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Sunday Worship 10 December 2023 : “Rivers of living water”

Text: John 7
10 December 2023

INTRODUCTION

1. The Imagery of water

a) Water was of immense importance
b) Wells were dug in the days of the patriarchs
c) Water from a Rock was noted in the Wilderness Journey of Israel

2. Associated with this Imagery

a) Life-giving
b) Life-reviving
c) Water was used symbolically
i) Ritual washing
ii) Baptism

A FOUNTAIN OF WATER

1. A precious word of promise

a) This was given by the Lord Jesus
b) It was given to a Samaritan woman
13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again,
14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
John 4:13-14

2. Features of this Promise

a) The water that the Lord will give will quench spiritual thirst
b) It will become in the believer a fountain of water
c) This water will spring up into everlasting life

RIVERS OF WATER

1. The Lord Jesus was at a religious festival in Jerusalem

2. This was most likely the Feast of Tabernacles

It was kept for 8 days

3. A religious symbol

a) Water was carried in a golden pitcher
b) It was poured out at the altar
c) It was to remind the people of how God provided water in the Wilderness Journey

A POWERFUL WORD OF PROMISE

1. The Lord used this occasion to teach a great truth

37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.

38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

John 7:37-39

2. An Invitation to come to the Lord Jesus

a) The water He gives will quench thirst
b) More than the quenching of thirst
i) From the heart will flow rivers of living water
ii) This was an amazingly powerful promise
c) The Lord Jesus was making reference to the Holy Spirit
i) His ministry is of utmost importance
ii) His ministry is life-transforming

THE SPECIAL WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. Regenerating work

a) He will bring about the new birth.  (“born again” John 3:3)
b) The effects of His work will be seen evidently

2. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

a) He will indwell every believer
b) He is the Seal and Guarantee from God.  (Ephesians 1:13-14)

3. The Teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit

a) He will teach those who seek to read the Scriptures.   (1 Corinthians 2)
b) He will guide those who wish to learn how to pray.  (Romans 8)

4. He will empower

a) He will empower life
b) He will empower for ministry   (Acts 1:8)

5. Results of the work of the Holy Spirit

a) Bearing the fruit of the Spirit   (Galatians 6:7-8)
b) Rivers of living water will flow  (John 7:37-38)

RESPONDING POSITIVELY

1. To come to the Lord Jesus

2. To believe in the Lord Jesus

3. To be empowered by the Spirit to live significantly