WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:12.980 Good evening, 5pm. Are we well? Cold? No? No? Some people are warm? That's good to hear. 00:00:13.820 --> 00:00:18.620 Well, my name is James, I'm a student minister here at St. Paul's, and it's a joy to be bringing 00:00:18.620 --> 00:00:25.900 the word of God tonight to you all. So how about I pray for us as we begin. Please join 00:00:25.899 --> 00:00:31.379 me in prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank you so much that we can come to you tonight, we 00:00:31.379 --> 00:00:36.500 can gather as your people, even on this cold night, and we pray, Father, that you would 00:00:36.500 --> 00:00:41.019 work in us tonight through your word, that you would change us, that you would warm our 00:00:41.019 --> 00:00:46.219 hearts with the joy of the gospel, of what you've done through your son Jesus, in whose name 00:00:46.219 --> 00:00:55.679 we pray. Amen. Hopelessness is not a feeling any of us enjoy. It is something we dread 00:00:55.679 --> 00:01:03.039 feeling when things go wrong, sometimes even in the most smallest of ways, like last year's 00:01:03.039 --> 00:01:10.780 AFL Grand Final. I had made sure I had the whole day off so I could watch my mates, see 00:01:10.780 --> 00:01:17.379 the Swans get up and win the AFL Grand Final, to see a great battle between the Hawks and 00:01:17.379 --> 00:01:24.260 the Swans, and hoping to see the Swans go away with the flag. Boy, oh boy, was I disappointed. 00:01:24.260 --> 00:01:32.340 Weren't we all? If you're a Swans fan, especially, I mean, as the game went on, it was just dreadful 00:01:32.340 --> 00:01:37.340 to watch. The Hawks kept extending their lead out, walking all over the Swans. It was as 00:01:37.340 --> 00:01:42.840 if the Swans didn't turn up to play the match. My hope felt the whole game just dwindled, 00:01:43.400 --> 00:01:51.040 and by the time the siren of the fourth quarter sounded, all hope was gone. Swans had lost 00:01:51.040 --> 00:01:57.719 terribly. And it was just depressing, sitting there watching the whole game unfold, knowing 00:01:57.719 --> 00:02:03.320 it was just hopeless. There was no hope of winning. The Hawks were just too good for us. 00:02:04.840 --> 00:02:11.020 Sometimes hopelessness can affect us in much more serious ways. I remember getting a phone 00:02:11.020 --> 00:02:16.520 call from my father, and he was telling me that my uncle had just been diagnosed with lung cancer, 00:02:16.520 --> 00:02:23.439 and they had caught it in a very late stage, a bit too late. It was only a number of months 00:02:23.439 --> 00:02:30.640 after I received that call, I got another call, and he had passed away. Those months were difficult. 00:02:31.379 --> 00:02:37.800 I felt helpless. I felt hopeless. My uncle was dying. I couldn't do anything to stop it. 00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:46.180 I had this feeling of inadequacy. I could do nothing. I just had to accept it, and sit there, 00:02:46.700 --> 00:02:55.120 and just wait. But such a conclusion is not one we like, nor is it one we accept. We are creatures 00:02:55.120 --> 00:03:03.540 of hope. Our world is obsessed with hope. All over Facebook, we are bombarded with stories of hope 00:03:03.539 --> 00:03:10.359 that always ends. You've good news. Our movies and TV shows tap into our felt need for hope, 00:03:10.659 --> 00:03:17.379 to see the hero overcome obstacles, holding on to hope for a good outcome. We are people of hope, 00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:23.639 and even in death, we hope. At the funeral of Philip Hughes, Michael Clark spoke very passionately 00:03:23.639 --> 00:03:29.500 and lovingly towards his friend and fellow teammate. He finished by stating that Hughesy would always 00:03:29.500 --> 00:03:35.599 be present with him on the cricket field when he went out to bat. The way Clark dealt with the 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:43.000 seemingly hopelessness of the situation was to ignore the reality of death itself and somehow justify 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:48.979 his ongoing presence through some sort of spiritual or ethereal presence on the cricket field. 00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:59.259 Hopelessness is not something we enjoy, so even in the face of death, we choose to hope. 00:03:59.500 --> 00:04:04.599 Hopelessness is not something we enjoy, whether it's by ignoring the reality of our pain or by explaining it away, 00:04:05.500 --> 00:04:12.500 we choose to hope. However, this is not a description of the Israelite people in Ezekiel. 00:04:13.139 --> 00:04:18.899 They were a people who did have much hope to begin with, but now they were a people of utter despair 00:04:18.899 --> 00:04:26.680 and hopelessness. Why? Because they were under the complete judgment of the Lord God. And by the time 00:04:26.680 --> 00:04:33.780 we get to chapter 37, they are in a pitiful state as a people. They're not trying to look for hope in the 00:04:33.780 --> 00:04:42.480 midst of hopelessness, trying to explain it away. They describe themselves in verse 11 as dry bones. 00:04:43.120 --> 00:04:50.759 They're in a death-like state, a hopeless state, and any chance to find hope was gone. 00:04:50.759 --> 00:04:59.920 All because they felt and experienced and knew that they were under the terrible judgment of God. 00:05:00.699 --> 00:05:05.560 One cannot simply explain away God's terrible judgment. 00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:15.740 To think so many today are living hopeful lives, looking forward to the future, looking forward to tomorrow, 00:05:16.199 --> 00:05:23.060 with hope, and yet at the same time, ignorant that they live under the very same judgment of God 00:05:23.060 --> 00:05:24.740 as the Israelites did. 00:05:24.740 --> 00:05:30.439 In the end, blind to the hopelessness that sums up their true reality. 00:05:31.740 --> 00:05:33.439 Is this the end of Israel? 00:05:33.960 --> 00:05:36.939 Is this death-like state forever their reality? 00:05:37.660 --> 00:05:38.780 And what about us? 00:05:39.280 --> 00:05:43.560 Us, who Ephesians 2.1 describes as dead in our sin. 00:05:43.780 --> 00:05:48.319 Is there any way out of this hopeless, death-like state for us? 00:05:48.319 --> 00:06:18.300 Is there any way out of this hopelessness? 00:06:18.319 --> 00:06:19.540 Live again. 00:06:20.819 --> 00:06:27.519 The amazing truth, the incredible miracle of this passage is that the answer is yes. 00:06:29.120 --> 00:06:33.399 Yes, dead, dry bones can live again. 00:06:34.019 --> 00:06:35.939 And this passage will tell us how. 00:06:36.839 --> 00:06:41.439 Indeed, verses 1 to 14 tell us how dry bones can live again. 00:06:41.439 --> 00:06:48.379 And verses 15 to 28 will tell us what this new life looks like now as the people of God. 00:06:48.959 --> 00:06:51.079 So firstly, how can dry bones live again? 00:06:51.420 --> 00:06:54.000 How can these bones have new life? 00:06:54.660 --> 00:06:55.620 Look at verse 3. 00:06:55.620 --> 00:06:58.840 He asked me, Son of man, can these bones live? 00:06:58.959 --> 00:07:01.579 I said, Sovereign Lord, you alone know. 00:07:01.980 --> 00:07:08.019 Then he said to me, Prophesy to these bones and say to them, Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 00:07:08.019 --> 00:07:16.299 God asked Ezekiel here, after showing him the valley of the dry bones, can these bones live again? 00:07:17.479 --> 00:07:19.719 It's a bit of an unfair question, don't you think? 00:07:20.339 --> 00:07:22.079 The obvious answer is no. 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:23.139 Of course not. 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:24.639 These bones are dead. 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:26.339 They're so dead, they're dry. 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:27.859 They've been dead for so long. 00:07:27.959 --> 00:07:30.399 There's no way these bones could live. 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:35.439 But the one asking the question is not anyone. 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:37.000 It's God. 00:07:37.939 --> 00:07:40.079 He is the creator of all life. 00:07:40.659 --> 00:07:43.599 The one in control of life and death. 00:07:44.419 --> 00:07:46.359 So Ezekiel answers wisely. 00:07:46.879 --> 00:07:48.259 Only you know God. 00:07:48.799 --> 00:07:54.959 A wise answer, indeed, which acknowledges that God is the one who says who lives and who dies. 00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:59.599 Ezekiel is then told in verse 4 how these bones are going to live. 