Title: "These Bones Will Live: Embracing the Power of the Holy Spirit"
Introduction:
Today we gather on this sacred day of Pentecost, a day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples with power and fervor, igniting the flames of faith in their hearts and empowering them to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth. As we reflect on the passages from Acts 2 and Ezekiel 37, we are reminded of the miraculous work of the Spirit in bringing life to that which was once dead. Acts chapter 1& 2 is a treasure trove of insight into the calling, power, and anointing of the Holy Spirit, especially as it relates to preparing and equipping us for the work of ministry. You need to get one thing clear the Holy Spirit is the power to do the work of ministry.
As Methodist, we don't always focus on the Holy Spirit as much as we should. Yet, we know the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and the source of holiness. God in the present tense, up close and personal.
The Holy Spirit is God with us, enlightening and empowering us to walk in a higher purpose.
Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as an Advocate, a Comforter, and a Guide. In John 14:16, 26, Jesus says:
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever... the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you."
Here, the Holy Spirit is portrayed as a comforter and a teacher. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit is presented as a source of power.
This power is not merely for comfort but for empowerment in uncomfortable situations. The Holy Spirit equips us to be witnesses of Jesus, to spread the Gospel from our immediate surroundings (Jerusalem) to the farthest reaches of the world.
Let us dive into these scriptures and uncover the profound truths they hold for us today.
Point 1: The Divine Wind of Pentecost
In Acts 2, we witness the dramatic scene of Pentecost, where the disciples were gathered together in one place, awaiting the promised gift of the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, like a rushing wind, the Spirit descended upon them, filling the entire house and resting upon each of them as tongues of fire.
This divine wind was a powerful symbol of God's presence and power, signaling the beginning of a new era in the life of the Church.
Just as the wind breathes life into dry bones, so too does the Spirit breathe life into the Church, empowering us to proclaim the Gospel boldly and courageously.
In the Methodist Church history, we see the powerful movement of the Holy Spirit during times of great adversity. Despite facing persecution and oppression, Black Methodists, United Methodist remained steadfast in their faith, relying on the Holy Spirit to guide and sustain them. An important aspect of Acts 2 is the disciples' period of waiting. Jesus instructed them to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit. This waiting time, though uncomfortable, was crucial. It wasn't just about being idle; it was a time of prayer and preparation. In our lives, waiting periods are not wasted time—they are God's way of preparing us for the next step. I know sometimes folks thank every thing should be done yesterday and all we need to do is do it but sometime developing ministry takes years.
Through their unwavering commitment to the Gospel, they became beacons of light in the darkness, inspiring others to embrace the message of salvation and liberation. Being full of the Holy Spirit means living with a constant awareness of God's presence and power within us. This presence is not just a comforting feeling but an active force that empowers us to fulfill God's calling. Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you," which implies a dynamic and transformative time of waiting and development.
We are living in a dry bone world view. I'm so proud of our young college students all across the world who were standing during this inflection moment they are standing for Humanity that's what I want to say, because the sad reality is you have some on Fox News who were talking about their supporting Hamas ain't nobody Hamas unless they're evil and demonic.
All of us who have some Humanity we hurt about what happened October 7th over 1,200, 1,300 lives senselessly lost not to mention all of those who have been kidnapped and now find themselves held hostage ain't nobody feeling good about that except evil demonic people.
Now that I said that I got to come back and say but the disproportionate response to what happened October 7th it is evil, it's wrong, it's wicked and Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu is a war criminal who needs to be arrested and prosecuted. Netanyahu is a low life net
Netanyahu is the devil personified Netanyahu has done something that is downright evil and sadly this country has the nerve to help fund the genocide in Gaza, the pain in Palestine and so I stand with our young people who were standing up even though they're being lied on, let me tell you they're being
lied on because now you have some going on television comparing what they're doing to what January 6 wait what how you going to lie like that January 6 that's when folk actually got killed through an attempted seditionist hostile takeover of the American government by led by a criminal who needs to already be under the jail and yet you're going to compare what the students are doing as they stand against violence. As they stand against wickedness they are peacefully protesting, one Observer who is objective said 99% of those who are protesting are nonviolent and peaceful and yet there is a narrative that is going out that is negative about them.
I'm simply trying to say oh you're upset about their disruption, and they deserve to be arrested can I raise a question if they deserve to be arrested did your Jesus deserve to be arrested because my Bible says Jesus on Palm Sunday Lead A march on Jerusalem went into the temple and went Parliament Funkadelic said I'm going to Turn This Mother Out, he turned over the tables of the money changes did Jesus deserve to be arrested as he demonstrated against economic exploitation
Really let's be real this ain't about you being mad at the students you mad at what you're mad at the fact that white supremacy is being challenged all over this world:
These Dry bones don’t stop in Palestine, look at the Congo it doesn’t make much by way of news headlines, but valleys of death is happening every day in the Congo, in the South Sudan every single day in a civil war as we talk this morning also most a million lives are in a valley of dry bones and it doesn't make news and I see Dry Bones and lets not mention there's hell in Haiti and I see dry bones in Haiti and I ain't even got to stay overseas I can come in this country right here!
