We’re alive!

Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.'" (Ezekiel 37:13-14 NIV84)

Ezekiel spoke of a day that the Holy Spirit would not just be given to people like prophets.  The Holy Spirit would be given to the whole nation of Israel.  It wouldn’t stop there, though.  They Holy Spirit was promised to all people who will call on the name of the LORD our God.

"'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' (Acts 2:17-21 NIV84)

The Apostle, Peter, quoted this promise given through the prophet, Joel.  Peter quoted this on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in the form of fiery tongues.  He was telling everyone there, and everyone who reads the account in the book of Acts, that the prophecy was fulfilled on that day.  God’s Spirit was poured out on all nations.  Not only that, God’s Spirit is made available in the same way to you and to me.

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." (Acts 2:37-39 NIV84)

Even to this day, from generation to generation, those who come home to the Father through the Son (Jesus) receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  We are given the same Spirit who empowered Moses, Elijah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Apostles like Peter.  It’s even the same Spirit who empowered Jesus.

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. (Romans 8:11 NIV84)

We have a new life through the power of the Spirit who dwells inside of us.  That life is a more abundant life than we would have had without the Spirit of God empowering us.  We’re alive!  There’s more to it, though.  We are not just given the Spirit so we can have a good life.  We are given the Spirit so we can fulfill our part of God’s plan.  We have a mission.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8 NIV84)

How about you?  Have you repented (turned back to God)?  Have you gone down into the waters of baptism?  Have you received the gift of the Holy Spirit?  Is the Spirit bringing life to your mortal body?  Are you going out and making disciples of all nations?  Are you alive?

God is alive!

As I looked, I saw a great storm coming from the north, driving before it a huge cloud that flashed with lightning and shone with brilliant light. There was fire inside the cloud, and in the middle of the fire glowed something like gleaming amber. (Ezekiel 1:4 NLT)

God’s Word is living and active.  We saw two days ago that Daniel lived in accordance with God’s Word and Ezekiel said that God’s Word was sweet to taste.  The Apostle Paul said that God’s Word is living and active.

Above this surface was something that looked like a throne made of blue lapis lazuli. And on this throne high above was a figure whose appearance resembled a man. From what appeared to be His waist up, He looked like gleaming amber, flickering like a fire. And from His waist down, He looked like a burning flame, shining with splendor. All around Him was a glowing halo, like a rainbow shining in the clouds on a rainy day. This is what the glory of the LORD looked like to me. When I saw it, I fell face down on the ground, and I heard someone's voice speaking to me. (Ezekiel 1:26-28 NLT)

God’s Word is alive because God is alive.  Ezekiel saw a vision of God.  He described what the “glory of the LORD” looked like to him.  He wasn’t the only one.  Daniel saw a vision of the LORD as well.

I watched as thrones were put in place and the Ancient One sat down to judge. His clothing was as white as snow, His hair like purest wool. He sat on a fiery throne with wheels of blazing fire, and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from His presence. Millions of angels ministered to Him; many millions stood to attend Him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:9-10 NLT)

In Daniel’s vision, we start to see the LORD being revealed to us as the King of Kings and the LORD of lords.  This “Ancient One” is the ultimate and final judge.  But that’s not all.  We also catch a glimpse of Jesus in this picture.

As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into His presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey Him. His rule is eternal--it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14 NLT)

It’s kind of like the story of a little child drawing a picture and mom asking, “What are you drawing?”  “I’m drawing God,” said the child.  The mom, smiling and ready for the teachable moment says, “Well, honey, nobody knows what God looks like.”  Without hesitation the child says, “They will when I’m done.”

How about you?  Do you have a picture in your mind?  Does it match the pictures shared by Ezekiel and Daniel?  Do you see more to the picture?  Do you see that God is alive?

God’s Church is alive!

Even in the Babylonian captivity, the LORD continued to work with the remnant of God’s people: Israel.  Daniel and three others were committed to following the Word of the LORD, as we saw yesterday.  God blessed their faithfulness, even as they were being trained as advisors to the king of Babylon.

God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams. The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service. Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom. (Daniel 1:17,19-20 NLT)

Ezekiel, the prophet, was also empowered by God to bring a message from God to the remnant of Israel.

Then He added, "Son of man, let all My words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile and say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says!' Do this whether they listen to you or not." Therefore, prophesy to them and say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O My people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel. (Ezekiel 3:10-11; 37:12 NLT)

Ezekiel, Daniel, and the other three with Daniel all had the same power working in them.  It was the power of the Holy Spirit of God.  All the church leaders throughout the Bible, Old Testament and New, are empowered by the Holy Spirit.  In this power, Ezekiel was given a vision of Israel coming back to life.

