Living Water

My Bible, My Help, My Hope

Living Water

Jn 7:37–39 (ESV)

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

38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Introduction

Today we're going to be talking about thirst, not the kind that is quenched by water from the tap, but a thirst that can only be quenched by the living water that our Lord Jesus Christ offers.

It has often been said, ”If you want to know the value of water, go to the desert."

And isn't that the truth?

We often don't realize the value of something until we're in dire need of it.

The same applies to our spiritual lives.

Our souls, much like our bodies, can become dehydrated.

And it's only when we feel that spiritual dehydration, that deep yearning for something more, that we understand the true value of the living water that Christ offers.

Let's turn our hearts to the scripture today, John 7:37, "On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.'"

This is our Lord's invitation to us.

An invitation to quench our spiritual thirst, to replenish our souls with His word and prayer, and to revive ourselves through the Holy Ghost's presence.

We're going to understand the profound significance of spiritual hydration and the life-giving power of the living water that our Lord Jesus Christ offers.

So, dear brothers and sisters, are you ready to quench your spiritual thirst?

Are you ready to drink from the living water that our Lord Jesus Christ offers?

We are made up of mostly water in our bodies.

Here are a few facts that I would imagine you were unaware of.

Up to 70 percent of our body is water!

Muscle is made up of about 75 percent water.

Fat is made up of about 50 percent water.

Bones, too, are about 50 percent water.

If you lose enough water, you are really in trouble.

Now this is not science class but the fact that we need water for our bodies, our muscles, bones, and even fat is critical.

But not only do we have a physical body that has needs we have a spiritual man within us that has needs as well.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the definition for dehydration is: Dehydration occurs when you lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions.

If you don’t replenish lost fluids, you may suffer serious consequences.

Common causes of dehydration include intense diarrhea, vomiting, fever or excessive sweating.

Inadequate intake of water during hot weather or exercise also may cause dehydration.

Ultimately, Dehydration is a dangerous state that can result in many problems and if not taken care of, can result in death.

Are You Spiritually Dehydrated?

David spoke of his great desire for the refreshing of water in Psalm 41:2 “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God

Just like King David, in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often forget to pause and take stock of our spiritual health.

We get so caught up in our physical needs and wants that we neglect our spiritual needs.

This neglect can lead to a state of spiritual dehydration, a condition where our souls are parched and yearning for the living water that only Christ can provide.

This state of spiritual dehydration can manifest in various ways.

You might feel a sense of emptiness or dissatisfaction, despite having all your physical needs met.

You might find yourself yearning for something more, something deeper.

This is your soul's way of telling you that it's thirsty, that it's in need of spiritual hydration.

The first step towards quenching this thirst is recognizing that you're spiritually dehydrated.

This isn't always easy.

Just like physical dehydration, spiritual dehydration can creep up on you slowly, subtly.

You might not even realize that you're spiritually dehydrated until you're in a state of spiritual crisis.

But how do you recognize spiritual dehydration?

How do you know when your soul is thirsty?

The answer lies in the scripture, in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In John 7:37, Jesus invites anyone who is thirsty to come to Him and drink.

This thirst that Jesus speaks of is not a physical thirst, but a spiritual one.

It's a thirst for the living water that only He can provide.

Now, let's look at the four aspects of recognizing spiritual dehydration.

Firstly, spiritual dehydration can manifest as a sense of restlessness.

You might feel like something is missing in your life, but you can't quite put your finger on what it is.

This restlessness is your soul's way of telling you that it's thirsty, that it's in need of the living water that Christ offers.

Secondly, spiritual dehydration can also manifest as a sense of dissatisfaction.

You might have everything you need physically, but still feel unfulfilled.

This dissatisfaction is another sign that your soul is thirsty.

It's a sign that you're in need of spiritual hydration.

Thirdly, spiritual dehydration can lead to a sense of disconnection.

You might feel disconnected from God, from others, and even from yourself.

This sense of disconnection is a clear sign of spiritual dehydration.

It's a sign that your soul is yearning for the connection that can only be found in Christ.

Lastly, spiritual dehydration can lead to a state of spiritual crisis.

This can manifest as a crisis of faith, where you question your beliefs and your relationship with God.

This crisis is a clear indication that you're spiritually dehydrated.

It's a sign that your soul is in dire need of the living water that Christ offers.

In conclusion, recognizing spiritual dehydration is the first step towards quenching your spiritual thirst.

It's about listening to your soul, recognizing the signs of spiritual dehydration, and seeking the living water that only Christ can provide.

You Need Replenishing

As we turn our attention to the replenishing power of the Word and prayer, let's consider the story of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4.

Here, we find a woman who, like many of us, was searching for something to satisfy her thirst.

She came to the well in the heat of the day, perhaps to avoid the judgmental glances of her fellow townspeople.

She had been married five times and was now living with a man who was not her husband.

She was thirsty, not just for physical water, but for acceptance, for love, for a sense of worth.

When Jesus met her at the well, He offered her living water.

He offered her a relationship with Him that would satisfy her deepest thirst.

He offered her acceptance, love, and a sense of worth that she could not find in any human relationship.

This story is a powerful reminder of the replenishing power of the Word.

When we drink deeply from the Scriptures, we find acceptance, love, and a sense of worth that we cannot find anywhere else.

