LIVING WATER: JESUS GIVES LIFE

INTRO: Good morning everyone!! What an awesome group! This is probably the largest Bible class I have ever done so I’m excited! And I hope you are awake enough to be excited.

And I hope you are not to tired and are excited as well

I hope you all have had an incredible weekend and your relationship with Christ has grown because of the lessons you have heard. I hope that is also of the lessons you will hear today.

THIS MORNING WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW CHRIST CAN SUPPLY US WITH “LIVING WATER” AND GIVE LIFE!

WINNING A LIFETIME SUPPLY OF: So when I was a kid one of things I liked watching was game shows. One of the prizes that was really rare that I always thought would be awesome to get (depending on the item) was a lifetime supply of something. So for example one person won a lifetime supply of donuts, (that’s pretty incredible), however another person won a lifetime supply of spam (not so incredible) (how many of you know what spam is? not in you email but the food item) ha) The best one of all by far that I have seen was one lady won a lifetime supply of coffee beans! Now that is really good!

Living water

NOW LET’S SEE THAT YOU WOULD RATHER HAVE:

WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER HAVE A LIFETIME SUPPLY OF?

Lifetime supply This candy or that This restaurant or that This food or that Water or soft drink of your choice

(SLIDE: Peanut butter or Reeses peanut butter cups?) (SLIDE: Nutella or chocolate bars of your choice) (SlIDE: Chic-fil-a or Steak-n-Shake) (SLIDE: Water or soft drink of your choice)

(SL: Money or (SL: Water or soft drink of your choice)

( This restaurant or that This food or that Water or soft drink of your choice

( (Sl: Chic-fil-a or Steak-n-Shake) (SL: Water or soft drink of your choice)

How many of you chose water over soda? Not many right. We already have a lifetime supply of water, it is already free and easily accessible. If you were thirsty you could walk out just into the foyer and find a water fountain. You would not have to even pay for it. HOPEFULLY WE ALL WAN’T THE ETERNAL SUPPLY OF “LIVING WATER” THAT JESUS OFFERS.

With

Q: But in Jesus’s time it what did it was it so easy

We get it easily, but in Jesus’ time and in some countries today getting water was not as easy as going to a fountain and turning it on. It was a daily chore to go get it that involved walking to the nearest well twice a day, drawing it out, and carrying heavy water jars back. As we see in the story of the woman at the well that we are going to look at this morning.

But it was necessary because water was and is vital to so many things in life and life itself!

He is going to uses the need for physical water to offer not only a lifetime supply but an eternal supply of a water that would quench a deeper thirst.

We are going to see Jesus offer a lifetime supply of something so much greater than anything we deserve or could attain.

Theme: This weekend we have been talking about water and all the ways God worked with it and through it to teach lessons and save people.

THIS MORNING WE ARE LOOKING AT JESUS’ OFFERS OF LIVING WATER to the SAMARITAN woman at the well in and to the Jews at the feast of tabernacles in .

He is going to use the need for physical water to offer not only a lifetime supply but an eternal supply of a water that would quench a deeper spiritual thirst.

He is going to use the need for physical water to offer not only a lifetime supply but a water that would quench a deeper spiritual thirst and lead to being eternally satisfied.

The reason we are going to look at the two times Jesus offered “living water” is because we really need this LIVING WATER AND WE and we really need understand everything that Jesus meant when he talked about living water.

We have a need for the living water Jesus offers and we have a need to understand everything Jesus meant by living water.

The second is an incredible instance where Jesus offers rivers of living water to everyone and where the text points to the deeper meaning of what or rather Who the living water is!

TRANS: First let’s look at and Jesus’s offer of “living water” to the woman at the well and how she reflects...

In the first instance it is to an individual at a well would was there for a physical thirst

OUR THIRST FOR LIVING WATER AND NEED FOR THE TRUE LIFE JESUS’ OFFERS.

Turn to and look at Jesus and the woman at the well and our thirst for living water. So that we get the context let’s start back at verse 3-4.

John 4:3–4 ESV

he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. And he had to pass through Samaria.

John 4:3 ESV

he left Judea and departed again for Galilee.

So Jesus is traveling back to Galilee from Judea and “He had” to or it was “necessary” as some translations say for Him to pass through Samaria. As we always point out...

Q: WHY WAS IT “NECESSARY” FOR HIM TO PASS THROUGH Samaria you ask?

