Sermon - The Promise of Living Water
Scripture Lesson: John 7: 37-39 “On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)”
Introduction: Our Study today takes us to John 7. Jesus leaves Galilee and journeys to Judea to attend the feast of tabernacles. The feast of tabernacles was the annual festival of the fruit, wine and oil harvest. It lasted eight days, during which the people dwelt in booths, to remind them of their wilderness wanderings. This annual Jewish harvest feast was one of great joy.
The brethren or kinsmen of Jesus were disgusted because they thought Jesus was hiding out in obscurity. They were expecting that his newly found popularity would give them some worldly advantages and status. The scriptures said, “they did not believe in him.” Men of God must be careful because often ungodly men will try to give us counsel that will hinder the work of God. Jesus was not trying to promote himself; he was not looking to gain any present advantages.
Jesus choose to go up to Jerusalem at his appointed time. Jesus was on the lips of nearly everyone and everyone was looking for him to show up. Jewish Law required every Jewish male to attend and bring an offering. At this year’s feast, the people were disputing about Christ. The opinions were all over the spectrum. Some were saying, he is a good man; Some were saying, he is Prophet; others were saying, he is the Messiah, while many were saying is demon possessed. The priest and the religious leaders were saying he is a threat that must be stopped. Yet, Jesus delivers a wonderful discourse at the feast and extends this great invitation.
By now, the brethren or kinsmen of Jesus were disgusted, when they found there was no prospect of worldly advantages from him. Ungodly men seem to always be looking for edge, some way to take advantage of the situation. The people had different opinions about his doctrine and miracles. There were those who favored him but were afraid to speak out publicly. Those who saw him as a deceiver boldly spoke out with criticism. Many refused to take a stand one way or the other.
On the last day of the feast of tabernacles, the eighth day was the grand finale! The Jews drew water from the pool of Siloam and poured it out before the Lord seven days. On the last day of the feast of tabernacles, The priest would dip the water and pour it out before the altar, and Jesus choose this moment to deliver a wonderful discourse about living water and extends this great invitation.
Christ gives a promise of living water. This is not entirely new; He made the same offer to the woman at the well in Samaria. If any man desires to be truly and forever happy, let him come to Christ, and believe on Him, submitting your life to him, and he will find all he is looking for. The only requirement is to be thirsty. This thirst means strong desires after spiritual blessings, which nothing else can satisfy; so the sanctifying and comforting influences of the Holy Spirit was symbolized by the water. Jesus called on them to come to Him and drink. The comfort flows plentifully and constantly as a river; strong as a stream to bear down the opposition of doubts and fears. There is a fulness in Christ, of grace for grace. The Spirit dwelling and working in believers, is as a fountain of living, running water, out of which plentiful streams flow, cooling and cleansing as water. The miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit is more than we could ever desire. The Holy Spirit provides more satisfaction, more power and is more valuable than we could ever imagine. This living water flows from our glorified Redeemer, down to this age, and to the remote corners of the earth. May we be anxious to make this promise of living water known to others.
Jesus kept in the background till the fitting moment, and then he came boldly forward to deliver one of the freest and fullest gospel discourses upon record. On the final day of the holy convocation, when no servile work might be done, and consequently no water could be drawn, he freely proclaimed his salvation. His grace is free, it is effectual in its operation, and its results are abiding, elevating, purifying, and saving. Faith receives the grace of God, and the soul lives. Without money and without price the blessing of eternal life is bestowed. Let us bless that dear Redeemer who at this moment still cries aloud, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink."
Four things about this promise of living water:
1. The qualification to receive this Living water is acknowledging your need. “On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!
On that final day, only the qualified ones could dip and pour the water. The common persons must stand aside. These were those without status, position, or money. There are people today who fill unworthy, underprivileged, and overlooked. There are a hundred different reasons people disqualify themselves. The qualification here is to acknowledge your need. If any man sin, we have an advocate with father. Is anyone thirsty? In order for sin to be forgiven we must admit our sin and confess our need. This living water is available to all who will acknowledge their need. I love the sound of anyone, all and everyone. This means you and me!
2. The price of this Living Water has been paid. (it’s free) – Isaiah 55:1-3 “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
Human thirst is a controlling force. Many will do almost anything in their power to satisfy their thirst. We run constantly, working and spend trying to find inner satisfaction. This promise of living water is free, we can drop out water and delight in its comfort.
3. The operation of this Living Water is powerful and effective. Joh 4:14 “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”
Every earthly comfort is temporary; natural supplies will run out; our natural things will fail us at some point. This living water is unchanging in its nature; it is not like a natural fountain or spring of water, to play a while and then die away, as all natural springs will at the end of the world. It is eternal in its nature and supply and will continue to live on forever. We may learn here that the Christian who embraces this promise and receive this offer has a never-failing source of consolation adapted to all times and circumstances. Why? Because it lives in the heart, providing constant life and vitality, it shines in us and through us shedding its blessings on a world of sin, and is manifest by a continual life of holiness, like a constant flowing spring, that its end in everlasting life. It will continue forever; and whosoever drinks of this shall never thirst, but in his heart is a pure fountain springing up to eternal joy. Not only is the promise of living free and ever working in us.
4. The results of this Living Water is transformational. Joh 7:39 “(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
The living water was symbol of the Holy Spirit. This indwelling grace shall constantly and fully supply all the deepest necessities of his soul, as it abides in us, it empowers us, elevates us, purifies us, and saves us to the uttermost. But this spoke Jesus of the Spirit. The first and second chapters of the Book of Acts is the best comment upon this passage. When Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father and was glorified, he sent forth the Spirit upon his apostles on the day of Pentecost, and the apostles in turn promised the gift of the Spirit to all who would believe, repent, and be baptized. They were totally transformed into God’s agents of transformation.
Ac 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Eph 3:14-21 “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Throughout the Book of Acts, we see the result of the Holy Spirit transforming believers, fishermen, farmers and tax collectors into agents of transformation. When Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father and was glorified, he sent forth the Spirit upon his apostles on the day of Pentecost, and the apostles in turn promised the gift of the Spirit to all who would believe, repent, and be baptized. They were totally transformed into God’s agents of transformation. Have you received that Living Water? The world is thirsty, and we have what they need.
“Anyone who is thirsty may come to (Jesus) me! 38 Anyone who believes in (Jesus) me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’ An Invitation to Living Water.
