EZEKIEL 37:1-14 - A Crucial Question!

TOPIC: Easter; New Life, Resurrection
TITLE: A CRUCIAL QUESTION - Son of man, can these bones live? [Adapted: Proclaim. BSSB, “The Sermon Seedbed” by Kevin Shrum; Jul-Sep 1996, p.21]

The period preceding Easter is a good time to talk about the resurrection of the dead. For some people it is not an easy subject no matter how you explain it. Butterflies or seeds, it makes no difference, it’s just too unnatural!

God often confronts us with difficult questions; not because He likes to see us squirm, or because He doesn’t know the answer, but because He wants to reveal how He see things. Said another way, He wants us to see how we see things.

For since in the wisdom of God the world, through its wisdom, did not come to know God, God was well-pleased, through the foolishness of the message preached, to save those who believe.

1 Corinthians 1:21

TEXT: Ezekiel 37:1-14

The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. And He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry. [1-2]

NO LIFE - DEAD!
This reminds me of what a field strewn with seed looks like, the seed dry and without any observable sign of life.

And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord GOD, Thou knowest."

Again 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 that you may come to life. And I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin, and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the LORD.'" [3-6]

GOD ALONE - ABLE!
Thus God tells Ezekiel to prophesy: and the Word of God goes out, and powerfully does what no man alone nor men in concert can do!

And as it was in the Garden when Adam had been formed out of the ground, God put breath in him after that which was lacking for life was given.

So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew, and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them. [7-8]

A kind of slow-motion reverse of the scenes in the horror movies.

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 come to life."'" So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life, and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. [9-10]

A TYPE - ISRAEL!
The dry bones are indeed an army; but they are not to imply that the resurrected Israel will arise from its grave a military force. The illustration is of something without life receiving life, miraculously.

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 has perished. We are completely cut off.'

"Therefore, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. And I will put My Spirit within you, and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it," declares the LORD.'" [11-14]

THE WAY - PROPHETIC!
Prophesy impacts us in two ways: first, it gives testimony of God’s word and power in past historical events; second, it points the scepter of God at future events which will come to pass as surely as the earlier event did!

The prophet’s purpose in his prophecy is to predict the restoration of Israel in a future dispensation of time!

The purpose of God in the prophecy is to reveal the prophet’s and the nation’s abject hopelessness and the reality that nothing short of the power of God can save them! By this act, God says, ye shall know that I am God. [v.6]

• Can these bones live? God asks the prophet. Yes, but only by the power of God! (Expand this)
• Can the dry bones of an unbeliever live? Yes, but only by the power of God! (Expand this)
• Can the dry bones of backslidden believers live? Yes, but only by the power of God! (Expand this)
• Can the dry bones of dead churches live? Yes, but only by the power of God! (Expand this)
• Can the dry bones of a nation wasted by sin live? Yes, but only by the power of God! (Expand this)

NEW LIFE - RESURRECTION!
Paul wrote of this power when he spoke of Abraham:

A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU, in the sight of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

Romans 4:17

And Isaiah wrote of the powerlessness of man in contrast with the power of God:

We were pregnant, we writhed in labor, we gave birth, as it were, [but] only to wind. We could not accomplish deliverance for the earth nor were inhabitants of the world born. Your dead will live; their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, for your dew is as the dew of the dawn, and the earth will give birth to the departed spirits.

Isaiah 26:18-19

Can you believe that some people believe this happened in a vision in order that God could demonstrate His unbelievable power but that they do not believe that a general resurrection of the dead will take place?

"Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live. For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself; and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, be-cause He is the Son of Man.

Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.”

John 5:25-29

But many do marvel: even today the same is true as it was in Paul’s day –

For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Corinthians 1:25

THE CHALLENGE - YOURS!
The choice is yours. The world is dying and sliding into the abyss one soul at a time ... let me ask you the question again - SON OF MAN, WILL YO' BONES LIVE?

Christianity, Easter,
Expository, Ezekiel, Homiletics,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

JOB: Full Sermons

The following are links to full sermons, preached at FBC La Verne (FBC/LV) in Southern California or at San Carlos Community Church (SCCC) in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico ...

14:14

BETWEEN HEAVEN & EARTH – Four Reasons for Our Sojourn!

23:8-10

HE KNOWS - The Way We Take!

