Reviving the Spirit: God's Power of Restoration
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound story of Ezekiel and the valley of dry bones, a narrative that speaks to the power of God's restoration and the consequences of our choices. Ezekiel's vision is a vivid depiction of Israel's spiritual desolation due to their disobedience, yet it also holds a promise of renewal and life through God's Spirit. This story is not just about ancient Israel; it mirrors our own spiritual journeys, highlighting the cycles of obedience and disobedience, blessing and cursing, that we often find ourselves in.
God's discipline, though painful, is an expression of His love, intended to bring us back into alignment with His will. Just as a parent disciplines a child out of love, God disciplines us to refine us and draw us closer to Him. The Israelites' story is a reminder that our choices have consequences, but it also reassures us of God's mercy and His desire to bring life to what is spiritually dead within us.
The narrative of the dry bones coming to life is a powerful metaphor for the transformation that God can bring about in our lives. It challenges us to speak life into our circumstances, to prophesy God's promises over our situations, and to trust in His sovereignty. The Spirit of God, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, is available to us, ready to breathe new life into our dry and weary souls.
As we reflect on this message, we are called to examine our own lives. Are there areas where we have chosen disobedience over obedience? Are we experiencing spiritual dryness because of our choices? The good news is that God is the God of the turnaround. He is ready to restore and renew us if we are willing to turn back to Him and allow His Spirit to work within us.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of God's Restoration: Ezekiel's vision of the dry bones illustrates God's ability to bring life to what is dead. This story reminds us that no matter how desolate our spiritual state may be, God's Spirit can revive us if we turn back to Him. [03:48]
2. The Role of Discipline in Our Lives: God's discipline, though uncomfortable, is a sign of His love. It is meant to correct and guide us back to His path, much like a parent's discipline aims to teach and protect a child. [19:02]
3. The Consequences of Our Choices: The Israelites' story is a cautionary tale about the consequences of disobedience. We have the free will to choose between blessing and cursing, and our choices determine the course of our spiritual journey. [12:27]
4. Speaking Life into Our Situations: The power of life and death is in the tongue. We are encouraged to speak God's promises over our lives and situations, trusting that His Word is alive and active, capable of bringing transformation. [27:27]
5. The Necessity of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is essential for spiritual vitality and transformation. It is by His Spirit that God brings life to what is dead, and we are called to invite the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us. [36:19]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:12] - Introduction to Goosebumps Series
- [02:27] - Ezekiel's Vision of Dry Bones
- [03:48] - The Sound of a Turnaround
- [05:03] - Prayer for Openness
- [06:11] - Parenting and Discipline
- [08:29] - Israel's Spiritual Condition
- [09:58] - Choices and Consequences
- [12:27] - Blessing or Cursing
- [14:45] - Israel's Sin and Exile
- [19:02] - The Purpose of Discipline
- [21:30] - God's Timing in Discipline
- [24:18] - Ezekiel's Prophecy to the Bones
- [27:27] - Speaking Life and Faith
- [36:19] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [42:43] - Call to Renewal and Revival
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ezekiel 37:1-14
Observation Questions:
1. What was the condition of the bones in Ezekiel's vision, and what did they represent? [02:27]
2. How did Ezekiel respond when God asked him if the bones could live? [26:16]
3. What actions did God instruct Ezekiel to take regarding the dry bones? [25:37]
4. What was the result of Ezekiel's prophecy to the bones? [31:58]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of the dry bones illustrate the power of God's restoration in our lives? [03:48]
2. In what ways does God's discipline reflect His love for us, according to the sermon? [19:02]
3. How do the choices of the Israelites serve as a cautionary tale for us today? [12:27]
4. What does it mean to "speak life" into our situations, and how can this impact our faith journey? [27:27]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually dry. What steps did you take to invite God's Spirit to renew you? [38:30]
2. Are there areas in your life where you have chosen disobedience over obedience? How can you begin to turn back to God in those areas? [16:13]
3. How can you recognize God's discipline in your life, and what is your response to it? [19:02]
4. Identify a situation in your life that feels hopeless. How can you begin to prophesy God's promises over it? [28:08]
5. The sermon mentioned the necessity of the Holy Spirit for spiritual vitality. How can you actively invite the Holy Spirit to work in your life this week? [36:19]
6. Consider the power of your words. How can you intentionally speak life and God's promises over your family and community? [27:27]
7. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your choices align with God's will, avoiding the pitfalls of disobedience? [12:27]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Power to Revive the Spiritually Desolate
In the vision of the valley of dry bones, Ezekiel witnesses a powerful demonstration of God's ability to restore life to what is spiritually dead. This narrative serves as a reminder that no matter how desolate or hopeless our spiritual state may seem, God's Spirit has the power to breathe new life into us. The Israelites' spiritual desolation was a result of their disobedience, yet God promised renewal and life through His Spirit. This story encourages us to turn back to God, trusting in His ability to revive our weary souls and restore us to spiritual vitality. [03:48]
Ezekiel 37:4-6 (ESV): "Then 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, 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.'"
