Read John 7:37-39; 4:14.
Jesus had little to say about the length of life. He was more concerned about the depth and
breadth of life. Jesus measured life in
terms of "abundance" (John 10:10), referring to quality, not
duration. He was concerned with
overflowing fullness, much like the river boat navigator who is concerned, not
with how long the river is but how deep and wide.
ƒ Of
what value is the overflowing life?
w A
stagnant pool, such as the Salton Sea
north of Imperial, has no outlet. We
must overflow if we are to be ever fresh.
w It's
the overflow that helps others. One can
enjoy the refreshing waters of Ricks
Spring in Logan Canyon in Utah. But
a fountain that comes barely to the top never provides a refreshing drink.
w The
Christian that overflows is found to have joy and blessing in his own heart.
ƒ The
basis of an overflowing life.
1. We
must drink. "Come unto me and
drink." We must get in touch with
the supply, and the supply is Christ.
The promise is to those who believe (v38).
2. We
must be filled with the Holy Spirit (v39).
The Spirit filled life is the overflowing life.
3. Unconditional
surrender. Many Christian rivers run dry
because they are not yielded. When God
has possession of our lives He can fill us to overflowing.
ƒ The
evidences of an overflowing life.
The text says, Out
of his heart or innermost being flows rivers of water (not a river but
rivers). What are some of those rivers?
1. A
witnessing life. (John 4:28,39).
2. A
prayerful life.
3. A
passionate life.
4. A
fruitful life.
The Christian life that overflows is our Lord's ideal. Let us leave the water pot -- for a well
(John 4:28).
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