Ezekiel 37:1-14 - (Sermon) - There is Life For Your Dead Situation

Thanksgiving

Scripture

Ezekiel 37:1–14 ESV

1 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. 2 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. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 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.” 7 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. 8 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. 9 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.” 10 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. 11 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.’ 12 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. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 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.”

Theme Scripture

Ezekiel 37:1-3 - 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. 2 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. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.”

Title

Its Not Over Yet! \ There is Life For Your Dead Situation

Prayer

Let us pray! Heavenly Father thank You for using me in Your ministry! Thank You for guiding me thus far and granting me Your grace! Even now, Lord, You know the purpose for which I have come to You. Decrease me, and increase you. Holy Spirit fill me with grace, anointing, and power so that I can preach Your word boldly and with authority. Amen!

Introduction\Opening

Over the last few weeks Pastor Charles Quann of the Bethlehem Baptist Church spent time discussing how we have hid our issues behind the many different masks we all wear. As I sat and listen to the many sermons and studying the contents I have begin to receive a Word from God. The spirit of God led me to take a journey through my life and look inward at my own issues and challenges. Issues that remain as obstacles in my life. Issues that lay dornment in my bag of mess. Brother and sisters, Im not here only to testify against my life but to also help someone see the light within themselves.

I believe that in many cases we all have some dead situations to deal with. Some unchecked boxes. We all have looked at our current situation and wanted a different outcome. So I know that I am not alone and my preaching wont be in vein. I know others have burning questions of self doubt and curiosity.

Have you ever asked yourself about Gods place in your dead situation?

Do you have burdens such as of guilt, shame and procrastination?

If you answered yes to any of these questions or know that you can answer yes on behalf of a love one then you’re in good company. And if you would allow me a few amens I believe God will speak to us all today about how to find life in our dead situations. Repeat that, Finding Life, in a Dead Situation (x2)

Today’s lessons will teach us all is that “the power of God can change even the most hopeless of lives and situations.”

No matter what this world has offered you as a solution. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”  (Psalm 46:1)

No matter the difficulty present in your life; “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:4-6)

When this world washes away the bridge of success. Know that our God is a bridge over troubled water.

Some body came here to be encouraged. As a believer in Christ I am hear to tell you “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

Scripture Reference

Ezekiel was one of the major prophets of the Old Testament and has been called by many the watchman of Israel and prophet of hope! Ezekiels name means “God strengthens,” and its in that name that we can find the hope that many have lost or misplaced. Ezekiel’s ministry was to speak to the scattered tribes about the future and of the hope and restoration in God.

Historically, we place a good portion of Ezekiels ministry in parallel to Daniel and Jeremiah the “Weeping Prophet”.

For today, we jump into the text at a pivotal moment of Ezekiel ministry. One that correlates well for our journey today. A time where so much is happening around us that we worry about our future, just as Israel did. We are concerned about whats to come and how might things change. (Stay with me because God is taking us somewhere.)

Ezekiel was an exilic prophet. He along with Daniel, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, Obadiah, Haggiah, Malachi and others, preached and prophesied during a time of pre and post exile. They spoke of Israel judgement, the need for repentance, and the rebirth of a strong nation, and finally the resurrection of Israel which we know is a a prelude to the coming Savior.

Ezekiel concerns had to do with a situation where even the prophet was confused about the vision that came from God about Gods people. Let me park there for a moment. Show of hands!

How many of you have heard from God and the message didn't seem clear to you?

How many of you have recieved a Word from God and the message said to stay in the midst of turmoil even though you see the exit signs all around you?

Ezekiels journey was very similar to our own journey’s today. There was three waves of captivity that swept the people from Judah. In the first wave Nebuchadnezzar took a small group of select citizens to Babylon. This group contained Daniel and his three Hebrew Boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

A few years later, Jehoiakim rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and some ten thousands more citizens of Judah were forced into exile. Its In this second wave were Ezekiel was washed up in the fight amongst fleshly kings. Then around 586 B.C. another war was raised by Zedekiah who led an uprising against Nebuchadnezzar and Jerusalem suffered yet another detachment.

Throughout this entire ordeal Israel had been shaken, battered, bruised, disconnected and finally torn apart. In all the drama the people turned away from God. They thought that God no longer was speaking to them. That God didn’t hear their calls.

Have you ever felt shaken, battered, bruised, disconnected and torn apart.

Have you ever felt like the walls were closing in on your situation and God wasn’t there?

