March 26, 2023: Can These Bones Live?

Fifth Sunday in Lent

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14; John 11:1-45

Reverend Dr. Desi Larson

  • Prelude: “Lamb of God,” by Twila Paris, arr. by Mary McDonald and Larry Shackley; Pauline Olsen, organ; Donna Grubbs, piano
    © 1985 Mountain Spring Music, Straightway Music
    Christian Copyright Service #15255
  • Lenten Reading: Judy Croonquist and Patricia Guthrie
  • Hymn 3080: “Lord, Is It I?” music by Hans L. Hassler, harm. by J. S. Bach, words by Dean McIntyre; Trinity Singers
    Text © 1999 Dean McIntyre
    Used by permission
  • Hymn 71: “Glory Be to the Father (Gloria Patri),” by Henry W. Greatorex
  • Hymn 261: “Lord of the Dance,” by Sydney Carter (1963), harm. by Gary Alan Smith
    © 1963, Stainer & Bell, Ltd., London, England (Admin. by Hope Publishing Company)
    ONE LICENSE A-741127
  • Hymn 420: “Breathe on Me, Breath of God,” music by Robert Jackson, words by Edwin Hatch
  • Offertory: “Christ, We Adore and Worship Thee,” by Theodore Dubois, arr. by Roger C. Wilson; Pauline Olsen, organ
    © 1978 Lorenz Publishing Company
    ONE LICENSE A-741127
  • Hymn 95: “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow,” words by Thomas Ken, music attr. to Louis Bourgeois
  • Special Music: “He Touched Me,” by William J. Gaither; Patty Shoop, vocal
    © 1964 William J. Gaither, Inc.
    CCLI #2564464
  • Prayer for Illumination: Andy Pitts
  • Readings from Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14; John 11:1-45; Rick Olson, Becky Morgan, Nancy Baer
  • Sermon: “Can These Bones Live?” Pastor Desi Larson
  • Hymn 2158: “Just a Closer Walk with Thee,” music and words anonymous
    Public Domain
  • Benediction Hymn 3105: “In Christ Alone,” by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty, arr. by Mary McDonald
    © 2002 Thankyou Music
    ONE LICENSE A-741127
  • Postlude: “Here I Am, Lord”, by Daniel L. Schutte, setting by Douglas E. Wagner; Pauline Olsen, organ
    © 2000 Hope Publishing Company
    ONE LICENSE A-741127

Sermon Outline, March 26, 2023

Can These Bones Live?

Common Lectionary Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14, Valley of Bones; Psalm 130, Out of the depths I cray to you; Romans 8:6-11, In flesh or in spirit?; John 11:1-45, Lazarus is raised from the dead.

Key Characters

  • Ezekiel – Bones, Spirit of God
  • Jesus – Mary and Martha; Disciples; Lazarus

Vocabulary words

  • Death
  • Life
  • Revive
  • Resurrect

Revival stories in the Bible

  • Elijah raises three (1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:18-37; 2 Kings 13:20-21)
  • Jesus falsely rumored to be the revived John the Baptist (Mark 6:14)
  • Jesus raises three (Luke 8:40-42, 49-56; Luke 7:11-17; John 11:1-45)
  • Peter raises Tabitha (Acts 9:36-43)
  • Paul raises Eutychus (Acts 20:9-12)

“Omni” nature of God

  • Omnipotence
  • Omniscience
  • Omnipresence
  • Omnibenevolence

Resurrection, When?

  • “I am”
  • Resurrection Now!

Breath and Bones

You are not in the flesh, you are in the spirit
— Romans 8:9