ABIDING IN THE RIVER OF HIS FULLNESS

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1 ABIDING IN THE RIVER OF HIS FULLNESS John 4:5-14; John 7:37-39 True spiritual power of the Christian order is a kind of possessedness. It arises in and flows through a life hid with Christ in God. Its source is the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the potency of the Holy Spirit. ~ Samuel M. Shoemaker Have you ever encountered someone who is genuinely enthusiastic? I am not talking about whooping it up or a temporary frenzy like we experience at the football stadium, I mean a person who has a genuine and sustained spirit of enthusiasm for life. The word enthusiasm is derived from a Greek word entheos which means God in them. The idea of the word enthusiasm historically has to do with a person being so full of God that behavior is dominated by Him in a Holy sense. In short, enthusiasm makes a person dynamically and vibrantly alive with a resource from beyond the realm of the natural. Here is a kingdom principle: There is nothing more essential in the life of a believer than being filled and staying full of the Holy Spirit. It is vital if we are to become fully empowered witnesses and ambassadors for the Lord Jesus Christ. Why? Because since the day of Pentecost until the day of Jesus return, the great commission given to the Church to be endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49), do business till I (Jesus) come (Luke 19:13), and go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15) has not been modified or rescinded. Worldwide evangelism is a pretty overwhelming task, wouldn t you agree? It s a mission possible only through the empowerment with a resource from beyond the realm of the natural. Let s face it, our own enthusiasm will not suffice, it will only be accomplished as believers are baptized with the Holy Spirit and abide continually in His love and power. As children of God, we are called to answer an invitation given to us that is fully consistent with all our Savior has said, and all the Early Church experienced. Jesus is calling us to abandon ourselves to the Holy Spirit to yield ourselves to His fullness, to open ourselves to the worship that He enables, to utilize the prayer resources He supplies, to exalt our Lord Jesus Christ, and minister the same works He has done. Title Slide & Read John 7:37-39 The event our text occurred during the celebration of Sukkot (The Season of our Joy), or the feast of Tabernacles, which took place about six months before the crucifixion of Jesus. It was an annual feast celebrating the harvest and also commemorating the Israelites journey through the wilderness and entrance into the Promised Land. It was the last feast day of the year, and distinguished by many remarkable ceremonies. 1

2 One of these was the great water-pouring ceremony in which Israel celebrated God s supernatural provision of water from the rock in the desert. (Exodus 17 where the rock gushed forth, a mighty river.) Rabbinical writers tell us that The character of this feast [was] joyous and loud [with] jubilation, particularly at the moment the priest brought forth, golden vessels and huge urns filled with water taken from the stream of Siloah, which flowed under the temple mountain, and poured it upon the altar and down the temple steps. As the words of Isaiah 12 were sung: Isaiah 12:2 3 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: For the Lord JEHO- VAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. It was a very dramatic moment as the water splashed over the altar and cascaded down the temple steps and the multitudes of Jewish people lifted up their voices in high praises to God. The ancient writers go on to say; So ecstatic was the joy with which this ceremony was performed accompanied with sound of trumpets that it used to be said, Whoever had not witnessed it had never seen rejoicing at all. 1 It was on this last day of the feast, the climax to a week long celebration that Jesus rose and shouted before this rejoicing multitude He who believes in Me, as the scriptures has said, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water. His proclamation was a call, an invitation to Holy Spirit fullness, a prophetic declaration of all that the Spirit would do and release within us and through us. I believe the growing darkness of the times in which we are now living demand every one of us open ourselves up to a greater infilling with the Holy Spirit and His power. And I know that empowerment and refreshing are exactly what the Lord desires for each of us to have. Jesus said there would be rivers of living water, not a single stream but a powerful torrent of many rivers. He was pointing far beyond an initial experience in the Holy Spirit, beyond being baptized in the Spirit to a lifestyle bathed in Spirit fullness to point of overflowing. A life of spirit filled enthusiasm, totally immersed in and controlled by the Lord Jesus. So what are these rivers of living water, the streams of refreshment and fullness that the Lord wants to release in us? Remember, this was not a little trickle but a mighty flood, rivers of living (fresh, strong, efficient, active, powerful) water. I. A RIVER OF WORSHIP AND PRAISE A. When the priests poured out the water on the last day of the feast shouts of rejoicing and rivers of worship were released from the children of Israel. 1Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, A. R. Fausset et al., A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments, On spine: Critical and explanatory commentary., Jn 7:37 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997). 2

3 1. On the day of Pentecost as the followers of Christ were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit was poured out upon them it was not just senseless babble. Acts 2:6-8 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, "Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Acts 2:11 we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God." B. Peter explained their Spirit begotten language after their praises to God attracted the attention of many onlookers, by declaring that, this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. 1. And they all acknowledged that they were speaking of the wonderful works of God. C. There is something important to notice here; there is a dynamic relationship between a spirit of praise and worship and the exercise of speaking with other tongues. 1. Sadly, there is an ongoing debate within the Western church as to whether or not speaking in tongues is or is not a sign of being filled with the Holy Ghost, which is not the subject of this message. 2. What I believe is being revealed to us here is that speaking in tongues as the language of praise is a dynamic privilege available to all who would be filled with the Holy Spirit. D. The scripture teaches the distinct flow of Holy Spirit-enabled prayer is a means of edification for the believing Christian. 1 Corinthians 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 1. God s word says that as we pray in the Spirit in our private times of devotion before the throne of God that we are being edified and is built up, reconstructed as by a builder, the master builder of the universe. 2. The employment of this precious resource deserves to be practiced and commended, for in a world that continually tears us down we need all the edification we can get! Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, II. RIVERS OF WITNESS John 15:26-27 "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. John 16:14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." 3

