Reviving the Spirit: Embracing New Life in Christ
Summary
### Summary
Today's sermon focused on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the promise of new life through Jesus Christ. Drawing from John 20:19-23 and Ezekiel 37, the message emphasized that Jesus is the giver of the Holy Spirit, who breathes life into our spiritually dead states. Just as Ezekiel prophesied to the dry bones and they came to life, Jesus breathed on His disciples, saying, "Receive the Holy Ghost," signifying a new era of spiritual empowerment and change.
The sermon highlighted the significance of recognizing our spiritual deadness and the need for divine intervention. It pointed out that many of us live in a state of spiritual dryness, much like the dry bones in Ezekiel's vision. However, God sees our condition and offers us the breath of life through the Holy Spirit, enabling us to live anew. This transformation is not just about a momentary change but a continuous process of spiritual growth and empowerment.
The message also touched on the importance of community and fellowship, encouraging the congregation to support one another, especially in times of need. It celebrated the acts of kindness and support within the church community, such as checking on each other during difficult times. The sermon concluded with a call to action, urging everyone to embrace the change that God is offering and to step into a life of spiritual vitality and purpose.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Breath of Life: Just as God breathed life into Adam and the dry bones in Ezekiel's vision, Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit into us, offering new life and spiritual vitality. This divine breath transforms our spiritually dead state into one of living faith and purpose. [41:06]
2. Recognizing Spiritual Dryness: Many of us live in a state of spiritual dryness, disconnected from God and His purposes. Acknowledging this condition is the first step toward receiving the life-giving breath of the Holy Spirit. God sees our state and offers us a way out through His Spirit. [44:06]
3. The Promise of Change: Jesus' act of breathing on His disciples symbolizes the promise of change and spiritual empowerment. This change is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process of growth and transformation, leading us to live more fully in God's will. [47:59]
4. Community and Support: The importance of community and mutual support was emphasized, highlighting how acts of kindness and checking on one another can be a source of immense blessing. This fellowship reflects the love of Christ and strengthens the body of believers. [39:08]
5. Embracing Spiritual Empowerment: The call to receive the Holy Spirit is a call to embrace spiritual empowerment and live a life dedicated to God's purposes. This involves moving beyond a life of sin and spiritual dryness to one of commitment, dedication, and active service in God's kingdom. [01:00:43]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[38:11] - Fellowship and Community
[40:02] - Introduction to John 20
[41:06] - The Breath of Life
[42:11] - Ezekiel's Vision of Dry Bones
[44:06] - Recognizing Spiritual Dryness
[47:59] - The Promise of Change
[49:05] - Time for Change
[51:02] - Overcoming Fear and Isolation
[52:01] - God's Plan for Us
[53:15] - Prophesying to the Bones
[55:06] - Long-Term Spiritual Dryness
[57:23] - Genesis and the Breath of Life
[58:32] - Spiritual Progression
[01:00:43] - Embracing Spiritual Empowerment
[01:02:02] - The Promises of God
[01:04:25] - Full Empowerment
[01:06:41] - Infusion of Hope
[01:08:23] - Receiving the Holy Ghost
[01:09:17] - Fire of God
[01:11:45] - Staying on the Battlefield
[01:12:38] - God Knows What You Need
[01:13:11] - Call to Receive the Holy Ghost
[01:14:23] - Invitation to the Altar
[01:16:05] - Reaching Out for Blessings
[01:18:50] - Full Empowerment and Focus
[01:20:42] - Power to Minister
[01:22:20] - Offering and Tithes
[01:26:26] - Upcoming Events and Fellowship
[01:30:10] - Closing Prayer and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. John 20:19-23: "Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained."
2. Ezekiel 37:1-10: "The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord. So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army."
### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus do when He appeared to His disciples in John 20:19-23?
2. In Ezekiel 37, what was the condition of the bones before Ezekiel prophesied to them?
3. How did the dry bones in Ezekiel's vision come to life?
4. According to the sermon, what does Jesus breathing on His disciples symbolize? ([41:06])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What is the significance of Jesus breathing on His disciples and saying, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost"? How does this relate to the promise of new life? ([41:06])
2. How does recognizing our state of spiritual dryness help us in our spiritual journey? ([44:06])
3. What does the transformation of the dry bones in Ezekiel 37 teach us about God's power to bring life to spiritually dead situations?
