Two Sticks

TWO STICKS

By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes)

Matthew 12:25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

I HAVE SEVERAL STICKS (DOWELS) One dowel is painted blue on one end, yellow on the other together they represent ISRAEL. I have someone break the dowel. Israel has allowed sin to divide the nation. Then I have one dowel yellow and have written “FOR JUDAH” ON IT. Then I have a blue dowel written: “FOR JOSEPH.” Together standing alone they are weak. Then I have 3 yellow dowels and 3 blue dowels glued together as one. Together the dowels are stronger and can’t be broken. This is the story of Ezekiel 37… two sticks. We are stronger together. This is the story of the family of God. You don’t have to do the visual aid but it helps.

WHAT IS MISSING IN OUR DAILY ROUTINE? WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR TIME, TALENT AND ENERGY?

THE MAIN THING IS TO KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING. DO WE THINK ABOUT ETERNITY IN OUR HOMES? SEEMS WE WORRY ABOUT WHAT WE ARE MISSING? DO WE TRUST GOD WILL ALWAYS PROVIDE? WE NEVER KNOW WHAT THE DAY, WEEK, MONTH OR YEAR MAY BRING.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

DOCTOR PHIL SAYS: THERE ARE ALWAYS TWO SIDES TO A PAN CAKE. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO FLIP THE PANCAKE.

DOCTOR LAURA SAYS: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO BETWEEN NOW AND DEATH?

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11 (MSG) I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

SEEING ONE SIDED? WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME? Let us talk about a CYNIC.

There was a Greek man that lived from 404 to 303 BC. His name was DIOGENES of SINOPE. Diogenes carried a LANTERN or a CANDLE around Athens. He would shine a light into peoples’ faces. DIOGENES said he was LOOKING FOR A HONEST PERSON. Diogenes was looking for people that exercised SELF-CONTROL and PERSONAL BEHAVIOR. Diogenes was concerned that people were focusing on MATERIALISM instead DOING GOOD. Diogenes rid himself of everything but a BATHTUB and a CUP for his food and water. One day Diogenes saw a young boy drinking from his hands and Diogenes realized he could live without a cup. So he gave his cup away.

DIOGENES believed PEOPLE DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR WORDS AND DEEDS. He felt like people were not being HONEST. People need to come to the conclusion WHAT BRINGS REAL PEACE TO INDIVIDUALS.

HUMANS CAN ONLY SEE “ONE-SIDED.” Wisdom, as Doctor Phil would say: NO MATTER HOW FLAT WE MAKE A PANCAKE THERE ARE ALWAYS TWO SIDES. SOMETIMES WE JUST NEED TO FLIP THE PANCAKE ---or one side will burn?

WE ALL KNOW THE LESSON OF THE VALLEY OF BONES. IT WAS A VERY DARK DAY IN ISRAEL. SIN HAD KILLED THE HOPE OF ISRAEL. EZEKIEL IS BROKEN HEARTED. EZEKIEL SAW A VALLEY OF DRY BONES, VERY DRY BONES. EZEKIEL WAS HONEST AND HE SAID: GOD I DON’T KNOW IF THERE IS ANY HOPE. GOD YOU KNOW.

Ezekiel 37:3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest.

GOD GIVES ISRAEL AND PREACHER EZEKIEL A NEW HOPE OF DELLIVERANCE.

Ezekiel 37:13 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, 14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

THERE HAS BEEN ONE NATION UNDER GOD. THEN BECAUSE OF SIN’S HOPELESSNESS THE NATION OF ISRAEL WAS DIVIDED. THIS STORY IS OF BROKENESS AND WEAKNESS. THE STORY OF THE DRY BONES IS OFTEN PREACHED BY MANY. THE STORY DOES NOT STOP THERE --- THERE IS A SAD STORY OF TWO STICKS.

ISRAEL WAS ONE STICK BOUND TOGETHER IN LOVE AND UNITY. Israel was powerful when united with the Preachers and living according to God’s words. Rebellion, strife and sin divided ISRAEL. Israel was no longer the powerful nation. Israel is now divided and weak.

GOD HAS A NEW MESSAGE OF HOPE OF RESTORATION.

Ezekiel 37:15 The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, 16 Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: