Focus: “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”
INTRODUCTION
1. The ministry of the Holy Spirit in Salvation
a) Born again (John 3:3)
b) Water of regeneration (Titus 3:5)
c) Like the wind (John 3:8)
2. The continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit
a) His work does not end at Conversion
b) He continues to work in our heart/ life
THE FEAST OF TABERNACLE
1. Eight Days
a) Each day
Water in a golden pitcher is ceremoniously brought into the Temple
The water is taken from the Pool of Siloam
b) This ceremony is done for 7 days
c) Significance
i) To remind worshippers of how God provided water in the Wilderness
ii) Water was an important religious symbol
2. On the last day of the Feast
a) Also called “That great day of the feast” (John 7:37a)
b) The Lord Jesus stood and cried out to the people
c) There is NO water ceremony on the last day
THE PROMISE OF BREAD AND WATER
1. The Lord Jesus was the Bread of life (John 6:48)
2. He is also able to give Water (John 7:37b)
a) To all who are thirsty
b) All can come to Him and drink
3. Recall John 4
a) The water the Lord Jesus gives (John 4:14a)
b) A fountain of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14b)
AN AMAZING EXTENSION OF THIS OFFER
1. Believing
“He who believes in Me” John 7:38a
2. Scripture
“As the Scripture has said” John 7:38b
a) Promise of water (Isaiah 44:3-5; 55:1)
b) General reference
3. Application
“Out of his heart (belly) will flow rivers of living water” John 7:38c
PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. This was about the Holy Spirit
2. Those believing will receive
3. He was not yet given (John 7:39)
4. Example of fulfilment (Acts 2)
a) Power
b) Gifts
c) Life
d) Ministry
e) Transformation
MIXED RESPONSES
1. A Prophet
“Truly this is the Prophet” John 7:40
2. The Christ
“This is the Christ” John 7:41a
3. Objection
“Will the Christ come from Galilee? Has not the Scripture said that Christ comes the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” John 7:42
a) There were 2 Bethlehems
i) Bethlehem of Galilee
ii) Bethlehem of Judea (Near Jerusalem)
b) The confusion comes about
i) Lack of knowledge
ii) Despising of people who come from Galilee
4. Division among the people
a) Some wanted to arrest Him
b) But no one succeeded (John 7:44)
ANGER OF THE PHARISEES AND CHIEF PRIESTS
1. Questioning the officers who failed to arrest the Lord Jesus
“Why have you not brought Him? John 7:45
2. Their explanation
“No man ever spoke like this Man!” John 7:46
3.Further queries
a) “Are you also deceived?” John 7:47
b) “Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him?” John 7:48
c) “But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed” John 7:49
4. Objection of Nicodemus
“Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing” John 7:51
5. Angry retort
“Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee” John 7:52