WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.100 Well, good morning, take a copy of God's Word and join me briefly in James chapter 5. 00:00:06.099 --> 00:00:19.899 It has been our habit as a church, and for many good reasons, to preach verse by verse through a text of Scripture, and we've been in the book of James. 00:00:26.000 --> 00:00:32.240 The plan for this week was to preach James chapter 5, verses 1 through 6. 00:00:32.240 --> 00:00:49.160 And you'll note just in glancing at these first six verses that this is another one of James' indictments on those who are claiming to be followers of Jesus Christ and are living in opposition to that profession. 00:00:49.719 --> 00:00:58.200 In this text, James indicts people for hoarding, for fraud, for self-indulgence, and for murder. 00:00:58.200 --> 00:01:05.879 And for a number of reasons that I won't go into this morning, it just didn't seem like the right text for today. 00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:10.219 Reasons besides it being Palm Sunday. 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:20.040 So, I'm glad that I can, even after we've had the bulletins printed, call an audible and preach a different text. 00:01:20.040 --> 00:01:27.540 And so, that's what's going to happen this morning, and I'll combine James 5, 1 through 6, into next week's text. 00:01:27.800 --> 00:01:30.860 And yes, even on Easter, we're going to preach out of the book of James. 00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:41.880 So, now that you've seen it, and you can at least in some measure go, oh yeah, okay, for whatever reasons, this text maybe isn't the one for this morning. 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:45.320 Let's go to John chapter 7 together. 00:01:45.319 --> 00:02:03.579 Let's take some time together this morning to consider John chapter 7, verses 37 through 39. 00:02:03.799 --> 00:02:09.500 Before I read this text, I want to remind you, beloved, that this is God's word to us. 00:02:10.079 --> 00:02:13.479 It was written for his glory and our good. 00:02:13.479 --> 00:02:19.819 And so, we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and to obey its commands. 00:02:20.439 --> 00:02:23.039 John 7, beginning in verse 37. 00:02:24.379 --> 00:02:30.819 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, 00:02:31.419 --> 00:02:35.519 If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 00:02:36.319 --> 00:02:42.519 Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. 00:02:43.479 --> 00:02:54.719 Now this he said about the spirit whom those who believed in him were yet to receive, for as yet the spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. 00:02:56.000 --> 00:03:02.699 Our text this morning records one of the many times that Jesus made invitations to any who would hear him. 00:03:02.699 --> 00:03:08.439 J.C. Ryle, in his introduction to his sermon on these verses, stated, 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:09.439 Quote, 00:03:09.439 --> 00:03:19.359 The text which heads this message contains one of those mighty sayings of Christ, which deserve to be printed in letters of gold. 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:23.620 All the stars in heaven are bright and beautiful. 00:03:24.320 --> 00:03:28.900 Yet even a child can see that one star excels another in glory. 00:03:29.840 --> 00:03:32.900 All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 00:03:33.460 --> 00:03:43.240 But that heart must indeed be cold and dull, which does not feel that some verses are peculiarly rich and full. 00:03:43.240 --> 00:03:47.740 Of such verses, this text is one. 00:03:48.600 --> 00:03:49.219 End quote. 00:03:50.320 --> 00:03:58.080 If we are to understand well, and I hope we will, the richness and fullness of the invitation of Jesus in this text, 00:03:58.659 --> 00:04:01.680 we are first going to need a bit of background. 00:04:02.740 --> 00:04:09.000 So first, a bit of background is concerning the timing of Jesus' invitation. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:19.220 The setting of John chapter 7, verse 37 to 39, is in Jerusalem at the time of the Feast of Booths, also called the Feast of Tabernacles. 00:04:20.180 --> 00:04:24.519 The Feast of Booths occurred in late September, early October. 00:04:25.199 --> 00:04:33.000 And one was one of the three great feasts that all males, if they were able, were required to celebrate. 00:04:33.399 --> 00:04:34.980 Deuteronomy 16, 16. 00:04:34.980 --> 00:04:42.240 Josephus, the Jewish historian, referred to the Feast of Booths as the holiest and greatest of the feasts. 00:04:43.540 --> 00:04:53.100 J.C. Ryle adds that Jerusalem was, quote, the metropolis of Judaism and the stronghold of priests and scribes of Pharisees and Sadducees. 00:04:53.660 --> 00:04:54.160 End quote. 00:04:54.620 --> 00:04:58.980 So the religious elites are all gathered in Jerusalem for this feast. 00:04:59.640 --> 00:05:01.420 It was a massive deal. 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:11.340 The Jewish historian, Alfred Edersheim, writes that the most joyous of all festive seasons in Israel was that of the Feast of Tabernacles. 