Ash Wednesday WATER

Water

Genesis 1:2 NASB95

2 The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.

Creates and Gives Life: We learn in the bible as early as the 2nd verse in Genesis that water is a significant part of creation. In fact, water is an important element in 5 out of the 6 days of Creation. In fact, water is significant to all life forms. It is essential to the very existence of life.

Peter says that the earth was formed out of water and by water.

Living Water

Sustains Life: The Father identifies Himself with water in Jeremiah, when He calls Himself the fountain of living water.

Satisfies Life: In John 4 Jesus is the living water. He is speaking to the woman at the well who had five husbands and the man she was living with was not her husband. He offered her living water!

Saves Life - washes and regenerates that which looks dead: In Titus we learn that we are not saved by what we have done, but according to God’s mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.

Transforms Life: In John 7 Jesus stands up among a crowd and declares that if anyone is thirsty and they drink from Him and believe he is the Messiah, they will host the same living water! He will transform them so they become a carrier of His Life Giving, Life Saving, Life Transforming Water! He says, “From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water”

Water

Creates Life

Sustains Life

Satisfies Life

Saves Life

Transforms Life

The Clean Heart

Create in me a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me . . . How does this happen? It is with this supernatural water that we are cleansed from all unrighteousness. We are cleansed from those things that keep us from God. It only takes a sprinkle . . . The Holy Spirit told Ezekiel to tell His people, “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean”

When we get a taste of this incredible supernatural water, we thirst for it. While a sprinkling is enough to cleanse us and even give us a new heart, we desire more than the sprinkling. . . we want the whole glass . . . then we want the full carafe . . . then we want the fountain of living water, we want the ever flowing river of living water. We discover that this life giving water has no end and we simply want it all!

There is enough for our past

There is enough for this moment

There is enough for tomorrow

There is enough for others . . .

Consider where you are. Are you looking for the powerful supernatural, cleansing?

Are you ready for a Sprinkling? Hallelujah!

Are you ready for a full glass?

The carafe?

The fountain?

Are you ready to jump in the river of living water?

It doesn’t matter what your answer is . . . Take some time to consider your answer. Jesus says come, to the fountain of living water and be cleansed.

Instructions:

You will place your hands under the water to wash them, you will be handed a paper towel. Take a glass gem as a reminder of the characteristics of the living water, then return to your seat.