Sermon Central
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Living Water
Contributed by Sam Peters on Feb 28, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: A seeker oriented message comparing the thirst quenching ability of the world to that of the Living Water found in Christ.
Living Water
33 Jesus said, "I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the one who sent me. 34 You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come."
35 The Jews said to one another, "Where does this man intend to go that we cannot find him? Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? 36 What did he mean when he said, ’You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ’Where I am, you cannot come’?"
37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
NIV
What we find here is Jesus talking in the temple in Judea at the Feast of the Tabernacles. This is relatively early in his ministry, but we see him talking about the fulfillment of his purpose.
I. Looking for water in the desert.
V. 33-34: He speaks of being only around a short time and then going away to a place where they cannot come.
He said the same thing to the disciples during the Last Supper in John 13:33.
The Pharisees and the leaders were confounded by Jesus’ claims. They just didn’t get it.
This past week I was studying some things from my old college days and I was looking at some of the teachings from philosophers like Immanuel Kant, John Locke and Voltaire. They didn’t get it either. Today more than ever we are bombarded with humanist teachings. i.e. Man is inherently good. Tolerance and acceptance of all lifestyles are OK, etc.
The Jews of Jesus’ day had become so caught up in following the commandments to the letter, they missed the intent of the commandments – Serve God!
II. Are you thirsty?
On the last day of the feast Jesus is standing in the temple and he says in a loud voice: “IF ANYONE IS THIRSTY, LET HIM COME TO ME AND DRINK.
Men and women are thirsty for something. What is it?
They drink from the cup of pleasure thinking that entertainment and intimacy will satisfy them.
They drink from the cup of indulgence accumulating the finest things money can buy, but they just want more.
They drink from the cup selfishness thinking that the walls they build up around them will keep the evil world at bay, but the walls keep crumbling.
Mankind is thirsty for God. We are called to be the salt of the earth. O, that we were. Our prayer should be that we salt the lives of those around us that they would thirst for God!
III. Jesus went on to say that “whoever believes in me…streams of living water will flow from within him.”
He’s talking about the Holy Spirit. When we accept Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes in and takes residence in us, satisfying the thirst we have for God.
When we face distress and trial – He is our comforter and protector.
When we feel alone and forgotten – He is our friend that sticks closer than a brother.
When we feel tempted and attacked – He is our shield and great high tower.
When we feel thirsty for God – He is our living water.
Conclusion: How thirsty are you? Has your thirst for contentment and peace been satisfied? If not, I know where you can get your cup filled up to overflowing.
