Rivers of Pentecost
The sermon emphasizes the importance of experiencing a deeper outpouring of the Holy Spirit's power and fullness in our lives, and surrendering to His presence to become a pure channel of His life and truth.
Jack Hayford preaches about the powerful imagery of rivers of living water flowing from believers as promised by Jesus and fulfilled on Pentecost. He emphasizes the need for a continuous flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives, praying for a fresh outpouring of God's Spirit to bring restoration, healing, and inspiration. Hayford urges for a deepening of our spiritual lives, removing any obstacles that hinder the flow of the Spirit and promoting unity among believers to form a strong, interconnected body. He encourages being a pure channel of God's life and truth in a world seeking supernatural experiences, ultimately desiring to reflect the wholeness of Jesus to others.
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In describing the Holy Spirit's coming, Jesus specifically said, "Rivers of living water shall flow from the inner being of all those who believe me" (John 7:37-38, paraphrase). On Pentecost, what Joel had prophesied, Peter preached: "God has poured out His Spirit--a stream of restoring, healing power is released to mankind!" (Joel 2, Acts 2, paraphrase).
Just recently, I knelt in prayer, moved to ask God, concerning these "rivers of Pentecost":
Lord, flow forth fresh watercourses of Holy Spirit fullness and power in my life.
Let the flow bear me forward. I don't want to become a stagnant pool of former blessing, but a rising river of fresh inspiration.
Let the rivers run deep. I don't want to be shallow in any part of my life. Let the sandbar of carnal obstruction in my nature be furrowed out by the force o f the stream.
Let me learn to flow together with other believers, as streams become tributaries to a larger river. Let any smallness become lost in my surrender to Your Spirit's blending me with all those who love You in truth. Let me move in the unity of Jesus' life and love.
Let me be a channel.
In a world where the blind and the bound seek "spirit channels" to touch the realm of the supernatural, and thereby only become more confused, let me be a pure channel of Holy Spirit life and truth. Let me bring the wholeness of who You really are, in Jesus' name.
Come, Holy Spirit... as rivers of living water.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Promise of the Holy Spirit
- A. Jesus' promise of living water (John 7:37-38)
- B. Peter's preaching on the outpouring of the Spirit (Joel 2, Acts 2)
- II. The Cry for a Fresh Outpouring
- A. The desire for a deeper experience of the Holy Spirit
- B. The need to move beyond stagnation and become a rising river of inspiration
- III. The Call to Unity and Surrender
- A. The importance of flowing together with other believers
- B. The need to surrender to the Spirit's blending and unity
- IV. The Call to be a Pure Channel
- A. The importance of being a channel of Holy Spirit life and truth
- B. The need to bring the wholeness of God's presence to a world in need
Key Quotes
“Rivers of living water shall flow from the inner being of all those who believe me.” — Jack Hayford
“God has poured out His Spirit--a stream of restoring, healing power is released to mankind!” — Jack Hayford
“Come, Holy Spirit... as rivers of living water.” — Jack Hayford
Application Points
- We should cry out to the Holy Spirit for a deeper experience of His power and presence in our lives.
- We should surrender to the Holy Spirit's blending and unity with other believers to experience the fullness of His power and presence.
- We should strive to be a pure channel of the Holy Spirit's life and truth by allowing Him to flow through us.