Sermon Notes 9-25-11

Sermon Notes, September 25, 2011

 

            Since Pastor Lonnie was at the Bivocational Pastors Retreat, Rev. Dan White preached Sunday's sermon. 

 

            The text was Ezekiel 47:1-12, where Ezekiel tells of his vision for the future in which a river flows east from the sanctuary, getting  deeper and deeper until it flows into the Dead Sea, bringing that sea to life.

 

            Life is unnerving.  Sometimes it doesn't make sense. We live in tough and dangerous times, with earthquakes, gangs, abortions, mothers that abandon their children, and all kinds of evil.  But God is watching over us, and we need to thank Him.  Ezekiel shows us that our God is not removed from us; He doesn't leave us; He is with us.

 

            Life-giving promise starts in the sanctuary.  It starts as a trickle and flows, coming together and growing.  Just as the water in Ezekiel's vision, so the Living Water in us starts in the sanctuary.   

 

            Where the river of God flows, there is life and growth.  Just as there were trees, and swarms of living things along the river Ezekiel saw, the Living Water in us continues to flow and grow as we are obedient to God and share His salvation with others.   The Living Water brings vitality. (John 7:38) There is a new tomorrow when God comes.

             How do we get this Living Water?  The Holy Spirit speaks to us.  When He speaks, we need to obey.