Strength for the Journey

Sermon Notes

[Ezekiel 37:1-2] 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.

God specializes in bringing LIFE to DRY places.

[Psalm 63:1] A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.

Recognizing DRYNESS is the first step toward RENEWAL.

[Ezekiel 37:3-4] 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 FAST to position ourselves to hear God's voice.

[Isaiah 41:10] Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

We don’t need more EFFORT, we need God’s STRENGTH.

[Ezekiel 37:9-10] 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.'" [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.

God’s BREATH brings life where there was death.

God breathes NEW life into what seems beyond HOPE.

[Acts 3:19-20] Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. [20] Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.