by Senior Pastor, Denis Beausejour.
Series: Practicing the Presence of Jesus - Encounters that Renovate the Heart

Message: Living in the Spirit's Fullness
Text: John 7:37-52

Introduction
On the last and greatest day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus makes the awesome (although veiled) promise of the coming of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Writing later, John clarifies for his readers that the code words "rivers of living water" would be the gift of the Holy Spirit that Jesus would send after He was glorified.

Later in John 14 and 16, Jesus would elaborate further on the Holy Spirit and His ministry. Luke wrote his gospel with many references to the Holy Spirit. (See 11:13). He also authored Acts which is a detailed testimony of the work of the Holy Spirit in the expanding ministry of Jesus. (See 1:5, 8, 2:4, 4:8, 4:31, 6:5)

Main Idea:
The only way to follow Jesus successfully is to live in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. No one can earn God's approval through any kind of works: we must receive Jesus' work on the cross by faith as our substitute for punishment. In the same way, no one can live the life Jesus wants for us by our own effort: we must receive the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us to do what Jesus wants. So we are "saved" by grace through faith in Jesus, and we are "sanctified" or made like Jesus by grace through the Holy Spirit.

The Promise: Verses 37-39
To the Jewish ear of the day, Jesus' claims would conjure up a number of powerful images. His words would speak into the national consciousness: reminding them of the time Moses struck the rock to produce life-giving water for them to drink (See Exodus 17 and Numbers 20). Many of the prophets also alluded to the life giving water. (See Isaiah 12:3,  58:11, Ezekiel 36:25-27, Joel 3:18, Proverbs 4:23.)  Probably the closest fit given the tie to the Feast of Tabernacles is Nehemiah 9:15, and 19-20. Jesus is basically saying that he is life and all the people need. Period. No exceptions. Do you understand just how all-encompassing Jesus is?

1. The Crowds (verses 40-44): Divided - some coming to faith, some intent on seizing him to be killed. Note the discussion about Jesus' birthplace. If they only asked! Notice how Bible knowledge is required but not sufficient. One must place their trust in Jesus.

2. The Temple Guards (verses 45-47): The police of the temple area, selected from families of the priestly line of Levi. They would be trained in the Scriptures. These men have been gone 3-4 days! See verse 32. They are captivated by Jesus and his teaching. Perhaps the most honest response next to those of faith! These men, like the Centurions around the Cross (Matthew 27:54), were perhaps wary of the leaders and their "spin", and perhaps more impartial. Levites who worked in the temple were uniquely positioned to see and hear what really went on while Jesus was teaching, and afterwards when He was killed. (See Matthew 27:51-53) We know that many of them came to faith. (See Acts 6:7)

3. The Pharisees (verse 48-49) Notice the mind-set of the ruling elite. Do they really love the people they are leading and serving? They have become the leaders that Ezekiel warned about in Chapter 34. They are knowledgeable, but have condemned themselves by missing the truth.

4. Nicodemus (verses 50-52): This is one of the Pharisees who visited Jesus in chapter 3. He has been thinking about Jesus and has begin to ask questions. Even his desire to see justice done is rebuked! It seems they have forgotten about Jonah and Nahum, two Galilean prophets. But we know this man is on a journey of faith (See 19:39)! Are you on a journey today?

Be Filled with the Holy Spirit: Ephesians 5:18
For the believer, the gift of the Holy Spirit is a tremendous grace from Jesus. The Spirit enables us to live out our new life in Christ. He provides the power to defeat sin, to hear God's voice, to understand the Scriptures, to pray, to say the right thing, to be free from the Law and legalism. Yet, while many of us can be convinced that the only way to be accepted by God is to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, many of us still try to live for Jesus in our own will power. Paul said this was a very foolish idea (See Galatians 3:1-5).

We need the Spirit's indwelling AND empowering presence! We need BOTH the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in us (seal of salvation) AND the immersion or filling of the Spirit for a life of Kingdom obedience (power for sanctification). That's why God commanded us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We could have other influences control us - alcohol, cigarettes, food, money, fear, hate, jealousy, anger etc. - or we could have God controlling us. We were made to run on God (see Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Here are the "Top 10" wonders of the Holy Spirit:
1. When we trust Jesus, we are sealed (protected) by the Holy Spirit -  Ephesians 1:13-14

2. The Spirit tells us we are beloved adopted royalty and no longer orphans - Romans 5:5,  8:15-16

3. Jesus will immerse us in the Holy Spirit - Matthew 3:11, John 1:33

4. We can be filled with the Spirit whenever we ask in truth - Ephesians 5:18, Luke 11:13

5. The Spirit gives each one of us a gift we can bless the whole church with - 1 Cor 12:7

6. The Spirit gives us power to bring Jesus' Kingdom to others - Acts 1:8, 1 Cor 12:8-13

7. The Holy Spirit gives us the right words when we need them - Luke 12:12

8. The Holy Spirit frees us from sin and condemnation - 2 Corinthians 3:17, Romans 7:6,  8:1-2

9. The Holy Spirit gives us godly character and unity - Galatians 5:22-23, Ephesians 4:1-6

10. The Spirit is the agent of a godly prayer and worship life - Ephesians 6:18, John 4:23, Rom 8:26-27

Practicing the Presence of Jesus - by the Holy Spirit!
Just ASK to be filled and empowered by the Holy Spirit! Please come Holy Spirit!