I don't know about y'all but I see dry bones all the time, it's like white supremacy never takes a break, it's like can y'all just take a day off but it's always something that there's always someone who's been beaten brutally by the police and then what in Baton Rouge, where White residents of Baton Rouge, Louisiana have form separate city in move termed “neo-segregationist” to move away from black citizens. You had an enclave of whiteness to declare that they're going to go ahead and create their own city after benefiting financially from the Baton Rouge community.
In Ezekiel 37, we encounter the haunting image of a valley filled with dry bones, symbolizing the spiritual desolation and hopelessness of God's people. These bones are not just dry, but exceedingly dry, signifying the depth of their despair and the extent of their separation from God.
The dryness of the bones reflects the spiritual death that has taken hold of the people, leaving them without hope for the future.
The bones in Ezekiel 37 are so dry and lifeless because they represent the spiritual condition of God's people at that time. They had turned away from God, forsaking His commandments and following after their own desires. As a result, they experienced spiritual death and separation from the source of life. The dryness of the bones serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience, leading to spiritual desolation and despair.
Point 2: Prophesying Life into Dead Places
In Ezekiel 37, we encounter the haunting image of a valley filled with dry bones, symbolizing the spiritual desolation of God's people. Yet, in the midst of this bleak landscape, God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, declaring that they will live once more. Through the power of God's Spirit, the bones are reanimated, coming together to form living, breathing beings once again. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that no situation is beyond the reach of God's redeeming love and grace.
The Famous Myers Jubilee Singers in 1928 put it this way,
Toe bone connected to the foot bone
Foot bone connected to the heel bone…
Now hear the word of the Lord.
Dem bones, dem bones gonna walk around
Dem bones, dem bones gonna rise again.
Now hear the word of the Lord….
Despite the dryness and death depicted in Ezekiel 37, we see that God is able to breathe new life into even the most hopeless situations. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the bones are reanimated, coming together to form living, breathing beings once again. This miraculous transformation serves as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness and His desire to restore His people to wholeness and vitality.
As United Methodists, we are called to embody the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and ministries, seeking out opportunities to bring hope and healing to those who have experienced death and destruction.
Whether it be through acts of service, advocacy, or proclamation, let us be agents of God's Divine Wind, breathing life into dry bones and ushering in a new season of renewal and restoration.
In The Black Methodist Church, we see countless examples of prophetic voices rising up to speak life into dead places. From the abolitionists who fought tirelessly for the end of slavery to the civil rights leaders who marched for justice and equality, Black Methodists have always been at the forefront of social change, guided by the Spirit to bring about transformation in their communities and beyond. Now is the time to Speak power in all the valleys of Dry Bones.
Point 3: Embracing the Power of the Holy Spirit
As we reflect on the significance of Pentecost and the imagery of dry bones coming to life, we are reminded of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Just as the Spirit breathed life into the disciples on that first Pentecost, so too does the Spirit breathe life into us, empowering us to live as faithful witnesses to the Gospel.
May we open our hearts to the guiding presence of the Spirit, allowing it to lead us into places of death and despair, where we can prophesy life, hope, and healing to all who are in need.
So, what does this mean for us today? It means recognizing that the Holy Spirit is always with us, empowering us to make a difference. We are not powerless. We are filled with the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. We must be conscious of this power and allow it to guide and sustain us through all life's battles.
Conclusion: Illustration:
Imagine you're walking down a busy street when suddenly you hear the piercing sound of a siren. You turn and see an ambulance racing by, lights flashing and sirens blaring. Your heart races as you wonder what emergency they're rushing to attend to. As the ambulance disappears around the corner, you see a crowd gathered around a person lying on the sidewalk, unconscious and unresponsive.
In that moment, you realize that what the person needs is urgent medical attention – they need CPR. Without hesitation, a bystander steps forward, trained in CPR, and begins chest compressions while another calls for help. With each compression, they are breathing life back into the person's body, fighting against death itself.
Similarly, the Church today finds itself in a state of spiritual emergency. We may not see flashing lights or hear sirens, but the signs of distress are all around us. Many have become spiritually unconscious, drifting away from the life-giving presence of God. The world is crying out for revival, for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit to awaken hearts and transform lives.
What the Church needs is a Holy Spirit type of emergency CPR – a revival that breathes new life into dry bones, that stirs the hearts of believers and draws unbelievers into the loving embrace of Christ. Just as CPR requires trained individuals to act quickly and decisively, so too must we, as the body of Christ, be ready to respond to the promptings of the Spirit, to step out in faith and proclaim the message of hope and salvation to a world in desperate need.
May we be like those bystanders on the street, ready and willing to administer spiritual CPR whenever and wherever it is needed. May we pray fervently for revival, seeking the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into our churches, our communities, and our world. And may we never lose sight of the urgency of the task at hand – for the time is now, and the harvest is ripe.
We celebrate the day of Pentecost, let us be reminded of the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the life of the Church. May we embrace the power of the Spirit to breathe life into dead places, to prophesy hope into hopeless situations, and to be bold witnesses to the Gospel in all that we do.
