hopelessness, we must first acknowledge the spiritual valleys we may find ourselves in today. These valleys can manifest as complacency, spiritual indifference, or a lack of passion for God's Word and His presence. Identifying these areas in our lives is the initial step towards revival.
The Role of the Holy Spirit: Just as the breath of God's Spirit brought life to the dry bones in Ezekiel's vision, we must rely on the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. The Holy Spirit is the divine agent of revival, the one who convicts us of sin, draws us closer to God, and empowers us for transformation. Without the Holy Spirit's guidance and presence, revival remains an unattainable goal.
The Necessity of Repentance and Turning from Sin: Revival requires sincere repentance. We must be willing to confront and turn away from our sinful ways. This isn't merely a superficial acknowledgment of wrongdoing but a heartfelt conviction that leads to change. Repentance is the bridge between our current state and the revival we seek.
The Role of Prayer and Seeking God's Face: Revival is not passive but active. It involves fervent prayer and a conscious effort to seek God's face. This means dedicating time to intimacy with God through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. It's a commitment to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him.
Revival as a Community Effort: While revival begins on an individual level, it often extends to the community of believers. When individuals within the church experience personal revival, it has a ripple effect. Revived individuals contribute to a revived church, which, in turn, impacts the broader community. Therefore, revival is not just an individual endeavor but a collective one, where we spur one another on to seek God passionately.
Conclusion:
As we reflect on the Valley of Dry Bones and our theme for this week, let us remember that revival is not a one-time event but an ongoing journey. It is a continuous cycle of humbling ourselves before God, seeking His face, and turning from sin. Let us fervently pray that God will breathe new life into our hearts, our church, and our community. By doing so, we fulfill the divine promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14, and we can confidently expect that God will hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and bring healing to our land. May this journey of revival draw us ever closer to the heart of our loving Father, who longs to see His children awakened and renewed in His grace. Amen.