Moving From Spiritual Death To Spiritual Living.

“1 The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. 2 He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. 3 Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.” 4 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord!”

1 The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones.

Moving from Spiritual Death to Spiritual Living.

2 He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out.

3 Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.”

4 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord!

THE LACK OF SPIRITUAL LIVING

1.What can God’s Spirit reveal to us?—v. 1. The Spirit showed the prophet Ezekiel the valley of dry bones. It was a symbol of Israel being dead spiritually. Since all men are born in sin they are spiritually dead..........

TELLS US: “1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.”

1O nce you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.

2You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

3All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

2. Showing us that we are spiritual dead...— . There was a valley of dry bones. There were no bodies, no flesh, and no life. The Bible says that those who live in pleasure are dead while they live.......

Do we know any “DRY BONES?”

Paul tells us in "6 But the widow who lives only for pleasure is spiritually dead even while she lives.”

6But the widow who lives only for pleasure is spiritually dead even while she lives.

a. We are to take a hard Look at our living...— f”or the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

b. We can have Spiritual Life if we look for Christ.... (NLT) 25 Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

26Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

B. Can we have “THE LIFE” with Jesus?—vv. 3–10

1. God is telling Ezekiel to speak, to prophesy— “3 Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.” 4 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord!”

4Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord!

2.God Promise’s us Spiritual Live! —v. 5 tells us: “Behold I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live.”

3. We will receive God’s Power— “3 Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.” 4 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord!

3 Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.” 4 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord!

We will again when we believe..... “6 I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ” 7 So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons.”

6I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’ ”

7 So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons.

4. They were alive but there was still a Problem—v. 8. Now the bones came together. They had flesh, but they had no life. In the same way, a man may be alive physically, but dead spiritually.

5. Remember, this was God’s plan. Watch! “Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’

6. Pastor Greg speaking to you People— “10 So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.”

10So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.

C. THE LIVING—vv.

1. God was showing the whole Picture— “Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, ‘We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.”

See what we say in our life too? Their bones, OUR BONES were symbolic of Israel, which was spiritually dead. There appeared to be no life—no hope! Ever feel like that?

2. God’s Power comes again. He tells Ezekiel..... “Therefore, prophesy to them and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel.

God’s not talking about “real” dead people. He is referring to those that are spiritually dead. God is showing His people that He is with us, He is watching over us, He will be with us. Just like today.

Listen to what God says about getting to know Him.......

“13 When this happens, O my people, you will know that I am the Lord. 14 I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the Lord has spoken!”

14 will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the Lord has spoken!’ ”

14 I will put my Spirit in you, and you will live again and return home to your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord, have spoken, and I have done what I said. Yes, the Lord has spoken!

4. Personality—v. . God said He would put His Spirit within man. Man would have God’s law written on his heart, and would obey the Lord.

AMEN