SERMON | Can These Bones Live

B-Sides | 9.5.21

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-6

The Valley of Dry Bones
The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 
He led me all around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. 
The Lord said to me, “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” 
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 
I will lay sinews on 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.”

Questions
What?
1) How’s everyone doing? Check in with the group. 
2) Why do you think God leads Ezekiel through the dry bones of Israel?
3) Why do you think God asks Ezekiel if the dry bones can live?

So What?
3) What dry bones are you staring at? 
4) Why do they seem hopeless?

Now What?
5) What would it take to look at those dry bones with new eyes?

Prayer
Lord God, there are dry bones in our relationships, in our offices, and in our city. We need you to help us see them with new life. We need you to breathe among them and make us as flesh. Thank you for always surprising us with new life. Amen 

“I speak these words to you today not as a hopeful wish for our community, but because I have lived it.” 
— Rev. Dawn Hyde