1 st Reading

Ezekiel 37:1 – 14

1 I felt the powerful presence of the Lord, and his spirit took me and set me down in a valley where the ground was covered with bones. 2 He led me all around the valley, and I could see that there were very many bones and that they were very dry. 3 He said to me, “Mortal man, can these bones come back to life?” I replied, “Sovereign Lord, only you can answer that!”

Ezekiel 37:1 – 14 4 He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord. 5 Tell them that I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying to them: I am going to put breath into you and bring you back to life. 6 I will give you sinews and muscles, and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you and bring you back to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”

Ezekiel 37:1 – 14 7 So I prophesied as I had been told. While I was speaking, I heard a rattling noise, and the bones began to join together. 8 While I watched, the bones were covered with sinews and muscles, and then with skin. But there was no breath in the bodies. 9 God said to me, “Mortal man, prophesy to the wind.

Ezekiel 37:1 – 14 Tell the wind that the Sovereign Lord commands it to come from every direction, to breathe into these dead bodies, and to bring them back to life.” 10 So I prophesied as I had been told. Breath entered the bodies, and they came to life and stood up. There were enough of them to form an army.

Ezekiel 37:1 – God said to me, “Mortal man, the people of Israel are like these bones. They say that they are dried up, without any hope and with no future. 12 So prophesy to my people Israel and tell them that I, the Sovereign Lord, am going to open their graves. I am going to take them out and bring them back to the land of Israel.

Ezekiel 37:1 – When I open the graves where my people are buried and bring them out, they will know that I am the Lord. 14 I will put my breath in them, bring them back to life, and let them live in their own land. Then they will know that I am the Lord. I have promised that I would do this—and I will. I, the Lord, have spoken.”

2 nd Reading.

Acts 2:1 – 8, 12 – 21.

1 When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. 2 Suddenly there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then they saw what looked like tongues of fire which spread out and touched each person there.

Acts 2:1 – 8, 12 – 21 4 They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to talk in other languages, as the Spirit enabled them to speak. 5 There were Jews living in Jerusalem, religious people who had come from every country in the world. 6 When they heard this noise, a large crowd gathered. They were all excited, because all of them heard the believers talking in their own languages.

Acts 2:1 – 8, 12 – 21 7 In amazement and wonder they exclaimed, “These people who are talking like this are Galileans! 8 How is it, then, that all of us hear them speaking in our own native languages? 12 Amazed and confused, they kept asking each other, “What does this mean?” 13 But others made fun of the believers, saying, “These people are drunk!” Peter's Message 14 Then Peter stood up with the other eleven apostles and in a loud voice began to speak to the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, listen to me and let me tell you what this means. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose; it is only nine o'clock in the morning. 16 Instead, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about: 17 ‘This is what I will do in the last days, God says: I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams. 18 Yes, even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will proclaim my message. 19 I will perform miracles in the sky above and wonders on the earth below. There will be blood, fire, and thick smoke; 20 the sun will be darkened, and the moon will turn red as blood, before the great and glorious Day of the Lord comes. 21 And then, whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.’

Acts 2:1 – 8, 12 – Then Peter stood up with the other eleven apostles and in a loud voice began to speak to the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, listen to me and let me tell you what this means. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose; it is only nine o'clock in the morning.

Acts 2:1 – 8, 12 – Instead, this is what the prophet Joel spoke about: 17 ‘This is what I will do in the last days, God says: I will pour out my Spirit on everyone. Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams.

Acts 2:1 – 8, 12 – Yes, even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will proclaim my message. 19 I will perform miracles in the sky above and wonders on the earth below. There will be blood, fire, and thick smoke;

Acts 2:1 – 8, 12 – the sun will be darkened, and the moon will turn red as blood, before the great and glorious Day of the Lord comes. 21 And then, whoever calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.’

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2

Pentecost

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Pentecost Acts = Holy Spirit Empowers the disciples - the Church grew and spread

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Pentecost Acts = Holy Spirit Empowers the disciples - the Church grew and spread Ezekiel = valley of dry bones

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Pentecost Acts = Holy Spirit Empowers the disciples - the Church grew and spread Ezekiel = valley of dry bones V can these bones come back to life?”

