Embracing the Living Water: A Call to Decision

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound invitation that Jesus extends to each of us: to drink deeply of the living water He offers. This call is not just a casual suggestion but a demand for a decision. We are faced with the choice to either embrace this life-giving water or to continue in spiritual dryness. The urgency of this decision is underscored by the reality that every day we delay is a decision in itself. We must acknowledge our desperate need for Jesus, recognizing that without Him, we can do nothing. This acknowledgment requires humility, as it challenges our natural inclination to rely on our own strength and resources.

The story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19 serves as a poignant example of the cost of following Jesus. Despite his wealth, youth, and power, the young man walked away sorrowful because he was unwilling to give up the one thing that held him back. This narrative reminds us that following Jesus often requires sacrifice and a willingness to let go of what we hold dear. Yet, the reward is immeasurable, as we gain treasure in heaven and a life transformed by His presence.

We also examined the act of worship by the woman with the alabaster jar in Luke 7. Her extravagant display of love and devotion illustrates what it means to drink deeply of the living water. Her actions were a testament to the forgiveness and grace she received, and they challenge us to consider how we can express our gratitude and love for Jesus.

Finally, we are reminded that the evidence of drinking deeply from Jesus is the outflow of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are markers of a life filled with His presence. As we draw near to God, He promises to draw near to us, filling us with His Spirit and empowering us to be His witnesses in the world.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Urgency of Decision: Every day we delay in responding to Jesus' call is a decision in itself. We must acknowledge our desperate need for Him, recognizing that without Him, we can do nothing. This requires humility and a willingness to let go of self-reliance. [02:27]

2. The Cost of Following Jesus: The story of the rich young ruler illustrates that following Jesus often requires sacrifice. We must be willing to let go of what holds us back, whether it's wealth, comfort, or other attachments, to gain the immeasurable treasure of a transformed life. [11:47]

3. Extravagant Worship: The woman with the alabaster jar demonstrates what it means to drink deeply of the living water. Her act of worship challenges us to express our gratitude and love for Jesus in tangible ways, reflecting the forgiveness and grace we have received. [18:44]

4. The Evidence of the Spirit: The fruits of the Spirit are markers of a life filled with Jesus' presence. As we draw near to God, He fills us with His Spirit, empowering us to be His witnesses and to exhibit love, joy, peace, and other virtues in our daily lives. [22:55]

5. The Invitation to All: Jesus' invitation to drink of the living water is open to everyone. We are called to respond wholeheartedly, leaving behind whatever is necessary to follow Him and experience the fullness of life He offers. [16:01]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:54] - Responding to the Invitation
- [01:47] - The Call Demands a Decision
- [02:27] - Acknowledging Our Need
- [03:23] - Spiritual Hydration
- [04:33] - Desperation for God
- [08:16] - The Rich Young Ruler
- [11:12] - The Cost of Following Jesus
- [11:47] - Sacrifice and Change
- [12:36] - Love of Money
- [14:03] - Drinking Deeply
- [14:52] - Physical and Spiritual Hydration
- [16:01] - Comfort Zones and Change
- [18:16] - The Pain of Change
- [18:44] - Extravagant Worship
- [22:55] - Evidence of the Spirit

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 19:21-22
- Luke 7:36-39
- John 7:38

Observation Questions:
1. What decision did the rich young ruler face in Matthew 19, and what was his response? [08:16]
2. How did the woman with the alabaster jar demonstrate her devotion to Jesus in Luke 7? [18:44]
3. According to John 7:38, what is promised to those who believe in Jesus?
4. What does Psalm 42:1-2 illustrate about our spiritual thirst for God? [04:33]

Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the story of the rich young ruler teach about the cost of following Jesus, and how does it relate to personal sacrifices? [11:12]
2. How does the act of the woman with the alabaster jar challenge our understanding of worship and gratitude? [18:44]
3. In what ways does the promise of "rivers of living water" in John 7:38 reflect the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life?
4. How does acknowledging our need for Jesus require humility, and why is this challenging for many people? [04:33]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a personal attachment or comfort that might be holding you back from fully following Jesus. What steps can you take to let go of it? [12:36]
2. Consider how you can express your gratitude and love for Jesus in a tangible way this week, inspired by the woman with the alabaster jar. [18:44]
3. Identify an area in your life where you need to rely more on Jesus rather than your own strength. How can you practice this reliance daily? [04:33]
4. Choose one fruit of the Spirit to focus on this week. What specific action can you take to cultivate it in your interactions with others? [22:55]
5. Think about a time when you delayed responding to Jesus' call. What can you do differently to respond more promptly in the future? [02:27]
6. How can you ensure that you are regularly "drinking deeply" of the living water Jesus offers? What practices can help you stay spiritually hydrated? [14:03]
7. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt spiritually dry. How did you address it, and what can you learn from that experience to apply in the future? [03:23]

Devotional

Day 1: The Urgency of Decision
The call to drink deeply of the living water Jesus offers is not a casual suggestion but a pressing invitation that demands a decision. Each day we delay in responding to this call is a decision in itself, as it reflects our choice to remain in spiritual dryness. Recognizing our desperate need for Jesus requires humility and a willingness to let go of self-reliance. This decision challenges our natural inclination to depend on our own strength and resources, urging us to acknowledge that without Him, we can do nothing. The urgency of this decision is underscored by the reality that every moment we delay is a moment lost in experiencing the fullness of life He offers. [02:27]

Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV): "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are delaying a decision to fully trust Jesus? How can you take a step today to embrace His invitation and let go of self-reliance?


