CAN THESE BONES LIVE?

· Matthew 4:4  “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word proceeding.”

· “Word” (4487 Strongs) Rhema = utterance, command.

· “Proceed” (1607 Strongs) = to go forth, be projected.

· Spiritual life is sustained by continual hearing Word of God and acting on it.

· Example:  Matthew 14:18  Peter – Lord bid me come.

· Example:  Luke 5:5  Lord at your word cast the net.

Ezekiel 37 : Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones

· Vision of resurrection by the Word of the Lord.

· Dead can and will come to life by the Word of God.

a) Prophetic picture

i) Resurrection from death to life of unsaved by Word of God

· Ephesians 2:1  Dead in trespass and sin – cut off from God.

ii) Resurrection from defeated state of church by Word of God

· 2 Corinthians 2:14  Thanks to God who always causes us to triumph.

iii) Resurrection of body from death to eternal life

· 1 Corinthians 15:57  In a moment – trumpet sound, dead raised.

b) Condition of the people

• vs1  Holy Spirit reveals to Ezekiel the condition of people – prophetic

• vs2 Very many  = valley full of bones, dead men’s bones

· defeated in some great battle fought and lay where fell.

· nothing left but the bones.

• vs2 Very dry     = exposed to sun and wind, harsh weather conditions

· lost all their moisture, vitality, life, very dry.

• vs11 No hope   = no expectation of situation changing

· nothing to look forward to – no way out.

· place of despair – nothing will change.

• vs11 Cut off      = disconnected, separated one from another

· joints = relationships through which life flows – isolated.

c) Can these bones live?

vs3 Can these bones live? – Is there any possibility of life?

• Luke 1:37  “With God nothing shall be impossible.”
• Luke 1:38  “Be it unto me according to your Word.”
• Impossible situations can change by the Word of God.
• Isaiah 55:11  “My word that goes forth out of my mouth shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, it shall prosper in the thing where to I send it.”
• God’s Words are full of life and power!  Powerful!
• God requires our cooperation with Him – give expression to His words.

vs4  “Prophesy to the bones”

• Speak and act on the Word of God.
• God’s method of bringing change! – must prophecy.
• Prophecy Þ Speaks what God is saying – proclaim living word.
• God’s word carries power to revive, to make alive.
• Don’t be ashamed of Word of God – speak forth boldly.
• Nothing happened until a man spoke the Word of God!
• Don’t look at condition of bones, focus on the power of the Word.

vs7 Holy Spirit moves when Word of God is acted upon

• Expect miracles.
• “As I prophesied” – Holy Spirit moves when speak/act on the Word.

(i) Noise (6963 Strongs) – calling out, cry, thunder, proclamation

(ii) Shaking (7494 Strongs) – uproar, commotion, shaking, rattling

(iii) Bones came together (7126 Strongs) – drew near, became joined

(iv) Restoration – skin and flesh, restoration

vs9  “Prophecy to the wind”

• Fervent effective prayer.
• Word and Spirit work together
• Wind = type of Holy Spirit – Breath of God (Acts 2:1-2).
• God’s means of bringing change, word and spirit.
• “Come” = cry of prayer for Holy Spirit to revive!
• The breath came Þ Holy Spirit moved upon dead people.

(i) They lived Þ new life of God

(ii) They stood up Þ no longer defeated; arose to face challenge

(iii) Exceeding great army Þ purpose and destiny – extend Kingdom of God

• Must use spiritual means to bring forth spiritual results.
• Joshua 1:8  Meditate on Word of God – not depart from mouth.  Observe to do.
• Þ Make way prosperous and have good success.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

The Valley of the Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37:1-10

Vs 1-2

The valley was filled with very dry bones.  The bones were of people defeated in battle.  A situation of death, defeat and hopelessness.

1          Think of an area in your life right now that is in need of a touch from God.

Examples:  A broken relationship, Prayer life, Victory over a bad habit, A business breakthrough.

2          What is the answer to the Lord’s question in verse 3 “Can these bones live?”

3          What did God’s instruction to the prophet in verse 4 mean?

4          How do we speak the Word of God to our hopeless situations?

Read:  Matthew 7:24-27

5          What are the two conditions for standing strong in the storms of life?

6          What do you personally need to do in response to these conditions?

Break up and pray for each other by speaking the Word of God into each others situations.