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you feel spiritually dry or desolate? How can you invite God's Spirit to breathe new life into these areas today?
Day 2: Discipline as a Loving Correction
God's discipline, though often uncomfortable, is an expression of His love and desire to guide us back to His path. Just as a parent disciplines a child out of love, God's discipline aims to refine us and draw us closer to Him. The Israelites' story serves as a reminder that our choices have consequences, but it also reassures us of God's mercy and His desire to bring life to what is spiritually dead within us. Embracing God's discipline can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with Him. [19:02]
Hebrews 12:10-11 (ESV): "For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you experienced God's discipline. How can you view this experience as an opportunity for growth and a deeper relationship with God?
Day 3: The Impact of Our Choices
The story of the Israelites is a cautionary tale about the consequences of disobedience. We have the free will to choose between blessing and cursing, and our choices determine the course of our spiritual journey. This narrative challenges us to reflect on our own lives and the choices we make, encouraging us to choose obedience and align ourselves with God's will. By doing so, we open ourselves to the blessings and renewal that God desires for us. [12:27]
Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (ESV): "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. Did it align with God's will? How can you make choices that lead to spiritual blessings and growth?
Day 4: Speaking Life into Our Circumstances
The power of life and death is in the tongue, and we are encouraged to speak God's promises over our lives and situations. By prophesying God's Word and trusting in His sovereignty, we can bring about transformation in our circumstances. This narrative challenges us to use our words to speak life and faith, trusting that God's Word is alive and active, capable of bringing about change and renewal. [27:27]
Proverbs 18:21 (ESV): "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life that needs transformation. How can you use your words to speak God's promises and life into this situation today?
Day 5: The Essential Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is essential for spiritual vitality and transformation. It is by His Spirit that God brings life to what is dead, and we are called to invite the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us. This narrative reminds us of the necessity of the Holy Spirit in our spiritual journey, encouraging us to rely on His power and presence to bring about renewal and growth in our lives. [36:19]
Romans 8:11 (ESV): "If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."
Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in your life today? What specific areas of your life need His transformative power and presence?
Quotes
1) "Discipline is a necessary part of the journey of children and parent relationships. If we didn't discipline our children, I think, number one, it would show that we didn't love our children. But also, number two, I think that it wouldn't show our children restraint. It wouldn't help our children right from wrong, and the decisions have consequences. Their actions have consequences. So there is a time and a place for discipline, although it's not always fun, although it's never enjoyable. It is a necessary process." [07:14] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "God gives you the choice as well to choose blessing or cursing the results of obedience are blessing the results of disobedience or cursing now I don't know about you but when you play it out like that I want to be blessed I don't want to be someone that's walking in a curse some of you right now you are walking in the middle of a great trial you are in a dark season a desert season you are walking in a great trial season and you have blamed El Cucuy and El Cucuy is saying I can't take credit dog that's all you you done made some stupid decisions and some bad mistakes and God said it was my kindness that was going to lead you to repentance but since you took my kindness for granted I had to bring the rod of discipline" [16:13] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "The Lord's discipline here on earth doesn't last forever. That it's a season and there's a time, and he allots that time and he allots that season and he determines when enough is enough for us. And when we've learned what we need, what we need to learn in that season or that situation, and he looks on the Israelites and he determines that now is the time. See, this word that was written in Ezekiel, it was a prophetic mandate. It was a partial prophecy that was fulfilled later, but the fullness of this prophecy hasn't been fully fulfilled. It won't until right before Jesus returns and it speaks of Israel. But God looked and he said, I'm getting ready to turn things around in their lives because maybe their lives have began to turn around." [22:14] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Imagine if we began to speak some life over our tough situations. Imagine if we began to speak life over some of our challenging situations. Imagine if we began to prophesy the word of God. Imagine if our children are driving us crazy. Our children aren't serving you. But I can declare this, that if I raise this child in the ways that they should go, when they are older, they will not depart from it. That I began to speak life over my marriage. My marriage could be in the desert. And it could be my fault. It could be her fault. But I'm going to choose to preach life and speak life over the situation and speak life because there is something profound that happens when you speak life over your desert seasons. And your desert circumstances and situations." [28:08] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "The beauty of grace is that God chooses to redeem us even when we feel unredeemable. That God chooses to turn things around in our lives even when we don't deserve it. That's his mercy. And so God is getting ready to do this for them. And I know that God can do it for you. I think I've preached this message once when I was a youth pastor. And I preached it from the wrong lens. You know I just graduated Bible college. Bear with me. And I had preached this idea of like God's going to bring back what is dead in your life. And God's going to resurrect it. And God's going to revive. And he will." [30:27] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "The very spirit that raised Christ from the dead is the very spirit of God that lives inside of us. He is the God of the turn around. He is the God that will take our mess and turn it into a masterpiece. He is the God that when we are ready to turn from our sinful nature or our sinful ways. And as believers, Christians stop thinking this message is for the unchurched. It is for you. The letters in the Bible were not written to the lost. They were written to you. To me. To the church. And the minute that you begin to think that this word is not for you is the minute that you should realize that this word is for you. It is for us." [37:43] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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