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:04.200 He is going to prophesy to these dead bones. 00:08:04.540 --> 00:08:08.220 Saying to them, Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord God. 00:08:08.820 --> 00:08:12.460 That is how God is going to give life to these bones. 00:08:12.600 --> 00:08:14.140 He's going to speak to them. 00:08:15.280 --> 00:08:19.780 Now he didn't already think the idea of dead bones living again was a bit far-fetched. 00:08:20.140 --> 00:08:22.580 Surely now you think his method is. 00:08:23.320 --> 00:08:26.200 I mean, he's going to speak to bones. 00:08:28.000 --> 00:08:29.080 I have a dog. 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:32.800 That's a Shih Tzu cross poodle named Mr. Bingley. 00:08:34.120 --> 00:08:36.740 And if you're wondering, yes, it's from Pride and Prejudice. 00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:38.200 Mr. Bingley from Pride and Prejudice. 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:40.300 If you've seen or read the book. 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:45.759 Now Mr. Bingley always, I kid you not, he always poos in my room. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:52.840 Whenever I go to college for a week and I come back, there's always a little gift in my room waiting for me. 00:08:53.820 --> 00:08:56.320 And it's very, very frustrating. 00:08:56.540 --> 00:08:57.360 It's very annoying. 00:08:57.560 --> 00:08:59.300 And I get really upset about it. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:03.379 All I want to do is when I get home is just relax and sit down and put my feet up. 00:09:03.680 --> 00:09:08.820 But then the first thing I've got to do is clean up a little dog poo from my room. 00:09:09.620 --> 00:09:11.100 And it gets very frustrating. 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:13.759 I remember one time I was so fed up. 00:09:13.820 --> 00:09:18.320 I was so angry at my dog for doing this that I had to do something. 00:09:18.680 --> 00:09:20.540 Now I don't believe in hurting animals. 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:22.340 But I had to do something. 00:09:22.500 --> 00:09:23.240 So I went downstairs. 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:23.980 I found the dog. 00:09:24.240 --> 00:09:24.860 I picked him up. 00:09:25.500 --> 00:09:26.720 And I carried him to my room. 00:09:27.779 --> 00:09:30.360 And I made him look at the turd. 00:09:30.700 --> 00:09:32.080 I made him look at it for some time. 00:09:32.520 --> 00:09:33.420 Now I made him look at me. 00:09:34.280 --> 00:09:37.759 And I said to Mr. Bingley, this is not acceptable. 00:09:39.180 --> 00:09:40.680 You can't do this. 00:09:41.400 --> 00:09:42.560 This is wrong. 00:09:43.060 --> 00:09:44.540 And it went on for about a minute and a half. 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:47.379 And I realized at that point, this is ridiculous. 00:09:48.400 --> 00:09:49.480 This is not going to work. 00:09:49.520 --> 00:09:50.160 He's a dog. 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:52.840 And I'm trying to communicate with a dog and tell him not to do that. 00:09:52.920 --> 00:09:54.400 That is, this is not working. 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:58.520 And I felt pretty dumb and pretty stupid for doing that. 00:09:58.519 --> 00:10:01.960 And I feel like it's the same here. 00:10:03.340 --> 00:10:10.299 How does speaking to dry bones and telling them to live again going to work? 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:12.620 At least my dog was alive. 00:10:13.699 --> 00:10:15.679 And I could pick him up and I could show him. 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:18.259 These are dead, dry bones. 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:19.259 They are lifeless. 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:25.939 Whilst I might have thought in a moment that my words had some sort of power over my dog, 00:10:25.940 --> 00:10:31.280 my words are nothing compared to God's words. 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:36.700 When God speaks, powerful things happen. 00:10:37.400 --> 00:10:42.620 It was through his word that everything came into being, that God created the world. 00:10:42.960 --> 00:10:45.860 God said, let there be, and there was. 00:10:46.320 --> 00:10:51.400 The psalmist says in chapter 33, for he spoke and it came into being. 00:10:51.800 --> 00:10:54.700 He commanded and it came into existence. 00:10:54.700 --> 00:10:59.460 When God creates, he does so by speaking. 00:11:00.020 --> 00:11:03.480 When he gives life, he does so by speaking it. 00:11:04.300 --> 00:11:08.340 And so when, through the prophet Ezekiel, he commands the bones to live, 00:11:08.920 --> 00:11:09.900 they will live. 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:13.700 Because these are the words of the almighty God. 00:11:13.960 --> 00:11:15.879 They're not my words or anyone else's words. 00:11:16.400 --> 00:11:17.520 They are God's words. 00:11:18.180 --> 00:11:20.160 And we see this take place in verse 7. 00:11:20.159 --> 00:11:22.459 So I prophesied as I was commanded. 00:11:22.620 --> 00:11:25.839 And as I was prophesying, that is telling these bones to live, 00:11:26.719 --> 00:11:29.120 there was a noise, a rattling sound. 00:11:29.539 --> 00:11:30.819 And the bones came together. 00:11:31.299 --> 00:11:34.579 Bone to bone, I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them. 00:11:34.819 --> 00:11:37.639 And skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:41.600 As Ezekiel spoke to the bones to hear their Lord God, 00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:46.899 new life began to come upon these bones to form bodies. 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:50.620 Now we are told at this point there was no breath in them. 00:11:51.159 --> 00:11:54.620 That these bodies were formed, but they had no life just yet. 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:59.519 Now this word breath comes from the Hebrew word ruach. 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:01.480 Can you say ruach? 00:12:02.860 --> 00:12:03.220 Ruach. 00:12:03.299 --> 00:12:04.720 Don't be afraid to use spitball. 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:05.279 Ruach. 00:12:05.620 --> 00:12:05.919 Come on. 00:12:06.500 --> 00:12:06.980 Ruach. 00:12:07.459 --> 00:12:08.000 Yeah, that's good. 00:12:08.079 --> 00:12:08.399 That's good. 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:11.519 It can mean breath or wind. 00:12:11.519 --> 00:12:14.639 But it can also mean spirit. 00:12:15.759 --> 00:12:19.379 And it's difficult to work out how we should read this word here. 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:19.960 Ruach. 00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:21.639 Is it breath or is it spirit? 00:12:22.579 --> 00:12:25.500 I think in this chapter it means both. 00:12:26.179 --> 00:12:27.639 I mean, it has to mean breath. 00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:30.039 Because how would these bodies become alive? 00:12:30.699 --> 00:12:31.879 Indeed we see in verse 9, 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:40.259 Such a picture of this breath, 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:42.980 breathing into the slain, into the bodies, 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:47.279 is reminiscent of God breathing life into Adam. 00:12:48.039 --> 00:12:49.320 Which makes me think, 00:12:50.100 --> 00:12:52.039 since it is God who gives life, 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:56.000 that this breath must be also referring to the spirit. 00:12:57.259 --> 00:12:59.240 Indeed, when God is interpreting the prophecy 00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:00.560 in the vision to Ezekiel, 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:01.860 he says in verse 14, 00:13:02.259 --> 00:13:04.840 I will put my spirit in you, 00:13:05.680 --> 00:13:06.539 and you will live. 00:13:07.820 --> 00:13:10.759 God's spirit, his ruach, gives life. 00:13:11.460 --> 00:13:13.299 And it does so in the command of his word. 00:13:13.440 --> 00:13:18.320 Indeed, his word is enacted and carried out by the spirit. 00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:20.700 And so as we read on the result, 00:13:21.840 --> 00:13:23.019 they all arose, 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:23.919 all these bodies, 00:13:24.120 --> 00:13:25.580 as they were breathed life into him, 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:28.340 they all arose like an army. 