There is Hope

Ezekiel 37:11–14 (ESV)

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.”

Introduction:

DT: When we devote our lives to God He provides us with hope.

Aim: We will devote our lives to serving God exclusively.

God uses Ezekiel to proclaim to the people of Israel that He will administer His mercy towards them. They were undeserving of God’s care because they had become idolators and rejected God.

God describes His intentions through this vision so that the people of Israel would know that God is Sovereign but also so that they would be the people God desires them to be towards Him.

We live in a time now that may not be like Israel but the character of God’s people today are similar to those of Ezekiel’s day. Many have turned from God and choose to live sinfully and arrogantly before the Lord.

But this passage displays the passion and love God has for His people. They have messed up and God punished them with banishment and exile. Yet God shows His heart is filled with love and concern for His people. God provides them with HOPE. God is saying, “It is not over, Do not lose hope! I got you”

I suspect there are some who are among us this evening, who have had a rough go of it lately. You have suffered, you have cried, you feel like you cannot win for losing, you have lost loved ones, friends and colleagues. I stopped here today to tell you don’t lose hope. God has got you!

See you think the battle is over and feel like its time to throw in the towel but oh no my friends! God has sent word to you tonight, that it is not over. Re-adjust your thinking and place your trust in God. You been trying to do it on your own and alone but now is the time to situate yourself to be under the sovereign Will of God. Do not lose hope! God is on the throne!

Our text tonight begins in verse 11 with God addressing three laments from Israel.

Our bones are dried

Our hope is lost

We are cut off for our parts

Plainly, God is saying to Ezekiel, I have heard the cry of Israel. And I am showing you what I can do when things seem impossible.

Transition: That’s a word for somebody! Nothing is impossible for God. The text teaches us us firstly, God Can Resurrect Your Life.

God Can Resurrect Your Life (vv. 12-13)

“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.”

God’s promise to Israel is that though they are dead, meaning they are without the presence of God from their rebellion, God will give them life. The affirms that there is nonetheless hope for the future.

There is a sure and certain future based not on what Israel can do but on God’s determination to save his people.

God says, they were in their graves and dead! But I am going to bring you out of your graves. This metaphor is used to remind them that where they were living as a people was not there rightful place. They were in exile and away from there own land.

See, for Israel, to be anywhere other than the land of promise was to be in a grave. So, God says, I am going to bring you back to the promised place.

Illustration: The story is told of an art curator who went to a museum. He saw a peculiar picture of a boy playing chess. He asked about it and the guide told him . . . The boy’s King has got another move!

Transition: Where you are now is not your last stop and it is not God’s last move. God can resurrect your life and give you what He has promised you.

Application: God can deliver you from whatever has got a grip on you. The question is are you willing to be resurrected. You don’t belong in that grave of sin. God did not intend for drugs, alcohol and sexual immorality to be your grave. God can resurrect your life.

Transition: Secondly, the text teaches us that God Can Resuscitate Your Spirit.

God Can Resuscitate Your Life (v.14)

“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.”

See, God never have does a job. When he does something he does it all the way. He say not only will I raise you from the dead. Not only am i going to move you back to where you belong but I am going to breathe life into you.

The text says, I will put my Spirit within you and you shall live. My breath will revive you. You will experience life not alone but life with me.

Illustration: Fellow was playing with a bouncy bag. he noticed every time he hit the bag it would bounce back. He asked his mother why. She told him because there is something on the inside that keeps it bouncing back.

Transition: Somebody today needs to understand what happens when the Lord resuscitates their life. He breathes in his spirit and gives them some bounce back.

Application: Look, you don’t have to go through the motions. You have a God who loves you so much He will fill you with His Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 “18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,”

Real joy comes from the spirit of God. You don’t need material things and other distractions from the Lord.

Real power comes from the Spirit of God. Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

Transition: Lastly, the text teaches us, God Can Restore Your Relationship

God Can Restore Your Relationship

Throughout this text we notice a running theme. God continually says, “I am the Lord” and also “O My People”

If it were 10 bodies from which the bones came:

10= 2,060

100= 20,600

1000= 206,600

10,000= 2,060,000

100,000= 20,600,000