John, Part 33
Series: Discipleship Will Cost You, Part 7 Passage: John 7:37-39
Welcome to Seasons; intro; thankful you have come to worship with us
FOCUS: Conclude this series on Discipleship - there will be others in John
Discipleship: The process of becoming like Jesus through obedience / submitting
I want to speak to you as plainly as I can – only have 3 verses from John + others
However, we’ve a bit of a diff. format today … ask for your indulgence this AM
Pray ? Setup the Feast of Tabernacles
Jewish Feasts (3): Pesach – Passover; Shavuot – Pentecost; Sukkot – Tabernacles
Remembers when Israel wandered in wilderness; also celebrates final harvest (fall)
Background: This festival was a city-wide party that lasted 7 full days
• People came and brought fruits/grains to the temple as an offering (thankful)
• During this, people played on flutes and sang the Hillel (ref Psa 113-118)
The high priest filled a golden pitcher at the pool of Siloam (Jesus healed blind)
Picture 1: What it would’ve looked like / Picture 2: What remains today
• This was done once a day; and then 7 times on the final day!
• As the pitcher was marched through the city – there was great celebration
• As they passed through the Water Gate, the people declared: Isaiah 12:3
• Then, when the pitcher reached the altar it was poured out (offering)
• While it was being poured out the people shouted: Psalm 118:25
APP: Was a dramatic representation to show thankfulness for God’s provisions
Plainly: This was worship; a public profession of reliance on God’s delivery!
• SEE: Attendees carried also as the procession went through the town
• Show the Feast of Tabernacle Image ? PALM BRANCHES!
• This was an obedience of the biblical command from: Leviticus 23:40
Now picture this: During this incredible celebration, Jesus stands & speaks!
Think of the clarity of Jesus’s words as we read them: Read John 7 verses 37-38
BIG: In the middle of our worship … sometimes listening for God matters more!
SEE: Jesus makes three dramatic claims:
1. He is the source of life: the fulfillment of what we need
We all have a need: a thirst for physical water and for spiritual water (to know)
Jesus says He is this gift; He gives what we really need IF we’ll come to Him
APP: But in order to receive - this is key - we must respond (MOVE) Acts 3:19
2. He is the source of abundance: He gives rivers of living water
A river has no ending, it is continual, refreshing, full … it constantly moves
APP: An abundant life is what we experience because of His gift! John 4:14
3. He is the source of the Spirit: the Holy Spirit flows like water
Understand this: there is no other place to true refreshment; it is a received gift
This is the key in discipleship: Once we are His, we receive / have what He gives!
Read John 7:39 John explains this for us so we might understand this gift
This one verse is the only place in Scripture where the “living water” is defined!
Reflect: Water is used to: wash, refresh, and strengthen people
Jesus says: I will give you living water to be clean, to revive, & to secure you!
SEE: God always planned to bring those who love Him under His protection
No sin is too big! What does accepting this living water give? Restoration!
There has never been a time when God’s invitation was undone or rescinded
Where do we see God’s promise like this? Turn to and Read Ezekiel 36:25-27
• v25 Your (this is personal) filth / sin will be washed away
• v26 You will receive a new heart – a heart based on mercy & love
• v27 You will receive His Spirit (why) to be able to serve and worship Him!
This morning, vv37-38 clearly asks: Will you receive what He has offered?
“With ever head bowed and every eye closed”
The invitation to be forgiven of YOUR sin is still available: to repent & made new
TRUTH: God has given you this invitation for as long as you have breath in you
The only obstacle is your own pride, your unwillingness to let go of your “wants”
Discipleship means surrender - Do you have the living water that Jesus provides?
Or … are we still trying to live each day by our own ability? PRAY