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:33.039 The interpretation of this vision and prophecy 00:13:33.039 --> 00:13:35.700 is that all the house of Israel 00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:38.139 made up these dry bones. 00:13:39.039 --> 00:13:41.180 They were in a death-like state, 00:13:41.460 --> 00:13:42.220 saying to themselves, 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.500 we are dry bones. 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:45.480 Our hope is no more. 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:46.500 We are cut off. 00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:50.419 But then God says to him in verse 12, 00:13:50.580 --> 00:13:51.860 interpreting the prophecy, 00:13:52.820 --> 00:13:54.360 this is what the sovereign Lord says, 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:55.500 my people, 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:57.560 I am going to open your graves 00:13:57.560 --> 00:13:58.840 and bring you up from them. 00:13:59.220 --> 00:14:01.100 I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.820 Then you, my people, 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:04.300 will know that I am the Lord 00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:05.560 when I open your graves 00:14:05.560 --> 00:14:07.100 and bring you up from them. 00:14:07.480 --> 00:14:09.279 I will put my spirit in you 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:10.100 and you will live. 00:14:10.100 --> 00:14:12.820 And I will settle you in your own lands. 00:14:13.320 --> 00:14:15.300 Then you will know that I, the Lord, 00:14:15.360 --> 00:14:16.360 have spoken. 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:18.560 And I have done it, 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:20.279 declares the Lord. 00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:25.959 God's word is Israel's salvation. 00:14:27.240 --> 00:14:28.659 Although they were dead, 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:31.059 although they were hopeless, 00:14:31.720 --> 00:14:33.879 under God's terrible judgment, 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:38.299 through the word spoken by the grace of God, 00:14:38.459 --> 00:14:41.539 Israel is given new life by his spirit. 00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:46.720 God's word is our salvation. 00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:50.820 And although we were dead in our sins, 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:52.860 hopeless, helpless, 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:54.360 to do anything about our sin, 00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:56.540 under God's terrible judgment, 00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:59.240 ignorant that we were so, 00:15:00.460 --> 00:15:03.019 God, through his word, 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:04.980 indeed the word that became flesh, 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:09.800 gave us new life by his spirit. 00:15:11.320 --> 00:15:13.040 Indeed, Ezekiel is looking forward 00:15:13.040 --> 00:15:15.540 to the salvation that we enjoy now, 00:15:15.539 --> 00:15:16.759 to the word of God 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:19.259 that would become incarnate in flesh 00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:21.659 to save us from our deathly state, 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:23.959 to give life to these dry bones. 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:26.559 Jesus, the word of God, 00:15:27.099 --> 00:15:31.000 the fullest and final revelation of God, 00:15:31.439 --> 00:15:33.919 who takes away the sin of the world 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:37.099 and makes his sacrifice effective for us 00:15:37.099 --> 00:15:38.579 by his spirit, 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:41.539 giving us new life. 00:15:41.539 --> 00:15:46.579 I wonder if there's any of us here 00:15:46.579 --> 00:15:50.799 who haven't accepted God's word, 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:54.219 who are living lives ignorant 00:15:54.219 --> 00:15:57.839 that you are under God's terrible judgment. 00:15:58.419 --> 00:15:59.799 We heard last week from Steve 00:15:59.799 --> 00:16:01.679 that we ought not to harden ourselves 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:03.719 to God's word as it's revealed to us. 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:08.100 God's word gives life, 00:16:08.680 --> 00:16:12.379 life that saves us from our sins, 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:13.560 from our death-like state. 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.060 And so tonight, 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:18.899 if you haven't heard the great news 00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:21.420 that we are saved from our death-like state, 00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:25.840 then I encourage you to listen, 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:29.120 to hear what God has to say to you. 00:16:30.840 --> 00:16:33.899 The words of the gospel are powerful. 00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:36.600 They are words that bring life. 00:16:37.360 --> 00:16:40.100 And it's why Paul is so bold to say 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:42.080 in Romans 1.16, 00:16:42.240 --> 00:16:43.660 I am not ashamed of the gospel 00:16:43.660 --> 00:16:45.820 because it's the power of God 00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:48.560 for the salvation of all who believe. 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:51.300 Is it not incredible 00:16:51.300 --> 00:16:53.900 that we, as we have been made alive 00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:54.899 by God's word, 00:16:55.220 --> 00:16:56.659 given new life? 00:16:58.079 --> 00:16:59.379 And now the very words 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:02.319 that brought life to us and to Israel 00:17:02.319 --> 00:17:06.019 have now been given to us in the gospel. 00:17:06.339 --> 00:17:09.240 That as we go out and speak to dry bones, 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:13.500 they might hear God speak to them 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:17.680 and speak of the one who died for them. 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:20.779 That they might have new life 00:17:20.779 --> 00:17:22.240 by the Spirit. 00:17:23.900 --> 00:17:26.120 Is that not just incredible? 00:17:27.060 --> 00:17:29.720 We, who were once dead in our sins 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:32.540 but now made alive by God's Spirit, 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:34.660 we now have the opportunity 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:37.100 to go tell others, 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.580 to other dry bones, 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:41.600 God's word, 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:44.100 God's redeeming word in the gospel 00:17:44.100 --> 00:17:47.880 and be conduits of this new life. 00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:51.660 How does one have new life? 00:17:52.660 --> 00:17:55.120 By the very grace of God 00:17:55.120 --> 00:17:58.260 who gives us life through his word 00:17:58.260 --> 00:18:01.000 by the power of the Spirit. 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:03.840 All for the glory of his name. 00:18:05.780 --> 00:18:07.540 This is where we get to our second point. 00:18:08.400 --> 00:18:10.820 What does this new life look like 00:18:10.820 --> 00:18:12.920 as the people of God? 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:15.840 We learn that although we were dead in our sins, 00:18:16.080 --> 00:18:18.779 we were in a hopeless, death-like state. 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:21.100 God, through his word, 00:18:21.279 --> 00:18:22.420 by his Spirit, 00:18:22.519 --> 00:18:24.200 has given us new life. 00:18:24.600 --> 00:18:26.900 But what does this new life look like? 00:18:27.140 --> 00:18:29.700 How does it shape the way we live today? 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:32.200 What does it mean for us? 