Last Sunday morning we talked about “Dipping Deep” into God. We started with the illustration that in October of 1807, Meriweather Lewis and William Clark had crossed over the Continental Divide, and were proceeding down the Columbia river to the Pacific Ocean. Dependent upon the river for fresh water, many of his party were becoming sick due to the murky, brackish water of the turbulent Columbia river. Lewis, the great problem solver of the exhibition, gave this order, “Dip Deep Water.”
Lewis had discovered that if he dipped deep down into the mighty river fresher water could be raised and his men would be relieved from the infirmities inflicted by the brackish water.
In our spiritual lives many of our afflictions, trials and sicknesses would be lessened or avoided if we would just learn the same lesson to dip Deep Water. Too often we have settled for the scum on top. We have never plunged deep in into the fresh water that is only found deep down.
1. Dipping Deep Water means we are drinking deep of our relationship with Jesus
John 7:37-38
"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
A. Found the River
Jesus needs to become the consuming fire and passion of our lives.
B. Freed the River
The power of the river is not found behind a dam. It is only discovered when it is released.
“streams of living water will flow from within him."
A dam backs up water, but if not released it becomes stagnant or it floods … both can bring disease and destruction.
It is only when it is released that it flows through the turbines … that it’s force creates power … electricity … We need to release the power of the Holy Spirit, our personal relationship with God, through prayer and praise and worship.
It is through this release that we affect others, we share the deep waters of God with them! In thinking about this, is our spiritual life a rushing stream or a trickle of water? How much water are we sharing?
John 17:20-23 implies that we need Jesus, but we also need to be in unity with fellow believers (having fellowship with them). But it doesn’t end there! It is also having fellowship with others, inviting them to know Jesus (that is much more important than inviting them to church, which is good, but not the ultimate goal)! We need fellowship with others to keep us on track, to keep us on the path that God has laid out for us, to give us correction, strength, and encouragement so we can share Jesus with others. Both are important!
Lewis had discovered that if he dipped deep down into the mighty river fresher water could be raised and his men would be relieved from the infirmities inflicted by the brackish water.
In our spiritual lives many of our afflictions, trials and sicknesses would be lessened or avoided if we would just learn the same lesson to dip Deep Water. Too often we have settled for the scum on top. We have never plunged deep in into the fresh water that is only found deep down.
1. Dipping Deep Water means we are drinking deep of our relationship with Jesus
John 7:37-38
"If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
A. Found the River
Jesus needs to become the consuming fire and passion of our lives.
B. Freed the River
The power of the river is not found behind a dam. It is only discovered when it is released.
“streams of living water will flow from within him."
A dam backs up water, but if not released it becomes stagnant or it floods … both can bring disease and destruction.
It is only when it is released that it flows through the turbines … that it’s force creates power … electricity … We need to release the power of the Holy Spirit, our personal relationship with God, through prayer and praise and worship.
It is through this release that we affect others, we share the deep waters of God with them! In thinking about this, is our spiritual life a rushing stream or a trickle of water? How much water are we sharing?
John 17:20-23 implies that we need Jesus, but we also need to be in unity with fellow believers (having fellowship with them). But it doesn’t end there! It is also having fellowship with others, inviting them to know Jesus (that is much more important than inviting them to church, which is good, but not the ultimate goal)! We need fellowship with others to keep us on track, to keep us on the path that God has laid out for us, to give us correction, strength, and encouragement so we can share Jesus with others. Both are important!
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