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III.
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CONCLUDING COMMENTS.
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A.
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A SCRIPTURAL DISCOURSE ON THE LIVING WATER. |
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1.
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The following is a selected list arranged for a discourse on the Holy Spirit as The Living Water, with the point of reference
beginning with Jesus' teaching in John. The reader is encouraged to allow the Holy Spirit to make addendums from his or her own
basis of scriptural knowledge as this progression occurs.
a.
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Jn.1:33 -
Clearly stated by the Baptist.
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b.
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Jn.2:6,10 -
Implied by the writer as the Good Wine Who has come at last.
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c.
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Jn.3:5 -
They are connected in Jesus' words to Nicodemus.
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d.
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Jn.4:10 -
It is introduced as such by Jesus.
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e.
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Jn.7:37-39 -
It is so defined by John for the Gentile reader.
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f.
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Joel 2:28 -
The Spirit is promised to be poured out, no longer to be meted out on a select
few for a season, then withdrawn, as He was in Old Testament times.
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g.
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Lk.3:16 -
So the Baptist says Jesus is the source of this baptism.
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h.
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Acts 1:5 -
Jesus authenticates this, telling them it will be soon!
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i.
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Acts 2:4,13,15,16 -
Luke records for our information the baptism of the Holy Spirit
and its related results -- filled as though with new wine.
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j.
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Eph.5:18 -
Paul cautions against wine drunkenness, but encourages a spirit-filled life. (Study these contrasts in man.)
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k.
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Eph.5:25,26 -
Paul also declares that Christ is the Source of this Water and that the Church (each believer) is its recipient.
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l.
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He.10:22 -
And finally, the writer of Hebrews says that the believer's condition is the direct result of this Water's cleansing.
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m.
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Job 9:30 -
No man can make himself clean, Job declares.
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n.
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Ps.51:7 -
Only God can do that, David clearly states.
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2.
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Now, what did the Jew of Jesus' day know of the Water, Wine, and Spirit connection?
a.
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Ex.17:6
I Co.10:1-4 -
First, Paul (a first-century Jew) says that the Water of the Old Testament that sustained His Chosen People
then is the Living Water from the same rock of today! (See also
Ex.17:6;
Nu.20:11.)
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b.
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Isa.44:3,4
Jn.3:1
Gen.3:8 -
Through Isaiah, God clearly connects the Water and His Spirit (key vs.3).
The entire Chapter of Isa.55 is an invitation for "Adam," the anthropos,
all mankind (all nations) to come out of hiding and find the God of the Living Water that resupplies Eternal Life.
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c.
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Ex.36:24-27 -
Again in Exodus the water and spirit are connected.
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These are but a few known to the learned Jew of Jesus' day.
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3.
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Now consider Nicodemus' (a Pharisee schooled in Scripture) knowledge of scripture with reference to the
water Jesus spoke of in
3:5.
a.
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Jn.3:5 -
"AND," in addition to being connective, is used also
in the Greek (and English) as emphatic and ascensive, as in the case of
II Pe.1:1 where the "righteous of God AND our Saviour Jesus Christ"
are one and the same. Hence, the passage could be read
in the ascensive without negating its meaning,
"the righteousness of God EVEN our Saviour Jesus Christ" (Robertson).
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b.
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3:10
3:5
1:26
Lk.3:16 -
Therefore, one could say that Jesus (assuming Nicodemus' knowledge of scripture) was saying to him:
"Except a man be born of water EVEN the Spirit,he cannot enter into the kingdom."
One must receive the Living Water (birth in the Holy Spirit) before entering into Eternal Life.
He cannot reenter it in his sinful condition! Being barred from the Garden, Adam understood this.
And it is not my belief that Jesus intended to insult Nicodemus' intelligence with a reference to
the ludicrous (reentering his mother's womb), or the obvious (he was alive physically, having already
passed through the human birthing experience). Nor is He referring to the actual natural element
of H20, as previously attested to by the Baptist in his distinction of their two baptisms.
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c.
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What we are left to conclude, I believe, is the intent of Jesus with Nicodemus, as He tried to move him from
that natural and legalistic interpretation of scripture, to once again get him to see the spiritual meaning
and its promise of the spiritual kingdom, rather than his expected physical and political one.
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d.
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I Co.6:20
Rom.12:1
Rom.8:1,35-39 -
Consequently, Jesus says to the woman at this well, "He that worships the Father must do so in Spirit."
Clearly, then, the Living Water (Spirit) must be within man in order for man to have access for genuine (sincere)
worship (vs.23-24). The Temple of God will no longer be that made by the hands of man, or physical
(vs.21), but man himself (more than his earthly body) who houses His Spirit -- spirit joined with
Spirit for Eternal Life. Who then can separate that which God has joined together?
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e.
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Ro,12:1-2 -
So, we may conclude: If one is "In Christ," then, he or she is "In the Spirit," and is instantly capable
of worship to God, regardless of location. Therefore, worship Him with your life; in all your activities -- do
them unto Him. Acknowledge Him in all you do. Let this be the litmus test for your thoughts, words, and actions
as you go about from day to day and moment to moment. If it is a thought or word or activity that He would not
be pleased to participate in with you, then you are not living in the Spirit at that moment. You have reverted
to your carnal self, with which He cannot be pleased (or worshiped). Hence, Jesus says to all He meets, "Go and sin no more."
Or, more plainly put: Stop living in your old carnal self, if indeed you have been born again in the Spirit.
Is that not what Paul means when he says: "Be filled with the Spirit," and "walk not after the flesh"?
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B.
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A FINAL LOOK AT THE LIVING WATER.
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Gen.2:10
Rev.22:1,17
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1.
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IT IS ETERNAL.
As it flowed from God in the Garden, it now threads its way through the hearts of men everywhere who seek
Him in Truth; and it will be present in Paradise when its course through time is complete! The mysteries of
God are awesome. They kindle the heart for a thirst for His Righteousness and Eternal Water.
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Rev.22:17
8:12
II Co.4:6,7
Mt.5:14-15
12:32
Mt.5:16
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2.
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A FINAL INVITATION IS OFFERED.
The Spirit through Christ has said to fallen man, " Drink,"
and now that same Spirit speaks through His Bride (the Church) to those who yet thirst,
" Come...and take the Water of Life freely." In A.D. 26,
Jesus was in Samaria warning the Samaritans of the impending destruction of Earth and its resident evil,
offering a nectar that when taken within will immunize them against God's judgment soon to come upon a
world who rejected Him. Where do you suppose He has journeyed today for that warning? Two questions should
be asked of ourselves at this point:
a.
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Have we received and acted upon His warning, and
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b.
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Are we actively involved in warning others?
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He continues to search out those who will respond to His compelling call. Are you following Him still as He goes
to others? Will you be His voice they so desperately need to hear? Jesus said: I am the Light of the world, and
if I am in you, then you are " in the Spirit" and have become that Light. Do not hide the Light I give you
that it cannot be seen, but set it in the open, high above the false of the earth that it
might shine brightly as a beacon for all to be drawn -- " Let your Light so shine
among men that they may see your good works and glorify the Father which is in heaven." In Jesus' day,
the fame of His Light and Water had reached across the mountains of Samaria into Galilee to draw to Him one
who believed He could do for his loved one what no other could do. John will next tell us of this miracle of
Jesus' attraction!
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C.
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Our previous two studies have been long, but this has been the heart of the Gospel as
Christ has declared from the outset of His ministry. He will begin now to expand on
His teachings of Faith honored by Him.
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