New Fruit for the New Year
Subject: Fruit
Text: Ezekiel 47:1-12
Theme:
Introduction:
As we find ourselves in the early days of another New Year many of us have been thinking for several days now about the concept of “New.” Yet on the other hand we can be reminded of King Solomon’s pessimistic statement in Ecclesiastes 1:8-10 which declares, “All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. [9] The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. [10] Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.” On the other hand the concept of “new” isn’t something we just think about only once a year. Every month is a new month. Every week is a new week. Every day is a new day. Every hour is a new hour. Every minute is a new minute. And every second is a new second. One of my favorite scriptures of all time is found in Jeremiah’s Lamentations 3:19-23 which says, “Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall. [20] My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me. [21] This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. [22] It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [23] They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Actually it is a good thing for all children of God to look ahead with expectation and hope. Let us call to remembrance the words of the scriptures contained in Philippians 3:13-14 which say, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, [14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. “ Even Isaiah declared in Isaiah 43:15-20, “I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King. [16] Thus saith the Lord, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters; [17] Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow. [18] Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. [19] Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. [20] The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.”
Let us now focus our attention on the vision and prophecy of Ezekiel 47. This passage contains a promise in verse 12 that there will be “new fruit.” I would like to proclaim this message for each of us and for this church. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every one of us had that promise fulfilled this year-an abundance of new fruit? But understand we are not referring to material possessions. Remember the Bible declares in Luke 12:15, “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” So let us examine the text of Ezekiel 47:1-12 so that we may understand all of the events that precede this “new fruit.” There are some areas with which we must align ourselves before that before this promise of new fruit can be fulfilled in our lives.
I. A life giving river came from the temple, from under the threshold (v. 1)
A. Temple at Jerusalem was built upon the highest portion of a mountain.
B. No natural running water at the top of the mountain, yet the priests and Levites needed water for their ritual cleansing prior to their service in the temple.
1. When King Solomon built the temple he piped water into the temple so
the brazen laver could be filled with water for the priests and the Levites.
2. The water came from underneath the temple within the mountain.
C. Jesus referred to the same concept in John 7:37-39 which declares, “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. [38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. [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.)”
D. It is at the temple, which is the place of worship, where rivers flow from within.
E. The key principle is this. In the Old Testament the tabernacle and the temple
were the only places where God could be worshipped. The temple was the place of worship. The river was flowing where there was worship. So let it be understood that before there can be “new fruit” there must first be a river. And before there can be a river there must be worship.
II. The river of Ezekiel 47 is symbolic of the Holy Ghost. Even Jesus said in John 7:37-39, “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. [38] He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. [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.)”
III. As the river flowed away from the temple it became increasingly deeper. (v. 3- v. 5)
A. Too often we try to keep the Spirit contained within our lives.
B. We do need to constantly have the Spirit in our lives so that we can continually be cleansed and sanctified.
C. The intent is for the Holy Ghost to flow out of our lives like a river so the barren soil of a lost and dying world can be watered and fruit can be produced.
D. The blessing of the Spirit is not meant to be contained within our lives but it is meant to flow from it like a mighty river.
1. John 3:34 states, “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.”
E. For us to receive “new fruit” the Holy Ghost must be allowed to flow freely out of our lives.
IV. In Ezekiel’s vision, ultimately, the water reached the Dead Sea, turned it into fresh water and gave life wherever it flowed. (v. 8- v.10)
A. We must allow the Holy Ghost to flow out of our lives and bring to life those that are dead in their sin.
1. 2 Corinthians 3:6 says, “Who also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”
V. Some will not receive the Spirit. (v.11)
VI. If we allow sin in our lives the River of the Holy Ghost will stop flowing out of our lives.
A. Hebrews 12:14-15, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: [15] Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”
B. Psalm 107:33-34, “He turneth rivers into a wilderness and the watersprings into dry ground; [34] A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.”
C. If the River is stopped from flowing because there can be no “new fruit.”
VII. The final word is this. The river causes fruitfulness. (v.7, v.12)
A. There was along the banks of both sides of the river a great number and a great variety of fruit trees. (v.7, v.12)
B. There would be no fading, no wilting, no failure - the word means "to fall away, fail, faint; become foolish or (morally) wicked." The trees which receive water from the sanctuary will not fail. (v.12)
1. Jeremiah 17:7-8 declares, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. [8] For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.”
C. These trees will continually bear fruit. (v.12)
D. And here’s the best part, what is produced will be for nourishment and for healing. (v.12)
1. Revelation 22:1-2 says, “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. [2] In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
Conclusion:
This is the promise already given in Psalm 1:1-6. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. [2] But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. [3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. [4] The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. [5] Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. [6] For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” What will it be for us? Will our lives this year be like barren and fruitless? Or will we allow the river of the Holy Ghost to flow out of our lives and produce trees with an abundance of fruit for nourishment and healing along its bank with an abundance of fish in its waters? The metaphor changes but the message is the same when the Psalmist proclaims in Psalm 126:1-6, “When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. [2] Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. [3] The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. [4] Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south. [5] They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. [6] He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Let us close with these marvelous words of Jesus found in John 15:1-8 that say, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. [2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. [3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. [4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. [6] If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. [7] If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. [8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”
