We NEED the Holy Spirit
Notes
Transcript
Preliminary:
Preliminary:
This is more of a topical sermon and also something that has been on my heart
Maybe more of a prayer - it is the fact that WE NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT.
We need the Holy Spirit because we are thirsty:
There’s an older Southern Gospel song - I’m not a huge fan of the rhythm and beat but the message is a prayer: It was sung by Perfect Heart
I wish it would rain - we need your touch - we need it so much I wish it would rain.
We have a need of soul quenching thirst and Jesus told us we need the Holy Spirit to give that.
Text: John 7:37-39
37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Everyone experiences a deep spiritual thirst at some point in their lives—a longing for something more, a thirst for purpose, fulfillment, and connection with God. No earthly solution can satisfy this inner thirst, not success, relationships, or wealth. But Jesus, in the most remarkable terms, invites us to come to Him to be truly satisfied, not just temporarily but eternally. And He tells us that this satisfaction comes through the Holy Spirit, likened to "rivers of living water" flowing within us.
1. The Source of Living Water: Jesus Christ
1. The Source of Living Water: Jesus Christ
In this passage, Jesus stands during the Feast of Tabernacles, a time when the people of Israel celebrated God’s provision,
During the Feast of Tabernacles, a special ritual was performed every day of the feast at the temple: the water-pouring ceremony. This ritual had significant spiritual and agricultural meaning, symbolizing God's provision of rain for the harvest and also recalling God’s provision of water from the rock in the wilderness during the Israelites' journey from Egypt (Exodus 17:6). Here's how it worked:
Each morning during the feast, a priest would draw water from the Pool of Siloam in a golden pitcher.
Another priest would blow a shofar as he was drawing the water.
The priest would then carry the water in a joyful procession back to the temple, accompanied by the singing of Psalms (specifically the Hallel, Psalms 113-118), and the people would wave palm branches (lulavim) and rejoice.
At the temple, The shofar would be blown again as the water would be poured out at the base of the altar, along with wine, as a sacrifice to God. This was a plea for God to send rain in the upcoming year and for the continued provision of His blessings.
I picture the priest dressed in all his holy regalia pristinly pressed and starched carrying the golden bowl back to the temple
Just as he begins to tip the bowl to pour it on the altar and the other priest had put the shofar to his lips a voice rings out loud and clear:
John 7:37–39“3... If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
John then interprets this to mean (
But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)”
Jesus clarifies that this living water is the Holy Spirit. He is the divine gift that not only satisfies but overflows. When we come to Christ in faith, He pours out the Holy Spirit into our lives, and this Spirit is like a fountain—ever-flowing, ever-refreshing, and ever-sustaining.
2. Living Water as Satisfaction and Renewal
2. Living Water as Satisfaction and Renewal
The Holy Spirit, like living water, refreshes and revitalizes. Water in the ancient world symbolized life, purity, and abundance. A well of living water in a dry land was the difference between life and death, flourishing and withering. In the same way, the Holy Spirit:
Satisfies the Deepest Longing of the Soul: He quenches our spiritual thirst, filling the void in our hearts that nothing else can fill. Just as a fountain continues to flow and is never exhausted, the Holy Spirit continuously satisfies and renews us. He doesn’t leave us spiritually dry but keeps our souls replenished with His presence.
Psalm 42:1 says, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." When our souls long for God, the Holy Spirit answers that longing by filling us with God's presence and satisfying our deepest needs.
Provides Spiritual Renewal: The Holy Spirit brings a continual renewal of life within us. The beauty of living water is that it doesn’t grow stagnant. It moves, it purifies, and it refreshes. Just as a river cleanses and renews the land it touches, the Holy Spirit renews our hearts and minds daily, making us more like Christ and helping us to grow in holiness.
Titus 3:5 tells us, "He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." The Spirit works like flowing water, purging us of sin, washing us clean, and revitalizing our spirits.
3. The Overflowing Life of the Spirit
3. The Overflowing Life of the Spirit
Jesus not only speaks of living water but of rivers of living water flowing from within believers. This suggests something powerful: the Holy Spirit isn’t just for our personal satisfaction—His presence is meant to overflow into the world around us. The Spirit’s work in us is not meant to stop with us; it’s designed to pour out into others.
