THERE’S HOPE FOR THE CHURCH: Encountering the Eternal

 “And He said to me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ So I answered, ‘O Lord GOD, You know.’ ” (Ezekiel 37:3 NKJV)

To listen to many Christians talk today, you would think that things are hopeless.  If you visited a lot of churches, you’d wonder about it too—they seem pretty hopeless. 

There was a preacher named Ezekiel who was basically placed in a graveyard and told to preach to the bones.  Many a pastor has stood and gazed upon a congregation with similar depressing thoughts. 

But when the Word of God was proclaimed, the Spirit of God brought life! 

4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!  ‎

5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.  ‎

6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.” ’ ”  ‎

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone.  ‎

8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.  ‎

9 Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ”  ‎

10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.  ‎

11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’  ‎

12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.  ‎

13 Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.  ‎

14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,” says the LORD.’ ” (Ezekiel 37:4-14)

There is hope, after all! 

Worship is that transforming encounter with the Eternal.  The first-century saints were alive because of such vibrant worship that focused on Christ.  There is hope for the church that exalts the Savior!