Summary of the preaching
Sunday, March 19, 2023 – Apostle Billey.
Ezekiel 37:1-14
1. The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.
2. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.
3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”
4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!
Ezekiel 37:1 The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.
Ezekiel was a human being, he walked on this earth like all of us, ate and drank water – he was not an exceptional man and different from us, but God revealed himself to him so well that God’s hand was on him.
This story was not told to tell us about Ezekiel, but to let us know what God is capable of doing.
Ezekiel 37:2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.
God made him pass by bones and he saw people without life.
We can notice here the relationship between God and Ezekiel, a deep intimacy/communication is perceived at this level.
When we watch the news and learn of a serious accident of people – do we take the time to pray for these people? Most of the time – no, because we look and listen with our heads.
But if we follow with our hearts, we will start praying directly for these people, for their help, for their lives…
We must be careful to always listen to the Lord with our heart. Let’s not be religious.
You can’t go to church, say you follow Jesus, but still be angry, full of hate…
When we come to Jesus, it is to be transformed – our mentality, way of life, way of thinking must change.
With Jesus, we become champions… He who keeps the word will never see death. (John 8:51)
Ezekiel 37:3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”
Ezekiel 37:4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!
God asks Ezekiel to prophesy.
What is prophecy? It is to speak to these bones, because they have no life.
Why does he have to talk?
For God has deposited in him something that will allow him to speak to the situations – to speak to the circumstances so that it changes.
** A child of God has to carry God – and when you carry God, you have to be aware of it so your situation will change.
Following Jesus is not religion, it is life.
If your father, your mother failed – it does not mean that you have to fail too. If they have taken the wrong path, you must not take the wrong path.
** Look at the fruits of your life…
What are the fruits of your life, family, home, work? What often happens there?
You must check, observe if in your home, your family, your house…There is peace, joy, harmony, praise, prayer…
And if there are these things, it is because God is present.
And if it’s not, and there’s war, confusion… – then there’s something to work out.
The Lord will help you by making you stand up, to push you forward, because he wants us to make a difference with others.
You were not born to be like others – you were born to follow Jesus.
The Lord has not called you to be like others. You are different, and you have to make a difference in the way you see, think, reflect, act.
And you have to be different from others to be able to help them.
The Lord needs people in whom he will be, to be different from others.
The Lord loves you. Don’t accept defeat, don’t accept failures, the devil’s message, the devil’s lies – he is jealous.
You must understand and accept the word of God, the enemy will not be able to manipulate you, because you are above by the power of the word of God in you.
You are an overcomer in Jesus’ name.
Ezekiel 37:4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!
Will these bones be able to live again? How can the bones of the dead hear the word of God?
This is the mystery of the power of God.
People will say, it’s impossible, your family, your parents, your friends… will say, it’s impossible – just impossible.
The logic of men is not that of God.
Now everything that Jesus says is true, real and in control of everything.
Our God is Mighty! He is Life!
Open your heart to Him – What the world cannot do – He is not limited.
When you have a headache – if you go to the pharmacy – you can get what you need to relieve it.
But if you have a spiritual ache, if your heart is angry, bitter, sad, …. Who can help you?
Medication will not help – only the life-giving word of God can help you, only Jesus can help you.
Whatever evil is bothering you, the evil spirit will leave in Jesus’ name.
Ezekiel 37:9 And he said unto me, Prophesy, and speak unto the spirit: prophesy, son of man, and say unto the spirit: Thus says the Lord GOD: Spirit, come from the four winds, blow on these dead, and let them live again!
Dryness is the symbol of death, negativity, despair, lack of joy, lack of peace, discouragement…
And when someone finds himself in this situation, he cannot get out of it alone – but only God can help him.
The Lord is the only one who can help you.
That’s why you must be an authentic Christian, not an average Christian, but a radical Christian.
Open your heart and practice his word.
Ezekiel prophesied and indeed, the dry bones began to live.
** We all have this opportunity – that’s why we need to grow.
The word must possess you, the spirit of God must possess us.
All those who are possessed by the spirit of God, by the word will always make a difference.
Ezekiel 37:10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Even the bones knew that God is alive, that he is the Almighty God.
** But who should speak?
It’s you, it’s all of us.
Ezekiel had already given his heart to God, he listened with his heart and received with his heart.
So much so that he could speak this word received with power, for it was in his heart.
Let’s remember this:
Ez. 37.1. The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.
This is not about Ezekiel, but about anyone who turns to God.
And the Lord wants all His children to grow in intimacy with Him.
Our God is the God who brings the dead back to life.
What is the hand of God?
God is spirit. It is not a physical hand.
Everything is done with our hands –
Now God created everything by his word, he makes everything by his word, by his powerful hand.
Beloved, the hand of God is the word of God.
And this word, when you receive it, then God has his hand on you.
Those who resist the word of God, resist his hand – so there will be no transformation in their lives.
The power of God is in his word, it is through the word that God created everything.
John 8.51 -Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.
If you have received the word of God with all your heart then the hand of God will destroy death in your life. But death goes with fear…
So the hand of God will destroy death, fear, etc. And so you can live and walk with confidence.
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of strength, a spirit of power.
If the devil does not see the word in you, he will never fear you.
As a Christian, you must have this spirit of strength by receiving the word in your heart.
And the hand of God will guide you in every thing, every decision, every situation.
Did you receive the word?
LET US PRAY →
Lord, I thank you for the power of your word.
I was born again.
Yes, I have the word of God in me.
I am a winner.
I am strong.
I have life in me.
I have eternal life.
I have the light of God in me.
I belong to you – I am yours.
Lord possess me more.
May your word possess me more and more.
In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
Amen!