00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:18.500 It fell on a time of year when the hearts of the people would naturally be full of thankfulness, gladness and expectancy. 00:05:18.500 --> 00:05:24.660 All the crops had been long stored and now all fruits were also gathered. 00:05:25.240 --> 00:05:32.180 The vintage passed and the land only awaited the softening and refreshment of the latter range. 00:05:32.279 --> 00:05:33.740 Prepare it for a new crop. 00:05:33.740 --> 00:05:45.240 It was appropriate that when the commencement of the harvest had been consecrated by offering the first ripe sheaf of barley and the full and gathering of the corn by the two wave loaves. 00:05:45.460 --> 00:05:51.199 There should now be a harvest feast of thankfulness and of gladness unto the Lord. 00:05:51.860 --> 00:05:52.560 End quote. 00:05:52.560 --> 00:06:17.840 The observance of the Feast of Booths combined the ingathering of the labor of the field, Exodus 23, 16, the fruit of the earth, Leviticus 23, 39, the ingathering of the threshing floor and wine press, Deuteronomy 16, 13, and the dwelling in booths or tabernacles, all of which was to be a joyful celebration for Israel. 00:06:17.839 --> 00:06:30.399 The booth in scripture is not an image of privation and misery, but of protection, preservation and shelter from heat and storm. 00:06:30.859 --> 00:06:38.159 The rejoicing community included family, servants, widows, orphans, Levites and sojourners. 00:06:38.779 --> 00:06:43.899 To summarize, the Feast of Booths was a time of thanksgiving for the harvest. 00:06:44.579 --> 00:06:46.259 It was a happy time. 00:06:46.259 --> 00:06:55.819 Devout Jews lived outdoors in booths made of tree branches for seven days as a reminder of God's provision in the desert during the wilderness wanderings. 00:06:56.579 --> 00:07:05.539 Now, there were two practices that were not mentioned in scripture, but were included in the oral tradition passed on from Moses. 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:18.900 One was the special commandment of the willow in which branches were cut and brought to the temple and laid around and over the altar to make a sort of booth or tabernacle for the altar. 00:07:18.899 --> 00:07:22.579 The other was called the water libation. 00:07:23.419 --> 00:07:29.879 Each morning, there was a solemn procession from the temple mount to the pool of Salome for a pitcher of water. 00:07:29.879 --> 00:07:35.019 A priest would fill a gold pitcher with water as the people sang together. 00:07:35.019 --> 00:07:42.159 Isaiah 12, three, which says with joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 00:07:42.759 --> 00:07:48.120 The procession would return to the temple mount with trumpets blasting and great fanfare. 00:07:48.120 --> 00:07:56.759 There, the priest would pour the water into a silver basin by the altar of burnt offering each day for the first six days. 00:07:57.399 --> 00:08:06.720 On the seventh day, and this is the last day of the feast, the great day here in John chapter seven, verse 37. 00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:13.100 The water would be poured and the people would march around the altar seven times. 00:08:13.320 --> 00:08:16.880 Right. So picture that there's this huge procession, a parade, right? 00:08:16.920 --> 00:08:22.200 The city gathered, they travel, they get a basin of water, they take it, they put it in the silver basin. 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:23.600 It's a big deal. 00:08:23.660 --> 00:08:31.520 But on the last day, they then march around the altar seven times. 00:08:31.519 --> 00:08:40.559 And they did this to remember the end of Israel sojourning in the wilderness, which was concluded with the battle at Jericho. 00:08:40.699 --> 00:08:44.159 So them coming into the promised land. 00:08:45.039 --> 00:08:50.539 The participants, as they did this, were meant to be pondering three directions. 00:08:51.299 --> 00:08:53.419 They were meant to think backward. 00:08:53.419 --> 00:09:02.459 The feast looked back and reminded the people of God how he had provided water from the rock in their wilderness wanderings. 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:04.639 They were to look down. 00:09:05.339 --> 00:09:13.279 The feast looked at the present and praised God for the provision of the harvest and most likely acted as a prayer for the coming year. 00:09:14.039 --> 00:09:15.500 And they were to look forward. 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:25.779 The feast also looked toward the future and spoke prophetically of the coming days of the Messiah when God's blessing would be poured out on the nation. 00:09:26.059 --> 00:09:26.179 Right. 00:09:26.340 --> 00:09:29.360 So it is incredibly significant. 00:09:29.480 --> 00:09:33.120 This feast of booths and this last day. 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:41.139 Now, the second bit of background information concerns Jesus's reference material for his invitation. 00:09:41.139 --> 00:09:47.240 His invitation is a direct reference to the book of Isaiah, chapter 55. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:54.879 But before I show you the reference, let's consider the book of Isaiah as a whole to grasp its significance. 