Sunday February 9, 2020

And he is the course and he is the force of Living Water and we're glad that he is and we're going to learn a little bit more about that this morning. We're going to be looking at a passage. John chapter 7 verse 37 through 39, but I thought maybe we ought to have the context of the whole of what we're talking about here. So we're going to be looking at John and chapter 7 in in this

what did Jesus mean by him being the source of Living Water John tells us that Jesus said this to predict the coming of the Holy Spirit. But the people who heard the statement did not understand the true meaning and still they marveled at his words. some people suggested but he was a prophet others claimed that he was even the Messiah. How did Jesus's words cause such a reaction? If they didn't even know what he was talking about. Entering the temple required a ritual of purification in a special Bath called a Mikvah.

What made these bats special was a natural source of water Living Water now any water? That's not flowing is not living water. It has to be alive moving like from a spring or a river. And so they have these.

Special Babs these mikvahs as you would prepare to go into the temple to Worship the Lord you had to be clean before the Lord. and so the high priest the Priestly leaders of the Jewish people on this special

Feast that they called the Feast of booths or the Feast of Tabernacles is some of the juice called it sucka and suck up was this special time? Of calling on the Lord to send the rain. This was after all of the Feast of the incoming Gathering of the wheat harvest in. The Barley Harvest

bringing in of the the grapes and the bringing him of the olives and all of the fruits of the field that were brought in and then it Sucka they would ask God to be faithful in the new year to bring rains to refresh the ground to refresh the people and that was their source of water. When it rains when it rains they would collect the water and they would have that water tell it would rain again.

Once the water was drawn and stored it ceased to be living water and each visit to the temple bath the mikveh. They needed to keep filling it with this. Living Water so the priest led the procession to the pool of Shalom, which was a source of Living Water. That was a spring there that said that pool and they would collect that water and they would bring it to the temple for the ritual bathing but also that purification of the priests and the pouring of the water, but they would pour the water out to to symbolize their call to the Lord that he would cause the rain to come and bring rain upon the Earth by the end of the festival the temple courts were packed with worshippers. Jesus came to teach the people and they marveled at his words. They marveled at what he had to say. And he was trying to tell them and it struck them. Although they may not have completely understood it and taken it. What he calls out that he is the one who gives living water is that he was going to provide the Holy Spirit who would come in and cleanse us? Just like the Lamb of God came to die and to be the lamb who would take away the sin of the world. The Holy Spirit would come and make us clean that we could come into God's presence without the spiritual bath. We were made clean by his Spirit dwelling in us and bubbling out from us and I hope you will pick that up as we go through these passages together. Let's look at John and chapter 7. I've highlighted some special things for us. Jesus goes to the Festival of the Tabernacles, but you would not think it from the first words.

There was a commotion and Jesus left. Jerusalem in the area of Judea to go to Galilee to his home. Because they were seeking the life of Jesus you have to understand that when it says after this Jesus went around only in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to what kill him It's a great story. Hang on folks. But when the Jewish Festival of the Tabernacles or this sucker head come about they were all required all Jewish people were required to come to the temple for cleansing and to pray for their sins to be forgiven and for rain to come upon the land, but when the Jewish Festival of the Tabernacles or the boots and see if to understand that is they were remembering their sojourning out from Egypt and they were in the wilderness. They didn't have tenths when they first launched out. That came later as they they worked hard to sew tents together, but when they started they would make makeshift little booth. They would gather branches make a covering from the Sun some shade from the rain and sun the end.

They were required each year to go up onto their patios up on their roofs or go away from their homes and make little. Little Boots little coverings and living them during this week of suck up. And so they did. But this Festival was required. It was a special annual event in. Everyone was required to go and Jesus knew that it was a time for him to go. Jesus's brothers Loving Brothers. And this is before they really knew who he was.

We're talking about Jude and James and his brothers. Encouraged him leave Deli and go to Judea so that your disciples there may see the works that you do. No one wants to to become a public figure.

