The power of the resurrection
Dr. Roberto Miranda
(Audio: Spanish)
SUMMARY: The passage from Ezekiel 37 talks about the resurrection in its broadest sense. The first consequence of the resurrection is that Jesus defeated death and the powers of hell. The second consequence is that through the resurrection of Christ, we too can aspire to our own resurrection. The third consequence is that the resurrection of Christ released a power in history for us to live in victory through his resurrection so that we can live a victorious life. The passage has several interpretive layers, including the restoration of the people of Israel after having been exiled by God because of their sin, and a general application that has to do with the universal church, which is also a kind of spiritual Israel. The modern church is, in a sense, like a valley of dry bones, but there is hope for us.
The modern church is in need of renewal and sanctification through the power of the Holy Spirit. The world is becoming more corrupt and the church's voice is weak. The church needs to recognize its powerlessness and cry out for a visitation of the Holy Spirit. The central message of Ezekiel 37 is that only the Holy Spirit can bring life to dry bones. The church needs less declamation and more demonstrations of the power of God, such as healings and conversions. God wants a powerful church, not a weak and defeated one. The church needs to defy fear and continue to gather for worship. God wants to use this church as an explosive bomb to do great things in this nation and city.
The pastor speaks about the potential of the church to bring together different communities, and how God wants to use them to do great things. He talks about the difference between preaching and prophesying, and how we need to cultivate intimacy with God to receive a quickened word from Him. The pastor emphasizes the need to get rid of things that hold us back and cry out to God for His power and direction. He encourages people to cultivate the Holy Spirit more and create their own holy weeks to seek God's will for their lives. The pastor invites people to give their lives to the Lord and emphasizes that God loves everyone and has a purpose for their lives.
The speaker addresses young girls, declaring God's love for them and offering healing and consecration through prayer. He calls on the congregation to cry out to the Lord and consecrate themselves to Him, asking for the power of the Holy Spirit to infuse their lives. The speaker also asks for prayer for himself as the lead pastor, seeking a special touch from the Holy Spirit. The congregation prays for him and asks God to continue to use him in all aspects of his work.
The modern church is in need of renewal and sanctification through the power of the Holy Spirit. The world is becoming more corrupt and the church's voice is weak. The church needs to recognize its powerlessness and cry out for a visitation of the Holy Spirit. The central message of Ezekiel 37 is that only the Holy Spirit can bring life to dry bones. The church needs less declamation and more demonstrations of the power of God, such as healings and conversions. God wants a powerful church, not a weak and defeated one. The church needs to defy fear and continue to gather for worship. God wants to use this church as an explosive bomb to do great things in this nation and city.
The pastor speaks about the potential of the church to bring together different communities, and how God wants to use them to do great things. He talks about the difference between preaching and prophesying, and how we need to cultivate intimacy with God to receive a quickened word from Him. The pastor emphasizes the need to get rid of things that hold us back and cry out to God for His power and direction. He encourages people to cultivate the Holy Spirit more and create their own holy weeks to seek God's will for their lives. The pastor invites people to give their lives to the Lord and emphasizes that God loves everyone and has a purpose for their lives.
The speaker addresses young girls, declaring God's love for them and offering healing and consecration through prayer. He calls on the congregation to cry out to the Lord and consecrate themselves to Him, asking for the power of the Holy Spirit to infuse their lives. The speaker also asks for prayer for himself as the lead pastor, seeking a special touch from the Holy Spirit. The congregation prays for him and asks God to continue to use him in all aspects of his work.
From the book of Ezekiel, chapter 37, I clarified to the brothers in the morning service that I have never preached on this passage. I have used it in references but it is such a well-known passage and I have never used it as a starting point for a preaching.
But this week when I asked the Lord for something new, different from the typical Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday, this passage from the Valley of Dry Bones came to mind, one of the most interesting and graphic passages in all of Writing.
But this week when I asked the Lord for something new, different from the typical Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday, this passage from the Valley of Dry Bones came to mind, one of the most interesting and graphic passages in all of Writing.
