Open the Floodgates
Tony Schachle
5th Sunday Fellowship • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
SCRIPTURE
SCRIPTURE
3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring;
God still desires to pour out His Spirit like He did for the early church that we read about in the book of Acts. It is a promise that is still available to us today. It is like the Hoover Dam. There is so much water and potential energy stored up behind the dam. As long as the floodgates are closed, no water can flow through the spillway. But when the floodgates are opened, a river is released that produces power and brings life and blessing to the areas downstream. The flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in our churches operates on a similar principle. There is a lot of potential blessing that is stored up for us in Heaven. However, often there are floodgates in our lives that can slow down or completely stop the flow of the Spirit. Tonight’s message is all about identifying and opening up the floodgates to allow the Holy Spirit to flow freely and abundantly. If you’re ready for revival, it is time to Open the Floodgates!
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
God has promised that He will pour out His Spirit in the last days. It was prophesied in Joel 2 and was fulfilled in Acts 2.
17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy.
And we are still living the last days and God is still pouring out His Spirit. Those who were in Jerusalem and saw the 120 who came from the upper room after being baptized in the Holy Ghost and Fire said, “what do we do to experience this for ourselves.”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
And this promise was not just for the 120. It was not just for those gathered in Jerusalem that day. Peter made a profound statement that still echoes today.
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
You are a part of “as many as the Lord our God will call.” So this promise is still available to you. God is still pouring out His Spirit on anyone who wants it.
EXPOSITION
EXPOSITION
"I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground.”
God is still pouring water on those who are thirsty for more of Him!
God doesn't just offer a drips, He offers floods!
Stop taking sips and get a Big Gulp!
"I will pour my Spirit on your descendants and my blessing on your offspring."
This is not just for the early church, it is for today.
It is not just for a select few, it is for anyone who wants it.
The outpouring of His Spirit is synonymous with blessing!
God's desire is to saturate us with His power, presence, and blessings.
MESSAGE
MESSAGE
Do you have a desire for an outpouring of God’s Spirit in your life? Are you thirsty for more of His power, presence, and blessings? Are you ready for revival? Do you need a time of refreshing in His presence? Are you ready to wade out into the waters of the Spirit a little bit deeper?
If so, then we need to stop and ask ourselves, is there anything in my life that is stopping the flow of the Holy Spirit? Are there any floodgates that are currently closed that are stopping your breakthrough? A floodgate is designed to control the flow of water. When closed, it stops the flow altogether. Similarly, there are spiritual floodgates that can either slow down or completely block God’s blessings and breakthroughs.
Let me give you some examples of floodgates that we need to allow the Holy Spirit to open up.
The Floodgate of Unconfessed Sin
2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
Sin creates a barrier between us and God.
It's like a gate that's rusted shut by our disobedience.
Example: Harboring unforgiveness, secret vices, unrighteous anger.
Key to Open this Floodgate: Repentance
The Floodgate of Spiritual Apathy
16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
A lack of passion or desire for God's presence.
The lukewarm church is neither refreshing nor useful.
Apathy or complacency dries up the flow of God’s Spirit in our lives.
If we aren't hungry, we won't seek Him with fervor.
Challenge: Rekindle the fire of your first love for God.
Key to Open this Floodgate: Rekindle
The Floodgate of Neglected Spiritual Disciplines
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
Neglecting prayer, Bible study, fasting, and worship starves the soul and blocks the Spirit’s flow.
Allowing the demands of life to crowd out our time for prayer, worship, and Bible study.
If we aren't creating space, how can He fill it?
Illustration: A dry riverbed doesn’t carry water; consistent spiritual practices keep the river flowing.
The Key to Open this Floodgate: Revival
The Floodgate of Spiritual Exhaustion
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Burnout or spiritual fatigue can block the flow of the Spirit.
Encourage rest and renewal in God’s presence to regain strength.
The Key to Open this Floodgate: Refreshing
The Floodgate of Broken Relationships
23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Strained or unreconciled relationships can hinder our prayers and blessings.
Encourage a spirit of reconciliation and peace among believers.
The Key to Open this Floodgate: Restoration
CALL TO ACTION
CALL TO ACTION
