Flowing River: Healing, Intercession, and Living Testimony

 

Summary

In this gathering, we are reminded of the powerful imagery of a river flowing with life, healing, and restoration. This river, symbolic of God's Spirit, is present among us, ready to bring transformation to every heart willing to receive it. As we open our spirits and cry out to God, we invite His healing and deliverance into our lives. The river is not just a metaphor; it is a tangible presence in this room, offering life to all who step into it. We are encouraged to let go of any resistance, to not be like stagnant marshes, but to allow the river to flow freely, bringing renewal and restoration.

This is a prophetic moment where God is releasing His Spirit into the world, a river of life that is here and now. We are called to pray in the Holy Ghost, to let the river course through us, healing everything it touches. This river is destined to impact our communities, from schools to homes, bringing restoration to broken lives. As we press into prayer, we are urged to believe for more, to push our way into the presence of God, and to witness the miraculous.

We are reminded of the urgency of the times, the shortness of the hour, and the need to intercede for lost souls. This is the year of answered prayer, a time when God is fulfilling what has been prayed for. There are souls in our city, hungry for God, and we are called to intercede on their behalf. This is the time to cry out for our loved ones, to feel the burden of the Lord, and to express it through fervent prayer.

As we worship and give thanks, we acknowledge the fruit of our labor, the investments made by those who have gone before us. We are encouraged to continue working, to see the harvest that God has promised. Our testimony is not just in our words but in our actions, in how we treat others, and in the legacy we leave behind. Let us be a people who reflect the love and grace of God in every aspect of our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. The River of Life: God's Spirit is like a river flowing with life and healing. It is present among us, ready to transform and restore. We must open our hearts and let this river flow freely, bringing renewal to every area of our lives. [01:12:01]

2. Prophetic Release: This is a prophetic moment where God is releasing His Spirit into the world. We are called to pray in the Holy Ghost, allowing the river to heal and restore everything it touches. This river will impact our communities, bringing restoration to broken lives. [01:12:41]

3. Urgency of Intercession: The time is short, and we must intercede for lost souls. This is the year of answered prayer, a time when God is fulfilling what has been prayed for. We are called to cry out for our loved ones and to feel the burden of the Lord. [01:44:49]

4. Fruit of Labor: We are witnessing the fruit of our labor, the investments made by those who have gone before us. We are encouraged to continue working, to see the harvest that God has promised. Our testimony is in our actions and the legacy we leave behind. [01:57:24]

5. Living Testimony: Our lives are a testimony to the world. We must reflect the love and grace of God in every aspect, from how we treat others to the legacy we leave. Let us be a people who embody the Spirit of God in all we do. [02:00:34]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:02:32] - Opening Worship
- [01:10:13] - The River of Life
- [01:12:01] - Healing and Restoration
- [01:12:41] - Prophetic Release
- [01:16:48] - United in Prayer
- [01:24:33] - Open Heavens
- [01:41:40] - Year of Answered Prayer
- [01:44:49] - Urgency of Intercession
- [01:47:53] - Worship and Thanksgiving
- [01:52:24] - Purpose for Children
- [01:54:32] - Call to Deeper Prayer
- [01:57:24] - Fruit of Labor
- [01:59:39] - Living Testimony
- [02:07:44] - Offering and Closing

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ezekiel 47:1-12 - This passage describes the river flowing from the temple, bringing life and healing wherever it goes, which is a central theme of the sermon.

2. John 7:38 - "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." This verse aligns with the imagery of the river of life and the Spirit's work in believers.

#### Observation Questions
1. What is the significance of the river in Ezekiel 47:1-12, and how does it relate to the sermon’s message about God's Spirit? [01:10:13]

2. How does the sermon describe the impact of the river of life on our communities and personal lives? [01:12:41]

3. What examples from the sermon illustrate the urgency of interceding for lost souls? [01:44:49]

4. How does the sermon connect the concept of the river with the idea of living a testimony through our actions? [02:00:34]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. In Ezekiel 47, the river brings life and healing. How does this imagery help us understand the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives today? [01:12:01]

2. The sermon emphasizes the urgency of intercession. What might be some reasons for this urgency, and how does it relate to the current times? [01:44:49]

3. How does the sermon suggest that the river of life can transform not just individuals but entire communities? [01:12:41]

4. The sermon speaks about the fruit of labor and legacy. How does this concept challenge us to reflect on our own contributions to God’s kingdom? [01:57:24]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt stagnant in your spiritual life. How can you invite the river of life to flow freely in those areas? [01:12:01]

2. The sermon calls for urgent intercession for lost souls. Who in your life needs prayer, and how can you commit to interceding for them this week? [01:44:49]

3. Consider the communities you are part of (e.g., school, work, neighborhood). How can you be a conduit of God’s healing and restoration in those places? [01:12:41]

4. The sermon highlights the importance of living a testimony through actions. What specific actions can you take this week to reflect God’s love and grace to others? [02:00:34]

5. Think about the legacy you are building. What steps can you take to ensure that your contributions to God’s kingdom are meaningful and lasting? [01:57:24]

6. The sermon mentions the year of answered prayer. What prayers have you been waiting to see answered, and how can you remain faithful and expectant in this season? [01:41:40]

7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to step into the river of life and experience God’s transformative power? [01:12:01]

Devotional

Day 1: The River of Life Flows Within Us
The imagery of a river flowing with life, healing, and restoration is a powerful representation of God's Spirit. This river is not just a metaphor but a tangible presence that offers transformation to every heart willing to receive it. As we open our spirits and cry out to God, we invite His healing and deliverance into our lives. The river is meant to flow freely, bringing renewal and restoration to every area of our lives. We are encouraged to let go of any resistance and not be like stagnant marshes, but to allow the river to bring life and healing. [01:12:01]

Ezekiel 47:9 (ESV): "And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes."

