Getting In Over Your Head

GETTING IN OVER YOUR HEAD Eze. 47:1-12

Intro:

The Pool of water on Ashwood

I remember struggling in the water and I remember going under. I also remember the distinct feeling that I was going to die. What I learned as a young child was that one should be careful about getting in over one's head. I would like to ask you a question. How many of you can honestly raise you hands this evening and tell me that beyond any shadow of a doubt, you know that you are exactly in the center of God's will and that you are right where God wants you to be in your spiritual growth? Any takers? I didn't think so! The truth of the matter is, we all have plenty of room for improvement! That's what this sermon is all about . It's about becoming more of what the Lord God wants each of us to be. It's about leaving the shore of stagnant, disappointed Christianity and wading out into the deep spiritual waters of the born again life. You see, what has happened in the modern church is that many have become far too cautious about giving their all to Jesus Christ. I really believe that there are many in the church tonight who are afraid of getting in over their heads.

Let's take a few minutes this evening to look at Ezekiel's prophecy. I want you to notice this prophecy that applies to you and me this evening. What I would like to do tonight is to help you learn to wade out a little bit deeper for Jesus. I truth, I would like to see you get in over your head tonight!

Text: Ezek 47:1-12 The River from the Temple

47 The man led me back to the door of the Temple, and I saw water coming out from under the doorway and flowing east. (The Temple faced east.) The water flowed down from the south side wall of the Temple and then south of the altar. 2 The man brought me out through the outer north gate and led me around outside to the outer east gate. I found the water coming out on the south side of the gate.

3 The man went toward the east with a line in his hand and measured about one-third of a mile. Then he led me through water that came up to my ankles. 4 The man measured about one-third of a mile again and led me through water that came up to my knees. Then he measured about one-third of a mile again and led me through water up to my waist. 5 The man measured about one-third of a mile again, but it was now a river that I could not cross. The water had risen too high; it was deep enough for swimming; it was a river that no one could cross. 6 The man asked me, “Human, do you see this?”

Then the man led me back to the bank of the river. 7 As I went back, I saw many trees on both sides of the river. 8 The man said to me, “This water will flow toward the eastern areas and go down into the Jordan Valley. When it enters the Dead Sea, it will become fresh. 9 Everywhere the river goes, there will be many fish. Wherever this water goes the Dead Sea will become fresh, and so where the river goes there will be many living things. 10 Fishermen will stand by the Dead Sea. From En Gedi all the way to En Eglaim there will be places to spread fishing nets. There will be many kinds of fish in the Dead Sea, as many as in the Mediterranean Sea. 11 But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. 12 All kinds of fruit trees will grow on both banks of the river, and their leaves will not dry and die. The trees will have fruit every month, because the water for them comes from the Temple. The fruit from the trees will be used for food, and their leaves for medicine.”

I. V. 1-2, 6-12 EZEKIEL'S VISION

A. He Saw A River - this river is type of the Holy Spirit, John 14:16-18. There are three ways in which this river represents the Spirit and His work in the life of the believer.

1. In Its Source - The throne of God. The Holy Spirit, like this river, came directly from the Father's throne.

2. In Its Course - From the altar. Notice that this river came from the altar, or the place where sacrifice was made. The Water of Life, the precious Holy Spirit comes directly from the altar of Christ's sacrifice, the cross - Matt. 20:28. The Holy Spirit came only after the death of Christ on the cross, John 16:7.