Let Anyone Who Is Thirsty Come to Me and Drink

Do you look to Jesus for your ultimate satisfaction?

Camp recap

Camp share invitation

I’m going to share a little bit about what we learned at camp this evening.

Read John 7:37-44

Pray

Who has ever went hiking, exploring, played a sports game, hunting, etc? … or any activity that can be done outdoors on dry, hot days?

Do you bring water? Do you bring enough water? Have you ever forgotten or ran out?

Story this week of not having enough water…

No matter who brought water or how much there was, everyone stayed thirsty.

Jesus wants to quench our thirst for good- yet this thirst isn’t about being physically thirsty or dehydrated.

This is a spiritual thirst

What is the last and greatest day of the Festival of Tabernacles?

Who likes to celebrate in here? *Christian party*

Read Psalm 150:1-6

Read John 2:1-11

Jesus didn’t turn a puppy into a sack of coal for His first miracle.

Its okay to celebrate and be cheerful!

The seventh day, and the last day of the feast during this festival, was a great day of celebration.

Leviticus 23

Numbers 29

“Each morning of the feast, at the time of the sacrifice, the priests would draw water in a golden vessel from the Pool of Siloam and carry it to the temple to be poured out.” (Wiersbe’s Commentary)

Demonstration

This was done as a reminder to all of Israel, God’s people, that God miraculously provided for as thirsty Israel in the wilderness.

What happened in the wilderness to the Israelites?

Despite their rebellion, God provided because of His Goodness.

This also served as an ongoing reminder that Israel’s provision would always come from the Lord. The Lord would always provide what they need.

In your own life, what does it mean to count on the Lord to provide for you?

Verses 37 & 38

What does it mean to come to Jesus and drink?

It means to place your faith in Jesus (Guzik).

It means to trust in Him rely on Him, and cling to Him for both time and eternity (Guzik).

What does it mean to trust in Jesus with your time?

Time reading His Word. Time praying.

What does it mean to trust in Jesus with your eternity?

Security. Rejoicing that Your Name is written in heaven.

Read Luke 10:20

Verse 38 says that rivers of living water will flow from within us if we believe in Jesus.

How can rivers of living water come from within us? Aren’t we depraved, messed up people?

This is referencing the Holy Spirit in us, as verse 39 explains.

“Put your loving trust in Me, enthrone Me in your heart, and life and abundance will flow out.” (Guzik)

Pastor Shane and the throne of your heart.

In these verses, water for drinking represents the Spirit of God.

This is what satisfies us. This doesn’t simply curb our thirst or keep us from becoming dry until tomorrow… this water unendingly satisfies us.

Verse 39

What a glorious day!

Who knows the song “This is the day, this is the day. That the Lord has made, that the Lord has made… and be glad in it, and be glad in it.”?

Not going to catch Joey and the worship team singing it.

What is this song referencing? Today? What day?

The day of Calvary! Of the Resurrection!

-Steve

Verses 40-42

The people who heard Jesus had one of three reactions to Jesus’ words.

1 - Jesus is the Prophet

2 - He is the Christ

3 - Doubting and downgrading

Everyone had an opinion.

Like these people, we also have the same three reactions.

Explain Jesus in moderation, Jesus in truth, and refusing and explaining away Jesus in our own lives.

Friend that makes excuses to not hang out? … some of us have hearts in here that come up with excuses to not believe.

What is your reaction to Jesus? What do you believe?

Verses 43 & 44

People were divided over Jesus.

What are some things that people violently divide over in current times?

Its not just division that is real cute and innocent disagreement- we aren’t dividing over the Dallas Cowboys versus the Denver Broncos.

Division implies a violent dissension - some taking up His cause, some wising to lay hands on Him (Alford).

Do you get divided over things to the point of wanting to lay hands on someone? (not in a prayer sense)

Jesus has immeasurable worth and value --- He is a big deal, remember? So it is obvious that people passionately divide because of Him.

For Him or against Him

Despite all this, no one could lay hands on Him. No one could stop God’s work.

The work of God will go on, with or without you or me. God doesn’t need us. But He wants us!

Are you for Him or against Him?

In closing:

The Israelites lost the Book of the Law

These people forgot about what God had told them.

They had stopped listening to God in the present.

They forgot that God wanted to be worshipped and adored.

https://bible.ucg.org/bible-commentary/2-Kings/The-finding-of-the-Book-of-the-Law/Nehemiah 8

Nehemiah 8:5-6

Nehemiah 8:8-10

Don’t forget about Jesus. He satisfies your thirst.

Don’t be tricked---- you cannot ride the fence concerning Jesus.

For Him or against Him.

He longs for you to be for Him.

Decisions & invitations

Pray