The River

THE RIVER: Ezekiel 47:1-12

What if I told you that God possesses a body of water that He wants you to get into? What if I told you that He wants you to get over your head in this body of water? What if I told you that He wants you to give yourself over to the power of this river, to be swept away in its current; that He wants you to get into a place where you are helpless, and are at the mercy of the river? Ezekiel writes about such a river in these verses.

In the early 1990's there were revivals taking place over all the world. Toronto Canada, Pensacola Florida, London England. I happened to attend the Toronto Revival on a number of occasions as I lived nearby. What I saw there was different manifestations, some were definitely God, some were Flesh, some were demonic. I meditated on seeing these things questioning why all could occur at the same place. At the time there was also a lot of flooding in North America, the Mississippi River broke it banks and was on the news for weeks. In the aftermath of the flooding God used it as an illustration. When the River breaks its banks everything gets caught up in it the sewage, the chemicals, the garbage but as time continues the River naturally cleanses itself filtering out the impurities. God's River, the Holy Spirit does the same what seems like chaos when God moves will ultimately turn into purity over time. This sermon is about "The River of God", if you desire revival then be prepared also for some strange occurrences at times but also know God will take care of His Work. It’s about becoming more of what the Lord God wants each of us to be. It’s about leaving the shore of stagnant, disappointed Christianity and wading out into the deep spiritual waters of the born again life. You see, what has happened in the modern church is that many have become far too cautious about giving their all to Jesus Christ. I really believe that there are many in the church today who are afraid of getting in over their heads. I want to encourage you to throw caution to the wind today. I want to challenge you to wade out into the deep water, and to release yourself to the current of God’s will and power.

I. v. 1-2, 6-12 EZEKIEL SAW A RIVER

A. This river is type of the Holy Spirit, John 14:16-18. There are three ways in which this river represents the Spirit and His work in the life of the believer.

1. In Its Source - The throne of God. The Holy Spirit, like this river, came directly from the Father’s throne.

2. In Its Course - From the “altar.” Notice that this river came from the altar, or the place where sacrifice was made. The Water of Life, the precious Holy Spirit comes directly from the altar of Christ’s sacrifice, the cross - Matt. 20:28. The Holy Spirit came only after the death of Christ on the cross, John 16:7.

3. In Its Force - Notice four great truths about this river that made it very special. These four truths make the Holy Spirit special as well.

a. It had no Feeder Streams - There was no need for any thing to flow into this river to give it force, size and power. When it left the throne, it possessed all that it needed. The Mississippi is less that 3 feet wide where it begins, but after all the feed streams flow into it, it becomes a mighty river that is well over a mile wide where it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. God’s river needs no feeder streams.

What I mean is this, God doesn’t need the world or anything that is in it, and He certainly doesn’t need me and you to get His work done here in this world. God supersedes us! He supersedes this world and He will get the job done in spite of you and me. His river needs no feeder streams!

b. v. 8 It could Heal - This river made the sea water pure when it flowed into it. If you drink sea water it will kill you!

I am talking about a river that has the power to heal. I am talking about the power of the Holy Spirit in your life and mine. He can heal broken hearts. He can heal broken lives. He can heal broken dreams. He is a Spirit who flows with healing power today. He specializes in fixing broken things!

I challenge you to bring that which is broken to the Lord Jesus and watch Him heal it by His power! Ill. Matt. 11:28; Luke 4:18 Jesus can take a life broken by sin and through the working of His Spirit, bring healing to that soul and glory into the heart of that life that was the slave of sin!