No one who wants to become a public figure? Acts in secret so don't stay up here, brother. Since you are doing these things these Miracles these special things that you do show yourself to the world. For even his own Brothers John record did not believe in him. How hard it is when the rest of the world doesn't believe you, but your own brother's don't want to believe who you are and what you're about. Therefore and whenever there's that therefore you look back to see what it was there for and we just read it there for Jesus told them. My time is not yet here. For you anytime will do but not for me. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify. to the work that they do which are evil you go to the Festival. I am not going up to this Festival because my time has not fully come. And after he had said this he stayed in Galilee and his brothers went down to Jerusalem or up to Jerusalem. for the festival However, after his brothers had left to go to the Festival. He went also but not publicly but in secret, how would Jesus go anywhere in secret? That's one of the Mysteries. baby through A hood over his head, but he came to the festival in secret now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus underscore that and asking where is he? This confirms that Jesus was right. They were seeking him out and seeking him out to take his life.

Among the crowds there were widespread Whispering about him. Some said he is a good man others replied. No, he deceives the people but no one would say anything publicly about him because they feared the Jewish leaders. Yes, they did.

Not until halfway through the Festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. Whoa, wait a minute. He came in secret he wanted to remain in secret. He didn't want the Jewish leaders to Define him. His time was not yet. but halfway through

The Spirit Led Jesus to go up to the temple courts and begin to teach and here's what the people saw and what they heard the Jews there were amazed and they asked how did this band get such learning without having been taught you need to understand that every Jewish. Rabbi teacher Every rap I would have had the teacher. teacher speech students and those students become teachers who teach students every teacher needs to teach

I'm going to give you a little thought here and there's no extra charge for it. If I were to ask you this morning, what is the purpose of an apple tree? You would say.

To produce apples, right? But the truth of the matter is and Dale and I have talked about this. The real purpose of an apple tree is to make more apple trees. amen Every teacher off to raise up students who will be teachers Google raise up students who will be teachers. That is the way it should be.

That's not the way it always is Ralph Waldo Emerson. Do you know him as a writer? as a poet he said these words the Mind once stretched by a new idea never returns to its own original dimension. Once stretched it can't be undone stretched. Would you grab a hold of this idea that Jesus was there? to plant seeds

it would raise up a harvest. He was not only making disciples but he was making disciples who would make disciples. He was teaching them about God and his plan for each and every one of us. And his plan to give us the Holy Spirit to be our guide. Our teacher are a quipper. The one who would cleanse us and make us holy and worthy and acceptable to God. Then they were amazed because he didn't have a rabbi who had taught him.

The Apostle Paul never was one of the original disciples. But he was the most instructed of any of them. He had some of the greatest rabbis who taught him.

He was worthy of being a teacher who would teach others to be teachers who would teach others to be teachers? But Jesus could not call upon. The lessons he had learned from another rap. I know. What he did say is he had learned it from his father? first hand How did this band get such learning without having been taught by another rabbi? Jesus answered my teaching is not my own it comes from the one who sent me anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own account.

Whoever speaks on his own. That's so to gain personal Glory, but he who speaks the glory of the one who sent him is the man of Truth? There is nothing false about him and he's speaking of himself. Has not Moses given you the law for this is going to sting yet. Not one of you keeps the law.

So how well did they get taught? Why are you trying to kill me? Boom? Put his finger right on it. Are you trying to kill me? What have I done?

They spoke up some. You are demon-possessed. They cried.

