Sermon Details

Arise

May 23, 2021
Wabash Avenue Presbyterian Church in Crawfordsville, IN, invites you to join us as we worship in this time of SARS-CoV-2. Today's virtual service features Rev. John Van Nuys leading worship. The Gospel for today is Ezekiel 37:1-14. Rev. Van Nuys Sermon is “Arise”. Jennie Swick sings “Come, Thou Almighty King” and “I, the Lord of Sea and Sky. Alan White plays the Prelude.
(1) The hand of the Lord came upon me, and he brought me out by the spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of a valley; full of bones. (2) He led me around them; there were very many lying in the valley, and they were very dry. (3) God said, ‘Mortal, can these bones live?’ I answered, ‘O Lord God, you know.’ (4) Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say to them: O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. (5) Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. (6) I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live; and you shall know that I am the Lord.’ (7) So I prophesied as I had been commanded; and as I prophesied, suddenly there was a noise, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. (8) I looked, and there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them; but there was no breath in them. (9) Then God said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, mortal, and say to the breath: Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.’ (10) I prophesied as God commanded, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood on their feet, a vast multitude. (11) Then God said to me, ‘Mortal, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, “Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are cut off completely.” (12) Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you back to the land of Israel. (13) And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people. (14) I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.’
– Ezekiel 37:1-14

The word was given and everything changed.  Last Thursday, the CDC said that it was okay to stop wearing masks.  And everything changed.  That word requires us to rethink everything now that we can (pretty much) return to mask-less breathing.

The Word was given and everything changed.  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory.  God’s incarnate Word Jesus Christ was born, lived, taught, was crucified and resurrected – requiring us to rethink everything.  Especially when the Holy Spirit was breathed upon Jesus’ followers with wind and fire to create the church.

We want to get back to normal, but God wants us to create a new normal.  As God’s Easter people, we’re to join with God as the church in the divine mission to transform this Good Friday world toward a new reality called the Kingdom of God.  So that God’s will “will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  So that a brand new normal called Easter can arise – by grace; by the Spirit; and by us living in a brand new way.

It’s possible.  Jesus Christ is risen today.  The Spirit is in the house!  Where two or more are gathered.  Listen: it’s even possible when people are dead.

Just ask Ezekiel.  The Lord said, “Prophesy to these bones.  Call the breath, my Spirit to resurrect them.”  And dry bones rattled back to life.  “See that, Ezekiel.  Let my people know that I will open their graves and raise them up and get you home safe and sound so you can live.”

This is just fantasy, right?  Wrong!  It’s the God’s honest truth – and you’re living proof.  We prayed for a miracle; for the pandemic to end.  And God answered!  The vaccine came and now we’re going back safe and sound to restaurants, games, and movies.  Our exhausted souls are being reanimated so that we live again.  “I, the Lord, am opening your graves.  I’m ending your isolation.  Welcome back!  Now, get busy living.”

God answered our prayer.  Now, let’s answer God’s prayer.  Instead of going back to “normal” – selfishness, greed, and apathy – let’s live into a new normal by living Easter.  By being selfless, generous, and loving.

Why go back to your old life when you can go forward with Christ into the best life of all?  Resurrection is happening.  Don’t go back to your old existence.  Go ahead into new life.

What if the word God commanded Ezekiel to speak is the same word God is commanding us to speak?  “Prophesy, O mortal.  Yes, you!  I’m talking to you!  Speak to this dry, Death Valley world.  Speak through your life the word that is love.”  If we all did that, imagine all the graves that would open – including our own.

Wind, fire, breath, gifts – Pentecost – would break forth.  Nothing would be the same.

That power is within you.  That Spirit breathes within you now.  That possibility is real because Pentecost is today – and every day.  God is rearing to go.  Join in.  Speak.  Share.  Arise.

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In reading this, your heart may be stirred. What you’re feeling is the Holy Spirit drawing you to Christ. To begin or renew a relationship with Jesus, just pray:

“Lord, help me receive your love. I regret the wrong I’ve done. Forgive me. Jesus, I believe you are God’s Son and the Savior of the world. Be my Savior. Save me from myself. Save me for yourself. Enter my heart. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Help me to serve you faithfully and well. Help me to love as you love. Lead me in your Way, Truth, and Life now and forever. Continue to show me who you are and who I am in you. Amen.”

Jesus says: “Behold, I make all things new.” The good news is that that definitely includes YOU!

In reading this, your heart may be stirred. What you’re feeling is the Holy Spirit drawing you to Christ. To begin or renew a relationship with Jesus, just pray:

“Lord, help me receive your love. I regret the wrong I’ve done. Forgive me. Jesus, I believe you are God’s Son and the Savior of the world. Be my Savior. Save me from myself. Save me for yourself. Enter my heart. Fill me with your Holy Spirit. Help me to serve you faithfully and well. Help me to love as you love. Lead me in your Way, Truth, and Life now and forever. Continue to show me who you are and who I am in you. Amen.”

If you pray this prayer, contact a pastor. They’ll show you how to live for Christ with purpose, peace, and joy. Jesus says: “Behold, I make all things new.” That definitely includes YOU!