The One Who Raises to Life
Pastor Tan Thai · Mar 6, 2022
This sermon explores the vision of the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37, emphasizing that only God has the power to raise what is dead. Through prophetic proclamation and the breath of the Holy Spirit, He grants new life to a people overcome by despair and separation from Him.
The sermon opens with Ezekiel's vision in Ezekiel 37:1-3, when the prophet is carried by the Spirit of the Lord into a valley filled with dry bones. This image reflects the desperate condition of the exiled Israelites, who lamented that their bones were dried up, their hope was lost, and they were completely cut off (Ezekiel 37:11). The question God posed to Ezekiel — "Can these bones live?" — is the same question asked of every person in their most hopeless circumstances.
The sermon develops the central theological argument that life comes from God's Word and from His Spirit (ruah). When Ezekiel prophesied according to God's command, the bones came together and sinews and flesh grew upon them, but there was no life until the breath from the four winds breathed into them (Ezekiel 37:9-10). The Hebrew word ruah carries three meanings — wind, breath, and spirit — revealing that the Holy Spirit Himself is the source of true life. God's Word is compared to rain and snow descending from heaven, never returning void but accomplishing His purpose (Isaiah 55:10-11), and is described as living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12).
The sermon connects Ezekiel's vision to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself died for our sins (Isaiah 53:8), and after His resurrection, He breathed on His disciples and commanded them, "Receive the Holy Spirit!" (John 20:22). This is the direct fulfillment of the promise in Ezekiel 36:25-27, where God promised to give His people a new heart, place His Spirit within them, and cleanse them from all impurity. The resurrection of Christ is the foundation of hope, for if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are of all people most to be pitied (1 Corinthians 15:19).
The application portion of the sermon calls the congregation not to fix their eyes on visible, temporary things, but on the invisible and eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). Even when circumstances resemble a valley of dry bones — hopeless, discouraged, feeling separated from God — the Lord is still the One who raises the dead. His promise is sure: "After I have spoken, I will act" (Ezekiel 37:14). Death does not have the final victory, because the resurrection power of Christ has removed the sting of death (1 Corinthians 15:55).