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.880 Well, look at verse 15. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:35.680 The word of the Lord came to me, 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:36.259 Son of man, 00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:38.319 take a stick of wood and write on it, 00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:39.700 belonging to Judah 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:41.740 and the Israelites associated with him. 00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:43.680 Then take another stick of wood 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.480 and write on it, 00:18:44.539 --> 00:18:45.580 belonging to Joseph, 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.779 that is to Ephraim, 00:18:47.120 --> 00:18:49.100 and all the Israelites associated with him. 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:51.740 Join them together into one stick 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:54.660 so that they will become one in your hand. 00:18:55.480 --> 00:18:59.319 These sticks represent two kingdoms of Israel 00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:00.259 before the exile, 00:19:00.740 --> 00:19:02.779 the northern kingdom of Joseph 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:05.460 and the southern kingdom of Judah. 00:19:06.039 --> 00:19:08.980 And Ezekiel is told to bring these sticks together 00:19:08.980 --> 00:19:10.019 and make them one. 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:12.819 When the people of God wonder 00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:15.099 why exactly this is 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:16.259 and what this all means, 00:19:16.679 --> 00:19:18.379 Ezekiel is told to tell them, 00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:19.019 verse 21, 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:21.500 this is what the sovereign Lord says. 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.519 I will take the Israelites 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:25.539 out of the nations where they have gone. 00:19:25.659 --> 00:19:27.419 I will gather them from all around 00:19:27.420 --> 00:19:29.519 and bring them back into their own land. 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:32.300 I will make them one nation in the land 00:19:32.300 --> 00:19:34.400 on the mountains of Israel. 00:19:34.860 --> 00:19:36.820 There will be one king over all of them 00:19:36.820 --> 00:19:39.539 and they will never again be two nations 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:41.279 or be divided into two kingdoms. 00:19:42.080 --> 00:19:43.000 For Israel, 00:19:43.460 --> 00:19:46.180 new life meant that they would no longer 00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:47.420 be scattered 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:50.640 like the exile had made them scattered. 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:53.259 They would no longer be divided 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.420 amongst each other, 00:19:54.540 --> 00:19:56.340 separated into the north and to the south, 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:58.480 but God was going to make them 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:00.140 one nation once again. 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:02.860 They would enjoy being brought back 00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:04.120 into the one land 00:20:04.120 --> 00:20:05.960 as one people 00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:07.920 under one Lord and King. 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:11.600 Never again to be divided. 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:13.759 Never again to be scattered. 00:20:14.540 --> 00:20:17.060 Never again to become dry bones. 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:20.019 to be in this death-like state. 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:22.079 Because 00:20:22.079 --> 00:20:25.619 intrinsic to this new life 00:20:25.619 --> 00:20:28.919 was the gathering of God's people. 00:20:29.919 --> 00:20:32.339 Was God's people becoming one? 00:20:33.659 --> 00:20:34.740 That is the shape 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:36.720 of the new life that we have 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:38.000 in Jesus. 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:41.819 Now the people were originally scattered 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:43.460 because of their disobedience 00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:45.379 and unwillingness to turn to God, 00:20:45.380 --> 00:20:46.520 to listen to his word. 00:20:47.120 --> 00:20:48.840 Deuteronomy 28, 64 00:20:48.840 --> 00:20:49.980 warns them as such. 00:20:50.300 --> 00:20:51.840 To give you some context though, 00:20:52.600 --> 00:20:55.040 verse 54 of 28 says this, 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:57.600 If you do not carefully follow 00:20:57.600 --> 00:20:58.940 all the words of this law 00:20:58.940 --> 00:21:00.340 which are written in this book 00:21:00.340 --> 00:21:02.480 and do not revere this glorious 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.560 and awesome name, 00:21:03.900 --> 00:21:04.900 the Lord your God, 00:21:04.980 --> 00:21:05.600 verse 64, 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:08.100 then the Lord will scatter you 00:21:08.100 --> 00:21:09.160 among all the nations 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:10.920 from one end of the earth to another. 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:13.060 There you will worship other gods, 00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:14.340 gods of wood and stone, 00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:16.419 which neither you nor your ancestors 00:21:16.419 --> 00:21:17.339 have known. 00:21:17.959 --> 00:21:19.699 The scattering was a curse 00:21:19.699 --> 00:21:20.679 on God's people 00:21:20.679 --> 00:21:22.279 because they did not heed 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:24.299 and follow his word. 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:26.240 They did not listen. 00:21:27.199 --> 00:21:28.240 God cursed them 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.240 and scattered them. 00:21:29.659 --> 00:21:30.679 And so they could not enjoy 00:21:30.679 --> 00:21:31.339 the blessings 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:32.339 and the promises 00:21:32.339 --> 00:21:34.599 that came being a unified people 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.459 under God. 00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:37.559 But here in Ezekiel 37, 00:21:37.879 --> 00:21:39.139 we see that new life 00:21:39.139 --> 00:21:40.019 for God's people 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:42.220 means being brought together 00:21:42.220 --> 00:21:43.480 in the land 00:21:43.480 --> 00:21:44.660 as one people. 00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:45.660 Indeed, 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.799 whilst the scattering 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.680 of God's people 00:21:47.680 --> 00:21:48.740 was always seen 00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.900 as a curse, 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:51.319 the gathering 00:21:51.319 --> 00:21:52.720 of God's people 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:54.279 has always been seen 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:55.339 as a blessing. 00:21:56.180 --> 00:21:56.900 Deuteronomy 12, 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:58.119 verse 5 says this, 00:21:58.119 --> 00:21:59.459 But you are to seek 00:21:59.459 --> 00:22:00.059 the place 00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:01.039 the Lord your God 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:01.639 will choose 00:22:01.639 --> 00:22:03.379 from among all your tribes 00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:05.079 to put his name there 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:06.519 for his dwelling. 