We find answers to our deepest questions and solutions to our most pressing problems.

We find hope in the midst of despair, peace in the midst of turmoil, and joy in the midst of sorrow.

But the Word is not the only source of spiritual replenishment.

Prayer is also a vital part of our spiritual hydration.

In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul writes, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Prayer is our direct line of communication with God.

It's how we express our needs, our desires, our fears, and our joys.

It's how we connect with our Creator on a personal level.

And when we pray, we can experience a peace that transcends all understanding, a peace that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Let's take a moment to examine the original language of the word "peace" in this passage.

The Greek word used here is "i-re-ne`."

It's a word that carries a deep sense of tranquility, of wholeness, of completeness.

It's a peace that is not dependent on our circumstances, but on our relationship with God.

This same word is used in several other passages in the New Testament.

In John 14:27, Jesus says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Here again, we see that the peace Jesus offers is not like the peace the world offers.

It's a peace that transcends our circumstances, a peace that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

In addition to the Word and prayer, there are other ways we can replenish our spiritual hydration.

Fellowship with other believers is one such way.

In Hebrews 10:24-25, we're encouraged to "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another."

Fellowship with other believers provides us with encouragement, accountability, and support.

It's a place where we can share our struggles and victories, where we can pray for one another and bear one another's burdens.

It's a place where we can spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Another way we can replenish our spiritual hydration is through worship.

In John 4:23-24, Jesus says, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."

Worship is not just about singing songs or attending church services.

It's about acknowledging God's worthiness, His greatness, His holiness.

It's about expressing our love for Him and our gratitude for all He has done for us.

And when we worship in spirit and in truth, we can experience a sense of awe and wonder that replenishes our spiritual hydration.

You Need to Experience the Reviving Power of the Holy Ghost.

As we immerse ourselves in the Word and engage in fervent prayer, we find ourselves at the doorstep of a remarkable spiritual awakening.

This awakening, dear friends, is the revival that comes through the Holy Ghost's Presence.

The Holy Ghost, or the Holy Spirit as some may call it, is the living water that Jesus promised to those who are spiritually thirsty.

This living water is not stagnant; it is active, refreshing, and reviving.

It is the Holy Ghost that breathes life into our parched souls and revives us from within.

The first aspect of this revival is the transformation that the Holy Ghost brings about in our lives.

The Holy Spirit is not a passive observer in our spiritual journey.

Instead, it is an active participant that works within us to transform us into the image of Christ.

This transformation is not superficial; it is deep, radical, and life-changing.

It is the Holy Ghost that convicts us of our sins, leads us to repentance, and guides us on the path of righteousness.

The Holy Ghost, in essence, is the catalyst for our spiritual transformation.

When the Holy Spirit enters our lives, it does not leave us unchanged.

It stirs within us a desire to live a life that is pleasing to God, a life that reflects the love, grace, and holiness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The second aspect of this revival is the empowerment that the Holy Ghost provides.

The Holy Spirit is not just a comforter; it is also an enabler.

It equips us with the strength, courage, and wisdom to live out our faith in a world that is often hostile to it.

The Holy Ghost empowers us to stand firm in our faith, to speak the truth in love, and to serve others with humility and compassion.

It is the Holy Spirit that gives us the boldness to proclaim the gospel and the resilience to endure persecution for the sake of Christ.

The third aspect of this revival is the communion that the Holy Ghost facilitates.

The Holy Spirit is not a distant entity; it is a close companion.

It fosters a deep and intimate relationship between us and God.

Through the Holy Ghost, we can experience the love of the Father, the grace of the Son, and the fellowship of the Spirit.

It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to cry out, "Abba, Father," and to experience the assurance of our adoption as sons and daughters of God.

Finally, the fourth aspect of this revival is the hope that the Holy Ghost instills.

The Holy Spirit is not a bearer of bad news; it is a herald of good news.

It assures us of our salvation, reminds us of our heavenly inheritance, and fills us with a hope that is steadfast and sure.

It is the Holy Ghost that anchors our souls in the midst of life's storms and reassures us of God's unfailing love and faithfulness.

So, dear friends, let us not merely quench our spiritual thirst but let us also seek revival through the Holy Ghost's Presence.

Let us open our hearts to the transformative, empowering, communing, and hope-instilling work of the Holy Spirit.

Let us drink deeply from the living water that Jesus offers and experience the fullness of life that only He can give.

Conclusion

As we close our time together today, let's remember the invitation that Jesus extends to each one of us.

He's not just offering us a sip of water to wet our lips.

No, He's offering us a wellspring of life-giving water that will quench our deepest spiritual thirst.

This water isn't just for the here and now, it's for eternity.

It's a gift of love, grace, and mercy from our Heavenly Father.

So, let's not ignore our spiritual thirst.

Let's not try to quench it with the things of this world that will only leave us wanting more. Instead, let's turn to Jesus, the source of living water.

Let's drink deeply from His wellspring of life.

Let's allow His Word and prayer to replenish us, and the Holy Ghost's presence to revive us.

And as we do, let's remember that we're not on this journey alone.

We're in this together, brothers and sisters.

We're here to support each other, to encourage each other, and to help each other stay spiritually hydrated.

Let’s Pray.