The First Gospel - Good News for Dry Bones | Josh Harrison
Why the Gospel Begins in the Dark
If you’ve ever found yourself in a place so bleak it feels like life itself is dried up, then perhaps the vision of Ezekiel in the valley of dry bones, as recounted by Josh in this week’s sermon, resonates with you. Ezekiel 37 presents an image so stark it’s almost cinematic: a valley, strewn with bones, each one “very dry.” Not only is life gone; even the possibility of life seems extinguished. This is where God’s people find themselves after the exile—their city destroyed, their temple razed, their hope snuffed out. It is not merely trouble; it is spiritual death.
But as Josh insists, this is the necessary preface to grace. To receive the gospel, the “good news,” we must start by naming the “bad news”: left to ourselves, we are powerless, dead in our transgressions. This is not a call to despair, but to honesty. As in Ephesians 2, “as for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.” The point is clear. Jesus isn’t an add-on to an otherwise fine life. Without Him, there is no life.
God's Relentless Presence in Exile
The exile, with all its devastation, could have signaled God’s absence. Yet the Book of Ezekiel opens with a vision—a strange mobile throne, wheels within wheels, eyes all around—symbolizing that God is still present, even in Babylon. Josh circles back to this vision to make a crucial point: no matter how dark the valley, God is “on the move.” The people are not alone; God’s spirit has gone with them into exile. Our self-reliance and strategies may fail, but God never does. Renewal always begins with God’s initiative, not ours.
The Partnership Paradigm
The story pivots sharply at a significant moment: before God brings the bones to life, He sends Ezekiel into the valley. This is no mere delegation—God isn’t simply handing off tasks and stepping back. Instead, God invites Ezekiel to partner in His redemptive work. This design is not new. From Abraham to Moses, David to the prophets, God has chosen to work on earth through people, but with people. Partnership, not abandonment, is the mode.
As Josh notes, perhaps the better saying isn’t, “Christ has no hands but yours,” but, “We have no hands but Christ’s.” The power comes from God, not from our effort or even our faithfulness. If we refuse God’s invitation, His will finds another partner—what is at stake is not God’s purpose, but our participation in it.
Preaching Life Into the Dead Places
Ezekiel stands in the middle of this valley and does something at once simple and profound: he preaches. He prophesies the Word of God into the dead bones. The act of preaching, bringing the ancient Word, is not just a matter of encouragement or advice. It is, as Jesus says, “life itself.” The Word of God restores, revives, and renews our humanity, even when the world strips it away.
And renewal is seldom instantaneous. God has Ezekiel prophesy three times—raising the bones, calling forth breath, and finally imparting purpose. Sometimes the Word doesn’t take root right away. The process of resurrection for people and churches alike is seldom a one-time event, but an ongoing rehabilitation.
Life Restored, Purpose Renewed
The climax of the vision is resurrection—God’s Spirit breathes through Ezekiel and gives life to dead bones. But restoration means more than existence—it is also about purpose. The resurrected people are not only revived for themselves, but sent out to be light to the world.
This pattern finds its perfect expression in Jesus. He goes into the grave, emerges in resurrection, and breathes His Spirit into His disciples, giving them both life and mission. The church itself is born out of this resurrection life—a new community, sent as ambassadors, a spring of living water in a dry land.
Four Key Lessons from Ezekiel’s Vision
Grace Begins at Rock Bottom
Resurrection can only happen in places fully surrendered to hopelessness. We must recognize and accept our spiritual deadness to truly receive new life.God Is Always Present, Even in Exile
Our darkest valleys do not signal God’s absence. He is, quite literally, on the move—His Spirit goes with us, working for our good even when all seems lost.God Chooses to Work Through Us, But the Power Is His
We are invited not just to act, but to partner with God. Our participation matters, but transformation, healing, and resurrection come from God’s Spirit, not our strength.The Word of God Is Life, Not Just Advice
Preaching, teaching, and hearing God’s Word aren’t optional add-ons—they are the means by which God revives His people. The process is ongoing: resurrection happens as we make space to hear, believe, and live the Word together.
In a world filled with dry bones—nationally, personally, spiritually—this is the good news: the resurrector is here, and wherever He is, anything is possible.