00:09:55.580 --> 00:10:02.840 The first 39 chapters of Isaiah are primarily about judgment due to the wickedness of the nations. 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:11.980 Though there are glimpses of hope in these first chapters, the book takes a very hopeful turn in chapter 40. 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:16.000 There's a definite shift in its voice in chapter 40. 00:10:16.899 --> 00:10:26.080 The final 26 chapters are full of promises of salvation, which are centered on someone called the servant. 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:30.160 We see this again and again and again in those last 26 chapters. 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:35.939 In chapter 52, we find out that the servant is God. 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:41.779 He's described as, quote, raised and lifted up in verse 13 of chapter 52. 00:10:42.419 --> 00:10:48.919 The same phrase in Hebrew that Isaiah uses to describe God in chapter 6 and verse 1. 00:10:50.299 --> 00:10:59.199 In chapter 53, we find out that the servant will bring salvation by hanging on a tree, suffering and dying in the place of sinners. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:08.819 In chapter 54, we find out that the death and resurrection of the servant allows God to offer us an eternal covenant of peace. 00:11:09.100 --> 00:11:13.100 And we can live free from fear of judgment. 00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:27.320 So with all of this in mind, when you come to chapter 55 of Isaiah, this is where all of these Jewish listeners would have been in their mind as they're doing this procession and marching around. 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:29.540 It should be understood. 00:11:29.879 --> 00:11:37.100 God will send his servant, who is God, to save his people from the judgment of God. 00:11:37.100 --> 00:11:42.200 And the first half of Isaiah 55 and verse 1 says this. 00:11:43.259 --> 00:11:47.320 Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. 00:11:48.259 --> 00:11:53.680 Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. 00:11:53.679 --> 00:12:01.359 So in the middle of all of this that's going on, this is where Jesus stands up and he cries out. 00:12:01.839 --> 00:12:08.019 If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:18.399 So remembering all that I've said about the Feast of Booths, Jesus makes this invitation on the last day of the feast, the great day. 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:20.100 And he cries out. 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:24.399 And the Greek for this word means literally yelled. 00:12:25.100 --> 00:12:26.019 He got everyone. 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:32.120 He interrupted what was going on and yells out this invitation. 00:12:32.120 --> 00:12:40.320 And if you continue to read on in chapter 7, you will find that his invitation causes controversy amongst the people. 00:12:40.560 --> 00:12:40.700 Right. 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:41.799 They heard him. 00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:43.120 He yelled it out. 00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:47.820 And I would like to suggest to you something beyond our text. 00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:53.080 I think it's reasonable, though, that it's happening in the temple. 00:12:53.080 --> 00:13:03.340 Perhaps as the crowd was silent and the priest was pouring the water into a silver basin by the altar of burnt offering. 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:11.440 This is where certainly the one who had a right to interrupt what was going on likely interrupted. 00:13:11.660 --> 00:13:13.980 And this is extremely striking. 00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:18.940 Everything that's going on, the imagery that's happening, where these people's minds would have been. 00:13:18.940 --> 00:13:25.920 And this is not the first time that Jesus has used water to speak of having life in him. 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:31.240 In John chapter 4, as Jesus meets at the well with the Samaritan, he speaks of living water. 00:13:31.960 --> 00:13:39.480 And later in verse 13 and 14, he says to her, everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again. 00:13:39.800 --> 00:13:40.860 Speaking of the well. 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:45.180 But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. 00:13:45.179 --> 00:13:51.419 The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. 00:13:52.319 --> 00:13:58.379 And in John chapter 6, verse 35, Jesus says to them, I am the bread of life. 00:13:59.219 --> 00:14:01.120 Whoever comes to me shall not hunger. 00:14:01.239 --> 00:14:05.719 And whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 00:14:05.720 --> 00:14:11.700 So he's spoken of salvation, life in him in terms of water before. 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:14.960 But this is the most striking. 