Soak It In!
Thesis: When God’s time of refreshing comes we need to sit back like a sponge and soak in His outpouring of refreshment and even His time of cleansing which is also refreshing.
Illustration: Pour water on the sponge and the duck. Which one soaks up the water?
One is open to receive the other is hard and rejects the water of refreshment. What are you like a sponge, or a hard quacking duck?
* The story of the quacking duck in the morning time when we where walking!
Beginning Texts:
The Holy Bible, New International Version
Zechariah 10:1 (NIV)
1 Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime;
it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds.
He gives showers of rain to men,
and plants of the field to everyone.
1 Kings 17:1 (NIV)
1Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe£ in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.”
1 Kings 17:2 (NIV)
2Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah:
1 Kings 17:3 (NIV)
3“Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan.
1 Kings 17:4 (NIV)
4You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.”
1 Kings 17:5 (NIV)
5So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there.
1 Kings 17:6 (NIV)
6The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
Isaiah 40:28 (NIV)
28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Isaiah 40:30 (NIV)
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Introduction: When you are in the shower the water spills out of the faucet onto our bodies and most of it runs off our bodies and down the drain. The water washes us and then flows away with the dirt. But some of the water does soak into our bodies and causes them to be moisturized and I think soothed. I also feel better after I have worked hard and have been all dirty and sweaty and then that shower makes me feel so refreshed and energized. It eases the aching muscles.
I also compare it to times of sitting in a nice warm rain after working in the hot sun all day. I recall a time in Belize when I was on a Missions trip. We had been laying block all day in the hot sun and a rainstorm blew in. It rained for maybe 10 minutes but we just sat in the rain and soaked up the cool rain. After the shower we all felt refreshed and renewed because the rain cooled us down. It was refreshing.
The Bible speaks about times that come and bring refreshment to those who are parched, tired, weak, depressed, overwhelmed and the like. In many of these instances water comes in to play as that element which refreshes. In the KJV version water is used repeatedly as refreshment actually it is used 567 times in the Bible.
The middle east is a dry hot place so it’s natural that water would be the symbol of refreshment. Jesus himself stated in John 7:37-39:
The Holy Bible, New International Version
John 7:37 (NIV)
37On 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.
John 7:38 (NIV)
38Whoever believes in me, as£ the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
John 7:39 (NIV)
39By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.
Other texts like Isaiah 55:1
“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
and Rev. 22:17
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”
They all invite us to come if we are thirsty and to experience a time of refreshment.
T.S.- What are you thirsty for today? What area in you life needs refreshment that only Jesus can satisfy and meet? Whatever your answers are to these questions there are a few action steps you need to take to get your desired refreshment.
I. You must come to the refresher who is Jesus and search your heart in His presence.
a. In other words repent in the presence of God for anything that is holding back his refreshing touch.
i. Acts 3:19 “ Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that time of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
1. Without repentance we miss the refreshing blessings of God.
a. Handbook reveals, “ John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus by preaching repentance. The apostles’ call to salvation also included repentance—acknowledging personal sin and turning away from it. Many people want the benefits of being identified with Christ without turning from sin and admitting their own disobedience. The key to forgiveness is confessing your sin and turning from it (see Acts 2:38).When we repent, God promises not only to wipe away our sin, but to bring spiritual refreshment. Repentance may at first seem painful because it is hard to give up certain sins. But God will give you a better way. As Hosea promised, “Let us acknowledge the LORD ; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth” (Hosea 6:3). Do you feel a need to be refreshed” (Handbook of Bible Application)?.
