Greetings
I want to bring you some prophetic encouragement from scripture this morning, about
how God’s abundant grace is present right now in our world, through his breath.
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter
you, and you will come to life.”
Ezekiel 37:5 NIV
Breath (“ruach”) of spirit. The essence of saying the name Yahweh involves breath.
The title of this message is: God is Breathing
Let’s pray!
Breathes into the Dry Bones
In a time that felt hopeless for the people of Israel—when they were under God’s
discipline for turning away from Him and chasing after idols—Ezekiel receives a vision
that stuns him. It’s a valley full of dry bones. This is not anyone’s dream destination or
ideal vacation spot. Yet it’s exactly in this barren, lifeless place that God chooses to
breathe His breath and bring people back to life. The result? A vast army.
Ezekiel 37:9-10 NIV
“Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it,
“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and
breathe into these slain, that they may live.”’ So I prophesied as he commanded
me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast
army.”
1# When God breathes new life comes, and purpose is restored.
Life came into the bones and an army with the purpose of advancing God’s kingdom
stood up.
Today, it may feel like our cities are becoming harder to reach, like the brokenness
in people is beyond repair, and the voice of the church is being drowned out. But I
want to encourage you—God is still breathing. He is breathing His Spirit upon His
church. And just like in Ezekiel’s vision, we will see miracles happen one by one. Peoplewill come to life again. The dry bones will rise for us, just as God promised they would
for the Israelites.
Azusa Street Revival — It happened during a time of ethnic violence and strife, a rise
in spiritualism and witchcraft, and the spread of various cults—including Jehovah’s
Witnesses, Seventh-day Adventists, and Mormons. To many Christ-followers, it seemed
like one of the most difficult times to expect a move of God.
Yet God moved—through a poor, humble group of people led by William J. Seymour. He
breathed on the people in a house then a run-down warehouse in Los Angeles, and
from that unlikely place, revival spread. Though the Azusa Street Mission never had
more than 400 members, the impact continues today—over 800 million people
worldwide have been touched by what started there.
Despite difficult times and dead places, When God breathes new life comes, and
purpose is restored.
Breathes into the Disciples
In the Gospel of John, we see another moment where the breath of God blows again.
The disciples are hiding in fear, locked in a room, unsure of what their lives will look like
after Jesus’ death. They had spent three years walking closely with Him. And
now—He’s gone. Killed by both the religious and Roman leaders. They’re paralyzed.
Stuck. Unable to move forward.
Many people today feel the same way—stuck because of personal battles
(emotional-mental or physical), financial pressures, and relationship drama.
(Story: a dear deacon of ours felt stuck Steve P. Conversation)
But here’s what makes their fear even more intense: the disciples still don’t fully
understand what the Scriptures said about Jesus needing to die and rise again. Even
after the resurrection, even when Jesus walks into the room—literally stepping through
the walls—and lets them touch Him and eat with Him, the fear and unbelief still linger.
Then, something powerful happens:
“Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending
you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’”
John 20:21-22 NIVThat same moment is described like this in the Gospel of Luke:
“Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.”
Luke 24:45 NIV
Jesus breathed on them, and something shifted.
#2 When God Breathes you get unstuck because revelation comes, fear breaks,
motivation for mission returns.
If you feel stuck—paralyzed by the uncertainty of the future or unsure of how to move
forward—I want to encourage you: God is breathing on His people. He is reviving
hearts, breaking fear, and opening minds to see clearly again. His breath changes
everything.
Charisse’s - Story
When God Breathes you get unstuck because revelation comes, fear breaks,
motivation for mission returns.
Breathes on the 120
Weeks after Jesus breathed on the disciples, we find them in another room—but this
time, not out of fear, but out of faith. They are not hiding anymore—they are waiting.
Jesus gave them a promise, and they believe it. They don’t know when it will happen,
and they don’t know how, but they’re obeying. They’re praying. They’re doing what
they’ve always done.
Nothing dramatic is happening—yet. It’s just day after day of prayer, expectation,
and obedience.
Then, Acts 2:1–4 breaks in:
“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled
the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of
fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with
the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
**Acts 2:2–4, NIVI’m here to encourage you: take a cue from these disciples. Acts 1:14 says, “They all
joined together constantly in prayer.” They just kept showing up. Doing what they
always did.
And here’s why that matters:
When God breathes His power is made real and tangible in your life and through
your life as you keep praying and obeying. He’s going to put super on your natural.
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People will feel the presence and power of God on your sharing your testimony
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and the gospel.
Wisdom will flow as you problem-solve.
Healing and miracles will happen through your hands.
Your connection with Jesus will become more vibrant than ever.
So don’t just wait—await.
There’s a difference.
Illustration: Second city and Rollan and B awaiting my arrival. You had prepared with
expectation.
In the same way, God will show up suddenly when we continue to pray and obey and
expect, not just waiting but awaiting.
When God breathes His power is made real and tangible in your life and through
your life as you keep praying and obeying
Gospel Connection:
And I also believe this moment in Acts 2 is the ultimate fulfillment of Ezekiel 37.
God became a man in Jesus Christ…He ascended into heaven to reign overall.
While he was in heaven, Jesus sent His Spirit into His people in Acts 2 on this day of
Pentecost—not just to revive them with His “ruach” or breath, but to raise up a mighty
army of Christ followers that would advance His kingdom.
The mighty army will advance God’s Kingdom through three important actions…Praying—inviting God’s divine intervention and power into situations. Agreeing
with God’s will for our lives and world.
Giving—regularly contributing financially so that people will be impacted by the
good news of Christ.
Serving—using your time, gifts and talents to voluntarily serve in an area of
ministry in church, through church, and as the church.
Jump into the fair today!
Here’s what I sense the Lord is doing more specifically:
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God is breathing, as He does new life is coming, purpose is restored, fresh
revelation is poured out, fear breaks, motivation returns, and the power of God is
released, just like He did with the disciples. Let’s respond by being the mighty army that
prays, gives, and serves so the kingdom may advance.
Let’s Pray!
1. Salvation prayer
2. 3. Invite the breath of God to come and freshly fill you.
Let’s pray together, declaring what God has spoken.
Come, breath of God—
from the four winds, breathe life into the spiritually dead and dormant.
Breathe into unlikely people and impossible situations.
Breathe fear-shattering, purpose-imparting revelation,
so that we, our families, our communities, and our nation may truly live.