00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.539 To the place 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.339 you must go. 00:22:09.879 --> 00:22:10.179 There, 00:22:10.319 --> 00:22:11.279 bring your burnt offerings 00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:12.139 and sacrifices, 00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:13.759 your tithes and special gifts, 00:22:14.219 --> 00:22:15.619 what you have vowed to give 00:22:15.619 --> 00:22:17.059 and your freewill offerings, 00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:18.259 and the firstborn 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:19.479 of your herds and flocks. 00:22:19.959 --> 00:22:20.359 There, 00:22:20.479 --> 00:22:20.979 in the presence 00:22:20.979 --> 00:22:22.399 of the Lord your God, 00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.979 you and your families 00:22:23.979 --> 00:22:24.579 shall eat 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.579 and shall rejoice 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:26.500 in everything 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:28.240 you have put your hand to, 00:22:28.659 --> 00:22:30.099 because the Lord your God 00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:30.859 has blessed you. 00:22:31.559 --> 00:22:32.720 When God's people 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:34.079 live faithfully 00:22:34.079 --> 00:22:34.759 in the land, 00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:36.159 obeying his word 00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:37.919 and worshipping him rightly, 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:39.619 they enjoy unity 00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:40.980 as the people 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:42.099 of God. 00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:43.939 Verse 18 goes on, 00:22:44.019 --> 00:22:44.279 Instead, 00:22:44.439 --> 00:22:45.639 you are to eat them 00:22:45.639 --> 00:22:46.299 in the presence 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:47.539 of the Lord your God 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.519 at the place 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.339 the Lord your God 00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:49.919 will choose. 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.519 You, 00:22:50.699 --> 00:22:51.279 your sons 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:51.960 and your daughters, 00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:52.699 your male 00:22:52.699 --> 00:22:53.679 and female servants 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:54.620 and the Levites 00:22:54.620 --> 00:22:55.320 from your towns, 00:22:55.560 --> 00:22:56.500 and you are to rejoice 00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.620 before the Lord your God 00:22:57.620 --> 00:22:58.360 in everything 00:22:58.360 --> 00:22:59.500 you put your hand to. 00:23:00.080 --> 00:23:01.140 True and proper 00:23:01.140 --> 00:23:02.360 worship of God 00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:03.400 is when the people 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:03.900 of God 00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:05.019 are gathered together 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:06.200 as one, 00:23:06.279 --> 00:23:06.840 not scattered, 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:08.200 but together as one 00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:09.100 to rejoice 00:23:09.100 --> 00:23:10.519 and be thankful 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:11.740 for what the Lord 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.420 has done. 00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:13.920 And it's with this 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:14.519 in mind, 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:16.200 Ezekiel 37 00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:17.400 wants us to land, 00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:19.140 that as God 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:20.700 gives us new life 00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.920 to our dry bones, 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.440 he restores, 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:24.220 his people 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:25.620 to the oneness 00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:26.519 that they used 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.140 to enjoy. 00:23:29.400 --> 00:23:29.779 However, 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:31.160 Ezekiel 37 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:32.799 is pointing forward 00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:34.039 to so much more 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.620 than just 00:23:34.620 --> 00:23:36.400 Israel's restoration, 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.120 but to what 00:23:38.120 --> 00:23:39.140 this new life 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:39.779 looks like 00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.880 for all people, 00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:42.779 all of God's people, 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:45.660 looking towards eternity. 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:47.160 Verses 24 to 28 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:48.380 give us a picture 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.480 of God's people 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.700 enjoying everlasting 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:51.500 peace. 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.700 with a king 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.440 that is of like 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:53.960 David, 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:55.059 who will rule 00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:56.400 forever in a place 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:57.740 that we will be in 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.400 forever. 00:23:58.900 --> 00:23:59.819 With a God, 00:24:00.059 --> 00:24:01.000 with God himself, 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:01.859 who promises 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:02.839 to dwell with us 00:24:02.839 --> 00:24:03.779 forever. 00:24:04.599 --> 00:24:05.680 The purpose 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:07.039 of this new life 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:08.220 that God 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:08.880 has given 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:09.640 to us, 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.720 dry bones, 00:24:11.119 --> 00:24:12.339 is to enjoy 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:13.799 his presence 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.819 forever. 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:14.879 forever. 00:24:15.679 --> 00:24:16.659 That we will live 00:24:16.659 --> 00:24:17.299 in community 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:17.980 together 00:24:17.980 --> 00:24:19.039 under one 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:19.480 Lord 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:20.859 and Saviour 00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:21.700 and King 00:24:21.700 --> 00:24:22.500 Jesus. 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.220 And to never, 00:24:24.879 --> 00:24:25.779 ever again 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:27.179 be separated 00:24:27.179 --> 00:24:28.319 from him 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:29.500 or from one 00:24:29.500 --> 00:24:29.779 another. 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.159 Ephesians 00:24:32.159 --> 00:24:33.179 captures 00:24:33.179 --> 00:24:33.899 this central 00:24:33.899 --> 00:24:34.460 theme of 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.019 oneness 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:36.059 quite well 00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:36.740 in this chapter. