Rattle: Dry Bones Rattling

Sermon series based on “Rattle” by Elevation Worship

This message is from Ezekiel 37:1-14 (NIV)

In Ezekiel 37:1-14, God leads the prophet, Ezekiel, into a valley filled with dry bones. God speaks to him, asking, "Son of man, can these bones live?" He responds, "Sovereign Lord, you alone know." The Lord instructs Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, telling them that God "will make breath enter you, and you will come to life." The word "breath" is translated from the Hebrew word rū·aḥ and occurs ten times in this passage as "breath," spirit," or "wind," accordingly. 

As Ezekiel prophesies over the bones, God begins to move. The bones start to rattle; each connects to another, and soon flesh and skin cover each of the skeletons. Then, "breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army."

  • The phrase "in the Spirit of the Lord" (Ezekiel 37:1) suggests that the Holy Spirit takes charge of Ezekiel's mind for the purpose of revelation. Do you think his body was transported, or did God somehow place the images in Ezekiel's mind? 

  • Imagine you're the prophet Ezekiel. What would be running through your mind as you witnessed this supernatural event? Would you have been afraid? Excited? 

  • When in your life have you seen restoration as a "process" rather than a moment?

Late in the 6th century, the Babylonian Empire laid waste to Israel. Jerusalem falls after an 18-month siege, following which the Babylonians pillage the city, and many Israelites are taken captive or slain on the battlefield. It was common for conquering armies to deny their enemies a proper burial, so as Ezekiel looks over the dry bones scattered across the valley, he is reminded of Israel's devastation. God's raising of these bones is a powerful reminder to the prophet that no situation is too hopeless or beyond God's power to redeem, restore, or revive. 

Revival is when the Spirit of God restores life. Throughout Scripture, we are told that one day, God will open the graves, and those in Him will rise and walk in supernatural transformation. But beyond bodily resurrection, Jesus revives us who are dead in sin and gives us new life (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

Even when all hope is lost, God can bring revival. God simply breathes - rū·aḥ - His Spirit revives those dry bones under a covenant curse. No matter how desperate life seems or how hopeless your circumstance, there is hope and life in Jesus. 

  • Have you ever looked at the ruin of something in your life - your marriage, career, finances - and seen desolation only God could restore? 

  • For years, the Children of Israel had been living under covenant curses. What is a covenant curse? Do they still exist today? How were people able to break free? 

  • Just days before the crucifixion, Jesus passed through Bethany, where the people greeted Him by waving palm branches, laying their cloaks on the ground, and shouting "Hosanna!" Sadly, many of these people celebrating Him on Sunday would be among the crowd shouting "Crucify Him!" on (Good) Friday. Why do we call it "Good Friday" when such horrific events happened? How can the crucifixion of an innocent man be considered a good thing?

God is the craftsman of revival; people are His tools. No matter how passionate we are about introducing people to Jesus and the transformation He brings, only Jesus can bring revival. We can be the tool He uses if we do what He commands us to do, but God alone has the power to bring dry bones to life. 

The purpose of revival is so God will be known. God doesn't want you to know about Him; He wants you to know Him. If we want to understand revival, all we have to do is look to Jesus. God raised His body from the dead so that we could have new life and no longer be dead in our sin. 

  • What's the difference between knowing about God and knowing God?

  • Our mission statement is: Expectation Church exists so that people far from God will experience faith in Christ. How are we as a church pursuing that mission? How are you as an individual supporting and pursuing that mission? 

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Worship Set: Freedom | Now Here | Worthy | You Keep Hope Alive