Introduction

Good morning, dear family of faith. Isn't it a blessing to gather together in the house of our Lord? We are here today to open our hearts and minds to the transformative power of God's Word. Today, we are going to turn our attention to a passage from the book of Ezekiel, a book that often goes overlooked in our Bible studies, but one that carries a profound message of hope, redemption, and restoration.

Our Scripture for today is Ezekiel 22:30, "I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one." This verse speaks to us about God's desire for intercessors, for people who will stand in the gap, who will pray on behalf of others, who will work to restore relationships and reconcile differences.

As we consider this verse, let's remember the words of the great preacher of old, Saint Augustine, who said, "Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you." Indeed, our prayers have the power to change situations, to mend broken relationships, and to bridge the divide that separates us from one another.

Rekindling Resurrection Realities

We find ourselves in a world that often feels broken and fragmented. We see the cracks in our relationships, in our communities, and even within ourselves. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problems we face. But the message of Ezekiel 22:30 is a call to action, a call to stand in the gap, to intercede on behalf of others, and to work towards restoration and reconciliation.

The first thing we need to understand is that this is a call to hope, to faith, and action. It is a call to remember the power of the resurrection, the reality that God has the power to bring life out of death, hope out of despair, and restoration out of brokenness.

The resurrection is a reality that we are called to live out every day. It is a reality that should shape our interactions with others, our approach to problems, and our response to the brokenness of the world. The resurrection is a reality that gives us hope in the face of despair, strength in the face of weakness, and courage in the face of fear.

This resurrection reality points towards the restoration of all things and God's kingdom coming on earth as it is in heaven. It is about God's desire to heal the brokenness of the world, to restore relationships, and to bring reconciliation where there is division. When we stand in the gap, when we intercede on behalf of others, we are participating in this resurrection reality. We are joining God in His work of restoration and reconciliation.

But how do we do this? How do we live out this resurrection reality in our daily lives? How do we stand in the gap and intercede on behalf of others?

First, we need to understand that standing in the gap is not about fixing problems or solving issues. It is about being present, about showing up, about being there for others in their time of need. We should be listening to their stories, empathizing with their pain, and offering them our love and support.

Second, standing in the gap is about prayer. As the people of God, we need to be lifting up the needs of others before God, pleading on their behalf, and trusting in God's power and goodness. God hears our prayers and He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.

Next, standing in the gap is about action. It is about doing what we can to help others, to alleviate their suffering, and to bring about positive change.

Finally, standing in the gap is about perseverance. It is about not giving up, about not losing heart, and about not being discouraged by the challenges we face. It is about keeping the faith, about holding on to hope, and about trusting in the promises of God.

Restoring Ruined Relationships

We now find ourselves drawn to the idea of restoring ruined relationships as we see in our passage ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO