2. A Study in Ezekiel 36 & 37 Ezekiel 37:11-13

3. Rom 5 3 We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. 4 And patience produces character, & character produces hope. 5 And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us. NCV

4. Hope: the confident expectation & anticipation of good, improvement or a positive end result to a desire.

5. 1) Fresh Hope is Built On God’s Faithfulness- Eze 37:11-13 11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost & we ourselves are cut off!’

6. 1) Fresh Hope is Built On God’s Faithfulness- Eze 37:11-13 12 Therefore prophesy & say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord G OD : “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves & cause you to come up from your graves & bring you into the land of Israel.

7. 1) Fresh Hope is Built On God’s Faithfulness- Eze 37:11-13 13 Then you shall know that I am the L ORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people & brought you up from your graves.

8. God constantly reminds us of His presence, that He does not abandon us nor turn His back on us. No situation is hopeless as long as God is involved.

9. 2 Tim 4 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me & strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, & that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

10. 2 Tim 4 18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work & preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.

11. a) Hope has proper perspective on God’s faithfulness 11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost & we ourselves are cut off!’

12. A lack of vision about God’s faithfulness and love will lead to a lack of hope. We can’t have an absent God and have great hope.

13. Isaiah 40 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, & speak, O Israel: "My way is hidden from the Lord, & my just claim is passed over by my God"?

14. Isaiah 40 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

15. b) Hope has a firm hold on the steadiness of God’s character 12 Therefore prophesy & say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord G OD : “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves & cause you to come up from your graves & bring you into the land of Israel.

16. God’s faithfulness to us is tied to the surety of His promises. We can’t have an inconsistent God and have great hope.

17. 2 Tim 2 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

18. c) Hope believes God in all things 13 Then you shall know that I am the L ORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people & brought you up from your graves.

19. If God is only faithful in the small things then we don’t have complete hope. We can’t have a small God and great hope.

20. Jere 32 27 "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?

21. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! Great is Thy Faithfulness

22. Is my hope resting on God’s faithfulness or upon my circumstances and abilities?

23. A Study in Ezekiel 36 & 37 Ezekiel 37:11-13