Day 2: The Cost of Following Jesus
The story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19 illustrates the cost of following Jesus. Despite his wealth, youth, and power, the young man walked away sorrowful because he was unwilling to give up the one thing that held him back. This narrative serves as a poignant reminder that following Jesus often requires sacrifice and a willingness to let go of what we hold dear. Whether it's wealth, comfort, or other attachments, we must be willing to release them to gain the immeasurable treasure of a transformed life. The reward of following Jesus is not only treasure in heaven but also a life transformed by His presence, filled with purpose and meaning. [11:47]

Luke 14:33 (ESV): "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."

Reflection: What is one thing in your life that you are holding onto that might be hindering your walk with Jesus? How can you begin to let go of it today to follow Him more closely?


Day 3: Extravagant Worship
The act of worship by the woman with the alabaster jar in Luke 7 is a powerful illustration of what it means to drink deeply of the living water. Her extravagant display of love and devotion was a testament to the forgiveness and grace she received from Jesus. Her actions challenge us to consider how we can express our gratitude and love for Jesus in tangible ways. This kind of worship is not about the cost of the gift but the heart behind it, reflecting the depth of our love and appreciation for the grace we have received. It invites us to examine our own expressions of worship and how they reflect our relationship with Jesus. [18:44]

2 Samuel 24:24 (ESV): "But the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."

Reflection: How can you express your love and gratitude for Jesus in a tangible way this week? What is one act of worship you can offer that reflects the grace you have received?


Day 4: The Evidence of the Spirit
The evidence of drinking deeply from Jesus is the outflow of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are markers of a life filled with His presence. As we draw near to God, He promises to draw near to us, filling us with His Spirit and empowering us to be His witnesses in the world. This transformation is not just for our benefit but for the benefit of those around us, as we become conduits of His love and grace. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is a testament to the transformative power of Jesus and His ability to change us from the inside out. [22:55]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you feel is most lacking in your life right now? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to cultivate this fruit in you today?


Day 5: The Invitation to All
Jesus' invitation to drink of the living water is open to everyone. This call is not limited to a select few but extends to all who are willing to respond wholeheartedly. We are called to leave behind whatever is necessary to follow Him and experience the fullness of life He offers. This invitation is a reminder of the inclusivity of Jesus' love and the transformative power of His presence. It challenges us to examine our own lives and consider what we need to leave behind to fully embrace His call. The promise of a life transformed by His presence is available to all who are willing to accept His invitation and follow Him. [16:01]

Revelation 22:17 (ESV): "The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price."

Reflection: What is one thing you need to leave behind to fully embrace Jesus' invitation to follow Him? How can you take a step today to respond to His call and experience the fullness of life He offers?

Quotes

"Those who have heard the call, and those who know that Jesus is calling us to take a drink of him, it demands a decision. We cannot sit on this. We cannot put it off. Every day that we are not drinking of Jesus, that is also a decision. Either we are deciding to drink from Jesus or we are deciding to not. That is the decision." [00:01:51] (31 seconds)


"Can you acknowledge your desperate need for Jesus? What did Jesus say? He said, without me, what? You can do nothing. How desperate are we for him? We are dependent on him for the very area of our life. We are dependent on him for the very area of our life. We are dependent on him for the very area of our life." [00:03:45] (20 seconds)


"When the pain of change is less than the pain of staying the same. Isn't it sad that that's the reality? Don't you wish that people would change just because they know they need to? But we don't. It has to get uncomfortable. And that's why God allows us to go through situations, right? That's a whole other sermon." [00:18:10] (25 seconds)


"Jesus went to a Pharisee's house. Alabaster. okay so here's the contrast jesus is at the house of a pharisee this man has invited him over for a meal while he's there a woman of ill reputation shows up but when she shows up she brings a flask of alabaster full of very fragrant and expensive oil the bible says she breaks that at his feet this um this would have had an extremely high value it was most likely a dowry or it was a inheritance that would be passed through a family generation this woman with this expensive jar of oil is anointing the feet of jesus she's breaking that jar at his feet she's weeping she's washing his feet with her hair." [00:19:17] (103 seconds)


"Let's close in prayer and get ready for our service father we're so grateful lord that this invitation is open to all all who would thirst can come to you lord that there would be people in this house today and make that decision to follow you with all of their heart lord to leave all behind lord whatever is necessary god to go all in to drink deeply of the living water and we give you glory that you supply in the same amount that we need and we give you all the praise this morning." [00:26:55] (33 seconds)


"Are you thirsty enough to drink of the living water that Jesus provides? If we're going to do that, we have to, number one, acknowledge our need. We have to understand how desperate we are. You might be well hydrated this morning. I drank a whole tank full of water, 40 ounces before I got here this morning. So I'm well hydrated. It's possible for your body to be hydrated, but for your soul to look like a skeleton." [00:02:31] (31 seconds)


"Every day that we are not drinking of Jesus, that is also a decision. Either we are deciding to drink from Jesus or we are deciding to not. That is the decision. And we know that the ratio is there will be many who do not. But the question is, have you made the decision?" [00:02:06] (25 seconds)


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Transcript
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