4. How does the concept of community and mutual support play a role in our spiritual growth and empowerment? ([39:08])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually dry. How did you recognize this state, and what steps did you take to seek God's intervention? ([44:06])
2. Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on His disciples, signifying a new era of spiritual empowerment. How can you actively seek and embrace the Holy Spirit in your daily life? ([41:06])
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of community and support. How can you contribute to building a supportive and loving community within your church? ([39:08])
4. Think about an area in your life where you need transformation. How can you invite God's breath of life into that situation?
5. The sermon called for embracing spiritual empowerment and living a life dedicated to God's purposes. What specific changes can you make in your life to align more closely with God's will? ([01:00:43])
6. How can you support someone in your community who might be experiencing spiritual dryness or going through a difficult time?
7. Reflect on the promise of change and spiritual growth. What steps can you take to ensure that your spiritual journey is a continuous process of growth and not just a momentary change? ([47:59])
Devotional
### Day 1: The Breath of Life
Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit into us, offering new life and spiritual vitality. This divine breath transforms our spiritually dead state into one of living faith and purpose. Just as God breathed life into Adam and the dry bones in Ezekiel's vision, Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit into us, signifying a new era of spiritual empowerment and change. This breath of life is not just a one-time event but a continuous process that revitalizes our faith and aligns us with God's will. [41:06]
Bible Passage: "And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" (John 20:22, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel spiritually dry or dead? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into these areas today?
### Day 2: Recognizing Spiritual Dryness
Many of us live in a state of spiritual dryness, disconnected from God and His purposes. Acknowledging this condition is the first step toward receiving the life-giving breath of the Holy Spirit. God sees our state and offers us a way out through His Spirit. Recognizing our spiritual dryness allows us to seek divine intervention and transformation, moving us from a place of desolation to one of spiritual vitality and purpose. [44:06]
Bible Passage: "The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones." (Ezekiel 37:1, ESV)
Reflection: Can you identify specific moments or areas in your life where you have felt spiritually dry? What steps can you take today to reconnect with God and seek His revitalizing Spirit?
### Day 3: The Promise of Change
Jesus' act of breathing on His disciples symbolizes the promise of change and spiritual empowerment. This change is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process of growth and transformation, leading us to live more fully in God's will. Embracing this promise means committing to a life of continuous spiritual development and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us in our daily walk with God. [47:59]
Bible Passage: "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)
Reflection: What areas of your life need transformation and renewal? How can you actively participate in the ongoing process of spiritual growth and change that God promises through His Spirit?
### Day 4: Community and Support
The importance of community and mutual support was emphasized, highlighting how acts of kindness and checking on one another can be a source of immense blessing. This fellowship reflects the love of Christ and strengthens the body of believers. Being part of a supportive community helps us to grow spiritually and provides a network of encouragement and accountability, especially during challenging times. [39:08]
Bible Passage: "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to the spiritual growth and well-being of your church community? What specific acts of kindness or support can you offer to someone in need today?
### Day 5: Embracing Spiritual Empowerment
The call to receive the Holy Spirit is a call to embrace spiritual empowerment and live a life dedicated to God's purposes. This involves moving beyond a life of sin and spiritual dryness to one of commitment, dedication, and active service in God's kingdom. Embracing spiritual empowerment means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us in fulfilling God's mission and living out our faith with boldness and purpose. [01:00:43]
Bible Passage: "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." (Acts 1:8, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to fully embrace the spiritual empowerment offered by the Holy Spirit? How can you actively serve God's kingdom and live out your faith with greater commitment and purpose today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When Jesus looked upon us he saw the wrongness of us. When God looked upon you he saw the wrongness of you. Some of us used to do all kinds of sin. Going to all the wrong places. Participating in all the wrong things. Come on, somebody have church with me this morning. Just allowing the enemy to take control of your life. The Bible says that as it's written there is none righteous. No, not once. