Steps To An Overflowing Life

Steps to An Overflowing Life

Steps to an Overflowing Life

John 7:37-39

Have you ever been so thirsty that all you could think about was getting a cool drink of water? I can remember times when I was driving a combine cutting and thrashing wheat when I became extremely thirsty. Cutting wheat in Western Kansas on a hot, sunny day with dust blowing in your face, I couldn’t wait to get a cool – cold drink of water. I would go to the large can of water that had a chunk of ice in it and pour out a large glass. That drink was the most satisfying thing I would do all day.

The human body contains 80% fluids. We are basically like a blob of fluid walking with skin and bones. Water is essential to life. A person who is water depraved is in trouble. Without water the mind plays tricks, vital organs become weak. Water is critical to life.

The context of John 7:37-39 takes place in the temple in Jerusalem. The Jewish Feast of Tabernacle was being celebrated. During the seven day celebration each morning the priest filled a silver pitcher with water from the pool of Siloam and carried it down a path lined by people. As the priest passed the people joyfully chanted, “With joy shall we draw water out of the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3 Trumpets blasted as the priest entered the temple and poured out the water around the altar. The priest did this once a day. This act reminded the people that God provided water for the people Israel from a rock under the leadership of Moses.

Then on the last day the priest circled the altar seven times dousing the altar with seven vessels of water. Probably at that moment Jesus stood and in a loud clear voice said: “If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink! For the scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within.”

I. Come Thirsty

The first step to an overflowing life is to “come thirsty.” “If anyone is thirsty let him come.” John 7:37 Jesus also said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6

Why don’t people come to Jesus to drink? Because their life is so full of the things of this world that they are stuffed and don’t feel the need to come to Jesus.

Sin keeps a person from coming to Jesus. Sin keeps a person’s soul shriveled, calloused and hard. Satan, the god of this world, blinds the hearts of people and fills their life with junk food so they are so stuffed they are not hungry or thirsty for the springs of living water.

A life lacking spiritual water has a dehydrated heart. A dehydrated heart results in tempers that flare, being overcome with worry, guilt, fear, hopelessness, sleeplessness, loneliness, resentment, irritable, and insecure. These are all signs of a dehydrated heart.

Dehydrated hearts show up in people who are (slides of people) 1. Stringy, 2. Self focused, 3. Sour, and 4. Legalistic.

History tells us that in 1665 an epidemic left a hundred thousand people in London dead. No cure was known. But the plague of sin makes the Black Plague seem like a little cut. No person can sidestep the infection of sin. Sin sees the world without God.

When God is left out of people’s life the result is lawlessness. The Apostle Paul describes the results and outcome when sin is given full reign in Romans 1:21,24, “Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was their minds became dark and confused. So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies.” NLT

Jesus calls us to come thirsty and drink. We can pray from our hearts, “Lord Jesus I come thirsty. I come to drink and thank you for your death and resurrection. I’m turning my life over to you. I’m going to drink deeply of the living water of life. I thank your for your love and forgiveness.

II. Drink

The second step is to “Drink.” Jesus called out, “If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink!” John 7:37-38

To drink of the living water is a choice. No one can force you to swallow water. No one can force you to drink the water of life.

Jesus is not calling people to come and accept a certain doctrine or creed or belief. Jesus said, “Come to me.” The gospel is all about knowing Jesus in a personal way. If you leave out Jesus all your beliefs end up in futility.