2. Repent is defined as REPENTANCE which is a feeling of regret, a changing of the mind, going a different way like turning from sin to God.
a. Jesus preached this and noted that it was a prerequisite to receive renewal and forgiveness in this life and the life to come.
b. Holman notes this about Jesus and the message of repentance, “ He related it closely to the arrival of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14-15) and specifically associated it with one’s acceptance of Him. Those who were unrepentant were those who rejected Him (Luke 10:8-15; 11:30-32); those who received Him were the truly repentant. In His name repentance and forgiveness were to be proclaimed to all nations (Luke 24:47) “ (Holman Bible Dictionary).
c. Illustration: “Turnaround”
i. Gordon Macdonald states, “Repentance is not basically a religious word. It comes from a culture where people were essentially nomadic and lived in a world with no maps or street signs. It’s easy to get lost walking through the desert. You become aware that the countryside is strange. You finally say to yourself. I’m going in the wrong direction. That’s the first act of repentance. The second act of repentance is to go in an alternative direction. It implies that you not only do this but you admit it to your companions. We all do this whether or not we realize it.”
3. Psalm 66:18 states, “If I have cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”
a. Sin that is not repented of can hold back the refreshing touch of God. So let it go!
i. Illustration: “ Secret Sin Blocks Prayer.”
b. A.W. Tozer stated, “God will take nine steps toward us, but he will not take the tenth. He will incline us to repent, but he cannot do our repenting for us.”
i. Yes, Jesus paid the price of our sin on the cross.
ii. Yes, He bore the pain of our sin and paid the price.
iii. Yes, He brought us forgiveness from His sacrifice on the cross.
iv. Yes, He paved the way but He will not repent for you.
1. This is your responsibility not His! Because He never sinned you did! It was your choice to sin and it’s your choice to admit you sinned. He knows your wrong yet he paved the way to still forgive you!
4. Do you need refreshment? Then repent in the presence of God and get ready to receive His refreshing touch.
a. Ask the Lord to forgive you of your sins then receive His spirit of refreshment not condemnation.
b. Just take the time after repentance and soak in God’s refreshing time of Love and forgiveness.
c. Experience the refreshing touch of grace and soak it in!
T.S.- Coming to Jesus in an attitude of repentance will always bring refreshment and so will the quiet times you spend with the Lord.
II. You must spend PERSONAL, QUIET time with Him to continue to be refreshed.
a. Life will always come along and try to choke out times of refreshing with Jesus.
i. Illustration: “Be Still and Know” (Preaching Today)
1. Is this not the way most of us live our lives! We want to see Jesus quickly so we can get on with what we want to do.
2. We want to just keep moving – for what? To do more or see more! Here is that “Hurry Up Sickness” that is running rampant in our society.
3. Have you ever wondered where all your time goes in a day?
a. Preaching Today notes;
American adults watch television five times more than they read. Studies from the university of Maryland and the California Air Resource Board reveal that 18-to 64 year olds spend, on average, their minutes each day:
Sleeping ….461
Working ….211
Watching TV….121
Doing Housework ….101
Traveling ….78
Eating ….69
Socializing….48
Recreation….31
Caring for children ….28
Dressing….28
Washing, grooming….25
Reading….24
Conversing….24
Thinking or relaxing….9
Significantly, perhaps. Worship and devotional activities did not appear in the studies.
THIS TELLS ME THAT WE NEED TO MAKE TIME TO SOAK IN THE LORD!
b. Jesus Himself modeled for us the importance of setting aside times of refreshment so we can continue being refreshed for the tasks at hand.
i. He regularly soaked up refreshing times with the Father.
ii. How do we benefit from time alone with the Lord?
1. Matthew 14:1-14 – The story of John’s death.
a. KEY BIBLE VERSE: When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. (Matthew 14:13, NIV)
b. Solitude can be a time when we deal privately with the Lord about the pain we are feeling.
i. Handbook notes,” Jesus sought solitude after the news of John’s death. Sometimes we may need to deal with our grief alone. Jesus did not dwell on his grief, but returned to the ministry he came to do” (Handbook of Bible Application).
c. So soak in time with the Lord after painful experiences!
i. Trust me in times of loss and grief the best moments and times of refreshing come from intimate private encounters with the Lord.
ii. The Story of Jim and Dee.