A: (1) Because going through Samaria was the shortest route from Judea to Galilee and while the Jews held a strong prejudice and even hatred for the Samaritans Jesus did not! But there was more to it than that! (2) Because Jesus was lead by the Spirit and God was providentially setting up Jesus to meet someone there who Jesus would offer living water! Not just her but the people of her city. Their were fields in Samaria that were ready to be harvested and Jesus had to go there to seek and save the lost.

John 4:5–6 ESV

So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.

John 4:5–8 ESV

So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.)

Appl: While the Jesus despised the Samaritans, Jesus loved them.

jOHN 4:5-

jOHN 4:

Q: WHY DO YOU THINK JESUS ASKS THE SAMARITAN WOMAN FOR A DRINK? (instead of)

A: First of all because He was thirsty! Let’s go ahead and state the obvious because some times we miss the simplest things. Verse 6 says Jesus was weary from His journey. It was the ninth hour (which was what time?) yes, or noon! It was hot.

Q: How many of you went to the game yesterday? Around 12 was it hot? Did you want something to drink?

Jesus was hot and tired and needed physical drink and he did not have anything to draw water from the well with (as verse 11 says). He asked this Samaritan woman for a drink.

A2: The more important reason of course is that through Jesus asking the Samaritan woman for a physical drink of water He was setting up to offer her a spiritual continual drink of “living water.” The very fact that He asked her would have gotten her attention.

Q: wHAT IS HER REACTION?

(Incredible thought: What an incredible thought the Messiah who had the ability to give spiritual “rivers of living water” is having to ask for a physical drink because he has nothing to draw the water with. His disciples had gone... (Maybe the reason He is in this place physically thirsty is because He needed to meet this woman who was spiritually thirsty.)

We see her reaction to His question as being shocked that He is even speaking to her! The text gives a short explanation as to why.

John 4:9 ESV

The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

John 4:9 ESV

The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)

:9

Q: WHY WAS IT SO CRAZY TO HER THAT JESUS WAS TALKING TO HER? WHY DID THE JEWS HAVE NO DEALING WITH THE SAMARITANS?

A: THE SAMARITAN WERE part Jew/Hebrew because they intermarried with Gentiles back in Old Testament times. The Jews of Jesus’ day hated them and considered them as unclean, one because they were part Gentile but also because their ancestor’s betrayed by marrying.

So Jesus was first of all speaking to a woman in public which was not often done and more than that a Samaritan woman. Jesus asking for a drink of water from a Samaritan’s container which would have been considered unclean as well was way out of the norm.

TO ADD TO THIS THE WOMAN WAS LIVING IN SIN. Jesus confronts this in verse 16 which we will get to. ALSO she was likely known in the city to be living in sin because of all of her marriages and her living with someone who was not her husband.

Jesus reached out to those that others would not! He crossed barriers that others would not cross because He loved those others did not. Jesus isn’t worried about all

Appl: (1)

QUICK APP: Do not let how others see you or treat you influence how you believe God sees you or especially whether or not He wants to save you or forgive you. What we are about to see Jesus offer her He offers to all of us!

JESUS OFFERS HER SPIRITUAL “LIVING WATER!”

John 4:10–12 ESV

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.”

JOHN 4:10-12

Jesus offers her “living water” and she misunderstands Jesus’ deeper meaning!

Q: WHAT WAS THE GIFT OF GOD?

Q: WHY DID SHE MISUNDERSTAND JESUS TO BE TALKING ABOUT PHYSICAL WATER?

A: Jesus would often make a spiritual point that would go over the heads of those He was talking to because they were thinking only on a physical plain. Jesus would have to clarify or reiterate or clarify.

We can see where she is coming from though right. Logically, this guy she doesn’t know had nothing to draw water from that well with. Where was He going to get the “living water” from? From another well greater than Jacob’s. Was He greater than Jacob?

Of course Jesus was greater than Jacob and He did have a greater source to draw from to get the “living water.” So Jesus tries again and makes a contrast from the physical water and physical, let’s read verses 13-15.

John 4:13–15 ESV

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

john 4:13-

So she does what Jesus says before and “asks Him for living water” but there is still a problem with her understanding.

Q: AT THIS POINT WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH HER UNDERSTANDING OF JESUS’ OFFER OF “LIVING WATER?”