Expository, Homiletics, Job,
Outlines, Preaching, Sermons

1 Corinthians 1:18, 22-23 - That Foolish Cross; the Power and Wisdom of God!

1 Corinthians 1:18, 22-23

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. …. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

TOPIC: Resurrection (Easter) Series – the Salvation of God #1
TITLE: THAT FOOLISH CROSS – The Power and Wisdom of God!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How does the bible present salvation?
CONCISE OUTLINE:

I. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SALVATION COMPLETELY
II. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SALVATION HISTORICALLY
III. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SALVATION CONTINUALLY
IV. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SALVATION FINALLY

TRUTH/CONTEXT: So the lost think, “the word of the cross is foolishness” … they (Jews) seek for signs and and the gentiles (Greeks) look for wisdom … “but we preach Christ crucified”; so they’ll not find what they are looking for with us.

To the Jews it is “a stumbling block” (scandalon; a scandal, an offense) to the Gentiles “foolishness” (an absurdity), “but to … the called” … “Christ crucified” is both the sign (power) and the wisdom … the very things they seek.

[CROSS] LA County has been involved in a controversy brought on by the ACLU (Awfully Corrupt Legal Union) concerning the county’s official seal. The seal has several things on it; one is the entrance to the Los Angeles Mission, showing a cross on its rampart. The county recently spent $4,000 of taxpayer money to have personal seals produced for the five supervisors. When threatened with a suit, the cowards backed down and commissioned the production of small plastic pasties to cover the offensive Christian icon; this cost the taxpayer another $1,800. The result? The County Administrative Office has ordered the seals be taken down and put in storage. Why? In spite of the $360/each cover up, the cross continued to shine through. (BIG PAUSE TO SINK IN) Ha, ha … ha!

We are embarking on a series of messages on the Christ, the Cross, and the Crucifixion – the subject is salvation. Perhaps the place to begin is “in the beginning”!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How does the bible present salvation?
EXPANDED OUTLINE:

I. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SALVATION COMPLETELY

A. In the fullest sense salvation is presented eschatologically
B. And is Messiah centered

1. His person
2. His works

C. And always as the only hope for all mankind
D. The cross continues to shine through

II. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SALVATION HISTORICALLY

A. At the fall – expelled from Eden to save sinful mankind from "the tree of life"
B. At Able'a murder – Cain expelled to save the sons of God from Cain’s influence
C. At the flood – only eight saved to show the serious nature of depravity
D. At the court of Pharaoh – Joseph (type of Christ) delivered from bondage
E. At first Passover – Hebrews saved from bondage & through waters of separation
F. At the Tent of Meeting – God delivered the people daily
G. At the Day of Atonement – God delivered figuratively
H. At the Judge’s bar – God delivered time and time again
I. At the throne of man – useless deliverance revealed by human monarchs
J. At the object of salvation – pointing toward the New Covenant
K. At the Word of God – Hebrews 1:1, 2

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

L. The cross continues to shine through!

III. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SALVATION CONTINUALLY

A. In the present – we are being redeemed

1. Zechariah’s prophecy – concerning his son John
2. John’s message – “repent for the Kingdom of God is at hand” - Jesus took this message up at John’s death

B. Three tenses of the verb used –

1. Past evidence – 2 Timothy 1:8, 9

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.

2. Present reality – 1 Corinthians 1:18

The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

3. Future hope – Romans 13:11

Do this, knowing the time, which it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.

C. The cross continues to shine through

IV. THE BIBLE PRESENTS SALVATION FINALLY

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:3-5

The cross continues to shine through

APPLICATION/CHALLENGE: Commenting on Gen 49:18 ("For Your salvation I wait, O LORD.”), the Jewish Targums say …

My soul waiteth, not for the salvation of Gideon the son of Joash, for that is but temporal; not for the salvation of Samson, for that is transitory: but for the salvation of the Messiah the son of David, the salvation which Thou hast promised in Thy Word to accomplish for Thy people the children of Israel: for this Thy salvation my soul waiteth; for Thy salvation 0 Lord, is an everlasting salvation.

[cited by Cremer, Biblio-Theological Lexicon of New Testament Greek, p. 533.]

