Homilist Ezekiel 37:1-14 The hand of the LORD was on me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD… I. THIS PREACHER HAD A FINE CHURCH TO PREACH IN. It is in "the midst of the valley." The true preacher of Christ has open nature for his temple. He need not be confined to the buildings of man's hands, or tied to the conventionalities of society. Wherever men are, on the valley, the hilltops, the seashore, the high road, or in the market place, he can open his mission, he can deliver his message. Thus Christ and His Apostles preached. II. THIS PREACHER HAD AN AFFECTING CONGREGATION TO ADDRESS. The valley was full of bones, "very many and very dry." Unregenerate souls are like dead bodies in many respects. 1. They are the creatures of the outward. While there is life in the human body it has a power to appropriate the external to its own use; but when life has departed, the external elements make it their sport. It is so with unregenerate souls. They are the creatures of circumstances. 2. They are loathsome to the eye. The human frame that is beautiful in life becomes so offensive in death, that love seeks a place to bury it out of sight. Unregenerate souls are loathsome to the eyes of all who are truly and spiritually alive. III. THIS PREACHER HAD A DIVINE SERMON TO DELIVER. 1. He appealed to his dead auditory. This showed his strong faith in God. His own reason would suggest to him the absurdity of his work, but he trusted God. 2. He appealed to Heaven. "Come from the four winds, O breath," etc. From Heaven the power came, and that power he invoked with all the earnestness of his nature. Thus with the true preacher of Christ. His words will be powerless unless made powerful by the mighty Spirit. IV. THIS PREACHER HAD MARVELLOUS RESULTS TO WITNESS. 1. The results were what he worked for. The efforts he exerted were for resuscitation, and resuscitation came. Every true preacher will get, to some extent, that for which he earnestly labours. 2. The results were gradually developed. Here is — (1) Motion — bones moving. (2) Organisation — bones knitted together and covered with flesh. (3) Vitality — the organisation animated. (4) Exertion — stood on their feet "a great army."Under every true preacher the work in a congregation goes on something in this way. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, |
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