(Yes, she still has sin that needs to be taken care of but that is only a symptom of the problem with her understanding.)

The Samaritan woman wants the “LIVING” water to quench her physical thirst! Notice what she says, “so that I will not have to come back here to draw water.”

Q: WHEN SHE RECEIVED “LIVING WATER” WOULD SHE STILL HAVE TO COME BACK AND DRAW WATER? yes! do we? YES!

A: YES! She would still have physical thirst but not spiritual thirst!

A: Physical functions often parallel spiritual functions. We need food and water to live physically. But we need the Bread of life and the “living water” to be satisfied spiritually. There is a hunger in both places. Without Christ we cannot satisfy our spiritual thirst.

One of the greatest mistakes humans have always made is to try to be fill our spiritual hunger and thirst with physical food and drink! (OR USE SPIRITUAL THINGS TO TRY TRY TO FULFILL PHYSICAL DESIRES.)

SPIRITUAL HUNGER CANNOT BE FILLED WITH PHYSICAL THINGS!

What happens next I believe illustrates this point. Jesus at this point doesn’t say good you asked for it, instead He confronts the sin that is in her life and I believe what she was trying to fill her spiritual thirst with.

John 4:16–19 ESV

Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.

John 4:16-

THAT ESCALATED QUIKCLY! Wow! This is one of those times where you go, “well, that escalated quickly” or “woah, awkward!” Notice how quickly she changes the subject to take the focus off her self and sin. But that had to be confronted because if we are going to accept Christ’s offer of “living water” we have to face our sin and repent …the lie that...

PHYSICAL DRINK CANNOT QUENCH OUR SPIRITUAL THIRST!

Q:WOULD YOU AGREE THAT THIS WOMAN WAS THIRSTY? YES! A: Her relationship status is likely evidence of that. It is at least a possibility that she had gone from one relationship to another even to one she was not married because she was trying to fill a spiritual hunger with physical.

She is a perfect example because she is a picture of our world without and even ourselves without CHRIST…DYING OF THIRST and seeking to be satisfied in things that cannot help!

A: Her relationship status is likely evidence of that. It is at least a possibility that she had gone from one relationship to another even to one she was not married because she was trying to fill a spiritual hunger with physical.

THIS IS WHAT WE SEE ALL AROUND US IN ALL THE DIS-FUNCTION IN OUR CULTURE! LIKE THIS WOMAN PEOPLE ARE SO THIRSTY SPIRITUALLY AND THEY ARE TRYING EVERY PHYSICAL DRINK THE WORLD OFFERS TO TRY TO QUENCH IT!

Q:

Q:WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TRY TO QUENCH SPIRITUAL THIRST WITH PHYSICAL DRINK?

We will only be thirsty again very quickly and we will quickly be thirsty again. When we try to fill it with sin we will only fill more empty! (ill: Like soda instead of water…)

Our human needs of love, food, relationships, affection, affirmation, sex, security, even when met only provide temporary fulfillment. When we try to find full satisfaction in them we will be disappointed.

Q; HOW DO PEOPLE TRY TO QUENCH SPIRITUAL THIRST WITH THE PHYSICAL TODAY?

We are surrounded by thirsty people and some of us are thirsty. Because they are trying to quench the thirst with things that only temporarily covers it.

Right Relationships: for some it is going from relationship to relationship because when one does not fulfill maybe the next one will.

- If we could get just the right situation - if we could just get the right relationship - if we could get the right amount of things - money we could but it If we could get a lifetime supply of happiness... But our culture refuses to see ( that kind of happiness is a slave to circumstances, revenue, other people,

We are surrounded by thirsty people and some of us are thirsty. How do I know? Because they are trying to quench the thirst with things that only temporarily covers it. - If we could get just the right situation - if we could just get the right relationship - if we could get the right amount of things - money we could but it If we could get a lifetime supply of happiness... But our culture refuses to see ( that kind of happiness is a slave to circumstances, revenue, other people,

Her response is a reflection of the mistake that many make and we even make sometimes! That through following Christ we will be fulfilled through physical things Christ will provide.

We are surrounded by thirsty people and some of us are thirsty. How do I know? Because they are trying to quench the thirst with things that only temporarily covers it. - If we could get just the right situation - if we could just get the right relationship - if we could get the right amount of things - money we could but it If we could get a lifetime supply of happiness... But our culture refuses to see ( that kind of happiness is a slave to circumstances, revenue, other people,

Right situation: For some if they could could get just the right situation, job situation, money situation, social situation, etc...then it would be all good...