A New Testament commentator writes …

These three phases of salvation were seen as "aspects of one great" deliverance. There is no divorce or contradiction between the historical and the eschatological, because the former, by becoming active in the present (and no mere past-and-gone event) is the matrix and type of the latter; the eschatological salvation, even now active in the present, is the final realization beyond history of that which the historical redemption foreshadowed and promised. Past, present and future constitute, not three deliverances but one deliverance. [E. M. B. Green, The Meaning of Salvation, p.34]

[HOPE] An old Indian chief constantly spoke of salvation in Jesus and what He meant to him. "Why do you talk so much about Jesus?" asked a friend.

The old chief did not reply, but instead gathered some bits of grass and made a grass circle on the ground. In the circle he placed a caterpillar. He took an ember from the fire and lit the grass. They watched as the fire caught around the circle, the aterpillar crawled around rapidly, seeking an escape. As the fire advanced, the caterpillar raised up as high as it could. If the creature could speak, it would have said, "My help can only come from above."

The chief’s friend said, “I don’t understand.” The old chief stooped down, he extended his finger to the caterpillar, which crawled up his finger. "That," said the chief glowing "was what Jesus did for me! I was lost in sin, hopeless. I was trapped, no escape. Then Jesus stooped down in love and mercy and drew me out of the fiery pit of sin and shame. How can I help but love Him and talk of His wondrous love for me?"

Has He not reached out of eternity into your life of sin and hopelessness and drawn you out of the fiery hell that waited for you? Well then …?

Christianity, Cross, Easter, Expository, Outlines,
Preaching, Resurrection, Salvation, Sermons

ACTS - Seed Archive

Acts 1:4-8

TOPIC: Trinity

TITLE: The Book of Acts in One Message!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What themes are conspicuous in the Acts of the Apostles?

I. The Preeminence of the Living Lord!
II. The Prominence of the Holy Spirit!
III. The Power of the Authentic Church!

Asked another way …

1. What was preeminent in that church’s life? [That is, what was clearly the most important thing to the leaders and people of their fellowships?]
2. What was prominent in the ministries of that church? [That is, does any factor stand out over all others?]
3. What power was exhibited? [That is, if their ministries were effective, what energized them?]

TRUTH/CONTEXT: The book may be divided into three distinct sections based on the outline of 1:8b ...

“… you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem (Chapters 1-7), and in all Judea and Samaria (8-12), and even to the remotest part of the earth" (13-28).

If someone were to want to know what an authentic Christian community looked like, it would probably be best to look at a definition near the time of Christ … aka: the “early church.”

Acts 1:14

TOPIC: Unity

TITLE: WITH ONE ACCORD – Biblical Co-operation!
[Concept from "The Acts of the Apostles," Thomas Walker; Moody (1965) p. 14]

ADDITIONAL TEXT: Romans 15:6 [Plus Various]

TRUTH CLAIM:

The Greek word used for our English “with one accord” is a compound word meaning “with a united heart and mind and spirit”; indicating perfect unanimity of feeling, desire, and purpose. It occurs only once outside of Acts [in Romans 15:6].

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What does God reveal about the unanimity of the original first century church?

I. They were with one accord in supplication! [1:14]
II. They were with one accord in convocation! [2:46]
III. They were with one accord in exaltation! [4:24]
IV. They were with one accord in devotion! [5:12]
V. They were with one accord in inspiration! [15:25]

And in this and many other ways the early church exhibited their unanimity over and over!

Acts 2:22-24

TOPIC: Father & Son [Foreknowledge; Gospel; Redemption; Will of God]

TITLE: UP WAS THE ONLY PLAN GOD HAD FOR HIS SON!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: Prior to sending Him, what was the Father's plan for His Son?

I. The Father Lifted Up the Son! [v. 22 - "Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God."]
II. The Father Delivered Up the Son! [v. 23 - "this Man, delivered up by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God."]
III. The Father Raised Up the Son! [v. 24 - "God raised Him up again."]

Acts 2:37-39

TOPIC: Good News; Early Church, Evangelism, Fruit, Power, Proclamation

TITLE: WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN WHEN THE GOOD NEWS IS PROCLAIMED FEARLESSLY!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What happened to the people who heard Peter's first proclamation of the Good News?

I. They Had a Great Conviction! (v. 37a - "they were pierced to the heart.")
II. They Asked a Great Question! (v. 37b - "they asked, 'what shall we do?'")
III. They Received a Great Response! (vv. 38,39 - "repent" and "receive.")