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.639 Verse 4 00:24:38.639 --> 00:24:39.319 of chapter 4 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:40.079 in Ephesians 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:40.439 says, 00:24:40.619 --> 00:24:41.119 there is one 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:41.519 body 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.339 and one 00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:42.839 spirit, 00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:44.079 just as you 00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:44.559 were called 00:24:44.559 --> 00:24:45.119 to one 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:45.500 hope 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:45.839 when you 00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:46.299 were called, 00:24:46.419 --> 00:24:47.019 one Lord, 00:24:47.139 --> 00:24:47.740 one faith, 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.559 one baptism, 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:49.679 one God 00:24:49.679 --> 00:24:50.279 and Father 00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:50.960 of all, 00:24:51.379 --> 00:24:52.019 who is over 00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:52.799 all and 00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:53.699 through all 00:24:53.699 --> 00:24:54.899 and in all. 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.399 The great 00:24:56.399 --> 00:24:57.419 hope of 00:24:57.419 --> 00:24:57.859 our new 00:24:57.859 --> 00:24:58.779 life is 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.039 that we 00:24:59.039 --> 00:24:59.819 don't do 00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:00.759 this new 00:25:00.759 --> 00:25:01.899 life alone, 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.259 but in 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:03.819 community 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:05.159 with believers. 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.559 Right now, 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:07.079 under the 00:25:07.079 --> 00:25:07.899 lordship of 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:08.240 Jesus, 00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:08.920 we get to 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:09.519 enjoy 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.240 community 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:10.820 with the 00:25:10.820 --> 00:25:11.300 promise 00:25:11.300 --> 00:25:12.240 that as 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.700 God's 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.040 people, 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:13.580 we have 00:25:13.580 --> 00:25:14.080 peace 00:25:14.080 --> 00:25:14.740 with him 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:15.180 now, 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:15.820 that he 00:25:15.820 --> 00:25:16.540 dwells 00:25:16.540 --> 00:25:17.920 with us. 00:25:18.860 --> 00:25:19.280 We get 00:25:19.280 --> 00:25:19.640 to do 00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:19.920 as the 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:20.220 Israelites 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:21.259 did in 00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:21.640 Deuteronomy 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:21.980 12, 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:23.120 gather together 00:25:23.120 --> 00:25:23.920 for worship, 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.240 our families, 00:25:25.360 --> 00:25:25.840 our friends, 00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:26.600 to rejoice 00:25:26.600 --> 00:25:27.060 what the 00:25:27.060 --> 00:25:27.580 lord has 00:25:27.580 --> 00:25:28.060 done for 00:25:28.060 --> 00:25:28.360 us, 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:29.259 experiencing 00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:30.080 his blessing 00:25:30.080 --> 00:25:31.120 as we 00:25:31.120 --> 00:25:31.800 meet together, 00:25:32.320 --> 00:25:32.840 encouraging 00:25:32.840 --> 00:25:33.320 each other 00:25:33.320 --> 00:25:33.940 and strengthening 00:25:33.940 --> 00:25:34.600 each other, 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:35.360 reminding 00:25:35.360 --> 00:25:35.820 each other 00:25:35.820 --> 00:25:36.019 of the 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.440 hope that 00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:36.820 we now 00:25:36.820 --> 00:25:37.759 have in 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.099 Jesus, 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:39.359 that we 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:39.599 are no 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:39.839 longer 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:41.039 dead in 00:25:41.039 --> 00:25:41.539 our sin, 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.000 that we 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.220 are no 00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:42.559 longer 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:44.619 dry bones 00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:45.660 and we 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:46.059 get the 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:47.460 promise that 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.500 never again 00:25:48.500 --> 00:25:50.319 will we be 00:25:50.319 --> 00:25:51.240 separated from 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:52.000 God or 00:25:52.000 --> 00:25:52.299 from his 00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:52.700 people, 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:54.059 never again 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:55.200 will we be 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:55.839 in this 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:56.460 death-like 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:56.960 state, 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.579 like dry 00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.039 bones. 00:25:59.940 --> 00:26:00.440 As verse 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.379 24 says, 00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:02.680 they will 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:04.039 follow my 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.940 laws and 00:26:04.940 --> 00:26:05.579 be careful 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.279 to keep 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.079 my decrees. 00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:09.200 this new 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:11.099 life is 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:12.140 different to 00:26:12.140 --> 00:26:12.539 before. 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:13.519 It is 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.700 guaranteed and 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.879 sustained by 00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:17.180 God himself. 00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:19.140 So God 00:26:19.140 --> 00:26:19.980 gives us 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.900 new life 00:26:20.900 --> 00:26:22.279 by his 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:24.259 word and 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.160 the shape of 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:25.640 this new 00:26:25.640 --> 00:26:27.160 life is 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:28.279 this oneness 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:29.900 intrinsic to 00:26:29.900 --> 00:26:30.299 this new 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:30.859 life is that 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:31.720 God's people 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.640 are brought 00:26:32.640 --> 00:26:33.920 together to 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:35.119 be one, 00:26:35.119 --> 00:26:36.119 to enjoy 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:37.139 and worship 00:26:37.139 --> 00:26:38.399 God as 00:26:38.399 --> 00:26:39.119 one people. 00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:40.839 However, 00:26:40.919 --> 00:26:41.359 we're in an 00:26:41.359 --> 00:26:41.799 interesting 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.719 time. 