Right things: For many…if we could get the right amount of things…nicer house, better 401k, more vacations, etc…then I wouldn’t be thirsty.

RIGHT LIFESTYLE: The good life: it is living “the good life” or “living your best life” when you are physically, emotionally or relationally fulfilled...

RIGHT AMOUNT OF Security: If we could get a lifetime supply of happiness…and security...But our culture refuses to see (that kind of happiness is a slave to circumstances, revenue, other people,)

f we could get a lifetime supply of happiness... But our culture refuses to see ( that kind of happiness is a slave to circumstances, revenue, other people,

There is so much that we see around us that is people trying to fill spiritual thirst which physical things....sexual sin and addiction, other addictions, etc...

OUR CULTURE HAS BOUGHT INTO THIS SO STRONGLY BUT We need to tell others of the offer of living water Jesus has given! He doesn’t disappoint! You do not have to keep drawing for empty wells!

THE WOMAN AT THE WELL

IF ANY OF YOU HAVE FALLEN INTO THIS LIE, CHRIST OFFERS YOU LIVING WATER AS WELL AND YOU WILL NOT BE THIRSTY. As Jesus said, you will not have to keep coming back over and over to physical things that cannot satisfy.

Jesus revealed Himself plainly to the woman at the well as the Messiah in verse 26. We can still come to Him for “living water” that wells up to eternal life. IF YOU ARE NOT A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST YOU HIS OFFER IS TO YOU AS WELL NOW!

BUT

Trans: At this point we need to ask the question concerning those of us who are following Christ and maybe what you have been wondering all along during this...

RQ: IF THOSE WHO FOLLOW CHRIST HAVE BEEN GIVEN “LIVING WATER” WHY ARE SO MANY OF THEM (AND MAYBE YOU) STILL SO THIRSTY?

A: Christians admit that they feel unhappy at times (know any unhappy Christians?), they problems such as feelings of low-self-esteem, lack of love, loneliness, position in life, money, work and other struggles.

Q: DID JESUS OVERSTATE IT? WHY ARE (SO MANY) STILL SEEMINGLY THIRSTY?

A: There is not just one answer her are a few suggestions: (1) Some Christians while coming to Christ are still believing the lie that Christ would fulfill their spiritual thirst through blessing them with physical things. Jesus isn’t promising to make our situations perfect physically…in fact He actually states the opposite. Lets look at verse 14 again...

John 4:14 ESV

but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John 4:13–14 ESV

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

John

Notice the “living water” will become in him a spring of water. The “living water” comes from in the person not from outside circumstances. It is not having God manipulate your outward circumstances so that you feel fulfilled. We can pray for God to help our outward circumstances but that is not what “living water” is.

In verse 14 Jesus says, “The water I give Him

(2) Another possibility that kind of goes along with this is that we are still relying more on physical water or well than we are on “the living water” within us. ISRAEL MADE THE MISTAKE OF DOING THIS…LETS LOOK AT

Jeremiah 2:13 ESV

for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Christ offered living water to the woman at the well but He also had to address the sin that she was in. If we are depending on the broken cisterns of sin or of temporary physical fulfillment we will not find the fulfillment of the “living water” Jesus offers.

Christ offers you the same living water but He must also confront your sin.

(3) One final reason may be that we do not understand what OR RATHER WHO the “living water” COMES FROM or how to rely on Him. THIS IS BECAUSE WE MAY NOT EVEN HAVE AN AN AWARENESS OF HIM IN OUR LIVES. This leads us to the second time we have recorded that Jesus offered living water.

Tough question: (if we have come to Christ then why are you still so thirsty?)

tRANS: Let’s look at . This passages shows

JESUS OFFERS RIVERS OF LIVING WATERS! Jesus offers rivers of living water through the Holy Spirit!

Jesus offers rivers of living water!

JESUS OFFERS RIVERS OF LIVING WATERS! Jesus offers rivers of living water through the Holy Spirit!

JESUS OFFERS RIVERS OF LIVING WATERS THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT!

