North Main Street Church of God
Dry Bones
1201 North Main Street Ext. Butler, PA 16001 07/23/2023
Locations & Times
North Main Street Church of God
1201 N Main St Ext, Butler, PA 16001, USA
Sunday 10:30 AM
Sunday Morning
Join us on Sunday Mornings online where you can Check-in/Connect, Give, and Watch along with us.
https://northmaincog.org/online/Know Christ intimately,
Grow in Christ continually, and
Go for Christ daily
Check-in Here
Thanks for joining us! If it's your first time here we'd love to connect with you! Fill out the form below. <br> For our regular attenders, please check in with your name and email, if you need to update information
https://northmaincog.org/online-connection-form/Joining us online?
Thank you for joining us today! Please check in here:
https://northmaincog.org/online-connection-form/
Newcomers to North Main
If you are a newcomer, we’re so glad you’ve joined us! If you’re here in person, make sure to stop by the Welcome Center where we have a gift bag for you with some information about us and some delicious homemade chocolate chip COOKIES. <br> For those online please visit the website below and make sure to click the COMMUNICATION CARD button and fill that out so we can send you a free gift!
https://northmaincog.org/onlineChurch Mobile App
Did you know North Main has a church mobile app? Access videos anytime from your device and never miss a sermon. Securely and easily give your tithes, offerings, and donations. Instantly register for upcoming events, and stay in the know of what's happening. Contact Us at any time with a simple message. Find others in the North Main directory. To download go to:
https://northmaincog.org/app/Bible Reading Plan
Join us in 2023 as we read through the Bible in a year and highlight evidence of “KINDNESS” throughout our daily Scripture readings. Reading Guides and GREEN highlighters, the color that represents KINDNESS, are available at the Welcome Center. You can also access the resources digitally on NORTHMAINCOG.ORG/BIBLE
https://northmaincog.org/bible/
Events
For more information about events at North Main such as our upcoming softball games, women’s hikes, classes, and groups, please make sure to stop by the Welcome Center or visit our website at
https://northmaincog.org/eventsIf you consider North Main your home church and have been coming regularly for at least 6 months, we invited you to attend our Annual Congregational Business Meeting that is coming up on Sunday, July 30th directly after our morning service. Please plan on attending, and we’ll see you there!
Reality Tour
The Reality Tour® program is coming to North Main Street Church of God! Starting in September, youth from all over the Butler community will be coming HERE to attend this drug prevention program. Drama and emotional learning are used to create a memorable experience that covers the consequences of drug use and provides them with coping skills and firsthand accounts. In today's world, drugs are more available and disguised than ever before, making it crucial for parents to help their teens navigate the risks BEFORE they're exposed to drugs. <br> Made by parents for parents, the Reality Tour brings families, schools, law enforcement, and community volunteers together for a powerful educational experience that can influence conversations and choices for years to come. Don't miss the opportunity to volunteer with us as we provide a space for parents to learn and grow together with their child. There are so many different ways to volunteer: acting (teen & parents, enforcement officer, medical personnel), running the tech booth, printing photo IDs for the kids the night of the event, marketing, and more. <br> Are you interested in volunteering for the Reality Tour? Of COURSE you are! This is an amazing opportunity to help impact our community for the better. We're excited to announce that the tour will take place on the 4th Monday of every month, starting on September 25th. But before that, we're offering a few trainings for our wonderful volunteers. The first one is scheduled for Wednesday, July 26th at 6:30 pm. If you're interested in being a part of this amazing opportunity, head over to our website to sign up!
https://northmaincog.org/reality-tour/We will be celebrating communion together this morning during worship. The ushers will distribute the elements at that time, but those who need a gluten-free or sealed option are available at the Welcome Center right outside the doors you came in today.
If you are joining us from home & would like to participate, the traditional elements are merely symbolic. Feel free to use whatever you have: a cracker, cookie, pretzel, and any drink. The importance is in the reminder.
Give
We thank you for your faithful gifts. You can give online and, of course, on Sundays by using the secure drop boxes located outside the doors of the Sanctuary. THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS.
https://northmaincog.org/give/
(Ezekiel 37:1-14)
Yearly Theme: “Kindness is… Advancement”
Series Title: “Kindness in Exile”
July 23rd, 2023
According to LifeSource a nonprofit organ, eye, and tissue donation organization, there are three medical definitions of death:
· Clinical Death: Clinical death is a term that describes the cessation (stopping) of a patient’s heart pumping blood through the body and, inevitably, is paired with a lack of breathing. Clinical death is a medical emergency, without immediate intervention, the window to reverse the condition will close, and legal death will be declared.