00:14:15.860 --> 00:14:22.540 I hope that you will see, that you will hear the beauty of this invitation this morning. 00:14:23.220 --> 00:14:29.399 Perhaps Jesus' cry in the temple is a cry to you as well. 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:39.799 It's an invitation to the thirsty to come to him and to drink, to be satisfied in him. 00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:45.620 I'd like to make just two observations further about this text. 00:14:46.679 --> 00:14:52.220 Number one, our souls thirst. 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:52.320 Thirst. 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:58.740 Whether we recognize it or not, our souls are thirsty. 00:15:00.060 --> 00:15:01.300 Thirst is a craving. 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:03.600 It's a conscious craving. 00:15:03.860 --> 00:15:04.740 It's not subconscious. 00:15:04.920 --> 00:15:07.379 You know when you're thirsty. 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:15.139 And I don't know how often we really thirst in an age where you can turn on a tap and get limitless, purified water. 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:22.059 But consider the thirst of people who lived in a place where water was a scarce commodity. 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:25.519 Very difficult to come about. 00:15:26.559 --> 00:15:30.199 This is such a fitting analogy for Jesus' audience. 00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:34.679 Can you remember a time that you were particularly thirsty? 00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:37.179 I'm particularly thirsty right now. 00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:39.379 Waiting for a good break to take a drink of water. 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:45.240 Maybe on a very hot day or after a particularly difficult workout. 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:49.059 Thirst is something we know about. 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:51.779 It's something we're fully aware of. 00:15:51.879 --> 00:15:54.259 It is difficult to ignore. 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:56.659 It's a conscious craving. 00:15:57.659 --> 00:15:58.879 We feel it. 00:15:59.019 --> 00:16:05.179 And the more thirst increases, the more we seek out satisfaction for our thirst. 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:09.259 Now, of course, Jesus is not talking about physical thirst. 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:12.639 He's talking about a thirsty soul. 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:15.379 A longing for deliverance. 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:17.159 A longing for hope. 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:18.419 A longing for peace. 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:20.259 A longing for forgiveness. 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:21.340 For salvation. 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:25.200 For liberation from the power of sin. 00:16:26.059 --> 00:16:30.460 He's talking about the satisfaction of our souls. 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:33.240 If you are thirsting. 00:16:33.340 --> 00:16:35.280 Anyone who is thirsting. 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:38.840 Anyone whose soul is parched. 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:41.080 That's where it all starts. 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:41.800 Life. 00:16:42.180 --> 00:16:42.759 In Christ. 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:47.980 The salvation of our souls starts with that craving. 00:16:48.940 --> 00:16:52.580 People come to Christ because their souls are thirsty. 00:16:52.580 --> 00:16:54.860 And they recognize they are thirsty. 00:16:55.080 --> 00:16:56.580 And they hear the invitation. 00:16:57.580 --> 00:16:58.960 If anyone thirsts. 00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:01.440 Let him come to me. 00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:02.820 And drink. 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.279 So. 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:07.299 Are you thirsty? 00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:08.279 This morning. 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:12.620 Are you aware that you were made by God and for him? 00:17:12.619 --> 00:17:17.539 And that you will have no soul satisfaction apart from Christ. 00:17:18.379 --> 00:17:22.439 The cry to you is to go to him and to drink. 00:17:23.879 --> 00:17:25.239 Charles Spurgeon once wrote. 00:17:25.939 --> 00:17:26.279 Drink. 00:17:27.319 --> 00:17:29.099 That is not a difficult action. 00:17:29.879 --> 00:17:31.099 Any fool can drink. 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:35.419 In fact, many are great fools because they drink too much of poisonous liquors. 00:17:36.639 --> 00:17:37.059 Drink. 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:39.779 Thou can't surely do that. 00:17:39.779 --> 00:17:44.579 Thou hast only to be as a sponge that sucks up all that comes near it. 