Living Water is the Holy Spirit

John 7:37–38 ESV

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

John 7:37–39 ESV

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

Maybe because the One who is the LIVIng Water many barely recognize or acknowledge. We may think we do not have to but have you ever considered just how much scripture talks about the Holy Spirit - the third member of the Godhead! Examples.... Can we submit to one who we rarely talk about or think about as working in our lives and dwelling within us.

Why are you still so thirsty? Maybe because the One who is the LIVIng Water many barely recognize or acknowledge. We may think we do not have to but have you ever considered just how much scripture talks about the Holy Spirit - the third member of the Godhead! Examples.... Can we submit to one who we rarely talk about or think about as working in our lives and dwelling within us.

“ON THE LAST DAY OF THE FEAST” before we discuss Jesus offer of living water what is really incredible is how and when Jesus did it. So let’s talk about that...

WE OFTEN MISS JUST HOW AMAZING AND PERFECT JESUS’ TIMING WAS IN WHAT HE DID...

Q: WHAT FEAST IS WAS THIS THE LAST DAY OF? What was the feast for?

A: The feast of Tabernacles or Booths. It was an 8 day feast which commemorated and celebrated THE memory of how God protected and provided for the Israelites in the wilderness on the way to the Promised land. Specifically there was an emphasis on God giving them manna and water from the rock! ()

Zechariah 14:8 ESV

On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. It shall continue in summer as in winter.

zech

This is the incredible thing: “on the first day of the feast, a priest would read

(SLIDE) (pic of priest pouring pitcher…)

“every day of the feast, except for the last day, a priest stood in front of the temple with a golden pitcher of water and poured it on a rock. This commemorated the water flowing out of the rock that gave the Israelites water to drink. While the water flowed out, the people standing by chanted,

(SLIDE) (pic of water from a rock)

SO NOW…AS OUR TEXT SAYS, “on the last and greatest day of the feast…when this was not done Jesus stands up as the fulfillment of those passages…notice...

John 7:37–38 ESV

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

John 7:37 ESV

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.

THIS MAKES SO MUCH MORE SENSE THAT JESUS SAYS, “AS THE SCRIPTURE SAYS...” the scriptures that they had been hearing all week about living water...

THAT IS SO AWESOME ISN’T IT. AGAIN GOD SET UP A PERFECT TIME WHEN JESUS COULD OFFER LIVING WATER TO THOSE WHO COME TO HIM!

(JESUS THE ROCK WOULD BRING THE “LIVING WATER” THAT WOULD SAVE US!)

Q: BUT GUESS WHAT? (THIS IS WHERE YOU SAY “WHAT?”) BUT GUESS WHAT?

TRANS: BUT THIS IS NOT EVER THE MOST AMAZING THING ABOUT THE TEXT…MY FAVORITE PART ABOUT THIS TEXT IS WHAT THE NEXT VERSE SAYS… ONE OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE PARENTHETICAL VERSES IN SCRIPTURE…(or Explanatory verses)

John 7:37–38 ESV

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

John 7:38–39 ESV

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

jOHN

WOW! Now that adds a whole new understanding of what “living water” is and what Jesus is offering. Consider what this implies in connection to what we have already said…our spiritual thirst being quenched and not having to turn to other things.

Q: WHAT DOES THIS MEAN THE SPIRIT HAD NOT BEEN GIVEN BECAUSE JESUS HAD NOT BEEN GLORIFIED?

NOW THIS IS Maybe because the One who is the LIVIng Water many barely recognize or acknowledge. We may think we do not have to but have you ever considered just how much scripture talks about the Holy Spirit - the third member of the Godhead! Examples.... Can we submit to one who we rarely talk about or think about as working in our lives and dwelling within us.

A: Jesus being glorified through the gospel and ascending to the Father after which the New Covenant would be put in place and the salvation preached the gift of the Spirit would be given at baptism as we find in . (Quote it with me…)

Acts 2:38 ESV

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

As our text says, “the Spirit had not yet been given” to dwell in man permanently until after Christ sacrifice and resurrection. Now we who have been baptized into Christ have received the gift of God and the “living water” that “dwells in us” or “dwells in and flows out of our heart” so that everything we do is “in step with the Spirit.”

This is why Jesus would tell His disciples that it was to their advantage that Jesus leave;

John 16:7 ESV

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

Jesus had already told them earlier that he would ask the Father to give them another helper…who would be with them forever…much better than just a lifetime supply...

