Awakening Spiritual Life Through God's Word and Spirit

 

Summary

Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is a profound meditation on the Word of God. It emphasizes the necessity of the Word in our lives, as it is through the Word that the Spirit of God works in fullness. The Spirit, likened to the breath of God, provides the oxygen we need to live spiritually vibrant lives. However, many of us are suffocating spiritually because we are not breathing in the Word of God. We are surrounded by the smog of life, and without the Word, we cannot experience the peace and life that the Spirit offers.

Ezekiel 37, the story of the valley of dry bones, illustrates this vividly. The dry bones represent lifelessness and hopelessness, much like the spiritual state of many today. God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, to speak the Word of the Lord over them. As he does, the bones begin to rattle and come to life, symbolizing the power of the Word when combined with the Spirit. The Spirit, coming from the four winds, breathes life into the bones, transforming them into a great army.

This passage is a call to awaken from spiritual slumber. Many are spiritually dead, even within the church, because they lack the life-giving breath of the Spirit. God desires to breathe new life into us, to raise us from our graves of despair and hopelessness. This divine disruption we experience is a reminder that true life and impact come not from human efforts or programs but from the Spirit of God working through His Word.

The world is in crisis, and so is the church. But God is using these crises to wake us up, to remind us that it is not by might or power but by His Spirit that we will make a spiritual impact. We are called to be alive, to be filled with hope, and to be commissioned for spiritual impact. The world is waiting for this impact, but it begins with us, in the aisles of our churches. We must run to the Scriptures, engage with the Word, and invite the Holy Spirit to breathe life into us daily.

Key Takeaways:

- The Word of God is essential for spiritual life. Without it, we suffocate spiritually, unable to experience the fullness of the Spirit. The Spirit works in concert with the Word, providing the breath of life we need to thrive. [00:08]

- Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones illustrates the power of the Word and Spirit. The bones, representing lifelessness, come to life when the Word is spoken over them, showing that spiritual revival begins with the Word. [01:10]

- Many are spiritually dead because they lack the breath of the Spirit. God desires to breathe new life into us, raising us from our graves of despair and hopelessness. This is a call to awaken from spiritual slumber. [06:35]

- True spiritual impact comes not from human efforts but from the Spirit of God working through His Word. The crises we face are divine disruptions, reminding us that it is by His Spirit that we will make a difference. [07:16]

- We are called to be alive and filled with hope, commissioned for spiritual impact. This begins with us, in the aisles of our churches, as we engage with the Word and invite the Holy Spirit to breathe life into us daily. [08:50]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - The Importance of Psalm 119
- [00:24] - Breathing the Right Stuff
- [00:56] - Introduction to Ezekiel 37
- [01:30] - The Oxygen Tank of the Holy Spirit
- [02:18] - The Valley of Dry Bones
- [03:01] - Prophesying to the Bones
- [03:47] - The Spirit from the Four Winds
- [04:29] - Prophesying to the Spirit
- [05:15] - The Bones Come to Life
- [06:04] - God Opens Graves
- [06:45] - Crisis and Divine Disruption
- [07:30] - Waking Up the Church
- [08:02] - Commissioned for Spiritual Impact
- [09:01] - Running to the Scriptures

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 119
- Ezekiel 37:1-14

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Observation Questions:

1. In Psalm 119, what does David emphasize about the Word of God and its role in his life? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about spiritual suffocation? [00:08]

2. According to Ezekiel 37, what was the initial state of the bones in the valley, and what did God instruct Ezekiel to do? How did the bones respond to Ezekiel's actions? [01:10]

3. What does the sermon suggest is the relationship between the Word of God and the Spirit of God? How is this relationship illustrated in the story of the dry bones? [04:41]

4. How does the sermon describe the current state of the church and the world, and what is God’s purpose in allowing these crises according to the pastor? [06:45]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. Why does the pastor compare the Spirit of God to the breath we need to live spiritually vibrant lives? How does this analogy help us understand our spiritual needs? [00:24]

2. In Ezekiel 37, what is the significance of the Spirit coming from the four winds to breathe life into the bones? How does this relate to the sermon’s call for spiritual revival? [03:47]

3. The sermon mentions that many are spiritually dead because they lack the breath of the Spirit. What might be some signs of spiritual lifelessness in a believer’s life? [06:35]

