Sermon Series Blog: Encounter Pt.9

From Dry Bones to Revival

Church, it is always an honor to share the word! Week to week as a pastor, life is full of surprises. Every week looks different, and I love that! One thing I’ve been trying to be consistent with is hitting the gym. And I would love to report that I am feeling strong and better than ever… but I don’t want to lie.

This week, I’m feeling sore. I’m feeling weak. I think if you threw a feather at me, I might fall over! My brain still operates like I can do what I did ten years ago, but reality reminds me it takes a lot longer to get warmed up now. Stretching is so boring, but I have to do it. And I’m pretty sure I could hear my knee squeak the other day—it almost sounded robotic! I joked with my brother Joel this week that fighting physically isn’t worth it anymore—we’ll just use our words. If I took a swing at him, my shoulder might sound like car brakes that need replacing!

But you know what? It’s been worth it. Making fitness a priority has been rewarding. Seeing progress, no matter how small, brings new energy and joy. And isn’t that just like our walk with God?

The Challenge of Getting Started

For many people, the hardest part of working out isn’t the exercise—it’s getting started. The same is true for reading and studying the Bible. When you look at the Bible in its entirety, it can feel overwhelming. So many pages, so much to understand.

But here’s what’s fascinating: I’m actually so glad there are a ton of pages in God’s word. Because the first little bit—the first few chapters—show us God’s love, His intentions, and His desire for us. And all of that comes with the gift of free will.

Then you see the rest of the book—all these pages, all these chapters, all these stories. This is us, humanity, in our free will, constantly messing up what God intended for us. But here’s the kicker: in all those pages, we see God’s love for us over and over again. He chases us down. He leaves the 99 for the one. He loves us despite our flaws. That’s why I’m so happy there are a lot of pages—because it’s all evidence of God’s unrelenting love for you and me.

Where Are You Today?

So let me ask: Where are you at with reading God’s word? Is your Bible collecting dust? Do you have a desire to get back into it, but just can’t seem to restart? Maybe you’re feeling spiritually dead, distant from God, hopeless.

Maybe it’s like trying to restore a broken relationship—it just seems impossible. Maybe it’s like someone overcoming addiction, feeling like there’s no reason to even try. Maybe you’re burnt out and exhausted, pressing on but feeling drained and ineffective.

Church, I don’t know where you are today. But I do know this: You made it here. You made it to church today, in person or online. That’s not an accident. That’s not luck.

Encountering the Living God

We’re diving into Ezekiel 37 today—the vision of dry bones coming back to life.

Ezekiel 37:1-3 says:

"The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' I said, 'Sovereign Lord, you alone know.'"

These bones represent death, hopelessness, and people who feel abandoned and lifeless. Ezekiel sees the vastness of this valley, and God asks him, “Can these bones live?” And I love Ezekiel’s answer: “Only you know, Lord.”

Maybe you feel like your faith is a write-off. Like there’s no hope of revival. Like your spiritual life is a car totaled in an accident—too much damage to repair. But God specializes in what we deem impossible. He brings life where we see only death.

Prophesy to the Dry Bones

God tells Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones:

"Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life." (Ezekiel 37:4-5)

Ezekiel obeys, and as he prophesies, the bones rattle together. Tendons and flesh appear. But there’s still no breath in them.

Church, without God’s Spirit, people may look alive but remain spiritually dead. We don’t want to be a church that just looks like it has life. If the Spirit of God isn’t in what we do, we’re just a glorified clubhouse. We need the breath of God to fill us!

Revival Comes from the Holy Spirit

Ezekiel then calls on the Spirit:

"Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live." (Ezekiel 37:9)

And as the Spirit enters them, they stand up—a vast army! This is true revival. This is the power of God breathing life into the lifeless.

So many people go through the motions—attending church, reading their Bible, doing “Christian things.” But they still feel spiritually dead. Why? Because true life only comes when the Holy Spirit breathes into us.

Church, if we want to see revival in our lives, in our families, in our city, we need the Holy Spirit to move. Programs and strategies can’t replace the breath of God. Without Him, we’re just dry bones.

God Restores His People

Ezekiel 37:11-14 says:

"My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live."

Church, God is still in the business of restoring His people. Whether you feel spiritually dead, hopeless, or far from Him, He wants to breathe new life into you today.

So let’s pray:

Lord, we come before you today asking for revival. Where we feel dry, breathe your Spirit into us. Where we feel hopeless, remind us of your faithfulness. Ignite a passion in us for your Kingdom. Fill us with your Spirit and bring us to life. In Jesus' name, amen!

Church, let’s rise up! Let’s be a people filled with the breath of God!