Acts 3:12-26

TOPIC: Faith; falsehood, fearlessness, hearing, lies, power, truth

TITLE: LISTEN TO HIM!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What can we learn from Peter’s reaction to the people running to John and him?

I. WE MUST … [12-15]

A. KNOW THE TRUTH
B. IF WE ARE TO SEE THE LIE

II. WE MUST … [16-21]

A. BOLDLY CORRECT THE LIE

1. WITHOUT FEAR
2. WITHOUT HESITATION
3. WITHOUT CONDEMNATION

III. WE MUST … [22-26]

A. KNOW SCRIPTURE WELL
B. IF WE ARE TO SEIZE

1. THE MOMENT
2. AND OPPORTUNITY TO PROCLAIM

Acts 9:1-25

TOPIC: Encountering God; regeneration, relationship (with God)

TITLE: DEALING WITH A SINNER – Encountering the Living God!

FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What did Saul experience in his encounter with Jesus?

I. HE SAW (was blinding)!
II. HE HEARD (was convicting)!
III. HE REVEALED (was challenging)!
IV. HE DID (was amazing)!
V. HE BECAME (was startling/miraculous)!

Acts 9:1-31

TOPIC: Encountering God; regeneration, relationship (with God), Saul’s conversion

TITLE: COOPERATIVE MISSIONS - Saul’s encounter with God!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: What missions points do we see in this passage?

The extended passage before us (1-31) shows–

I. The Lord dealing with an outspoken sinner! (1-9)
II. The Lord directing a faithful servant! (10-19)
III. And Saul declaring a living Savior! (20-31)

Acts 27:13-14

TOPIC: Suffering; Trials, Tribulation

TITLE: EURAQUILON - Driven By Life’s Violent Winds!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: In what way is this text similar to the life of the child of God?

I. We often have a false sense of security!
II. We ignore warnings! [vv.9,10]
III. We listen to the wrong sources! [vv.11,12]
IV. We let “too little” result in “too much”! [v.13]
V. We are often caught by surprise!
VI. Violent winds always “rush” in! [v.14]
VII. Violent winds always drive us along! [v.15]

But, We Are Never Far From Shore!

Acts, Ecclesiology, Homiletics, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons, Trinity

JONAH - Seed Archive

Jonah 1:1 ff

TOPIC: Missions

TITLE: While Nineveh Goes to Hell!

I. Jonah's Success

Riding the crest of popularity; a successful prophet. [2 Kings 14:25]

II. Jonah's Call [1:1-2]
III. Jonah's Flight [1:3-2:10]
IV. Jonah's Message [3:1-4]

Short & sweet -- Forty days and Nineveh will be destroyed.

V. Jonah's Surprise [3:5-10]

The heathen repented and were spared; they weren't even part of chosen people.

VI. Jonah's Displeasure [4:1-4]

First time thus saith the Lord not literally fulfilled.

VII. Jonah's Lesson [4:5-11]

God is concerned about all people groups; it is not His will that any should perish [2 Peter 3:9].

[MISSIONS] If a child comes home and tells mom & dad the boss is sending junior to South America as part of a multi-million dollar oil exploration the folks say, "Wow! Great! You've made it son. We can't wait to call the family and the friends to tell them."

But if he comes home and tells them that God has called him to the mission field in South America to rescue the perishing, they say, "What? Are you sure? Are there any benefits? Is it safe? You don't even speak the language."

SOURCE: Bill Blanchard, Commission Magazine, May 1997 p. 280 (a publication of the International Missions Board of the Southern Baptist Convention).

Homiletics, Jonah, Outlines,
Preaching, Sermons

HOSEA - Seed Archive

Hosea 14:9

TOPIC: Ways of the Lord; Understanding; Wisdom; Discernment; Uprightness; Non-believers

TITLE: How to Walk Without Falling!
FOUNDATIONAL INQUIRY: How is the believer to walk?

I. With Understanding!

"Whoever is wise, let him understand these things!"

II. With Discernment!

"Whoever is discerning, let him know them!"

III. With Uprightness!

"The ways of the LORD are [up]right, and the righteous will walk in them!"

IV. Without Stumbling!

"But transgressors will stumble [and fall] in them!"

Homiletics, Hosea, Outlines,
Preaching, Resurrection, Sermons