A Life of Overflowing Blessing: The Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives becomes a blessing to others. As He fills us, we overflow with His love, joy, peace, patience, and all the other fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). This means that wherever we go, the Holy Spirit can touch others through us. Like a river flowing into a dry, barren land, bringing life wherever it goes, the Spirit's life-giving presence in us refreshes those we encounter.
The Spirit's Empowerment for Ministry: The Holy Spirit, as living water, empowers us to serve, witness, and minister to others. Acts 1:8 says, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses." The river of the Spirit flowing from within us enables us to proclaim the gospel, to love with God’s love, and to fulfill His purposes for our lives.
4. The Unlimited Supply of the Holy Spirit
4. The Unlimited Supply of the Holy Spirit
One of the most profound aspects of this passage is the idea of rivers of living water. Not a trickle, not a cupful, but rivers—plural, abundant, and overflowing. This speaks of the infinite supply of the Holy Spirit. His power, presence, and work in our lives are not limited by circumstance or our strength. The Spirit of God is unlimited in His capacity to nourish us and work through us.
God’s Generosity in Giving the Spirit: Just as water from a fountain continues to flow without running dry, God continues to pour out His Spirit upon those who seek Him. The Holy Spirit is not given in small portions or withheld for a select few. Instead, God generously and abundantly gives His Spirit to all who believe in Christ. There is always more grace, more strength, more love, and more wisdom available to us through the Spirit’s constant flow.
Conclusion: Come and Drink
Conclusion: Come and Drink
Jesus’ invitation is as relevant today as it was when He spoke it at the Feast of Tabernacles. If you are spiritually thirsty, come to Him and drink deeply. Let the Holy Spirit fill you, renew you, and flow through you. Like rivers of living water, the Holy Spirit will not only meet your needs but will empower you to be a source of life and refreshment to the world around you.
We need the Holy Spirit because we are thirsty - and He is the LIVING WATER
But we also need the Holy Spirit because we need Fellowship
Fellowship with God
We have FELLOWSHIP through the Spirit (Rom 8:14-17
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
The Spirit leads us (14) The term “Abba” means “Daddy.” It is a term of endearment a child uses to address its Father.
One of the key characteristics of being saved is the fact we are led by the Spirit.
The Spirit liberates us (15-16)
a. He provides freedom from the Bondage of Fear (15a)
b. He provides confidence when approaching God (15b-16)
1) We are adopted in God's family (15b)
2) We have assurance through the Witness of the Spirit (16) a)
There is the witnesses of the Spirit “TO us” -
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
= a fact
There is the witness of the Spirit “IN us” –
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
– through faith
There is the witness of the Spirit “WITH us” -
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
- by feelings 3. The Spirit provides us a Legacy (17)
Fellowship with each other
the Holy Spirit is what brings and allows the fellowship among believers.
Larry Crabb calls it connection and it is only possible by the Holy Spirit
I know that self-development and professional development is important and we should constantly be trying to better ourselves - but We cannot allow that to negate the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives
There have been times when the Holy Spirit has used books, podcasts, sermons, etc to help me grow and develop
Other times I’ve had the Holy Spirit nudge me and say, “I’m not so sure about that philosophy or approach or idea” you get to digging and you will find out it is either humanistic at its core or some other erroneous approach.
Larry Crabb talks about this connection as a work of the Holy Spirit in terms like this...
I love this - I’ve had this, I love it when it happens
The Christ who is in me touches the Christ who is in you
It is an amazing moment
Sometimes we talk about goosebump moments it goes beyond just a skin surface sensation
It is a connection only those who are in Christ can experience and have.
I’ve seen it corporately - We sometimes refer to that as the Moving of the Holy Spirit or the manifestation of the Holy Spirit
I’ve had it happen in conversations one on one -
Which I believe has happened with I think every one of you at some point
We need the Holy Spirit because we need healing
Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.
Did you know grief and emotional stress and damage can be a killer:
Studies show that intense emotional grief or heartbreak can trigger what is known as "Broken Heart Syndrome" (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy ta ·kuht·soo-bow- kaar·dee·ow·mai·aa·puh·thee), a condition where the heart muscles weaken after severe stress.
Wed. Sept 11th at IBS Chapel Bro. Steve Sturtevent was talking about some experiences he had as a teen. He had become a Christian and wanted to witness and began a tract campaign. Went to public school. and began passing them out at school. They didn’t like that and told him to stop. So he started putting them in lockers - and was told to stop. So he began to put them in books in the library. They expelled him.