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. When God looked down upon us and saw us, he saw the wrongness of us. He saw our state of mind." [46:00](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God saw you out there living in sins. God saw you living for all the wrong things. Pursuing all the wrong things. And God sent somebody your way. Somebody invited you to church. Somebody gave you a church card. Somebody knocked on your door. Something happened because God was saying now is the time to change. A change is necessary. Aren't you glad for a God that loves you that much?" [48:23](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "You felt the tugging in your spirits. Come on now. You felt God leading you. When you were talking to the preacher you tried to put on an angry look like you weren't really caring about what he was talking about but something was on the inside. There was a tugging on your spirit when that Christian invited you to church you tried to act impassive like I don't really care if I go or not but there was something on the inside drawing you. God was saying now's the time. It's time for change." [50:07](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God is saying it's time to change. Enough living for the bottle. Enough running the streets. Enough drugs. Enough letting the devil play with your mind. Now is the time to get in and do what you're supposed to be doing. He's letting us know he can see our dead state and now is the time to change. He's heard the tears. The crying. Going through all the emotions. The anger. The bitterness. The loneliness. All the things that we have experienced. And so he came to let us know. I see your state." [49:05](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God's saying a change is coming. No longer you're hoping somebody throw some breadcrumbs your way now you're entering to a state of spirituality we can reach out to God the Father and say God I need rent money and God can give you your rent money you don't need to have somebody else pray for you and throw some breadcrumbs your way now you have a direct connection to the Father yourself as you begin to go to God God's able to provide God's able to care for you God's able to give you peace God's able to do things." [01:01:07](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "This scripture is a reference to the valley of death we see in Ezekiel chapter 37. Where it says, The hand of the Lord was upon me, and carried me out of the spirit of the Lord to set me in the midst of the valley, which was full of bones. And he caused me to pass by them round about. And behold, there were very many in the open valley, and lo, they were very dry. He said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest. And he said unto me, Prophesy unto these bones. And say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord, that saith the Lord God unto these bones. Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live." [42:11](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "You see when Jesus came in the very midst of those people and began to breathe on them and said receive ye. The Holy Ghost. He was saying a time has come. A time for change. A time of change had come to them. That's why he was ready to breathe upon them the breath of life. Breathe upon them and cause them to begin to live like never before. He stood there and breathed on them and said receive the Holy Ghost because now is the time for change. Don't you realize God saw your dead state also." [47:32](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "He stood in the midst. They weren't really even calling upon God. They were afraid of the Jews because of this Jesus who absolutely had done all these things right in front of everybody and they saw the temple they heard all the things they saw everything go black they knew what had happened even as that man said truly this is the Son of God. saw all that. And so the Jews I mean the Christians the Israelites the disciples of Christ knew that they were going to be looking at them pretty soon and so they shut themselves up and they were in fear some of you used to shut yourself up in fear knowing you shouldn't be doing what you were doing but at the same time had no power to stop you knew the drugs was destroying you you knew the drugs was destroying you you knew that isolating yourself from everybody was not the answer but you had no power in fear." [51:02](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "He said lo they were dry are y'all with me this morning they were dry had been in that state for a long time God for the love of Jesus that God looked past how long we kept saying no to Him how long we kept saying not now not now not now and the call of God kept coming to us thank God for mercy thank God for grace thank God He kept sending somebody if this person if you ignore this person He sends somebody else if you ignore that person He sends somebody else somebody says I can't get away from everywhere in the world I go somebody is knocking on my door why it's God saying now I'm going to breathe upon you and you shall live you were disgraced see God was making a promise that something is about to happen your life may be dead right now and maybe not a whole lot is going on but you shall live something's getting ready to happen you can't even think all the things that God's getting ready to do in your life what does the word of God say and the half has not been told." [56:12](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He said a change is coming I no longer walk around half grown in Christ still being a baby in Christ no I am now grown in Christ mature now we still got a long way to go but I'm no longer walk around a doubter I'm no longer a double minded I now know His arms around about me I know He's looking down upon me with a smile now I know because He lives I can face tomorrow what does the promise say? my Redeemer He ever lives I know that the potter has got His hand upon me He's molding me He's shaking me up He's helping me change is coming I received that promise does anybody else receive that promise this morning? does anybody else receive that promise this morning? your finances about to get better your health is about to get better your peace of mind is about to get better all the time you feel lonely and betrayed or by yourself it's about to change change is coming Hallelujah He breathed upon them He breathed upon them now they did not receive the fullness of the Spirit but that come later but He was letting them know your state has changed I'm looking at you and things about to change He had already gone to the Father already opened up the way for salvation and all they had to do was come receive Him you see when He began to stand in their midst He was letting them know full empowerment is yours empowerment is yours." [01:03:23](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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