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:50.619 Put thy mouth down and suck up all that which flows to thee in the river of Christ's love. 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:54.139 Open wide thy soul and drink in Christ. 00:17:54.460 --> 00:17:58.379 As the great northern whirlpool sucks in the sea. 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:00.180 I don't know what that is. 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.519 But I guess where they were, they were aware. 00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:03.019 The whirlpool. 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:08.019 If any man thirsts, let him receive Christ. 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:09.259 End quote. 00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:11.579 Secondly. 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:19.460 Jesus himself satisfies the thirst of our souls and does so abundantly. 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:27.259 Not only are we satisfied, we are satisfied abundantly in Christ. 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:34.099 Recall that Jesus is referencing Isaiah 55 and verse 1. 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:41.879 Let's compare the invitation of Isaiah 55 and verse 1 with Jesus' invitation in John 7, 37. 00:18:42.639 --> 00:18:44.199 Isaiah 55, 1. 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:45.859 The first half of it says, 00:18:46.439 --> 00:18:50.439 Come everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.100 And John 7, 37. 00:18:51.100 --> 00:18:53.279 And John 7, 37. 00:18:53.279 --> 00:19:00.220 The last half says, If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:05.779 Jesus declares that he is the water that will satisfy the thirsty soul. 00:19:06.160 --> 00:19:17.279 And the satisfaction that he is talking about is not a fleeting satisfaction, not a temporary satisfaction, but rather a deep, abundant satisfaction. 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:19.279 Jesus goes on in our text. 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.240 Jesus goes on in our text. 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.079 Verse 38. 00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:30.500 Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:36.119 First, let's understand that the drink of Christ is to believe in him. 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:42.460 Let me show you this from John chapter 6 and verse 35, which I read previously. 00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:44.940 There Jesus says, I'm the bread of life. 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:46.519 Whoever comes to me shall not hunger. 00:19:46.920 --> 00:19:50.240 And whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:50.500 Right? 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:55.480 To place saving faith in Jesus' person and his work. 00:19:56.099 --> 00:19:59.779 So we drink of Christ by believing in Christ. 00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:02.799 And believing in him ongoingly. 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:09.359 Believing in his person and his work again and again and again. 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:14.019 Going to him over and over and over. 00:20:15.139 --> 00:20:19.119 Believing that he is the servant of Isaiah sent by God. 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:23.779 Who is God to save his people from the judgment of God. 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:29.279 Jesus says that if we believe in him, as the scripture has said, 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:34.799 that out of our hearts will flow rivers of living water. 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:42.940 Know that Jesus' citation of the scripture here is a composite statement from texts in Isaiah. 00:20:42.940 --> 00:20:48.019 But also from Zechariah 14 and Ezekiel 47. 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:52.200 The one who wrote the book is allowed to take such liberties with it. 00:20:53.120 --> 00:20:57.580 Both texts were read on the last day of the feast of Booths. 00:20:57.779 --> 00:21:00.299 Zechariah 14 and Ezekiel 47. 00:21:00.860 --> 00:21:00.920 Right? 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:03.880 Jesus is doing something very clever here. 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:07.500 Very rich as he makes this invitation. 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:10.339 These texts were read on the last day. 00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:13.779 And the Israelites believed that at one of these times. 00:21:13.779 --> 00:21:15.960 They thought it would actually happen on this last day. 00:21:16.059 --> 00:21:17.640 When the Messiah had come. 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:20.759 The foundation of the temple would split open. 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:24.299 And water would come pouring forth from it. 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:29.740 Let me show you why they may have thought this would happen in actuality. 