Oh Them Bones (1 of 5)
Series: No Bones About It
Dennis Marquardt
Ezekiel 37:1-14
INTRO: One of the more frightening words in the English language is ''HOPELESS!''
History is replete with the examples of ''hopeless'' situations, however, in the hands of God those ''hopeless'' situations are merely opportunities for God to reveal Himself! God allows such conditions to exist and in them He calls us to Himself, such circumstances help us see our need of God and His hope.
ILLUS: When a famous Rabbi was asked what kind of curse it was in the creation story for the serpent to have to eat earth, since this was a food that would always be available, he answered: ''Man is condemned to eat bread by the sweat of his brow, so that if he wearies of his labors he will cry out to God. Woman is condemned to bring forth children in hardship, so that if her pain proves too great she will weep before God. Especially in their distress they remain linked to God. But God has given the serpent everything it needs, so that it will never turn to Him again.''
In Fact, if history teaches us anything, it teaches us that what can seem hopeless today can be full of hope tomorrow! Even in the natural realm this is true:
a. Once simple infections used to kill people, today with the knowledge of antibiotics we hardly flinch at the news of many kinds of infections, they are more nuisances to us now, years ago they were hopeless and deadly diseases!
b. Years ago a drowning victim in a cold lake was left alone if he had been under for more than a few minutes, we now know that such people can often be revived even after being under for up to an hour in very cold water!
c. Not too many years ago people with bad hearts were given up as hopeless as their heart muscle failed, today a new heart can be transplanted and life can be restored for many many years of high quality living!
If man can alter ''hopeless'' situations into ones with hope, imagine what God can do!?
PROP. SENT: ...
Series: No Bones About It
Dennis Marquardt
Ezekiel 37:1-14
INTRO: One of the more frightening words in the English language is ''HOPELESS!''
History is replete with the examples of ''hopeless'' situations, however, in the hands of God those ''hopeless'' situations are merely opportunities for God to reveal Himself! God allows such conditions to exist and in them He calls us to Himself, such circumstances help us see our need of God and His hope.
ILLUS: When a famous Rabbi was asked what kind of curse it was in the creation story for the serpent to have to eat earth, since this was a food that would always be available, he answered: ''Man is condemned to eat bread by the sweat of his brow, so that if he wearies of his labors he will cry out to God. Woman is condemned to bring forth children in hardship, so that if her pain proves too great she will weep before God. Especially in their distress they remain linked to God. But God has given the serpent everything it needs, so that it will never turn to Him again.''
In Fact, if history teaches us anything, it teaches us that what can seem hopeless today can be full of hope tomorrow! Even in the natural realm this is true:
a. Once simple infections used to kill people, today with the knowledge of antibiotics we hardly flinch at the news of many kinds of infections, they are more nuisances to us now, years ago they were hopeless and deadly diseases!
b. Years ago a drowning victim in a cold lake was left alone if he had been under for more than a few minutes, we now know that such people can often be revived even after being under for up to an hour in very cold water!
c. Not too many years ago people with bad hearts were given up as hopeless as their heart muscle failed, today a new heart can be transplanted and life can be restored for many many years of high quality living!
If man can alter ''hopeless'' situations into ones with hope, imagine what God can do!?
PROP. SENT: ...
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