Flowing Blessings: Sharing Living Water with Others
Summary
The sermon begins with the speaker encouraging the congregation to share their blessings with others. The speaker then reads from the Gospel, explaining the context of the Pharisees and chief priests sending the Temple Police to arrest Jesus. Jesus tells them that he will be with them for a little while longer before going to the one who sent him. The Jews question where Jesus intends to go and what he means by saying they will search for him but not find him. On the last day of the festival, Jesus cries out for anyone who is thirsty to come to him and drink, promising that out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of Living Water. The speaker emphasizes the symbolism of Living Water throughout the Bible and how it represents the blessings and faith that flow through Jesus.
The speaker reflects on how God formed humanity and created a church and community of faith. Despite the challenges and dryness of the world, God promises to pour out water on the thirsty land and provide living water, which represents the blessings and presence of Christ. The blessings of God are seen in various forms, including creation, relationships, and families. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about a book called "Limitless" by Jim Quick, where Quick's early life experiences shaped the person he is today. The sermon highlights the importance of seeking God's blessings even in difficult times.
The speaker discusses how blessings can flow out from individuals, even in the midst of struggles. They mention a person named Jim Quick who wrote a book on learning despite difficulties with reading and memory, which has changed lives. The speaker acknowledges that they do not know if Jim Quick is a Christian, but emphasizes that God can use anyone to be a blessing to others. They highlight the idea that blessings can come out of rough times and that God's presence can be felt even in moments of tragedy. The speaker encourages the congregation to accept the Holy Spirit into their lives and allow the living water to flow out as they continue their journey.
The speaker emphasizes the concept of being a blessing to others. They explain that when we receive blessings, such as the "Waters of Life," it is important to share those blessings with the world around us. The speaker encourages the audience to reflect on how they can be a blessing to others and allow the "Living Waters" to flow through them into the lives of those they encounter. They highlight that being a blessing is not limited to financial contributions, but can also be expressed through acts of kindness, using one's talents, and investing time in the community.
Key Takeaways:
- The speaker emphasizes the symbolism of Living Water throughout the Bible and how it represents the blessings and faith that flow through Jesus. This is a reminder that God's blessings are abundant and available to all who believe in Him. [49:33]
- Despite the challenges and dryness of the world, God promises to pour out water on the thirsty land and provide living water, which represents the blessings and presence of Christ. This is a powerful reminder of God's promise to provide for His people, even in times of difficulty. [19:44]
- The speaker highlights the idea that blessings can come out of rough times and that God's presence can be felt even in moments of tragedy. This is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of seeking God's blessings even in difficult times. [49:33]
- The speaker emphasizes the concept of being a blessing to others. They explain that when we receive blessings, such as the "Waters of Life," it is important to share those blessings with the world around us. This is a call to action for believers to not only receive God's blessings but also to be a conduit of those blessings to others. [32:54]
- The speaker shares a personal story about a boy who suffered a traumatic brain injury and faced difficulties with learning and reading as a result. Despite these challenges, the boy went on to write a book and pursue his dreams. This story serves as a powerful reminder that with determination and faith, one can overcome any obstacle. #!!23:06!!#
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 7:32-39 (NRSV)
> "The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering such things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent temple police to arrest him. Jesus then said, 'I will be with you a little while longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. You will search for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.' The Jews said to one another, 'Where does this man intend to go that we will not find him? Does he intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? What does he mean by saying, "You will search for me and you will not find me" and "Where I am, you cannot come"?' On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, "Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water."' Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified."
2. Isaiah 44:3 (NRSV)
> "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring."
#### Observation Questions
1. What did Jesus mean when he said, "I will be with you a little while longer, and then I am going to him who sent me"? [16:54]
2. How did the Jews react to Jesus' statement about going to a place where they could not find him? [16:54]
3. What invitation did Jesus extend on the last day of the festival, and what promise did he make to those who believe in him? [17:31]
4. According to the sermon, what does the "Living Water" symbolize throughout the Bible? [18:16]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What might Jesus' statement about "Living Water" suggest about the nature of the blessings and faith that flow through him? [17:31]
2. How does the promise in Isaiah 44:3 relate to the concept of "Living Water" that Jesus speaks about? [19:44]
3. In what ways can the story of Jim Quick, as shared in the sermon, illustrate the idea that blessings can come out of rough times? [23:06]
4. How does the speaker's emphasis on sharing blessings align with the biblical concept of "Living Water" flowing out from believers? [32:54]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually dry. How did you seek God's "Living Water" during that period? [19:44]
2. The speaker mentioned that blessings can come out of rough times. Can you think of a personal experience where a difficult situation led to unexpected blessings? How did you see God's presence in that moment? [27:21]
3. Jesus invites those who are thirsty to come to him and drink. What are some practical ways you can seek Jesus' "Living Water" in your daily life? [17:31]
4. The sermon encourages us to be a blessing to others. Identify one specific way you can share your blessings with someone in your community this week. [32:54]
5. The speaker shared a story about a woman who found a new way to give glory to God when she could no longer sing. Is there something you used to do to serve God that you can no longer do? How might you find a new way to serve and bless others? [30:10]
6. Think about the talents and resources you have. How can you use them to let the "Living Water" flow through you to bless others? [36:15]
7. The sermon highlighted the importance of seeking God's blessings even in difficult times. How can you cultivate a mindset of looking for God's blessings in your current challenges? [49:33]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Abundance of God's Blessings
God's blessings are abundant and available to all who believe in Him. These blessings are symbolized by the Living Water that flows through Jesus, a reminder of the faith and blessings that are available to us. [49:33]
Isaiah 44:3 - "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants."
