Introduction:
In this text, Ezekiel shares with us his experience of wading in the water which flowed from the Temple.
I. The Source Of The Water
Before we go with Ezekiel into the water, I think it would do us well to see where the water was coming from.
Ezekiel said, “I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple!”
This water was seeping from beneath the door of the temple.
Biblically speaking, water is picture of life, refreshment, the Spirit of God, and the Word of God.
So it is of interest that the water was seeping from beneath the door!
The door was not open so that it could flow out, yet the water could not be contained!
It seeped out from beneath the door!
Just like the water which Ezekiel saw seeping from beneath the temple door, the Word of God cannot be contained between these four walls or behind the closed church doors.
Somehow or another, the Word gets out!
II. The Water
Another thing of interest is the progression of the depth of the water.
The further it went away from the temple, the deeper it got!
This is just the exact opposite of what happens with most of our churches today!
It seems that with us, the farther the word goes away from the church, the swallower it gets!
The word is deep on Sunday morning!
But, the farther we get away from the church, the farther we get from Sunday morning, the less we speak and hear God’s word!
III. Shallow Walking
Perhaps they have only gone into the water to ankle depth.
Ezekiel 47:3 “And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.”
The ankle is a basic and quite necessary bone in the body.
It supports the body’s weight and enables us to stand on our feet.
You couldn’t stand up without your ankle!
Being ankle-deep in the water is a picture of foundational religion.
It is basic and elementary!
We need to have a good, basic, solid foundation for our faith!
But ankle-deep is too swallow, it’s too superficial!
We need to wade a little deeper in the water; for being born again is not the end of the journey, it’s just the beginning of the journey!
It’s essential, but it’s basic and elementary, it’s too shallow, you need to grow in knowledge and in faith!
We need to wade a little deeper in the water!
IV. Going A Little Deeper
Ezekiel 47:4 “Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.”
Some have suggested that knee-deep is a picture of prayer.
If we are to go on to maturity as a Christian, it is essential that we have an effective prayer-life!
We need to spend some time alone with the Lord in prayer!
We can’t make it unless we pray!
Others have suggested that knee-deep is a picture of tradition.
It’s something that they do without much thought as to the reason why they do it!
There’s nothing wrong with tradition as long as tradition doesn’t entrap one in the past and stifle growth and progress!
There are too many in churches that are just knee deep!
They come because they have always come!
These people are comfortable in staying right where they are.
They are locked into traditions.
Knee-deep, though better than ankle-deep, is still not enough!
You need to wade a little deeper in the water!
V. Half Way
Ezekiel 47:4 “Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.”
Waist-deep is the half-way point; you’re half-way in, but you’re also half-way out!
Some people have a half-way religion!
They’re just like the Jews of Elijah’s day; halting between two opinions!
Half-way or loin-deep religion desires to have a partnership with God and still remain part of this world.
These are the ones who get up and testify saying, “I’m so glad the Lord is a part of my life!”
But God has no desire to be just a part of our lives!
This is not a partnership!
We’re not on an equal footing with God!
He doesn’t have to consult with us before he does anything!
He doesn’t want to just ride along with us!
The Christian life is not about a partnership; it’s about discipleship!
Jesus said; “Follow Me!”
Waist deep is still not deep enough!
If we’re going to go deeper with God; if we’re going to wade in the water; then, the Lord has to lead!
I can’t go deeper on my own!
No one knows the water like the Lord;
He knows how to guide me safely.
Notice in verse 2 that Ezekiel said that he was led through the water.
Going through denotes progress and experience.
We should be progressing from faith to faith!
VI. Living By Faith
Finally, Ezekiel 47:5 “Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.”
Ezekiel was led into water that was over his head!
That’s where the Lord wants us to be:
Immersed in His Spirit and immersed in His Word!
He wants us to wade in the water until it is over our heads!
That’s what true Christianity is; it’s over our heads!
We can’t figure it out: it’s over our heads!
It’s beyond our understanding; it’s over our heads!
Many people stumble in their Christian walk because they spend too much time trying to figure it out instead of letting God work it out!
We can’t figure it out: it’s over your head!
Ezekiel said that the water was deep enough to swim in; that means that he could no longer stand on his feet!
That’s where the Lord wants you and I today!
He wants us where we can no longer stand on our feet, but have to learn how to trust and depend upon Him!
What I’m trying to say is; that if we just learn how to lean and depend on Jesus; He will carry us through!
That’s where the real action is: out in the deep!
You may feel secure near the shore, but mature salvation is out in the deep!
VII. Observations From The Bank
Ezekiel 47:7 “Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.”
Ezekiel returned the banks of the river.
When Ezekiel got back to the bank, he noticed a great number of trees on each side of the river:
Everywhere the river flowed, it brought revival and new life!
Everywhere the river flowed, it made the salt water fresh and the bitter waters sweet!
That’s the way it is with the Word of God!
Everywhere it flows, it brings vitality and new life!
It brings revival and refreshment!
Conclusion:
I don’t know where you are in your life but I’m going to wade in the water!
I’m going to go deeper with God!
I’m going to stretch out on His Word!
His Word is right!
His Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my pathway!
His Word is a comfort to my troubled soul and my battle-ax in the time of war!
His Word is food for my soul and strength to my spirit! His Word picks me up when I am down and turns me around when I am wrong!
I don’t know about you, but I’m glad that I got His Word!
I’m going to wade in His Word!
I’m going to stretch out on His Word!
I’m going to trust in His Word!
I’m going to lean on His Word!
I’m leaning on the everlasting arms!
“What a fellowship, what a joy Divine, leaning on the everlasting arms! What blessedness, what a peace is mine, leaning on the everlasting arms!”