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:33.359 Ezekiel 47 beginning in verse 1. 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.740 This is Ezekiel's vision. 00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.259 He writes, 00:21:36.359 --> 00:21:39.480 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple. 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:45.700 And behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east. 00:21:46.099 --> 00:21:47.660 For the temple faced east. 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:53.400 The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple south of the altar. 00:21:53.400 --> 00:22:00.180 Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east. 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:04.880 And behold, the water was trickling out on the south side. 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:11.820 Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits and then led me through the water. 00:22:12.300 --> 00:22:13.660 And it was ankle deep. 00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:17.160 Again, he measured a thousand and led me through the water. 00:22:17.259 --> 00:22:18.860 And it was knee deep. 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:22.079 Again, he measured a thousand and led me through the water. 00:22:22.179 --> 00:22:23.699 And it was waist deep. 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.979 Again, he measured a thousand. 00:22:26.139 --> 00:22:30.299 And it was a river that I could not pass through for the water had risen. 00:22:30.859 --> 00:22:35.240 It was deep enough to swim in a river that could not be passed through. 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:37.479 And he said to me, 00:22:37.979 --> 00:22:39.919 Son of man, have you seen this? 00:22:40.679 --> 00:22:43.439 Then he led me back to the bank of the river. 00:22:44.379 --> 00:22:48.240 And then we can read in Zechariah chapter 14 and verse 8. 00:22:48.859 --> 00:22:52.799 On that day, living water shall flow out from Jerusalem. 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:56.879 Half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea. 00:22:57.179 --> 00:23:00.959 It shall continue in summer as in winter. 00:23:01.939 --> 00:23:06.519 So what is Jesus communicating as he brings all of this together in this invitation? 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:11.279 What is he meaning for them and for us to see? 00:23:12.439 --> 00:23:13.339 It's this. 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:17.599 He is the foundation of the temple of God. 00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:21.959 And he is the rivers that will flow from it. 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:24.099 That is incredible. 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:32.059 In a dry place, rivers bring abundant water. 00:23:33.419 --> 00:23:36.959 The trouble for the Israelites was always about finding water. 00:23:37.159 --> 00:23:38.019 You read the Old Testament. 00:23:38.179 --> 00:23:41.939 There's a constant thing going on with wells and battles over wells. 00:23:42.019 --> 00:23:44.259 And where is the water at? 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:47.000 Rivers just bring water to you. 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:48.240 It goes by. 00:23:48.639 --> 00:23:51.319 Gallons per minute flowing past. 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:55.379 This water from a river doesn't have to be drawn out of a well. 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.740 It is brought to you. 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:59.879 And all you have to do is drink. 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:06.879 And Jesus is saying that there will not be one river, but there will be rivers. 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:11.839 Jesus himself satisfies the thirst of our souls. 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:14.799 And he does so abundantly. 00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:18.359 How is it that he accomplishes this? 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:21.059 John tells us. 00:24:21.159 --> 00:24:23.779 He gives us some inspired commentary on the text. 00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:25.039 Verse 39. 00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:33.059 Now, this he said about the spirit whom those who believe in him were to receive. 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:38.399 For as yet the spirit had not been given because Jesus was not yet glorified. 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:50.440 So if we have understood the thirst of our souls and have drunk deeply of Christ, it is because we have the spirit of Christ. 00:24:50.860 --> 00:24:54.300 And he continues this great work in us. 00:24:55.300 --> 00:24:58.440 Abundantly satisfies us in him. 00:24:58.440 --> 00:25:02.160 We live beyond Jesus' earthly ministry. 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:04.600 He has now been glorified. 