· Brain Death: Brain death is the cessation of brain activity and the inability for the brain to carry out the proper functions necessary to sustain life. Brain death is irreversible.
· Legal Death: Legal death involves irreversible cardiac and respiratory cessation or irreversible brain death function and requires the examination, determination, and sign-off of a qualified medical professional.[1]
Today, we will be exploring a rather famous and familiar passage from the Old Testament book of Ezekiel called “The Valley of Dry Bones.” In this passage, GOD takes Ezekiel in the Spirit to a place where dry human bones are in abundance. Through a series of commands, GOD tells Ezekiel to bring back to life the bodies that the bones represented. Through this, GOD wants Ezekiel to see that though the nation of Israel (its people) have – in essence – died, He plans on resurrecting them to new life. Let’s take a closer look:
[1] LifeSource. “What Is Clinical Death?” LifeSource, June 1, 2023. https://www.life-source.org/latest/what-is-clinical-death/
Key Point: “GOD can bring to life what was once dead and gone.”
There are three distinct things of importance in these fourteen verses that must be noted and explored in this passage in order to understand what GOD is planning to accomplish.
The first is the vision of…
Ezekiel 37:1-3 (NLT), The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. 2 He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. 3 Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?”
Ezekiel 37:7-8 (NLT), 7 So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons. 8 Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them.
Ezekiel 37:9-10 (NLT), 9 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’ ”
10 So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.
Life without GOD is not life at all, but rather a meaningless existence merely awaiting death.
Are you one of the bodies in the valley of dry bones, or are you alive with the breath of the Spirit of GOD giving your life meaning? Are you merely a shell of a human wandering to and fro with no sense of eternal purpose? When all is said and done, and your life has come to a close, where will you end up?
Key Point: “GOD can bring to life what was once dead and gone.”
Have you ever experienced something which seemed to be contrary to the promises of God? Have you ever wondered what God could possibly be doing during a very difficult time or situation? Even in those times, can you identify the protective hand of God? When those who are against God seem to be prospering, What is God’s promise to those who choose Him? What is it that the flesh can experience that stone cannot? How can you avoid allowing bitterness, anger, or pride to harden you toward those things which are important to The Lord?
How often do you mistake a popular saying to be the truth? Or from the scripture? Popularity does not indicate righteousness, so, can you identify several ways to protect yourself against the rhetoric of current culture? We often take on the shame of the actions of our loved ones. What is this passage telling you about the heart of God toward every individual? Is this passage encouraging or convicting for your personal circumstances?
What is noteworthy about the phrase in vs 8, “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord,” Identify the 3 ways God promises salvation of his flock in vs 10. Who do you identify with in this passage of scripture and why? Does that revelation encourage you? Are you moved to obedience in any direction, identify it. Knowing God is your protector and provider, how can you shift your focus from those who have harmed you?
Have you ever been utterly discouraged? What situation in your life did you once feel sure God was going to bless, that later appeared beyond hope? Can you see the connection between the creation story and this passage? In both situations, once the creation was formed what did God have to do in order for the miracle to be complete? What is currently in your life which seems to be beyond hope? What is the promise of God in this passage?
Have you experienced the grief of a fractured family or other close relationships? How does God speak directly to restoring the lost? What commonality will bring the restored people together? Is this restoration a unity of compromise and lack of standards? How should you respond to the discussion unity for unity’s sake? Is this what this passage is indicating? How should you proceed when you are dealing with grief and loss, according to this passage?
Past Sermons
To view past sermons, please visit our website below.
https://northmaincog.org/media-resources/sermons/Contact Us
If you would like to update your information or have a prayer request, please fill out the link below.
https://northmaincog.org/media-resources/contact-us/North Main Street Church of God
1201 North Main Street Ext.Butler, PA 16001 (724) 285-4214 info@northmaincog.org
http://www.northmaincog.org/Give
We thank you for your faithful gifts. You can give online at NORTHMAINCOG.ORG/GIVE, text "give" to (724) 313-2211, and, of course, on Sundays by using the secure drop boxes located outside the doors of the Sanctuary. THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS.
https://www.northmaincog.org/giveMonday - Thursday
9:00am - 4:00pm