Maybe because the One who is the LIVIng Water many barely recognize or acknowledge. We may think we do not have to but have you ever considered just how much scripture talks about the Holy Spirit - the third member of the Godhead! Examples.... Can we submit to one who we rarely talk about or think about as working in our lives and dwelling within us.

John 14:16–17 ESV

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

He was with them but “will be in you.” For us the Holy Spirit, the “living water” dwells is within us always giving us what we need Spiritually from the inside.

Romans 8:9 ESV

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

Maybe because the One who is the LIVIng Water many barely recognize or acknowledge. We may think we do not have to but have you ever considered just how much scripture talks about the Holy Spirit - the third member of the Godhead! Examples.... Can we submit to one who we rarely talk about or think about as working in our lives and dwelling within us.

SO IF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Now the Spirit dwells within us and is the one who helps us and quenches our Spiritual thirst and helps us live for Christ.

Romans 8:9 ESV

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

Romans

1 Corinthians 3:16 ESV

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16

THIS IS VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE MAKE THAT CONNECTION AND KNOW THAT CHRIST GIVES US THE SPIRIT AS “LIVING WATER.”

Q: BEFORE I ANSWER; WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE MAKE THAT CONNECTION THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE LIVING WATER?

A: HERE IS ONE HUGE REASON! BECAUSE THE BIBLE MAKES THAT CONNECTION! Have you ever considered just how much the scriptures and particularly the New Testament talks about the HOLY SPIRIT! (AND THAT MAKES SENSE CONSIDERING THAT HE IS GOD!)

IT IS VITAL THAT WE MAKES THE CONNECTION KNOW (AS THE CORINTHIAN CHRISTIANS NEEDED TO) THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLS IN US!

One reason is the problem that we spoke of before; HOW IS IT THAT MANY HAVE THE WATER OF LIFE AND YET SOMETIMES ARE JUST AS THIRSTY AS THE WORLD?

Maybe because the One who is the Living Water many barely recognize or acknowledge AS LIVING WITHIN US! (I do not ever remember being taught as a young person the connection between the “living water” as the “Spirit.” Or that the Spirit actually dwelt in you expect for what you could remember of scripture.

SO SOMETHING THAT MADE MY CHRISTIAN WALK HARDER AND OFTEN THIRSTIER WAS THE FACT THAT I DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE OR LOOK FOR OR LISTEN FOR OR RELY ON THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN MY LIFE!

W Can we submit to one who we rarely talk about or think about as working in our lives and dwelling within us.

WHILE THAT WAS ME IT MAY CURRENTLY BE YOU! MAYBE YOU NEED TO OPEN YOUR EYES TO “LIVING WATER” THAT IS LIVING INSIDE OF YOU.

BECAUSE can we submit to the leading of One who we rarely talk about or think about as working in our lives and dwelling within us.

BECAUSE can we submit to, or rely on the leading of One who we rarely talk about or think about as working in our lives and dwelling within us. Maybe that is one reason why are we often too reliant on our own power to get us through or establish joy and peace.

Why are we often too reliant on our own power to get us through or establish joy and peace for us? Maybe because we do not talk nearly enough about the One by whom Jesus was raised from the dead whose power is at work within us. If I knew of a physical well that gave eternal youth I think I would talk about....

Maybe we are still thirsty because we quench the Holy Spirit through our willfulness, sin, self reliance or even ignoring the fact that He is at work in our lives!

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE ONE WHO BRINGS “THE RIVERS OF LIVING WATER FROM WITHIN OUR HEART” BUT ARE WE ALLOWING HIM TO FILL US.

While the Holy Spirit indwells in us it seems that we through our giving in to, reliance on and willingness can me more or less controlled by the Spirit We can walk in step with the Spirit (or the flesh) We are commanded to be filled with the Spirit which implies that we can not be full.

BECAUSE while the Holy Spirit indwells in us it seems that we through our giving in to or submission to, reliance on and willingness can me more or less controlled by the Spirit. notice what …and , , 25

Ephesians 5:18 ESV

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Galatians 5:16 ESV

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

We can walk in step with the Spirit (or the flesh) We are commanded to be filled with the Spirit which implies that we can not be full.

Galatians 5:25 ESV

If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Gal We can walk in step with the Spirit (or the flesh) We are commanded to be filled with the Spirit which implies that we can not be full.

