John 7:37-39
IS IT REAL?
LIFE OF CHRIST #34
In America the greatest religious holiday of all is Christmas.
· People go out of their way to buy gifts for friends and family.
· Even at work there are often Christmas bonuses and gifts shared.
· Most people decorate in some way, putting up trees, lights, Santa Clauses and Nativity scenes.
· There is a Christmas music playing everywhere, with songs like White Christmas, The Little Drummer Boy, Jingle Bells, and Silent Night playing in homes, on the job, in the stores and on the radio.
· There are Christmas programs in schools and churches. Many Christmas Cantatas are presented and The Messiah is sure to be performed by somebody.
· There are numerous Christmas parties on jobs, in schools, in homes, and in churches.
· There are family celebrations and traditions with people traveling from all over to get to them.
· And there are church services which are better attended than most others in the year.
Christmas is widely celebrated. But is it real to everyone?
Does everyone understand and appreciate the real meaning of Christmas? Does everyone grasp with a believing heart that Christmas is the time that we celebrate the birth of the Son of God to earth, who not only came to teach us, model right living, and to show us God in the flesh, but also to give his life for the sins of everyone that ever lived?
Is Christmas real to everyone? The answer of course is “no”.
Not everyone who celebrates Christmas is a true believer in Christ.
We are continuing our study in the Life of Christ. The last time we studied we looked at the healing of a demon possessed epileptic.
Jesus returned to Galilee after that, and then it was time for a visit to Jerusalem. It was now in the fall of the year and time for one of the greatest celebrations in the Jewish religion, the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths. It was not only a celebration of the harvest, but it was also the time when Israel was called upon to remember their wilderness wanderings of 40 years between Egypt and The Promised Land.
· This was a seven or eight day festival held in Jerusalem.
· The place was mobbed with people.
· And during this festival people dwelt in temporary dwelling places, or booths. So, wherever you looked you could see these temporary structures. They even appeared on roof tops and in alleys.
· Sacrifices were offered every day in the temple.
· People wore their best clothes.
· Large candles were lit at night, reminding the people of the pillar of fire that had led them in the wilderness.
· One of the great features of the feast was a daily ritual that reminded people of times when in the wilderness, God gave water out of rock.
· Each morning multitudes would gather holding citrus fruit in their one hand. It was called an “ethrog”. This reminded them of the bounties of the land that God had blessed them with.
· “In their right hands they would carry a lulab, which was a combination of three trees – a palm tree, a willow, and a myrtle, emblematic of the stages of their ancestors’ journey through the wilderness.” R. Kent Hughes, Preaching The Word, John – That You May Believe, (Wheaton, Illinois, Crossway Books, 1999), p. 212
· The priest would lead the procession to the pool of Siloam, where he would fill a golden pitcher. The crowd would recite the words of Isaiah 12:3, Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
· Back at the temple and before the Altar, the water was poured out as an offering to God as the “Hallel”, Psalms 113-118, was sung.
· Not only was the past remembered, but it was also a prophetic look forward to the Millennial reign of Christ.
Isaiah 35:6-7 - Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. [7] And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
Joel 3:18 - And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
· According to John MacArthur, “It was also a symbolic prayer for rain.” John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, John, (Chicago, Moody Press, 2006), p. 312
The Harvest was in. It was a great celebration. But it wasn’t real to everyone.
Just like there are many who celebrate Christmas without Spiritual reality, there were many who celebrated the Feast of the Tabernacles without Spiritual reality.
Vss. 1-5 – The Jews, the religious leaders, sought to kill Jesus and his own half-brothers did not believe on Him. They lacked the Spiritual realities of the joy of God found in the Feast of Tabernacles.
Vss. 12-13 - There was much controversy over Jesus at the feast. This would have also robbed people of the joy of the festival. It would not have been real.
And think of the thousands of Jews, who outwardly showed joy but within they were clueless concerning forgiveness of sin and eternal life! Many were counting on their righteousness and obedience to the Law in order to get into Heaven.
It is in the last day of this great feast in which Jesus had been teaching that He made a wonderful statement.
Remember, that one of the great issues of the feast is water! Remember that the Jews not only suffered from physical thirst, but also from spiritual thirst. Jesus invited his listeners to experience something that is real! He offers to us today this same reality.
THERE IS A REAL INVITATION – Vs. 37
Vs. 37 – Jesus stood. Teachers usually sat.
I believe that He wanted to be seen, so people
would know who was making the offer.
The people at this feast were thirsty for the same things that people are thirsty for in our day.