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Pentecost Acts = Holy Spirit Empowers the disciples - the Church grew and spread Ezekiel = valley of dry bones V5 Tell them that I, the Sovereign Lord, am saying to them: I am going to put breath into you and bring you back to life.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Pentecost

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Background to Ezekiel

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Background to Ezekiel - He was taken to Babylon, as a slave

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Background to Ezekiel - He was taken to Babylon, as a slave - Called to be the prophet to those in exile

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Background to Ezekiel - He was taken to Babylon, as a slave - Called to be the prophet to those in exile The Covenant / Agreement

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Background to Ezekiel - He was taken to Babylon, as a slave - Called to be the prophet to those in exile The Covenant / Agreement God = I will be your God

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Background to Ezekiel - He was taken to Babylon, as a slave - Called to be the prophet to those in exile The Covenant / Agreement God = I will be your God Israel = You will be my people

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Background to Ezekiel - He was taken to Babylon, as a slave - Called to be the prophet to those in exile The Covenant / Agreement God = I will be your God Israel = You will be my people BUT Israel disobeyed

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Background to Ezekiel - He was taken to Babylon, as a slave - Called to be the prophet to those in exile - In captivity, no freedom, no land

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Background to Ezekiel - He was taken to Babylon, as a slave - Called to be the prophet to those in exile - In captivity, no freedom, no land - They needed a prophet.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Background to Ezekiel - He was taken to Babylon, as a slave - Called to be the prophet to those in exile - In captivity, no freedom, no land - They needed a prophet - They weren’t free

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Background to Ezekiel - He was taken to Babylon, as a slave - Called to be the prophet to those in exile - In captivity, no freedom, no land - They needed a prophet - They weren’t free - They longed for their homeland – Zion

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Background to Ezekiel - He was taken to Babylon, as a slave - Called to be the prophet to those in exile - In captivity, no freedom, no land - They needed a prophet - They weren’t free - They longed for their homeland – Zion Psalm 137: By the rivers of Babylon.....

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Background to Ezekiel - He was taken to Babylon, as a slave - Called to be the prophet to those in exile - In captivity, no freedom, no land - They needed a prophet - Repent and return to God as his people

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Pentecost – Holy Spirit breathes new life

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost:

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: V11 God said to me, “Mortal man, the people of Israel are like these bones. They say that they are dried up, without any hope and with no future.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks V11 God said to me, “Mortal man, the people of Israel are like these bones. They say that they are dried up, without any hope and with no future.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks Bones = death, hopelessness V11 God said to me, “Mortal man, the people of Israel are like these bones. They say that they are dried up, without any hope and with no future.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks Bones = death, hopelessness Sin breaks us up V11 God said to me, “Mortal man, the people of Israel are like these bones. They say that they are dried up, without any hope and with no future.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks Bones = death, hopelessness Sin breaks us up Cannot help ourselves V11 God said to me, “Mortal man, the people of Israel are like these bones. They say that they are dried up, without any hope and with no future.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks Bones = death, hopelessness Sin breaks us up But the Holy Spirit can breathe life V11 God said to me, “Mortal man, the people of Israel are like these bones. They say that they are dried up, without any hope and with no future.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks Bones = death, hopelessness Sin breaks us up But the Holy Spirit can breathe life Repent, and return to God V11 God said to me, “Mortal man, the people of Israel are like these bones. They say that they are dried up, without any hope and with no future.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks V4 He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God V4 He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God - The Word = promise to give life, tendons, flesh, skin.... V4 He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God - The Word = promise to give life, tendons, flesh, skin tendons, flesh = supports the bones V4 He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God - The Word = promise to give life, tendons, flesh, skin tendons, flesh = supports the bones - skin = protects and shapes V4 He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God - The Word = promise to give life, tendons, flesh, skin tendons, flesh = supports the bones - skin = protects and shapes - The Word guides us V4 He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God Good influencing Christians read the Word every day V4 He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God Good influencing Christians read the Word every day Fail to read the Bible = dry bones V4 He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God Read the Bible every day: V4 He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God Read the Bible every day: 1. You will have LIFE V4 He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God Read the Bible every day: 1.You will have LIFE 2.You will be able to do good work V4 He said, “Prophesy to the bones. Tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God 10 So I prophesied... Breath entered the bodies, and they came to life and stood up.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God 3. Let the Spirit of God breathe life into you 10 So I prophesied... Breath entered the bodies, and they came to life and stood up.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God 3. Let the Spirit of God breathe life into you - There were bodies, but no life 10 So I prophesied... Breath entered the bodies, and they came to life and stood up.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God 3. Let the Spirit of God breathe life into you - Disciples were locked behind doors–no life 10 So I prophesied... Breath entered the bodies, and they came to life and stood up.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God 3. Let the Spirit of God breathe life into you -Disciples were locked behind doors–no life -Holy Spirit came upon them - LIFE 10 So I prophesied... Breath entered the bodies, and they came to life and stood up.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God 3. Let the Spirit of God breathe life into you 10 So I prophesied... Breath entered the bodies, and they came to life and stood up.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God 3. Let the Spirit of God breathe life into you V13 When I open the graves...and bring them out, they will know that I am the Lord.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God 3. Let the Spirit of God breathe life into you 4. Let us be people who are alive V13 When I open the graves...and bring them out, they will know that I am the Lord.

Ezekiel 37 & Acts 2 Challenges for you this Pentecost: 1. Know that sin separates and breaks 2. Listen and read the Word of God 3. Let the Spirit of God breathe life into you 4. Let us be people who are alive