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:44.059 We enjoy 00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:44.619 this new 00:26:44.619 --> 00:26:45.259 life now 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:45.819 since in 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.299 Christ we've 00:26:46.299 --> 00:26:46.579 been made 00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:46.919 alive. 00:26:47.559 --> 00:26:48.119 We enjoy 00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:48.599 the presence 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:49.239 of God in 00:26:49.239 --> 00:26:50.319 life now 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:50.959 through the 00:26:50.959 --> 00:26:51.279 Spirit. 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:52.919 We enjoy 00:26:52.919 --> 00:26:53.559 new life, 00:26:54.059 --> 00:26:54.459 but there's 00:26:54.459 --> 00:26:55.319 still a sense 00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:56.539 that we are 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.279 still scattered. 00:26:58.239 --> 00:26:59.379 Christians are 00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:00.019 all over the 00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:00.219 world. 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:00.819 We're not all 00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:01.619 in one place 00:27:01.619 --> 00:27:02.139 at the one 00:27:02.139 --> 00:27:02.599 time, 00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:03.799 worshipping and 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.559 enjoying God's 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:04.960 presence. 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:06.619 We do enjoy 00:27:06.619 --> 00:27:07.419 God's presence 00:27:07.419 --> 00:27:08.799 as God's 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:09.159 people, 00:27:09.519 --> 00:27:10.059 but we are 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.980 still persecuted 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:12.279 by those who 00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:12.839 are not God's 00:27:12.839 --> 00:27:13.139 people, 00:27:13.960 --> 00:27:14.819 burdened by the 00:27:14.819 --> 00:27:15.440 sinfulness of 00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:15.839 the world, 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:16.319 indeed, 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.039 burdened by 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.940 our own 00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:18.399 sinfulness. 00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:19.879 And so it 00:27:19.879 --> 00:27:20.159 can be 00:27:20.159 --> 00:27:20.740 confusing. 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.139 It can feel 00:27:22.139 --> 00:27:22.519 like we're 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:23.059 stuck in 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:23.500 between this 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.119 now and 00:27:24.119 --> 00:27:24.619 not yet, 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.879 waiting for 00:27:25.879 --> 00:27:26.460 this to all 00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:27.159 be fulfilled, 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.579 but also 00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:29.819 knowing and 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:30.819 enjoying the 00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:31.379 benefits that 00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:31.720 we already 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.139 have. 00:27:32.140 --> 00:27:33.780 But something 00:27:33.780 --> 00:27:34.420 has 00:27:34.420 --> 00:27:36.259 definitively 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:36.820 changed. 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:39.080 We have 00:27:39.080 --> 00:27:39.400 hope. 00:27:40.800 --> 00:27:41.780 We have 00:27:41.780 --> 00:27:42.140 hope. 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:43.620 We are no 00:27:43.620 --> 00:27:44.160 longer dry 00:27:44.160 --> 00:27:44.500 bones. 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:45.920 We are no 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:46.380 longer under 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.080 God's judgment. 00:27:48.060 --> 00:27:48.860 We have 00:27:48.860 --> 00:27:49.780 new life. 00:27:50.820 --> 00:27:51.300 And with 00:27:51.300 --> 00:27:52.080 new life 00:27:52.080 --> 00:27:53.280 comes new 00:27:53.280 --> 00:27:53.720 hope. 00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:55.520 Hope for 00:27:55.520 --> 00:27:56.020 the future. 00:27:57.020 --> 00:27:57.680 For us 00:27:57.680 --> 00:27:58.280 here who 00:27:58.280 --> 00:27:58.880 struggle in 00:27:58.880 --> 00:27:59.280 the present, 00:27:59.400 --> 00:28:00.140 who feel 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:00.860 the weight 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:02.019 of sin, 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:03.719 who experience 00:28:03.719 --> 00:28:04.459 the burden 00:28:04.459 --> 00:28:05.539 of sin, 00:28:05.939 --> 00:28:06.399 pain, 00:28:06.639 --> 00:28:07.299 and suffering, 00:28:07.419 --> 00:28:08.079 who feel 00:28:08.079 --> 00:28:09.039 hopeless, 00:28:09.539 --> 00:28:10.459 we must look 00:28:10.459 --> 00:28:11.219 forward in 00:28:11.219 --> 00:28:11.759 hope. 00:28:12.379 --> 00:28:13.219 For what God 00:28:13.219 --> 00:28:13.879 has started, 00:28:14.139 --> 00:28:15.240 he finished at 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:15.839 the cross, 00:28:16.139 --> 00:28:16.699 and it will 00:28:16.699 --> 00:28:17.359 come to its 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:18.219 completion and 00:28:18.219 --> 00:28:18.439 to its 00:28:18.439 --> 00:28:19.839 perfection soon. 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:21.719 As Romans 5 00:28:21.719 --> 00:28:22.319 reminds us, 00:28:22.379 --> 00:28:23.039 not only so, 00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:23.879 but we also 00:28:23.879 --> 00:28:24.839 glory in our 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:25.919 sufferings because 00:28:25.919 --> 00:28:26.799 we know that 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:28.319 suffering produces 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:28.980 perseverance, 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:29.759 perseverance 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:30.379 character, 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.399 and character 00:28:31.399 --> 00:28:32.279 hope. 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:33.980 And hope 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:34.960 does not put 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:35.720 us to shame 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.579 because God's 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.399 love has been 00:28:37.399 --> 00:28:38.299 poured out into 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.039 our hearts 00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:40.439 through the 00:28:40.439 --> 00:28:41.139 Holy Spirit 00:28:41.139 --> 00:28:42.039 who has been 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.799 given to us. 00:28:44.159 --> 00:28:45.259 This hope 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.679 did not come 00:28:46.679 --> 00:28:47.319 from us. 00:28:47.419 --> 00:28:47.899 It's not an 00:28:47.899 --> 00:28:49.240 artificial hope. 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:49.960 It's not something 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:50.939 we conjured up 00:28:50.939 --> 00:28:51.939 to dull our 00:28:51.939 --> 00:28:52.980 pain and 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:53.460 suffering. 00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:54.579 It's not a hope 00:28:54.579 --> 00:28:55.319 like Michael 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:59.460 Clark based 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:01.039 on nothing. 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.879 This hope 00:29:03.879 --> 00:29:05.579 comes from the 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:06.220 one who loved 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:06.599 us. 