4. How does the sermon interpret the crises faced by the world and the church as divine disruptions? What does this suggest about God’s intentions for His people during difficult times? [07:16]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current spiritual state. Are there areas in your life where you feel spiritually suffocated? What steps can you take to breathe in the Word of God more regularly? [00:41]

2. The sermon calls for an awakening from spiritual slumber. What practical changes can you make in your daily routine to invite the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into you? [06:35]

3. Consider the analogy of the dry bones coming to life. Is there a specific area in your life that feels lifeless or hopeless? How can you prophesy the Word of God over that situation? [03:01]

4. The pastor emphasizes the importance of being commissioned for spiritual impact. What is one way you can make a spiritual impact in your community or church this week? [08:02]

5. How can you ensure that you are not just going through the motions of attending church but truly engaging with the Word and the Spirit? What might this look like in your personal worship or church involvement? [04:29]

6. The sermon suggests that true life and impact come from the Spirit of God working through His Word. How can you prioritize time in Scripture and prayer to align with this truth? [07:16]

7. Reflect on a recent crisis or challenge you faced. How might viewing it as a divine disruption change your perspective and response? What can you learn from this experience about relying on God’s Spirit? [06:58]

Devotional

Day 1: The Breath of Life in the Word
The Word of God is essential for spiritual vitality. Without it, we are like fish out of water, gasping for the breath of life that only the Spirit can provide. The Word acts as the conduit through which the Spirit breathes life into our souls, enabling us to thrive spiritually. In a world filled with distractions and spiritual smog, the Word is the pure oxygen we need to experience the fullness of the Spirit. Engaging with the Word daily is not just a spiritual discipline but a lifeline to a vibrant spiritual life. [00:08]

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to ensure you are consistently breathing in the Word of God, allowing it to bring life to your spiritual walk?


Day 2: Revival Through the Word and Spirit
Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones is a powerful illustration of how the Word and Spirit work together to bring revival. The dry bones, symbolizing lifelessness and hopelessness, come to life when the Word of the Lord is spoken over them. This transformation is a testament to the power of the Word when combined with the Spirit. It is a reminder that spiritual revival begins with the Word, as it is the catalyst for the Spirit's life-giving work. In our own lives, we must speak the Word over areas of spiritual dryness, inviting the Spirit to breathe new life into us. [01:10]

"Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 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." (Ezekiel 37:5-6, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area of your life that feels spiritually dry. How can you intentionally speak the Word of God over this area and invite the Spirit to bring revival?


Day 3: Awakening from Spiritual Slumber
Many are spiritually dead because they lack the breath of the Spirit. God desires to breathe new life into us, raising us from our graves of despair and hopelessness. This is a call to awaken from spiritual slumber and to be filled with the life-giving breath of the Spirit. The Spirit's work is not passive; it requires our active engagement with the Word and a willingness to be transformed. As we open ourselves to the Spirit's breath, we are awakened to a vibrant spiritual life, filled with hope and purpose. [06:35]

"Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Ephesians 5:14, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you been spiritually asleep? What practical steps can you take today to awaken to the Spirit's life-giving presence?


Day 4: Divine Disruption for Spiritual Impact
True spiritual impact comes not from human efforts but from the Spirit of God working through His Word. The crises we face are divine disruptions, reminding us that it is by His Spirit that we will make a difference. These disruptions are opportunities for us to rely on the Spirit rather than our own strength. As we navigate these challenges, we are reminded that our impact is not measured by human standards but by the Spirit's work in and through us. Embracing these divine disruptions allows us to be vessels of spiritual impact in a world in need. [07:16]

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a current crisis or challenge in your life. How can you view it as a divine disruption and rely on the Spirit to work through you for spiritual impact?


Day 5: Commissioned for Spiritual Impact
We are called to be alive and filled with hope, commissioned for spiritual impact. This begins with us, in the aisles of our churches, as we engage with the Word and invite the Holy Spirit to breathe life into us daily. Our spiritual vitality is not just for our benefit but for the world around us. As we are filled with the Spirit, we are empowered to make a difference, bringing hope and life to those in need. Our commission is to be agents of spiritual impact, living out the hope and life we have received. [08:50]

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively engage with the Word and the Spirit today to be commissioned for spiritual impact in your community? What specific actions can you take to bring hope and life to those around you?

