THE RIVER FROM THE TEMPLE | Pastor Aaron Graham

In Advent, I invited us into Ezekiel’s vision of a river flowing from the temple—water that begins as a trickle under the threshold by the altar, then moves east into the wilderness and the Dead Sea. We paid attention to where the water starts and where it’s headed: from God’s presence, past the place of sacrifice, out toward the most desolate and “dead” places. That’s not water meant to be hoarded inside sacred walls; it’s living water meant to move through us for the sake of the world. God cares about the details—what we let in and what we send out—because a space once sanctified can be compromised again. So we guard the entrances and exits of our hearts, homes, marriages, and church.

Ezekiel sees the river deepen—ankle, knee, waist—until it’s too deep to cross. Amazingly, it grows without tributaries. Its strength is its source. It descends from Jerusalem’s height all the way down to the lowest place on earth, the Dead Sea, bringing life where life cannot survive. The miracle is not only that deserts bloom and fishermen spread their nets where no fish could live, but that the very composition of the water changes: salty becomes fresh; death yields to life.

Scripture’s story converges here: the garden’s rivers, the psalmist’s glad stream, Revelation’s river of life, and Jesus’ promise that rivers of living water will flow from those who believe. The question becomes personal: Where are the dead seas in us—prayer gone cold, hunger for the Word dulled, conscience numbed, appetites ruling, obedience delayed? Some of us are experiencing a good exhaustion from pouring ourselves out in Christ’s service, yet easily restored by Sabbath and worship. Others carry a bad exhaustion—worthy callings but an empty reservoir. The invitation is to repent of drinking from the wrong wells and reconnect to the Source who never runs dry.

From the altar in the vision to the river from Calvary, grace begins as a trickle and becomes a flood of redemption. Where this river flows, everything lives. This is our hope and our calling in this Restore season: to be a people so connected to Jesus that life flows through us into the lowest places of our city and world.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. The source determines the power The river grows because of where it starts—under the threshold by the altar, from God’s own presence. Our effectiveness doesn’t come from more tributaries but deeper connection to the Source. When our lives are aligned at the altar, living water moves outward through us to others. [11:22]
• 2. Guard the entrances and exits A sanctified space can be compromised again if we’re careless about what enters and what leaves. Attend to the gates of your heart, your home, your marriage, and our church. Holiness requires vigilance, not paranoia; it’s the daily stewardship of influence and affection. [08:09]
• 3. Life flows to the lowest places God sends the river downhill to the wilderness and Dead Sea—the places everyone else avoids. The gospel isn’t fragile; it’s designed for impossible environments. Expect Jesus to meet you—and use you—where things feel most barren, stuck, or beyond repair. [21:11]
• 4. Depth increases as you venture out Ankle-deep feels safe, but your trust matures in knee-, waist-deep, and finally in water too deep to control. God often grows us by leading us beyond our competence and comfort. Step in, step further, and let the current of His Spirit carry you. [02:14]
• 5. Stop drinking from wrong wells Good intentions can’t sustain a soul cut off from the Source. Repent of identities built on work, applause, or productivity, and receive the living water Jesus gives. Trade bad exhaustion for replenishment that comes from abiding and obedience. [29:13]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:14] - River vision: ankle to swim
• [04:54] - God’s seriousness about sin
• [08:09] - Guarding entrances and exits
• [11:22] - Source under the temple
• [14:37] - Flow toward desert and Dead Sea
• [18:06] - Salt water becomes fresh
• [21:11] - Dead Sea miracle explained
• [24:31] - River through Scripture to Jesus
• [27:51] - Repentance: wrong wells and idols
• [29:13] - Good vs bad exhaustion
• [31:34] - Invitation and communion prayer

Bible reading
Ezekiel 47:1–12 (ESV)

1 Then he brought me back to the door of the house, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the house toward the east (for the house faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the house, south of the altar.
2 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; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side.
3 Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the water, and it was ankle-deep.
4 Again he measured one thousand cubits, and brought me through the water, and it was ankle-deep to the knees.
5 Again he measured one thousand cubits, and brought me through the water, and it was ankle-deep to the loins.
6 Again he measured one thousand cubits, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through.
7 And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and caused me to return to the bank of the river.
8 As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other.
9 And he said to me, “This water flows into the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh.
10 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 may become fresh; and everything will live where the river goes.
11 Fishermen will stand beside it from En-gedi to En-eglaim; they will be places for spreading nets. Their fish will be of the same kind as the fish of the Great Sea, a huge multitude.
12 And along the banks of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

Observation questions (3–4)

1. Where does the river begin, and what is significant about that location in the sanctuary layout? (read vv. 1–2)
2. The vision records a clear progression of depth—ankle, knee, waist, then too deep to cross. What do those steps emphasize about the river’s character? [02:14]
3. What two surprising things happen when the river reaches the desert and the Dead Sea (vv. 9–10)? How does that contrast with the name “Dead Sea”? [18:06]
4. The text warns to “give attention to the entrance to the temple and to the exits of the sanctuary” (Ezekiel 43 / sermon emphasis). What examples of “entrances and exits” in daily life did the sermon highlight? [08:09]

Interpretation questions (3–4)

1. How should the community interpret the river’s origin under the threshold by the altar: does it change how ministry and personal devotion are rooted and prioritized? [11:22]
2. How does the fact that the river grows without tributaries affect the understanding of spiritual growth coming from dependence on God rather than increased activity or added resources? [11:22]
3. In what ways does the miracle of salty water becoming fresh (and deserts producing fruit) shape an understanding of the gospel’s mission toward the “lowest” or most hopeless places? [21:11]
4. What distinctions can be drawn between “good exhaustion” (drained in faithful service but replenished) and “bad exhaustion” (emptied because one has been drinking from the wrong wells)? How would each condition show up in a person’s habits and decisions? [31:34]

Application questions (4–7)

1. The source determines the power: what specific practices will you adopt this week to ensure your life is fed from the sanctuary-source (prayer, Sabbath, Scripture, worship) rather than from self-driven reserves? [11:22]
2. Guard the entrances and exits: what is one boundary you need to set or one habit you need to change to protect what you let into and out of your heart, home, marriage, or ministry? Name a practical step and a timeline. [08:09]
3. Life flows to the lowest places: which “dead sea” in your life or neighborhood feels most impossible right now (a stalled relationship, a lost hope, a spiritual numbness)? How might you let God use you—personally or with your small group—to bring living water there? [21:11]
4. Depth increases as you venture out: identify one area where you feel safe at “ankle-deep.” What would stepping to the next level of trust look like for you over the next month? [02:14]
5. Stop drinking from wrong wells: what idol (identity in work, approval, productivity, comfort) do you need to confess and turn from so that Jesus becomes the well you drink from? What concrete confession or action will you take this week? [29:13]
6. Distinguish your exhaustion: are you experiencing good exhaustion or bad exhaustion right now? Describe one Sabbath, worship, or spiritual practice you will try to receive replenishment if you’re in the good kind, or one support and one restoration step you will pursue if you’re in the bad kind. [31:34]
7. The river changes composition and brings healing (leaves for healing, fruit monthly): how can your small group be a conduit of healing for others (prayer, practical care, consistent presence) in the coming month? Name one person or place your group will commit to pray for and bless. [18:06]

Use these passages and questions to pray together, read Ezekiel 47 aloud, and listen for where God is inviting you to draw deeper from the Source and to step into the places that feel most dead — trusting the river to bring life.