4 A. A fresh infilling of God s spirit always brings with it a vibrant readiness within the heart of the believer to joyously share their love and faith in Jesus. 1. There is nothing more wonderful than the zeal and excitement of a newly saved and there is no love as precious, more fervent than first love! B. When the heart is filled with God there will be a passion and a joy that springs forth and will not let them keep silent, 1. The prophet Jeremiah said "I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name." But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not. Jeremiah 20:9 2. Every sinner in the NT who was forgiven, every sick person who was healed and demonpossessed individual who had been set free could not be kept silent. They told everyone they could! (I just have to tell somebody) C. Throughout the ages it has been the infilling fire of the Holy Ghost that has compelled men and women to leave their families, forsake worldly comforts, and go to ends of the earth even at the cost of their lives, to share the good news of a God who loves, saves, forgives and heals! 1. Oh, that we might experience that same fire today, for in that fire is a River of witness! III. RIVERS OF MINISTRY Mark 16:17-18 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." A. The world in which we now live is dying for the need of a Savior. There are rivers of ministry, powerful gifts waiting to flow forth from the lives of Spirit-filled men and women who truly walk in obedience to God and His Word. 1. Millions are bound in torment needing deliverance that will only come as the power of the Holy Spirit is released through lives of faithful saints. B. Jesus promised those who believe on Him would be ministers of His power and grace and would do the same works that He has done. Even greater! John 14:12-13 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 1. But it will never be possible without a fresh entheos, a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit C. The Holy Spirit wants to give us more and more of the Father s goodness and blessings, and the fresh infilling will rekindle our availability to His gifts. 1. God has called us to be conduits, channels of blessing through which all the abundance of divine mercy and love can flow through to a lost and hurting world. 4

5 IV. RIVERS OF INTERCESSION AND PRAYER Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. A. If we are only able to pray with our human understanding, it is inevitable that we will quickly falter when faced with the dilemma of man s moral condition, even here in our little town. 1. Marriages are failing, children are abused and abandoned, and sexual perversion, violence and greed are so common place that we hardly even notice. 2. Immorality, infidelity and unbridled lust are flaunted in every venue of public life and the sad result is that the very fabric of our American way of life is fraying from the inside out. B. The Holy Spirit wants to advance you and I into powerful spiritual warfare, and in this kind of prayer and we must have His help if we are to prevail! Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. C. We will certainly encounter seasons and situations in our own lives and the lives of others over which we will not know how to pray, but His fresh flowing presence will assist us. And there is victory for us to enjoy if we will believe and receive! V. A RIVER OF FRUITFULNESS Revelation 22:1-2 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. A. The presence of a river always increases fruitfulness and crop yields in the agricultural community. In the natural realm, water brings life and in the spiritual realm it is no different. 1. When a people come into the river of God s fullness there are visible evidences of life. 2. The beauty of God s grace in people is that they bear the peaceable fruit of righteousness and holiness that is evident to all. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 3. In the fruit of their character and their conduct there is an aroma of Jesus that fills all that they do and say. B. The world can offer us many things attempting to satisfy the deep need of our hearts but it can never give true the joy and peace that flows from the heart of the redeemed soul set free by the blood of the lamb. 5

6 1. In the river of His presence there is fruitfulness and plenty, and through the lives of those redeemed, Jesus will bring healing to the nations. John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain VI. RIVERS OF REVELATION Ephesians 1:15-17 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, A. The Apostle Paul was praying for these early believers to receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Jesus) through the work of the Holy Spirit within their hearts. 1. A refreshing and renewal in the Holy Spirit always bring fresh vision and insight of the purpose of God in our lives. B. Just as our glasses get dirty in the natural and lens of a camera needs frequent cleaning to insure the sharpest image is captured 1. So we need to be renewed and refreshed in the presence of Jesus through the person of the Holy Spirit. Conclusion In closing Paul prays again for these early believers a prayer that is needful for us in this day: Ephesians 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 1. The word used for filled means: to fill up to the brim, to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally, to flood, to diffuse throughout 2 2. That is God s intent for all of us as His beloved children, to be filled to overflowing and this Spirit-fullness is emphasized as a recurring necessity throughout the NT. John 7:37-39 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart (belly, inner most being) will flow rivers of living water." We are called by God to live in the river of His Holy Spirit and if we step out of the stream of God s presence there is no resource on this planet earth can substitute for the life giving person of the Holy Ghost. Without the life-giving river of the Holy Spirit flowing through every area of our lives our Christian living is reduced to just trying to being nice boys and girls for Jesus. We might be religious but never be a threat to the dominions of darkness. 2Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English Reader, Eph 5:18 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997, c1984). 6

7 We will have a form but no power to move beyond mediocrity; a comfortable and safe existence, and there will be no release of the infinite resources from beyond the realm of the natural. There will be no enjoyment of the blessings of the kingdom of God through the person of God s Holy Spirit. But there is still a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. Psalms 46:4-5 There is a life to be lived in fullness; a life to be enjoined and empowered not through a one time experience but through an encounter and continuing relationship with a person. The person of the Holy Spirit. 7