Reflection: What areas of your life feel stagnant or resistant to change? How can you invite God's Spirit to flow freely in those areas today?


Day 2: Embracing the Prophetic Release
This is a prophetic moment where God is releasing His Spirit into the world, a river of life that is here and now. We are called to pray in the Holy Ghost, allowing the river to heal and restore everything it touches. This river is destined to impact our communities, from schools to homes, bringing restoration to broken lives. As we press into prayer, we are urged to believe for more, to push our way into the presence of God, and to witness the miraculous. [01:12:41]

Joel 2:28-29 (ESV): "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit."

Reflection: How can you actively participate in the prophetic release of God's Spirit in your community? What specific steps can you take to be a vessel of healing and restoration?


Day 3: Urgency in Intercession for Lost Souls
The time is short, and we must intercede for lost souls. This is the year of answered prayer, a time when God is fulfilling what has been prayed for. There are souls in our city, hungry for God, and we are called to intercede on their behalf. This is the time to cry out for our loved ones, to feel the burden of the Lord, and to express it through fervent prayer. [01:44:49]

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

Reflection: Who in your life is in need of intercession? How can you dedicate time today to pray specifically for their salvation and spiritual awakening?


Day 4: Witnessing the Fruit of Our Labor
We are witnessing the fruit of our labor, the investments made by those who have gone before us. We are encouraged to continue working, to see the harvest that God has promised. Our testimony is not just in our words but in our actions, in how we treat others, and in the legacy we leave behind. Let us be a people who reflect the love and grace of God in every aspect of our lives. [01:57:24]

Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."

Reflection: What is one area where you have seen the fruit of your labor? How can you continue to invest in this area to see even greater harvests?


Day 5: Living as a Testimony of God's Love
Our lives are a testimony to the world. We must reflect the love and grace of God in every aspect, from how we treat others to the legacy we leave. Let us be a people who embody the Spirit of God in all we do. Our testimony is not just in our words but in our actions, in how we treat others, and in the legacy we leave behind. [02:00:34]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: In what ways can you be a living testimony of God's love today? How can your actions and words reflect His grace to those around you?

Quotes


The river that is issued from God out of the sanctuary is bringing life to everything it touches. And there will be great numbers of fish and there'll be places to spread nets. And there'll be trees lining both sides of the river for the healing. And meat. Nations are represented. All peoples are represented. [01:11:34] (27 seconds)


But if you're a marsh or a mud pit, a miry place, if you're a puddle, if you want to be a farm pond, if you're an island to yourself and you refuse to let the river, flow, you will be given to salt. I'm telling you, this is a prophecy. That today, God is releasing his spirit into this world. [01:12:10] (25 seconds)


We need to pray on the Holy Ghost and let that river course through this room and let everything in this room be healed. There are things in this room that need to be dealt with in the spirit, and it's far past time for you to get into the river. Let the Holy Ghost wash over you and renew and heal and restore. [01:12:51] (28 seconds)


This is the year of answered prayer. We walked in here on Tuesday night. Brother Burns gave a word at the end of the prayer meeting, Monday or Tuesday. Monday. And he gave a word. This is the year of answered prayer. Many have been praying. In the Holy Ghost, there's a place you go where a burden comes on you and you begin to intercede. [01:41:28] (20 seconds)


Thank you. Oh, the time is short. The time is short. Our time is getting shorter and shorter. Come on, pray. Pray. Intercede. This is the time. If you got lost loved ones, this is the time to intercede. If you got somebody that you love, that you want to see come to God, this is the year. [01:44:55] (23 seconds)


And so don't feel that you have to be the same expressiveness, but I do feel like I want to let you know I appreciate your faithfulness and your consistency. I told Sister Morgan the other day, Sister Morgan, you are looking at the fruit of your labor. This music team is the fruit of her labor. [01:55:20] (22 seconds)


Years of you and your wife's hours of countless hours of sacrifice pouring into babies, little children. I still see myself in the altar as you would minister under the unction of the Holy Ghost, Brother Sullivan. You're looking at the fruits of your labor. I'm telling you, nothing is wasted in the kingdom of God. [01:57:13] (23 seconds)


Come on, if anybody's looking at the fruit of the labor, it's the bishop and Mama Sharp. And their investment of prayer and sacrifice. Fasting and seeking God. And pouring into people and leaders. Developing. Loving men and women of God. Go ahead, give them a hand. Honor who honor is due. [01:58:05] (26 seconds)


Everything we do is a testimony. It's not just what you shout in this altar that makes a difference. It's what you do when nobody's looking in this place. How you treat your customer service agent. How you treat people when you return. Your product. Keep your attitude under control. Keep your spirit. [02:00:34] (18 seconds)


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Transcript
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