Something about this story reminded me of a negative experience I had in public school years ago. I would have been a freshmen or sophmore and we were changing after P.E. class. This was always an intimidating and awkward time for me anyway. My family wasn’t allowed to dress up for P.E. so we would wear those sweat suits. I remember we didn’t have alot of money so we went to Dollar General and my Mom picked out a sweat shirt and sweat pant outfit. It was hot in winter and in summer. This was before the day of athletic and wicking material
I felt like a big blob going across the gym floor. It wasn’t just the being different, it felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb.
But on top of that the kids wondered why I wore those instead of typical shorts and T-shirt
Well most understood - but some did not and would make snide remarks - I was used to that and just let it go.
But one day and I still don’t know exactly what happened as it happened so fast - but one of the older high-school boys walked over to me and for whatever reason spit right on my face. I could feel it on my right check. Didn’t say anything, didn’t touch me - just did that - in my memory he laughed - but that was it.
I couldn’t even tell you who it was or why they did it.
I remember wiping off my face, and washing it - and going on my way.
I didn’t tell anyone - but many of my classmates my age were there. I had a student approach me later who was ready to beat that other student up. I wasn’t interested in that.
But I let it go - Didn’t think much about it - in fact you just learn to push through and next P.E. I was more alert -but nothing quite like that ever happened again.
I had forgotten that - hadn’t thought of that in years - had assumed it was water under the bridge - But as Bro. Sturtevent was talking it came over me with such force and pressure - I thought I was going to have to get up and walk out. I had to fight back the tears - I don’t think I had ever been triggered quite so forcefully as that from something so long ago and from such a random memory.
Many have been through much worse and far more severe bullying and abuse - but we become whole as we take those hurts, broken hearts and wounded emotions to Jesus.
The next chapel service Sept 13 Friday, Lisa Gordon spoke at elementary chapel and she shared an adaptation of *Mr. Bell's Fix-It Shop* is a Little Golden Book by Ronne Peltzman of how Jesus can fix and heal our broken hearts.
She asked the students at the beginning if they knew what a broken heart was
A few students raised their hands and she called on one - Kylie Evans.
Last year Kylie’s parents had divorced and split up - it was so hard on Kylie who has some learning disabilities anyway. She came to me sobbing one day to tell me the tramautic news.
Kylie answered Lisa’s question by saying, “A broken heart is when you are really sad and don’t think it will be better” or something to that effect.
Being so close to my previous emotional triggering again I had to fight back tears.
Often those things come to us and are triggered by events and it is then our privilege to take them to the Holy Spirit who pours out the oil of healing
Tonight if you have a broken heart - or maybe this is has triggered a painful memory of yours - I’m so glad I can tell you we have need of the Holy Spirit
who is not witholding his healing and help
but is there just waiting to give it to us.
I remember a few years ago we were getting ready for Independence Camp. I remember as we loaded our van and headed to Independence our minds were on the tasks ahead; setting up, watching the boys, etc. When we got to camp, we were staying in the dorm and carried our luggage inside and up the stairs and began the process of settling in. Angie came to me and told me that according to a test, she was pregnant. While we were apprehensive, we still were happy and excited.
It wasn't too much longer after camp, that Angie came to my crying, saying, "I think I'm losing the baby." and her symptoms only got worse. It was a long, sober trip to the doctor. Finally it was confirmed there was no heart beat and yes she had lost the baby. We hadn't told our boys anything but I felt compelled to talk with them so I sat them down and began to explain that Mommy was going to have a little brother or sister but things didn't work out and so Jesus went ahead and took the baby to live with him in heaven. And when we get to heaven we can see them.
I remember a co-worker telling me after I had confided in him that we had miscarried to not be surprised if at some random time in the future you just start weeping and crying over this loss -
That has happened at times - but I remember the first part of healing being poured out by the Holy Spirit
I can still remember as I sat in my chair, facing the boys on the couch as things got real quiet and sober, as one of them spoke up and said, but do you think we will know them when we get to heaven. I tried to assure them by what I know of the Bible that come that day when we make it to the city, that yes we will know them. I am looking forward to it for on the other side of the gate will be a little child, one that I have never laid eyes on who will run up to me and say Daddy, I'm so glad your home.