So if we need to be filled with the Spirit, we can also not be full of the Holy Spirit. (If we are not filled it may be that we are too full of other things that we do not have any room. We are constantly focused on the temporary…that our minds do not even have time to hear...)

(Maybe because we are too full of other things...elab) (like trying to be filled with other things that temporarily quench our thirst)

If we are commanded to walk by the Spirit that implies that we may not be walking by the Spirit but instead the flesh. If we are commanded to “keep in step with the Spirit” that implies what? That we can be out of step with the Spirit!

(Maybe because we are too full of other things...elab) (like trying to be filled with other things that temporarily quench our thirst)

Romans 8:14 ESV

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

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IF WE ARE TOLD TO BE LED BY THE SPIRIT DOES THAT NOT MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO DO FOLLOWING AND SUBMIT TO HIM IN OUR ACTIONS AND DECISION AS HE BRINGS GOD’S WORD TO MIND AND CONVICTS US AND NUDGES US TO CARRY OUT GOD’S WILL THEN EMPOWERS US TO FOLLOW THROUGH.

AS MUCH AS WE ARE TOLD DO BE AND DO IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE SPIRIT IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE PRETTY IMPORTANT THAT WE NOT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGE BUT LIVE BY, listen for and submit to THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WHAT HE PROVIDES FOR US!

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IF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE RIVER OF LIVING WATER FLOWING FROM OUR HEART AS HE DWELLS IN US LET’S JUMP IN AND LET THE RIVER OVERTAKE US AND DRINK CONSTANTLY FROM WHAT HE PROVIDES!

Q: ONE MORE QUESTION BEFORE WE CLOSE: HOW DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT PROVIDE US WITH THE SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT IN OUR LIVES? IN OTHER WORDS HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE HOLY SPIRIT WORK IN YOUR LIFE?

(Maybe because we are too full of other things...elab) (like trying to be filled with other things that temporarily quench our thirst)

ILL: PERSONAL: Scripture says that the Holy Spirit is involved in our sanctification and so any good in me and any growth over the years is because of the Holy Spirit in me!

ANYTIME I TEACH OR PREACH OR STUDY WITH SOMEONE and they they hear what God wanted them to and they are convicted…I see the work of the Holy Spirit when I try to counsel someone…and am amazed at how the Spirit works…

When I pray and allow the Holy Spirit to guide my words and heart I pray better than at any other time and in ways I had not thought of. (Has anyone else ever experienced that? calls that praying in the Holy Spirit.)

When I am tempted and just the right passage comes to mind. How many of you have ever experienced that? (That happened to Jesus as well and He over came. Coincidence? I better not think so!)

When I am battling mentally and the right truths come to my mind and my heart to keep me in the right place. (Allowing me to “take every thought captive to obey Christ.” I know that the Holy Spirit dwells in me and work in my life because He fights my battles for me so often! I could go on but we do not have much time...

THINK ABOUT ALL THE HOLY SPIRIT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IN OUR LIVES:

HE EMPOWERS OUR PRAYERS AND PRAYS FOR US! Every time we pray He is connecting our spirits and heart with God and interceding for us. .

He

OUR HELPER WHO LEAD US TO TRUTH AND CONVICTS US OF SIN AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. (, )

HE GIVES US THE GIFTS WE HAVE IN THE CHURCH TO SERVE () AND EMPOWER ALL THE ACTIVITIES FROM THEM.

He strengthens our souls and gives us hope according to and helps us understand God’s love.

Overcome temptation…as we already said

Help us understand God’s word and make judgments about life - 1 Cor. 2:13-15

The Holy Spirit is involved in our daily transformation and helps us to have the “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

SO ARE YOU EXPERIENCING THESE THINGS? LET US EACH SEEK TO TAKE IN AS MUCH OF THE “LIVING WATER” AS WE CAN AND ALLOW HIM TO FLOOD OUR LIVES WITH HIS GOODNESS!

LET’S END ON THIS VERSE: AND CONSIDER HOW TO ALLOW THE “LIVING WATER” TO FLOOD YOUR LIFE.

1 Thessalonians 5:19 ESV

Do not quench the Spirit.

1 tHESS

1 Thessalonians 5:18–19 ESV

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.

LIVING WATER: JESUS GIVES LIFE

, “On that day, living water will flow out of Jerusalem.”

“With Joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” ”