They were thirsty for:
· Freedom from guilt
· Forgiveness of sin
· Peace of mind and heart
· True happiness
· A meaningful life
Jesus said to them “Come and drink.”
Why could Jesus say that?
He, as God the Son, would die for their sins and be resurrected from the dead!
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
2 Corinthians 5:21 - For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
He, as God the Son, would provide for them a meaningful, peaceful life, represented by the “springs of living water” that would come from within.
The invitation was to come and drink, or believe.
My friend God has always wanted people to come to Him in faith. This invitation is valid for you today, along with other similar invitations including:
Matthew 11:28-30 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Revelation 22:17 - And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
So how does one come to Christ by faith?
1. RECOGNIZE your own sinfulness and guilt before a righteous God, and your own inability to please God through your own works.
Romans 3:10 - As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Ezekiel 18:4 - …the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
2. REPENT of your sin by turning from it, and any way by which you thought you could make it to Heaven.
1 Thessalonians 1:9 - For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
3. RELY on Christ alone to save you!
Romans 5:1 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
4. REALIZE by faith that God has changed you!
Romans 10:9-10 - That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
This is a real invitation that you need to receive by faith!
THERE IS REAL INSPIRATION – Vs. 38-39
Vs. 38 - Think of a river that flows underground, and then suddenly gushes out for all to see. And with it comes life that blesses the vegetation and people that live around that river.
Rivers of living water do the same thing.
First they give us life from within and then they flow outward to bless others.
Vs. 39 – The reference to living water means that God, the Holy Spirit, is at home and at work in the life of the believer. The Holy Spirit has always been present, but now indwells true believers since Jesus has been glorified.
1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Romans 8:9 - But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
So, how will these living waters from the Holy Spirit affect first you and then others?
1. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL AFFECT YOUR WALK
If the Holy Spirit is at work in your life, your behavior will not be the same.
There will be immediate changes followed by more gradual changes.
Galatians 5:16 - This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. [11] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Unsaved people will see your ways and wonder what happened to you. Some people will drop you like a hot potato when they see your changed life. Others will want what you have.
2. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL AFFECT YOUR WAYS
Psalm 1:1-3 - Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. [2] But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. [3] And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
A Godly man brings forth fruit.
A Godly man is a person who is controlled by God’s Holy Spirit.
His walk is distinct.
Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
The fruit of the Spirit is:
1. A love for God and man that is so strong that an unsaved person will not understand how you can so love.
2. A joy that continues to abound even when circumstances are tough.
3. A peace that passes all understanding because it is grounded in the Spirit of the God of peace.
4. A long suffering that endures mistreatment and trying circumstances graciously.
5. A gentleness of kindness that is remarkably considerate of others at one’s own expense.
6. A goodness that shows itself in good behavior and good works.
7. A faith or faithfulness that is loyal to God and man no matter what the cost.
8. A meekness or humility that is submissive to God and man.
9. A temperance or self-control that allows God to be in control of your attitudes, words, and habits.
These qualities will begin inside of you and then flow to others. Think of the wonderful benefits you show when you display love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, faithfulness and self-control to others!
3. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL AFFECT YOUR WORDS
When the Holy Spirit controls your words, you will practice Ephesians 4:29:
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Most importantly, you will not be ashamed to witness for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Not only are your ways and works to flow as living waters outside of you, but so are your words of testimony.
Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
You should feel inspired to think of all that the Holy Spirit accomplishes in a person who is a true believer.
THERE IS A REAL INVITATION – Vs. 37
THERE IS REAL INSPIRATION – Vs. 38-39
THERE IS A REAL IMPLICATION
I see a very real and scary implication here.
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to those who believe.
The Holy Spirit will affect our way, our walk and our witness.
What if you examine your way of living and have to admit that the way you live is not God’s way?
What if you examine your walk for the fruit of the Spirit and find none?
What if you examine your words and find that you have no witness for Jesus Christ going on in your life?
2 Corinthians 3:5 - Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves…
The implication is this: If the Holy Spirit is not at work in at least some degree in your life the chances are that you are not saved.
If this is true it is time to make sure that you are saved. It is time for you to truly turn from you sin and to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and change!
RECOGNIZE
REPENT
RELY
REALIZE
My friend before it is too late, make sure that you are right with God.
There were Jews whose celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles was not real.
There are people whose celebration of Christmas is not real.
There are people who think they are Christians, but have not come to Christ. Their Christianity is not real.
IS IT REAL IN YOUR LIFE?
REAL INVITATION
REAL INSPIRATION
REAL IMPLICATION