Who is trying to kill you? They asked? Jesus said to them I did one miracle and you were All Amazed yet because Moses gave you circumcision. Though actually, it did not come from Moses, but from the Patriarchs. You circumcise the boy on the Sabbath. That's an act of work. Is it not? You work on the Sabbath you you circumcised at other boy child on the Sabbath. Now if a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken. Why are you angry with me for healing a man and making him whole on the Sabbath? Which Jesus did? Stop judging by mere appearances but instead judge correctly. That is a lesson for all of us, by the way. We are not to judge by appearances. You might be surprised if someone walked in someday. and raggedy old closes a

what's a homeless person? Only for us to find out that it is Jesus Christ himself. We don't know you can't judge by appearances. Someone might look holy. And be the devil. Someone might look to shovel them poor. And be rich in the things of God, we don't know. Why do we judge on appearances? Jesus said you should not at this point some of the people in Jerusalem begin to ask isn't this the man they were trying to kill aha. Yes, they are trying to kill him. The fact that you sent the temple guard to do that very thing. Isn't this the band they're trying to kill Gary is speaking publicly and they are not saying a word to him. And I underscored this. Have the authorities really concluded that he is the messiah. Maybe the Jewish leaders have come to their senses and realize Jesus is the messiah.

But we know where this band came from. And when the Messiah comes no one will know where he comes from underscore this because it's going to be important later. We know where this man comes from. And when the Messiah comes no one will know where he comes from.

See if that bear is out this story when Jesus still teaching in the temple courts cried out. Yes, you know me and you know where I am from I'm not here on my own authority, but the one who sent me and that's true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me he's speaking the key is sent from the father God.

You think you know he's really saying you think you know where I'm from you think you know me.

Sometimes I think we really don't know people. We think we know people we think we know all about them, but there's so much that's mystery that we don't know. And there was so much about our Lord Jesus Christ. They did not understanding and whose authority he was working under they just did not get it. They thought they did. At this they tried to seize him but no one laid a hand on him because he is our had not yet, Gambler back to that hour has not yet come. there would be an hour coming when they would lay hands on him and they would drag him into a

circus Court

Still many in the crowd believed in him underscore that. many in the crowd believed him and they said when the Messiah comes he will perform signs like this band Willie not could anybody do the signs? He does the Miracles he does. Unless he was the Messiah.

The Pharisees heard the crowd Whispering such things about him than the chief priests and the Pharisees sent the temple guard to arrest him. They were going to put him in jail. Maybe even put him to death. That's their plan. Jesus said I am with you for a little while.

Jesus said I am with you for a short time and then I'm going to the one who sent me. You will look for me, but you will not find me. And where I am you cannot come. well, I talk about a puzzling statement that was And the Jews said to one another where does this van intend to go? See if we cannot find him we'll find him wherever he goes.

Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks? We don't want to go there and Willie teach the Greeks speak to them, but not at this time. What does he mean what he said you will look for me, but you will not find me and where I am you cannot come. That's true. That's a going to happen. And this is the verse that we really wanted to settle in on this morning. On the last day of the great day of the festival after the 7 days. Jesus stood up and said in a very loud voice come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as scriptures have said rivers of Living Water will flow from within them. That's the promise. anyone who comes to Jesus and drinks freely from the living water he gives

Will out of them flow rivers of Living Water. I've got a River of Life flowing out of me makes the lame to walk and the blind see its Living Water. It's the Holy Spirit flowing emanating. from every believer and he cried out in a loud voice for them all to hear.

By this cement the spirit the Holy Spirit whom those who believe in him were later to receive up to that time. The spirit had not been given since Jesus had not been glorified. Jesus has not left yet when Jesus leaves. He says I'm sending another the Holy Spirit and he will lead you into all truth.

He will be your teacher. He will be your guide. He will equip you and Empower you. And the things you see me doing greater things you will do because of the Holy Spirit residing in you friends. The holy spirit is available to us to fill us. to empower us the flow out of us as rivers of Living Water.

I'm hearing these words. Some of the people said surely this man is a prophet.

Other said he is the Messiah and still others ask. How can the Messiah Come From Galilee because we know where he comes from a Spam comes from Galilee.

It doesn't the scripture tell us that the Messiah will come from David's descendants from Bethlehem the town where David lived or women didn't we just read earlier when the Messiah comes no one will know where he's from and yet they're saying we've searched the scriptures and we know that when the Messiah comes he won't come from Galilee.

He'll come from David. City Bethlehem, did they not know where Jesus was born? But you know. The Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the city of David. That's the people were divided because of Jesus some wanted to see him. But no one laid a hand on him.