Reflection: Reflect on the blessings you have received recently. How can you acknowledge these as the Living Water flowing through your life?
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Day 2: Trusting God's Provision in Difficult Times
Despite the challenges and dryness of the world, God promises to pour out water on the thirsty land and provide living water, which represents the blessings and presence of Christ. This is a powerful reminder of God's promise to provide for His people, even in times of difficulty. [19:44]
Isaiah 58:11 - "The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."
Reflection: What are some challenges you are currently facing? How can you trust in God's provision during these times?
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Day 3: Finding Blessings in Rough Times
Blessings can come out of rough times and God's presence can be felt even in moments of tragedy. This is a testament to the power of faith and the importance of seeking God's blessings even in difficult times. [49:33]
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent difficult situation. How can you find God's blessings and presence in this situation?
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Day 4: Being a Conduit of God's Blessings
When we receive blessings, such as the "Waters of Life," it is important to share those blessings with the world around us. This is a call to action for believers to not only receive God's blessings but also to be a conduit of those blessings to others. [32:54]
1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
Reflection: What are some blessings you have received recently? How can you share these blessings with others in your life?
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Day 5: Overcoming Obstacles with Determination and Faith
Despite facing a traumatic brain injury and difficulties with learning and reading, a boy went on to write a book and pursue his dreams. This story serves as a powerful reminder that with determination and faith, one can overcome any obstacle. [23:06]
James 1:12 - "Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Reflection: What is an obstacle you are currently facing? How can you use determination and faith to overcome this obstacle?
Quotes
1. "I do not know if Jim quick is a Christian but I do know that God uses all sorts of people doesn't matter God's going to use you that's what God does God says I will bless you and you will be a blessing to others most of us know people that we could say went through a really rough time and yet out of that somehow there came a blessing don't know where it came from or how it came from but we know that somehow God was present in that moment." [27:21]
2. "God at the very beginning created Waters because they're important to life the rain is necessary for this world to exist God created water and then Jesus took that and reminded us of that water that living water that God created at the beginning of time that same water is the water of faith that lives and grows in him and flows out from him to the people who were around the cross to the people who shared the story to the people who continued On Through Life Sharing again and again the presence of Jesus in the midst of the struggles and in the midst of the joys." [28:12]
3. "Don't Fear don't be afraid no matter what you face I've chosen you and I will pour out water on the Thirsty land streams on dry ground don't you feel sometimes like our world of Faith these days is a little dry a little desert-like God says I will pour out water on the Thirsty land what is that water that water was the Living Water that Christ offered that water is the reminder for all of us that we are filled with living water" ([19:44])
4. "I'll pour out my spirit upon your descendants that's the Living Water my blessings upon your Offspring that's why we're here is because God's blessings were poured out on to the people and through them it flowed into other lives so when we think about blessings of God what do you think about as a blessing from God God anybody everything we think about things like that often we think about creation as a blessing right we think about relationships as a blessing we think about families as a blessing sometimes our blessings are a little more difficult to see in the beginning in the early times" ([20:30])
5. "Today I invite you to go home and think about how is it that I can be a blessing, how can I take the Waters of Life The Living Waters that have flown flowing into me or and share them so that they flow out into all the world to those people that I know and those that I don't." [32:54]
6. "We are blessings and part of the blessings that we have are gifts that God has given us...you are invited to be a part of the blessing that God is Flowing out the living blessing living water." [35:32]
7. "He's probably written more than one but I know he wrote a book because I've got it when he was a little bit older somebody said something to him friend of a another kid at school well I should say another adult at school because this was I think college age if I'm remembering properly father of a of one of his friends told him why what do you want to do and why do you want to do it because the only thing that's keeping you from doing it is about this far apart you're that close to accomplishing everything you want to do." [24:36]
8. "So what you need to do is figure out how can you do what you want to do, how can you do what you think God wants you to do is would be what I'd say." [25:16]
9. "She said that was you and I went okay her Shaws are fantastic by the way they're beautiful the blessing that she used to be and share because we all know what a blessing music is right the blessing that she used to share through music she now shares through the Shaws that she makes and gives away." [31:29]
10. "Maybe you're one of those people who can't do what you used to think God gave glory to God but God has promised you that whenever you accept Christ whenever you accept the holy spirit that the Living" [32:08]
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