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Call to worship: John 11:17-26

Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Sermon Outline:

1. Sin is deadly, Ezek 1-33
2. God is yet life-giving, 37:1-14

   3 fulfillments:

   • The return of a purified Israel.
   • The regeneration of the new and true Israel: Christ and His church.
   • The resurrection of our bodies at the last Day.

Prepare

Questions to Consider:

1. When we come to this passage, we may not ask the question as to why this valley is full of bones. What's brought this scene about? Why is the valley full of dry bones? To what is it alluding? See Ez 2:3-5; 6:5, 6:11-12, 7:5-13, 16:42-43, etc.
2. Much of Ezekiel describes the sinfulness of Israel and the prophesied judgment of God against them in the form of Babylonian captivity and desolation. What does Romans 6:23 tell us about the wages of sin? As you come into Ezekiel 34-37 and, specifically 37:1-14, remember what the rest of Romans 6:23 says.
3. In the vision shown to Ezekiel, God has in effect heard Israel say something. The vision is a response to it. What does Israel say (37:11)? How does that help us to understand the broad purpose of the vision?
4. When we think about prophecy, it's often like looking out on distant mountain ranges. From afar, we see many that seem to be smushed together, but as we travel closer, we find there's quite a bit of space between. This prophetic vision has at least three fulfillments, and there are signposts in Ezekiel (and the rest of the Bible) for all three. What do you think is the nearest fulfillment of this vision? What about the next (read 37:14 in light of 36:22-29 and the rest of chapter 37)? Recall what we studied last week about the New Covenant and its application in the creation of a new people of God. And what about a final fullness? Think about 37:12, 14, and 27 in light of Revelation 21:3.
5. What are you hoping in today? As a member of the new covenant family of Christ, how ought we to carry out our ministry together? What is our hope for raising dead souls and reviving our own souls? What are the two agents of resurrection that Ezekiel depends upon in this passage (37:4, 14)? How should that determine our philosophy of ministry as a church?