Finally, the temple guards went back to the chief priests said to the Pharisees. They worth are the people saw them. They went back to the chief priests who asked them. Why didn't you bring him in with you? And these bold guards confessed. No one ever spoke the way this man does the guards replied? No one has ever spoken like this, man.

You mean he has deceived you also they ask. Have any of the rulers of the Pharisees believed in him? No, but this mob that knows nothing of the law all of these people know nothing of the law where they're judgmental, aren't they? Don't take teach the law of the prophets. This Bob that knows nothing of the law. There is a curse on them. Jesus Heath Kirsten and Nicodemus when they said no wonder of you Pharisees you leaders have believed in him. Have you? We know that Nicodemus fit. He was a secret follower of Jesus Nicodemus who had gone to Jesus earlier who was one of their own number asked. Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him out?

To know what he's guilty of. See even back then they had a law that a man was innocent until he was proven guilty. And Nicodemus is just reminding them. Has this man been charged with anything? Have we seen anything that he's really guilty of? And they replied are you from Galilee to? Look into it and you will find that not a prophet is going to come from Galilee.

See, they did not realize that Jesus was from Bethlehem. Did they even though he was living in Galilee? He was from Bethlehem of Judea.

This is just a lot of words that say in the earliest manuscripts this last verse verse 53. It's not it's not written in many. But we have found manuscripts that do include this and I thought it was some note that we say this in in this last part then they all went home.

There was a discussion of the Jewish leaders in the Pharisees and the priests and They argue back and forth and then at the end they all went home. Jesus wasn't arrested at that time.

Well, that was the first that we read earlier in.

It was found in Jeremiah that said they have forsaken me the Fountain of Living Water. And they have chosen instead systrand containers to hold water and they are broken cisterns at that. You see the little cracks. It's hard to see a little cracks in the bottom of the hole where the water is leaking out. Why would you substitute a spring of Living Water Living Water? to have stale water and that your cistern are even broken and they don't hold water. Well, it leaks out and you go thirsty.

I wanted to have another scripture here before we closed. And this is found in John's gospel chapter 4 verse 13 through 15. I'm not going to read that whole story. But this is the story of the Samaritan woman. And Jesus is coming through Samaria and his disciples have gone into the city nearby to get food and he stayed by Jacob's Well. And everyone who drinks this water, Jesus says to her will be thirsty again speaking of the well eventual water. But everyone who drinks of the water that I 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. Rivers of living water flowing out the Samaritan woman in John's account here left her water pot that she came to get water from the well that she did day after day after day. She left her water pot and went away with the well.

She left the empty jar and wet away with the well. If you think about it the well of Living Water the woman forgot. hover errant ways she Had left her water pot there. Because she had found a new Wellspring of life that was rising up within her. She left her unfilled water pot pot by the well and hurry the way into the city after shooting. She went there and Jesus gave her water. That was not in the well if she went away singing and she came back bringing others to the water that was not in the file. She came back and brought others with her. Once you've experienced Jesus Christ that he's alive in you moving in you his Spirit dwelling within you you're not the same. You can never be the same.

As we read earlier once you've experienced a new idea and you've been stretched, you can't go back to being the same.

Ralph Waldo Emerson I hope you've been challenged by a new thought a new way of thinking Jesus comes. To be a Wellspring a spiritual water within each and every one of us. All you have to do is invite him to come in.

by praying Jesus I'm a sinner in need of a savior. I need you to cleanse me to clean me to make me and the vessel that you can fill with your spirit come into me. Make your home in me.

Live in me that I might live for you. I'm not going back to the old ways to the old water pot them.

I'm satisfied. With the Living Water that you give me your spirit. If you pray a prayer like that. The holy spirit will come into you. Jesus will make his home in you. And your life will never be the same.

We all confess that we are sinners in need of a savior.

It's only by his grace and his Mercy that we have the ability to have new life. Would you stand with me? and closing