The River of God

Ezekiel 47:1-12 (ESV) 1 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, 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 a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. 4 Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee- deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. 5 Again he measured a thousand, 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. 6 And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river.

Introduction:

• Today lets talking about surrendering to the Lord’s work in our life.
• Learning how to get healing when it is needed the most.

1. Water flowing from below the temple of the Lord.

1.1. Thank you Lord for the water that came down from the sky Friday.

1.2. As often mentioned water accomplishes some amazing things.

1.3. When water flows life flourishes and when it ceases so does life.

1.4. In Ezekiel’s vision water was flowing from the Temple of God.

1.5.Let’s first get one explanation of the water in this vision.

1. Matthew Henry’s explanation.2.1. (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible) These waters signify the gospel of Christ, which went forth from Jerusalem, and spread into the countries about; also the gifts and powers of the Holy Ghost which accompanied it, by virtue of which is spread far, and produced blessed effects. Christ is the Temple; and he is the Door; from him the living waters flow, out of his pierced side. They are increasing waters. Observe the progress of the gospel in the world, and the process of the work of grace in the heart; attend the motions of the blessed Spirit under Divine guidance. If we search into the things of God, we find some things plain and easy to be understood, as the waters that were but to the ankles; others more difficult, which require a deeper search, as the waters to the knees, or the loins; and some quite beyond our reach, which we cannot penetrate; but must, as St. Paul did, adore the depth, Romans 11:33. It is wisdom to begin with that which is most easy, before we proceed to that which is dark and hard to be understood. The promises of the sacred word, and the privileges of believers, as shed abroad in their souls by the quickening Spirit, abound where the gospel is preached; they nourish and delight the souls of men; they never fade nor wither, nor are exhausted. Even the leaves serve as medicines to the soul: the warnings and reproofs of the word, though less pleasant than Divine consolations, tend to heal the diseases of the soul. All who believe in Christ, and are united to him by his sanctifying Spirit, will share the privileges of Israelites. There is room in the church, and in heaven, for all who seek the blessings of that new covenant of which Christ is Mediator.

3. The picture of the work of the Spirit starts out as a trickle.

Ez 47:2 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 a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep.

3.1. The progressive work of salvation meaning: we are complete and 100% saved and sanctified all in one moment when we invite Christ into our heart, yet there is a work that begins and will continue until the day we see Jesus face to face.

3.2. The progression of the flow of the Spirit’s water seems to be for our sake.

3.3. The Lord leading into His waters as the depth increases.
3.4. So the continue in our walk with Christ, walking in the Spirit.

4. The waters are getting deeper.

4.1. Led me through the water.
4.2. Ankle deep: Getting familiar with the river.
4.3. Then to knee deep: beginning to understand that you are nearing the point of giving the Lord full control.
4.4. Waist deep: realizing that you are now at the mercy of the water.

Ela… being in the Pearl in the water GPS not working sun going down and water rising. Feeling powerless. I was only 100 yards from the bank but….

5. We have to submit ourselves to the going all in …

“A river that I could not pass through”

5.1. A river that cannot be crossed.
5.2. Finally coming to realization that you need to put yourself fully into the hands of the Lord and allow these currents to lead you.
5.3. Ela… Like the normal guy thinking he can swim across the mighty Mississippi River.
5.4. The infinitude of God.

Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

5.4.1. Infinity cannot be measured as God cannot be measured.
5.4.2. As the river of God and His Spirit and His Presence we cannot get past.

6. Exploring the depths.

Romans 11:33 (ESV) Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

6.1. The unsearchable depths sounds very much similar to an impassable river.

6.2. We cannot ever get to the end but we commit to the exploration.

6.3. Along the way we encounter and gain many treasures of wisdom and knowledge, love and mercy, power and sound mind, favor and provision, and healing and miracles…

7. The river of God is the supernatural workings of the Holy Spirit.

Revelation 22:1-5 (ESV) 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

7.1. The River flows from the throne of God.

7.2. Let the River over take us.
7.3. Let the River overwhelm us.
7.4. Let the river take us for a ride.

8. So we get planted by the river side.

Ez 47:7 As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other.

PS 52: 8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.

8.1. Bearing fruit that remains because we are planted by a river that does not cease.

Ez 47:8 And he said to me, “This water flows toward 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. 9 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. 10 Fishermen will stand beside the sea. From Engedi to Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. 11 But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. 12 And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there 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.”

8.2. Makes the people of God happy.
8.3. Brings life.
8.4. We spread our nets and the Lord fills them. 8.5. There is food enough for the Church.
8.6. And it is where we find out healing.

PS 46:There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

8.7. Anything the river touches it brings life.

Conclusion:

The River of God is for the thirsty, Is anyone thirsty?

John 7:37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.