What Can God Do With Me? - January 9, 2011

This is a sermon based on the words of Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."

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Written excerpts from this message:

Introductory information regarding the Feast of Tabernacles selected from Adam Clarke and from S. D. Gordon's book, Quiet Talks on Power.

On the eighth day of the feast, a priest drew some water out of the pool of Siloam, in a golden vessel, and brought it into the temple; and at the time of the morning sacrifice, while the pieces of the animal sacrifice were on the altar, he went up and poured this water mixed with wine upon it, while the people were singing joyfully. It was probably at this part of the ceremony that Jesus spoke the words in verses 37-38 of John 7.

Imagine this dramatic pronouncement as the crowd is watching the priest. Jesus cries aloud with the words quoted above. No doubt there were many people listening to Him who had despaired of ever seeing any major intervention of God's power or a special revelation from God in their lifetime.

John provides a brief commentary on the words spoken by Jesus when he says that Jesus was speaking about the filling of the Holy Spirit.

Two questions I hope to answer in today's message regarding these words of Jesus: 1) Who is eligible to receive this filling of living water? 2) How is the filling described?

I.  Who is elibible to receive this filling?
A. Anyone who thirsts (v. 37)
B. Anyone who comes. (v. 37)
C. Anyone who believes. (v. 38)

II. How is this filling described? (outline borrowed from S.D. Gordon)
A. It is abundant in its measure.
Not a river, but... rivers!

B. It is life-giving in its nature.
Living water is exactly what Jesus offered the woman at the well, recorded in John 4. With that in mind, Jesus seems to be saying that when we are filled with the Holy Spirit, then, just like Jesus, we can offer living water to others around us who are also seeking.

C. It is out-going in its design.
S.D. Gordon says that "out of" is God's preposition, as opposed to "into," which is the world's preposition. The rivers must flow into, through and out of. The objective point is outward toward a "parched earth."
Someone said that many years ago at a conference in England a man was praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He prayed, "O Lord, we can't hold much, but we can overflow lots!"

Conclusion:
Are you thirsty for a fresh filling and overflowing of the Holy Spirit in your life?
The hymn writer has penned these words,
Hover o're me, Holy Spirit;
Bathe my trembling heart and brow;
Fill me with Thy hallowed presence.
Come, oh, come and fill me now.