Valley of dry bones

Breath of Life: Trusting God for Renewal

Bible Passage: Ezekiel 37:1–10

Summary: Ezekiel 37:1-10 recounts the vision of the Valley of Dry Bones, where God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, resulting in their miraculous restoration to life. This passage demonstrates God's power to bring renewal and transformation even in seemingly hopeless situations.

Application: This passage challenges believers to trust in God's ability to bring change and renewal in our lives and communities, especially when we feel dry or disconnected. It encourages us to actively participate in God's renewing work by speaking life and truth into the lives of others.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that God's Spirit is active and powerful, able to restore and revive those who are spiritually lifeless. It illustrates that with faith and obedience, we can witness God’s transforming work in ourselves and those around us.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the context of the Bible, this passage foreshadows Jesus as the one who brings true life and restoration. Just as the Spirit breathed life into the bones, Jesus promises to give eternal life to everyone who believes in Him and empowers us by His Spirit for transformation.

Big Idea: We can trust that God is with us, and through His Spirit, He can revive our hearts and the hearts of those around us, calling us into His mission of renewal and restoration.

Intro

Wife wants me to start off light hearted with my sermons.

First line of sermon: “The UK is spiritually dead” too much?

Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster said this during a talk to a room full of trainee ministers and future Christian leaders. It was meant to be motivational and inspiring. Then we were sent out to silently contemplate this and talk with God. I went and found a bench next to some a small lake and checked if my CV was up to date on Indeed.

Yet in that moment I was given 2 things, the hymn Jerusalem this passage - Ezekiel 37: 1-11

Read passage.

Do you feel you are in the valley of dry bones, when you look around at your community, society or even in your immediate context, do you feel you are surrounded not by blessing but desolation?

Do you feel hopeless?

History of passage

The book of Ezekiel simply asks one important question for God’s people both then and now. Is God still with us or has he abandoned us? I mean that both personally and as an entire creation.

Ezekiel: An Introduction and Commentary f. The Spiritual Rebirth of the People (37:1–28)

The bones represent the Israelites in exile. They have been there for more than ten years now, and what glimmerings of hope they had when first they arrived have now been altogether extinguished. Their hope was lost: as bones, they were very dry.

10 years in to Exile in Babylon - 597 BC

Temple Destroyed 586 BC

They thought God would destroy the babylonians and Nebuchadnezzar, yet it didn’t come.

Judgement was on them.

They may have felt God had abandoned them, he had simply left them to their fate - which they chartered the course for. YET GOD IS STILL WITH THEM.

Do you have hope and absolute faith that God is still with us? Are you ready to participate in God’s plan for renewal?

Is God with us?

1. Confronting Our Doubts

Ezekiel 37:1-3

You could suggest that God's questioning of Ezekiel, asking if the bones can live, invites us to confront our doubts and recognize God's power in even the bleakest situations. It encourages us to begin with faith before seeing evidence and to trust in God's sovereignty to bring hope and renewal.

Ezekiel 37:3 “He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.””

2. Prophesying Life

Ezekiel 37:4-6

Perhaps in these verses, the prophecy to the bones symbolizes the power of God's Word, which speaks life into dead situations.

This passage can encourage believers to speak God's truth over areas of their life that feel lifeless, believing in the life-giving power of Scripture.

3. Participating in Renewal

Ezekiel 37:7-8

Maybe this point could highlight the process of renewal, as the bones come together and flesh forms.

It's a gradual transformation, reminding us that God's work in our lives often unfolds step-by-step.

We can faithfully participate by remaining obedient and patient, waiting for God's complete work.

4. Empowered by the Spirit

Ezekiel 37:9-10

You could emphasize that the Spirit’s breath brought true life.

This passage illustrates the necessity of the Holy Spirit in transforming lives completely. We are reminded of Jesus’ promise of life through His Spirit, pointing us to rely on the Spirit in our mission to bring God’s renewal to others.

Are you ready?

Are you ready to make dry bones live again?

Are you ready to participate in God’s plan for renewal and go out in to the Valley and speak life to those people who don’t yet know the truth. Is there someone close to you that you need to truly love by prophesying to them a vision for renewal and new life, trusting in God to send his spirit.

Roadmap to success

This passage gives us the roadmap to success, to be disciples who make disicples.

Proximity - Our God is the God of proximity. He’s in the valley.

Speak truth - simply speak the truth, tell of who God is and what God did for you. dont have to be theological or eloquent or hit them over the head with a Bible. Be real!

Obedience - follow God, listen to him but attuned to his voice.

Trust in the spirit

Conclusion

I wasn’t fair to Jill Duff she concluded that she had see a vision of beacons being lit on the hills of Cumbria. Affirmed vision. She saw a vision and has a deep belief that renewal is coming to this land. Be part of that vision. We know more than anyone in the very real power of restoration and renewal because we follow the one who conquered death and promises eternal life to anyone who hears his teaching and accepts it.

Just as the Spirit breathed life into the bones, Jesus promises to give eternal life to everyone who believes in Him and empowers us by His Spirit for transformation.

Jerusalem as a rallying cry:

Bring me my bow of burning gold!

Bring me my arrows of desire!

Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!

Bring me my chariot of fire!

I will not cease from mental fight,

nor shall my sword sleep in my hand, till we have built Jerusalem

In England's green and pleasant Land.