Quotes


i challenge all of you to read psalm 119 the longest chapter in the bible it's all about one subject the word of god and david says this word of god is my life here's why because the spirit of god here it is only works in his fullness in concert with the word of god don't miss that if you want to breathe if you want to hear peace be unto you because you're scared no matter what is causing that fear the spirit of god who is the breath of god will only give you the oxygen you need not because he doesn't want to but because you're not breathing the right stuff you got too much smog in your life you're not taking advantage of the word of god [00:00:08]

if you have the holy spirit in you you have the oxygen tank it's already in there but you can have an oxygen tent and not use it so you can be huffing and puffing and not having peace that the breath of god who is the holy spirit offers to believers he says in verse 1 the spirit of the lord sent me to a valley full of dry bones what was the problem with these dry bones he says can these bones live again they're so dry they are lifeless it was so bad all that ezekiel could say is at the end of verse 3 oh lord god you know i can't answer that question because it looks real bad [00:01:30]

he tells the prophet verse 4 prophesy over these bones oh dry bones hear the word of the lord so give them some bible prophesy over them give them the word of the lord in their situation now watch verse 5 thus saith the lord god to these bones behold i will cause breath uh-uh there's our word to enter you that you may come to life hello the spirit of the lord leads him he says listen to the word so i can give you breath breath is the holy spirit as you'll see i'ma cause breath to enter so verse 7 i prophesied as i was commanded and the bones begin to rattle [00:02:47]

then he said verse 9 prophesy to the breath to the spirit prophecy son of man and say to the breath the spirit thus saith the lord god come from the four winds the spirit from everywhere all breath and breathe on these slain that they may come to life oh this is getting good and good he's prophesying to the bones but then he's prophesying to the breath the breath is the spirit coming from the four winds it's the air it's the air we breathe so the the bones that are dry hopeless helpless they're desperate he says prophesy to him tell them bones it's time to to live [00:03:47]

why am i prophesying to the spirit because the holy spirit acts in concert with the word so when you get the word of god and you are speaking the word of god the spirit of god attaches to it and when the spirit of god attaches to the word of god something begins to happen so i prophesied verse 10 as he commanded me and the breath came to them and they came to life and stood on their feet an exceedingly great army let me read a little bit more verse 11. then he said to me son of man these bones are the whole house of israel or to put in the new testament word it's the whole church [00:04:41]

behold they say our bones are dried up and our hope has perished so how do you know you have no life because you have no hope when your hope leaves your life leaves he says our hope is gone we are completely cut off can't find god nowhere but then he says prophesy and say to them verse 12 thus saith 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 i then you will know that i am the lord when i open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves my people [00:05:15]

i will put my spirit within you verse 14 and you will here it is come to life and i will place you on your land you will know that i am the lord and have spoken and has done this declares the lord did you did you see that he said i'ma take you out your grave you feel like you're dying because you know when you're dying you're losing your breath you can't breathe you feel like you you're in crisis you're the world is in crisis the culture's in crisis the church is in crisis we're in crisis and god says it's time to breathe [00:06:04]

why is god allowed all of this stuff to take our breath away crisis after crisis chaos after chaos conflict after conflict why this divine disruption that you will know i am the lord it's not by might it's by my spirit says the lord it's not because you come up with a new program or because you elect a certain person to a political office it's not because of that i've interrupted all this stuff it's not because of your money it's not because of your clout it's not because of your notoriety no if you don't have my spirit you can have all that and be in a graveyard [00:07:16]

you know what he's trying to do god is trying to wake up the church this is all about waking up to church because we can't get them to live out there if we digging our own graves in here he says i want to give you life and how do you know you have life he says because you're going to be commissioned for spiritual impact whoever sends you remit they will be remitted he says in john 20. he says in other words you're going to make a spiritual impact you know what the world is waiting for spiritual impact you know why we're not having spiritual impact because we're six feet under we're in our graves [00:08:02]

we're saved we're on our way to heaven but there is no life and he says there's no hope that's when when hope is gone then being alive as it was meant to be spiritual life is lost you and i have a plan that god has given us to make a spiritual impact in the world but if god can't even make a spiritual impact in the aisles of our church why do we think he'll make a spiritual impact in the isles of congress or in the streets of the city when there's a graveyard in the sanctuary so it's time to come alive and that's based on the breath [00:08:50]

but not breathing occasionally breathing the holy spirit as you connected with the word of god you should now be running to the scripture running to the bible running to find out or get someone to help you find out where do i go and we're going to help you do that by giving you scriptures to run to and talk to the holy spirit all day long as you go from this situation to that situation as you're feeling hopelessness bring him in on it so that he can breathe life into you and me [00:09:01]

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Transcript
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