Dry Bones

We’re at a point of the text where Ezekiel recieved a vision from God and was led by the Spirit to a valley filled with dry bones. The bones represented all of Israel. The bones were dry and lifeless and upon seeing them one might think that God has cast final judgement on these bones. The text is a healthy reminder that the bones also represents our issues, our problems and our concerns.

The bones of family drama, medical issues, heartbreak and loneliness.

Dry bones of bad finances, unemployment and the driest bones of all, spiritual conflict.

The prophet was perplexed by this vision and he couldn’t escape its clutches. The prophet was presented with all the cares of his people in one big vision. But this is what God wanted for Ezekiel. Verse 2 of this text said that God “led Ezekiel around among them, and behold, .” This encounter was no mistake of God. God present this vision too Ezekiel so that he would experience Gods power, remain mindful of His surroundings, and witness how God could bring life into a dead situation.

Life coach Steve Maraboli says “Happiness is not the absence of problems; it’s the ability to deal with them.”

Its no mistake of God to allow the challenges we face in life.

Peter says 1 Peter 4 , “12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Its no mistake of God that he brings to remembrance the cares of this world through called His people.

(James 1:12) Because, Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Brother and sisters, in many cases God allows these challenges to speak to our needs and to present us with answers of hope and guidance from above. God has allowed some challenges to remain in our lives so that we must face him. So that he can ask us:

“Can these bones live?”

“Can I use these dead bones of hurt and heartache to show you that I can bring life into your dead situation?”

“Can I use these dead bones of tragedy that pushed you away from the church to show you that I can bring life into your dead situation?”

“Can I use these bones… you fill in the blank.”

The force of Ezekiels vision has brought hope to many down the centuries. Brother’s and sisters, know that the power of God can change even the most hopeless of lives and situations. Remember, God presented this vision too Ezekiel so that he would witness the Creators power, acknowledge the mess we were in and witness the power the God of our salvation.

So I ask you all, “Can these bones live?” The answer is Yes, because there is still life in your dead situation.

Points

Trust in the Power of God.

Do the Work in Between

Speak Life Into Your Situations

Trust in the Power of God

Brother and sisters in order to find life in your dead situation you have to learn to “Trust in the Power of God.” Know that without God we are insufficient. We cannot see the light of God, if the keeper of the light, doesn't reside in our hearts. Follow me in the text Ezekiel 37:1

(ESV) 1 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.

The first thing we need to do is trust in God enough to fix our dead situations is to have God inside of you.

Not near you.

Not around you.

But inside of you.

Ezekiel was led by the power of God into a dark situation to see what God wanted him to see. God was in the midst of exposing the ministry of Ezekiel to something so challenging that he needed to isolate him in a vision so that he would understand what was being shown to him.

Sometimes its hard to see the entire playing field when your head is down focused on you.

Its hard to see the cares of Gods people when you so wrapped up in your own mess.

Brother and sisters, I believe that the text is teaching us that before we begin to revive a dead situation you need to have the resurrecting life of the Holy Spirit in you. Thats right you must posses the Holy Spirit. The great people of You Version describes the Holy Spirit “is a regenerator ” Jesus said in John 3:5, “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” The Holy Spirit is an empower “Jesus told His early followers that when they were baptized in the Holy Spirit, they would be “clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).”

God transporting Ezekiel by the Spirit to the valley of dead bones illustrates for us that we can’t begin to fix our dead situations without the work of the Holy Spirit.

When God asked Ezekiel who can make these dry bones live? Brothers and sisters, I am silly enough to believe the the Holy Spirit said move over Ezekiel over and said I got this and with boldness he said, “O Lord God, you know.”

With the power of the Holy Spirit you will not only be led into the midst of the valley but as we will soon find out you will also be empowered in the valley.

Some scholars suggest that at this point of the text Ezekiel was in conflicted with this particular part of his ministry. Some say he was torn between the vision and other suggest he was a bit dismayed.

The text teaches me however, that from verse 1 - 14 he got out the way and did exactly what God wanted him to do.

That teaches us that the power of God supersedes our worries.

The power of God supersedes my concerns.

The power of God is what I will trust in when I walk into this world and start to breath new life into my situation

Do the Work He Called You To

In my studies I also found something interesting between verses 4 to 13. Admittedly, I was given multiple incites as to how to speak about this text. I must have wrote down this point three to four different ways and each time I pinned my words to the scripture there was glaring whole between my thoughts.

The reason for the difficulty had a lot to do with me. I was about to deal with the portion of the text that caused me the most challenges. In many ways this was my dead situation! Here in the text God asks brother Ezekiel a rhetorical question and he answers with the most obvious answer. God says, “Can these bones live. Ezekiel response “O Lord God you know.

