Rivers of Living Water
To experience the promise of living water, we must have inner attachment to Christ, unreserved surrender to fellowship with Him, and firm assurance of the Holy Spirit's work in us.
Andrew Murray emphasizes the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life, as illustrated by Jesus' promise of 'rivers of living water' flowing from those who believe in Him. He explains that this living water represents the Holy Spirit, which was not yet given until Christ's glorification. To experience this divine flow, believers must maintain a deep connection with Christ through faith and surrender, allowing the Spirit to work within them. Murray encourages Christians to drink from this living water, which not only revives them but also empowers them to share it with others, leading to spiritual renewal and belief in Christ. Ultimately, he calls for an uninterrupted union with Christ to sustain the new life in the Spirit.
Text
"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." - John 7:38.
Our Lord, in His conversation with the Samaritan woman, said: "The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14b). In our text, the promise is even greater: rivers of living waters flowing from him, bringing life and blessing to others. John says further that this refers to the Holy Ghost, who should come when Christ had been glorified, for the Holy Spirit was not yet poured out. The Spirit of God was mentioned in the Old Testament, but the Holy Spirit had not yet been given. Christ must first be offered through the eternal Spirit (on the cross) (Hebrews 9:14), and raised from the dead by the spirit of holiness (Romans 1:4), and receive from the Father power to send forth the Holy Ghost. Then only would the Christian be able to say: Now the Holy Spirit of Christ is in me.
What do we need in order to experience these two wonderful promises of the well of water and the rivers of living water? Just one thing--the inner attachment to Christ, and the unreserved surrender to fellowship with Him, and the firm assurance that His Spirit will work in us what we cannot do. In one word: He that believeth on Me. We need a faith that rejoices in the divine might and love, and depends on Him day by day to grant us grace that living water may flow forth from us.
We can truly agree that the river of God is so full of life, and also has the power to revive us. As we drink from its water, it causes us to hunger and thirst for the deeper things of God and become alive through Christ. Jesus Christ calls it living water. We need to take this living water and spread it to others, so that they may be revived and come to believe on Christ.
If the water from a reservoir is to flow into a house all day, one thing is necessary, which is the connection must be perfect, and then the water passes through the pipe of its own accord. So the union between you and Christ must be uninterrupted. Your faith must accept Christ, and depend and believe upon Him, to sustain the new life.
Let your faith rejoice that Jesus Christ gives us the Holy Spirit, and may you have the assurance that the Holy Spirit is within you as a fountain of blessing.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Promise of Living Water
- A. Found in John 7:38 and John 4:14b
- B. Refers to the Holy Ghost
- II. The Necessity of Union with Christ
- A. Inner attachment to Christ
- B. Unreserved surrender to fellowship with Him
- C. Firm assurance of the Holy Spirit's work in us
- III. The Power of Living Water
- A. Brings life and blessing to others
- B. Revives and renews us
- IV. The Importance of Faith
- A. Rejoices in divine might and love
- B. Depends on Christ for daily grace
- V. The Result of Union with Christ
- A. The Holy Spirit within us as a fountain of blessing
Key Quotes
“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” — Andrew Murray
“The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” — Andrew Murray
“Now the Holy Spirit of Christ is in me.” — Andrew Murray
Application Points
- We must have uninterrupted union with Christ for the water of living water to flow from us.
- Our faith must accept Christ and depend on Him to sustain the new life.
- We must rejoice in the divine might and love of Christ and depend on Him daily for grace.