Pastor Cho's Sermon Outline - Yoido Full
Gospel Church - Seoul, KoreaIf Anyone is Thirsty, Let Him Come to Me and Drink John 7:37 ~ 7:38 2002-08-25
We live in modern times marked by prosperity and scientific benefits. From outward appearances, the world seems to be generally happy. However, a closer inspection of the inner person reveals that the things the world offers do not provide true happiness. People's minds are malnourished as they struggle from a guilty conscience, emptiness, meaninglessness, death, hatred, fear, an inferiority complex, and frustration. When we suffer like this, God calls us to Him to drink and eat that which brings inner happiness.
There are those who are thirsty for the meaning of life. Life is meaningless when people try on their own to satisfy their thirst. But if they are not filled with the spring of living water that Jesus Christ gives, they will always be thirsty (Jeremiah 2:13). The American Howard Hughes had enormous wealth, intellect, and achievement. But he became filled with fear and was a hermit; fame and wealth did not give meaning to his empty life. Ernest Hemmingway was an internationally known novelist and short-story writer and was married several times, but he was never happy.
Come to Me and drink! This is Jesus' invitation to the thirsty (John 7:37,38; Isaiah 55:1,2). It is important to realize that satisfying physical thirst does not satisfy spiritual thirst. Therefore, regardless of age, fame, or wealth, Jesus invites us to freely come to Him through grace by faith (Romans 4:16). He wants to quench our thirst and fill us with the wine of joy (Psalm 16:11) and the milk of healing, strength, and new life (Isaiah 53:5; Romans 5:15).
The river of life comes from within. When water flows from the temple of God, this living water brings about an abundance of fruit (Ezekiel 47:6-12). The water of the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4) and is available to us now. The river of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit is flowing within us (Romans 14:17). The river of healing is flowing within us (Acts 10:38). The river of holiness is flowing within us (Ephesians 5:26,27). As Christians, we must not live like we're in a desert dying of thirst, because we have the river of life within us! We are temples of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). After we believe in Christ and are filled with the Holy Spirit, the water of life flowing from within us can overcome sin, drive out demons, and we can witness to others and pray for their healing. Jesus said, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink"(John 7:37). Are you thirsty? Jesus invites you, "Come to Me!"
Heavenly Father, as Christians, we are not in a desert without water. You invite us to come to You and freely drink from the river of life which flows within us through the Holy Spirit-to give us righteousness, peace, joy, and health.
Daily Bible