But what happens next could be viewed as the turning point of your dead situations.

In verse 4 of our text God speaks to Ezekiel and says, “Prophesy over these bones and say to them”.. know jump down in look at the opening of verse 7 “So I prophesied as I was commanded.”

Lord, You missed it. (repeat). God gave him a command and he did just what God told him to day.

“5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 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.”

Verse 7, “So I prophesied as I was commanded.”

God has already spoken. He’s given you direction but you still sitting in your dead space. Pastor Furtik, says,

If God met your ever expectations in life, then He wouldn’t have the opportunity to exceed them (Furtik)

Rev. Jarkeer, I have asked you to step out on faith dealing with this matter but your still at verse 4. Brother and sisters, that business idea, new job, dropping of a bad habit isn't dead, your just stuck at verse 4. We are at the precipice of our blessings, however after receiving the gift, of knowing what it is God wants us to do, we didn't head his command.

Recognized that there is a process in rebuilding the dead situations. God is careful to not just make things happen in a blink of an eye but to show that restoration has a process.

“5 Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. - God needs to speak to your dead situation.

6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, - God will weave the blessing into your situation.

and cover you with skin, then he will cover your dead situation so that we can begin to recognize you.

and put breath in you, and you shall live, - then just as he did in the beginning he will breath in you so that you situation can live again.

and you shall know that I am the Lord.” - and to cap off the blessing we ought to give him praise and honor as he is rightfully due.

Do i have some believers in the house today that will stand up and give God praise for the life he has given you.

Speak Life Into your Situation

Lastly, as I prepare to get ready to take my seat. Im from South Philly born and raised. Straight from 24th street.

When the streets was trying their best to raise me I remember a saying one of my so called olHeads use to say to me…

olHeads A Philly term used to address someone who you look up to (UrbanDictionary)....

He use to say, “if you stay around broke folks, you gonna wind up broke yourself. Hang around dudes who getting money and you just might get up out of here.” (Yall read between the lines) because he wasn't talk about honest hardworking people… but what he said it stuck with me in a different way.

If your gonna hang around people who only speak negativity and not life then you will be come a negative person. Likewise, If you gonna trust in God and do what he has commanded you to do then you also going to have to learn to speak life into all your situations.

Not just the good stuff but even the things that cause you harm and know that the Spirit in you will see it come to pass.

Someone once said, “Faith brother and sisters is not hoping God can, its knowing that God will. (2x)”

Paul says in Ephesians 4:29 - “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up” - thats not just for you to teach others but for you to live in your own words.

Jesus says, “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” Yes, you can do damage to yourself speaking about self doubt. Speaking about how horrible life is. All these negative vibes begin to become reality.

The text says in verse 10 “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.”

The Spirit of God will bring life into a dead situation.

Brother and sisters, “We don’t live on bread alone but by every word that proceeds the mouth of the Lord.” (Matthew 4:4)

Closing\ Conclusion

I close with words from Sade Solomon, “Founder of Conversations Beyond”, If you want to change your perspective about your situations, you need to change how I speak about them.

Speak life to those dead situations in your life. Stop saying what you wont have, stop saying what you cant do, stop saying what always happens to you, and stop saying you don’t know. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:21

Let’s put an end to self-destructing words. Are you ready to start speaking life to your LIFE? Let’s Go, Lets Do it: 

I can do this!

I am prepared for this!

I am fully equipped!

I have more than enough!

I am loved!

I am valued!

I have the resources I need to accomplish my goals!

God has not forgotten about me!

I have not been overlooked!

I have purpose!

I am here for a reason!

This moment will be the time I will put in action everything!

I am not afraid!

I am unstoppable!

My dry bones will live.

My dry bones are alive

I am excited today Because God is so good!

Not only is He good;

He’s faithful! He’s merciful.

He’s just. He is a loving God.

He’s kind. He’s a provider.

He’s a way-maker. He’s a deliverer.

He’s a healer.

He is a very pleasant help in our time of need

His name is a strong tower that we can run to and be safe

There is life for your dead situation.

The bible says in Romans 8:31 that if God be for us who can be against us..

No matter what you are going through know God still can resurrect your dead bones situation.

Stand on his Word and Prophesy - In the Name of Jesus.

Don’t give up - In the Name of Jesus.

We have the ability to prophesy "LIFE" to a dying world because we live in resurrection power; through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. - In the Name of Jesus.

Can these bones live - - In the Name of Jesus. Yes!

Can these bones live - - In the Name of Jesus. Yes!

Amen