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:10.440 And Jesus gives to us his spirit that we would have this life in him. 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:16.140 Romans 8, which I commend to you to read at some point this week. 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:18.140 And I won't read for the sake of time. 00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:22.580 Tells us that the spirit of Christ frees us from condemnation. 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:24.440 It grants us righteousness. 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:30.720 Righteousness, it gives us life and peace and enables us to please God. 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:35.000 Regardless of the circumstances of this life. 00:25:35.539 --> 00:25:40.680 We are able to maintain because God is for us. 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:43.860 He has set his love on us. 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:47.620 If we have a spirit and have believed in Jesus. 00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:58.659 So in summary, our soul's thirst and Jesus himself is the satisfier of the thirst of our souls. 00:25:58.899 --> 00:26:01.819 He does this to great measure. 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:09.839 It's possible this morning you'll be tempted to think I cannot go to Jesus and drink because I am not worthy. 00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:16.500 And I just want you to hear that Jesus' invitation is not conditioned on your worthiness. 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:22.959 He would have never made the invitation to begin with if it was based on anybody's worthiness. 00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:29.539 His invitation is based in his ability to satisfy your soul. 00:26:29.539 --> 00:26:34.740 Listen to the rest of Isaiah 55 verse 1. 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:36.799 We've been reading the first half of it. 00:26:37.879 --> 00:26:38.839 The rest of it. 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:39.960 Come everyone who thirsts. 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:42.039 Come to the waters. 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:44.639 And he who has no money. 00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:48.240 Come buy and eat. 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:51.420 Come buy wine and milk without money. 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.700 And without price. 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:57.139 How is one who has no money to come and buy? 00:26:57.140 --> 00:26:57.220 Why? 00:26:58.400 --> 00:27:00.440 It's because we're granted grace. 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:05.140 We're given the ability to come and to drink. 00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:07.100 So come. 00:27:07.360 --> 00:27:08.200 Jesus cries out. 00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:08.640 Come. 00:27:08.780 --> 00:27:13.340 If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 00:27:13.860 --> 00:27:21.759 Whoever believes in me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:28.160 So in closing, let me ask you, have you recognized the thirst of your soul? 00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:30.740 Your soul is thirsty. 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:37.759 If so, have you gone to Christ and believed in him for the satisfaction of that thirst? 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:44.539 This is not just something for unbelievers to hear, although it is certainly that. 00:27:45.539 --> 00:27:55.740 But for those of us who have believed, if we've gone to Christ for the satisfaction of our souls, our hearts should be overflowing with rivers of living water. 00:27:56.160 --> 00:27:57.819 This should be a reality in our lives. 00:27:57.879 --> 00:28:02.539 And if it's not, we need to return to Christ. 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:06.960 We need to repent and believe afresh in him. 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:14.220 Can you give some examples of evidence of rivers of living water in your life? 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:17.740 Do you find that you're satisfied like that? 00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:20.440 It flows out of you. 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:26.319 Do you ever neglect to find your soul satisfaction in Christ? 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:34.079 What types of things do you turn to to satisfy your soul other than Christ? 00:28:34.179 --> 00:28:37.279 What temporal things might you attempt? 00:28:37.480 --> 00:28:42.839 Because you will not find the satisfaction of your soul in anything other than Christ. 00:28:42.919 --> 00:28:49.799 But what might you need to put aside that you would have rivers of living water in your life? 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:51.039 Let's pray together.