Water

Water

John 7:37-38

INTRODUCTION

In October of 1807, Meriweather Lewis and William Clark had crossed over the Continental Divide, over the bitterroots of the mountains and were proceeding down the Columbia river to the Pacific Ocean. Dependent upon the river for fresh water the many of his party were becoming sick due to the murky brackish water of the turbulent Columbia river. Lewis, the great problem solver of the exhibition, gave this order, “Dip Deep Water.”

Lewis had discovered that if he dipped deep down into the mighty river fresher water could be raised and his men would be relieved from the infirmities inflicted by the brackish water.

In our spiritual lives many of our afflictions, trials and infirmities would be lessened or avoided if we would just learn the same lesson to dip Deep Water.

Too often we have settled for the scum on top. We have never plunged deep in into the fresh water that is only found deep down.

IF WE ARE TO ADVANCE IN OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS, WE MUST LEARN TO DIP DEEP WATER—FROM THE STREAMS OF LIVING WATER.

1. Dipping Deep Water means we are drinking deep of our relationship with Jesus

John 7:37-38

"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

A. Found the River

Jesus has becoming the consuming fire and passion of our lives.

B. Freed the River

The power of the river is not found behind a dam. It is only discovered when it is released.

“streams of living water will flow from within him."

My question to you is this. Has your relationship with the father grown o the point where you describe it as a stream of living water flowing out of you? Has the river been released in your life?

Which picture depicts your spiritual life? A rushing Stream or a trickle of water.

2. Dipping Deep Water means that streams of living water are being released through our relationship with others who know Jesus.

John 17:20-23

20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

This was Jesus’ will for us.

This was his prayer for us.

Living in community with other believers ultimately leads to the discovery of three things. Those three things lead to the release of the river in our lives.

A. Discovered the comfort of community

21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you

Years ago, when speaker of the house Sam Rayburn heard he had terminal cancer, he shocked everyone when he announced he was going back to his small town in Bonham, Texas. People said to him: "They have got the finest facilities in Washington, D. C. Why go back to that little town?"

Rayburn's response speaks to the priceless importance of community. He said, "Because in Bonham, Texas, they know if you're sick, and they care when you die."

The comfort of community is that we are to be developing relationships with others who are a part of the River of Life who become sources of comfort and encouragement in our lives when we are struggling.

Have you developed a caring support network of other believers in your life? If not, you will never be successful.

B. Discovered the Challenge of Community

21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you

Living in community makes us accountable to each other so that ultimately we validate the message of Christ.

Validate what’s right, challenge what’s wrong.

Seniors have things to learn from the freedom of new believers. New believers have something to learn form the conservatism if Seniors.

Is There Cream Cheese on My Mustache?

As I sat with my family at a local breakfast establishment, I noticed a finely dressed man at an adjacent table. His Armani suit and stiffly pressed shirt coordinated perfectly with a "power" tie. His wing-tipped shoes sparkled from a recent shine. Every hair was in place, including his perfectly groomed mustache.

The man sat alone, eating a bagel, as he prepared for a meeting. As he reviewed the papers before him, he appeared nervous, glancing frequently at his Rolex watch. It was obvious he had an important meeting ahead.