2. Matthew 14:22-33 – Jesus walks on the water after prayer to rescue the disciples.
a. KEY BIBLE VERSE: Then afterwards he went up into the hills to pray. Night fell, and out on the lake the disciples were in trouble. For the wind had risen and they were fighting heavy seas. (Matthew 14:23-24, TLB)
b. Solitude is time spent with God it’s important to make it a priority so that you are equipped to help others.
i. Handbook notes, “ Seeking solitude was an important priority for Jesus. He made room in his busy schedule to be alone with the Father. Spending time with God in prayer nurtures a vital relationship and equips us to meet life’s challenges and struggles. Develop the discipline of spending time alone with God—it will help you grow spiritually and become more and more like Christ” (Handbook of Bible Application).
c. So soak it in!
d. Make it a priority to soak in time with the Lord. Do it in the early morning or the evening. It does not matter when just do it! Put in your schedule!
3. Luke 4:38-44 – Jesus heals many and then rests in the Father.
a. KEY BIBLE VERSE: Early the next morning he went out into the desert. The crowds searched everywhere for him, and when they finally found him, they begged him not to leave them but to stay at Capernaum. (Luke 4:42, TLB)
b. Solitude is important for prayer and refreshment, but it will only be possible if we make it a priority.
i. Handbook states, “Jesus had to get up very early just to get some time alone. If Jesus needed solitude for prayer and refreshment, how much more is this true for us? Don’t become so busy that life turns into a flurry of activity leaving no room for quiet fellowship alone with God. No matter how much you have to do, you should always have time for prayer” (Handbook of Bible Application).
c. So soak it in!
d. Let me say it again- put an appointment with God in your day and soak in His refreshing presence.
c. Jesus role modeled for us How to soak in time with the Lord. It helped Him, it refreshed Him and it will do the same for us.
T.S. We find refreshment from quiet time with the Lord and the opposite kind of time, praise and worship time.
III. You MUST worship and praise Jesus both individually and corporately because through it you will be refreshed.
a. Saul received refreshment from the harp playing of David.
i. I Samuel 16:23 “Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.”
ii. Illustration: “Worship When You Feel Weary.” (Preaching Today)
b. Bridges states, “ To render heartfelt worship to God, we must be gripped by His majesty, holiness, and love; otherwise, our praise and adoration may be no more than empty words” (Discipleship Journal Issue 122 , pg. 26).
i. Without a heart connection to Jesus our worship is anemic – meaningless and without the power of refreshment.
ii. If we don’t have honor and respect for Jesus then the times of refreshment will not come.
1. In order for us to experience worship that refreshes it must engage our mind, our will and our emotions.
iii. If we don’t reverence Him in worship both public and private we miss out on times of refreshing.
1. Bridges also states, “The vitality and genuineness of corporate worship is to a large degree dependent upon the vitality of our individual private worship” (26).
c. David shows how he was continually refreshed it was by worshipping the Lord.
i. Psalm 145:1,2 “I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Everyday I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.”
ii. Psalm 34:1 “I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.”
iii. Psalm 86:12 “I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.”
d. The truth is we can worry be stressed and never be refreshed or we can praise and worship and be refreshed.
i. So soak in praise and worship!
e. Worship is not just something we do it’s who we are.
i. So soak it in and experience the refreshing presence of God!
ii. We worship because we have experienced the love of Christ and want to thank Him and honor Him for that gracious love.
iii. Illustration “The Sheer Excitement of Knowing God.”
1. Jim Elliot said, “To stand by the shadows of a friendly tree with the wind tugging at your coattail and the heavens hailing your heart, to gaze and glory and to give oneself again to God, what more could a man ask? Oh, care not if I never raise my voice again for Him, if only I may love Him, please Him.”
f. Donald Hustad said, “Somehow, about forty percent churchgoers seem to have picked up the idea that “singing in church is for singers.” The truth is that “singing is for believers.” The relevant question is not, “Do you have a voice?” but “Do you have a song?”
g. Here me friends do you need refreshment – sing your song to Jesus and feel the fresh touch of His living water wash over you. Then let it soak in.
Conclusion: Do you want spiritual refreshment? Do you want to soak it in like a sponge?
1. Then come to Jesus and repent from what’s holding back His refreshing touch.
2. Then spend time with Him in quiet and be refreshed.
3. Then spend time in praise and worship to Him and be refreshed.
