Wade In The Water

Introduction:

In this text, Ezekiel shares with us his experience of wading in the water which flowed from the Temple.

I. The Source Of The Water

Before we go with Ezekiel into the water, I think it would do us well to see where the water was coming from.

Ezekiel said, “I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple!”

This water was seeping from beneath the door of the temple.

Biblically speaking, water is picture of life, refreshment, the Spirit of God, and the Word of God.

So it is of interest that the water was seeping from beneath the door!

The door was not open so that it could flow out, yet the water could not be contained!

It seeped out from beneath the door!

Just like the water which Ezekiel saw seeping from beneath the temple door, the Word of God cannot be contained between these four walls or behind the closed church doors.

Somehow or another, the Word gets out!

II. The Water

Another thing of interest is the progression of the depth of the water.

The further it went away from the temple, the deeper it got!

This is just the exact opposite of what happens with most of our churches today!

It seems that with us, the farther the word goes away from the church, the swallower it gets!

The word is deep on Sunday morning!

But, the farther we get away from the church, the farther we get from Sunday morning, the less we speak and hear God’s word!

III. Shallow Walking

Perhaps they have only gone into the water to ankle depth.

Ezekiel 47:3 “And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.”

The ankle is a basic and quite necessary bone in the body.

It supports the body’s weight and enables us to stand on our feet.

You couldn’t stand up without your ankle!

Being ankle-deep in the water is a picture of foundational religion.

It is basic and elementary!

We need to have a good, basic, solid foundation for our faith!

But ankle-deep is too swallow, it’s too superficial!

We need to wade a little deeper in the water; for being born again is not the end of the journey, it’s just the beginning of the journey!

It’s essential, but it’s basic and elementary, it’s too shallow, you need to grow in knowledge and in faith!

We need to wade a little deeper in the water!

IV. Going A Little Deeper

Ezekiel 47:4 “Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.”

Some have suggested that knee-deep is a picture of prayer.

If we are to go on to maturity as a Christian, it is essential that we have an effective prayer-life!

We need to spend some time alone with the Lord in prayer!

We can’t make it unless we pray!

Others have suggested that knee-deep is a picture of tradition.

It’s something that they do without much thought as to the reason why they do it!

There’s nothing wrong with tradition as long as tradition doesn’t entrap one in the past and stifle growth and progress!

There are too many in churches that are just knee deep!

They come because they have always come!

These people are comfortable in staying right where they are.

They are locked into traditions.

Knee-deep, though better than ankle-deep, is still not enough!

You need to wade a little deeper in the water!

V. Half Way

Ezekiel 47:4 “Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.”

Waist-deep is the half-way point; you’re half-way in, but you’re also half-way out!

Some people have a half-way religion!

They’re just like the Jews of Elijah’s day; halting between two opinions!

Half-way or loin-deep religion desires to have a partnership with God and still remain part of this world.

These are the ones who get up and testify saying, “I’m so glad the Lord is a part of my life!”

But God has no desire to be just a part of our lives!

This is not a partnership!

We’re not on an equal footing with God!

He doesn’t have to consult with us before he does anything!

He doesn’t want to just ride along with us!

The Christian life is not about a partnership; it’s about discipleship!

Jesus said; “Follow Me!”

Waist deep is still not deep enough!

If we’re going to go deeper with God; if we’re going to wade in the water; then, the Lord has to lead!