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.700 It comes from 00:29:08.700 --> 00:29:10.200 God who 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:11.039 poured out his 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:12.740 love for us 00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:13.619 by his Spirit 00:29:13.619 --> 00:29:15.200 and gave us 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:15.879 new life. 00:29:16.859 --> 00:29:18.159 When life is 00:29:18.159 --> 00:29:20.500 hard, when we 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:20.980 go through 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:22.279 struggle, when 00:29:22.279 --> 00:29:23.279 we stumble in 00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.139 our sins and 00:29:24.139 --> 00:29:25.279 fall, we 00:29:25.319 --> 00:29:26.419 must look 00:29:26.419 --> 00:29:27.319 forward to 00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:27.899 that hope 00:29:27.899 --> 00:29:29.319 and remember 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:30.299 the new 00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:31.559 life and 00:29:31.559 --> 00:29:32.099 the promise 00:29:32.099 --> 00:29:32.619 that God 00:29:32.619 --> 00:29:33.000 has given 00:29:33.000 --> 00:29:34.720 us, that 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:35.399 he will never 00:29:35.399 --> 00:29:36.139 separate from 00:29:36.139 --> 00:29:36.519 us. 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:38.740 But also, 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.319 we should 00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:40.740 look around 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:42.279 us, look 00:29:42.279 --> 00:29:43.019 around here, 00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.339 for what we 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:45.480 experience here 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.240 is a taste 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:47.000 of what is 00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.539 to come. 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.740 This is what 00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:51.179 Ezekiel 37 00:29:51.179 --> 00:29:52.119 envisioned 00:29:52.119 --> 00:29:53.059 right here. 00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:54.679 New life, 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.360 as the 00:29:55.360 --> 00:29:55.960 people of 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:56.740 God, in 00:29:56.740 --> 00:29:57.519 the community 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.080 of God, 00:29:58.279 --> 00:29:58.740 worshipping 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.720 God and 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:01.120 rejoicing with 00:30:01.120 --> 00:30:02.060 each other 00:30:02.060 --> 00:30:02.940 about what 00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.259 God has 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:03.900 done, being 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:04.420 thankful 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.200 together. 00:30:05.740 --> 00:30:06.120 That is 00:30:06.120 --> 00:30:06.560 what's going 00:30:06.560 --> 00:30:06.940 on in 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:08.240 Ezekiel 37. 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:09.900 And we 00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:10.400 get to 00:30:10.400 --> 00:30:11.200 partake in 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.840 this right 00:30:11.840 --> 00:30:12.299 now. 00:30:13.140 --> 00:30:13.960 To be one 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:15.160 people under 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:16.000 one Lord 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:17.680 Jesus, this 00:30:17.680 --> 00:30:18.560 is the 00:30:18.560 --> 00:30:19.039 tangible 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:20.840 expression of 00:30:20.840 --> 00:30:22.340 our hope for 00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:24.099 future today. 00:30:25.000 --> 00:30:25.639 I wonder, 00:30:26.459 --> 00:30:27.399 how urgent 00:30:27.399 --> 00:30:28.899 are we to 00:30:28.899 --> 00:30:29.759 gather here 00:30:29.759 --> 00:30:30.019 as a 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:30.459 community? 00:30:31.619 --> 00:30:31.980 Do we 00:30:31.980 --> 00:30:32.659 come here 00:30:32.659 --> 00:30:33.699 realising that 00:30:33.699 --> 00:30:34.759 intrinsic to 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:35.159 the new 00:30:35.159 --> 00:30:35.839 life that 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:36.199 God has 00:30:36.199 --> 00:30:36.799 won for 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:38.240 us is 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:39.279 gathering as 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:39.980 one people? 00:30:41.299 --> 00:30:42.139 Or do we 00:30:42.139 --> 00:30:42.819 come here when 00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.740 it suits us, 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:45.879 when it's not 00:30:45.879 --> 00:30:46.240 cold? 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.980 Our weekly 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.779 gathering, as I 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.240 said, is a 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:50.779 tangible 00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:52.779 expression of 00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:53.160 what our 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:53.980 hope is for 00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:54.519 the future. 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:56.940 When we are 00:30:56.940 --> 00:30:57.980 gathered here 00:30:57.980 --> 00:31:01.000 as one, with 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.339 the new 00:31:01.339 --> 00:31:02.279 life that God 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:02.639 has given 00:31:02.639 --> 00:31:03.480 us, we do 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.740 so in 00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:05.960 hope, in 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:07.559 anticipation of 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:08.220 what is coming. 00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:09.779 We're all of 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.539 God's people from 00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:11.399 all over the 00:31:11.399 --> 00:31:11.799 world, from 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.960 all times, will 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:13.359 be gathered 00:31:13.359 --> 00:31:14.019 together at 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.899 the one time 00:31:14.899 --> 00:31:15.480 and at the 00:31:15.480 --> 00:31:16.359 one place, 00:31:16.740 --> 00:31:17.220 worshipping the 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:18.359 one Lord 00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:19.159 Jesus. 00:31:20.679 --> 00:31:21.399 Indeed, the 00:31:21.399 --> 00:31:22.879 place called 00:31:22.879 --> 00:31:23.859 the Lord is 00:31:23.859 --> 00:31:24.319 there. 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:26.019 Amen. 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.099 Amen. 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:38.439 Let's take a 00:31:38.439 --> 00:31:39.019 moment to let 00:31:39.019 --> 00:31:39.779 those words 00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:42.359 cement 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:43.000 themselves in 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:43.539 our hearts, in 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.059 our minds, 00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:44.939 whatever it is 00:31:44.939 --> 00:31:45.439 that God was 00:31:45.439 --> 00:31:46.139 challenging or 00:31:46.139 --> 00:31:46.839 encouraging you, 00:31:46.919 --> 00:31:47.339 just take a 00:31:47.339 --> 00:31:47.679 moment to 00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:48.259 reflect on it 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:48.480 now.