Then He said to me, "Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, 'Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD! This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.'" So I spoke this message, just as He told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them.  Then He said to me, "Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.'" So I spoke the message as He commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet--a great army. (Ezekiel 37:4-10 NLT)

This image of the nation of Israel becoming a live army is similar to the image that God gives us for the Church today.  The Church is described as an army.  It is described as people who have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling within them.  It is described as a Body, held and functioning together, as each part does its own work.  God’s Church is alive.

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church--for we are members of his body. (Ephesians 3:6; 4:16; 5:29-30 NIV84)

How about you?  Have you ever thought about the idea that you have the same Holy Spirit that dwelled in Moses, Elijah, Ezekiel, and Daniel?  Have you thought about how that Spirit connects you together with every other person who has the Holy Spirit within them?  Do you see yourself as an important part of a bigger “Body?”  Do you stay connected with others as you live out your part?

God’s Word is Alive

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah's royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. (Daniel 1:3, 6 NLT)

Israel (North) and Judah (South) are defeated.  The Babylonian empire has spread out over the land and the Israelite survivors are in captivity.  Daniel, the guy who will later be thrown in a lion’s den, is one of them.  He has been selected to be one of the elite advisors to the Babylonian king.  He is being trained with other best-of-the-best kind of people and is being fed the best foods from the king’s kitchen.

But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. (Daniel 1:8 NLT)

Why would Daniel fight against such good treatment?  Why would he run the risk of punishment and even death for rebelling against the king’s wishes?  God’s Word told Daniel not to eat those foods.

The voice said to me, "Son of man, eat what I am giving you--eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel." So I opened my mouth, and He fed me the scroll. "Fill your stomach with this," He said. And when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. (Ezekiel 3:1-3 NLT)

Daniel recognized what Ezekiel knew as well: we need to follow God’s Word.  Ezekiel learned that God’s Word “tasted” sweet.  Daniel knew that the Israelites received the promised land when they followed God’s Word and that they were defeated when they rebelled against God’s Word.  God is not to be trifled with.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV84)

How about you?  Do you have a respect for God’s Word like Daniel?  Have you found God’s Word to be sweet like Ezekiel did?  Do you read, listen to, or take the time to understand God’s Word?  Do you allow God’s Word to change you?  In you, is God’s Word alive?

Beyond the Kings

Last week when we finished up the book of Kings, you may have thought to yourself, “Finally, we’re done with this part of Biblical history!”  But, it’s not over yet.  You see, there are books of the Bible written during the time after Judah was defeated.  Scholars refer to it as the time of the Babylonian captivity.  (We can call it that, too.)

During the third year of King Jehoiakim's reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God. So Nebuchadnezzar took them back to the land of Babylonia and placed them in the treasure-house of his god. (Daniel 1:1-2 NLT)

Daniel is one such book.  You may know the story of Daniel and the lion den.  But, did you know that Daniel’s story all took place during the Babylonian captivity?

The LORD took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the LORD to a valley filled with bones. He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, 'We have become old, dry bones--all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.' (Ezekiel 37:1-2, 11 NLT)

Ezekiel is another such book.  The prophet Ezekiel brought messages from the LORD to the Israelites who had survived the battles and had been taken captive by the Babylonians.  Even in captivity, the LORD was communicating with and working with God’s chosen people of Israel.

Jerusalem has sinned greatly, so she has been tossed away like a filthy rag. All who once honored her now despise her, for they have seen her stripped naked and humiliated. All she can do is groan and hide her face. She defiled herself with immorality and gave no thought to her future. Now she lies in the gutter with no one to lift her out. "LORD, see my misery," she cries. "The enemy has triumphed." I cry out, "My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for from the LORD is lost!" The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. (Lamentations 1:8-9,18-20 NLT)

The remaining people, though, had a hard time seeing God reaching out.  They only saw the LORD punishing them for their disobedience and rebellion.  It would take a little while before they could see the possibility of God bringing good out of the ashes of the their defeat.

Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in Him!" The LORD is good to those who depend on Him, to those who search for Him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. (Lamentations 3:21-26 NLT)

How about you?  Have you ever looked at the books written after the defeat of Judah?  Can you relate to the people who had been beaten and taken captive?  Have you ever had a hard time seeing how God could possibly use your circumstances for your good (Romans 8:28)?  Or, even in the toughest of circumstances, do you still dare to hope?