Audio:
2007-11-21 PM Think Victory.mp3

Think Victory

Psalm 18
Dr. Edwin P. Elliott

I. Praise God for Victory

A. God makes Himself loveable; David responded by loving God back. “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.” (Psalm 18:1)

B. God is all a believer really has or really needs. “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” (Psalm 18:2-3) “Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.” (Hebrews 2:12-13)

“No fearing or doubting with Christ on our side,
We hope to die shouting, ‘The Lord will provide.’” [from Spurgeon’s Notes]

C. God gives victory over death and all its causes. “The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.” (Psalm 18:4)

D. David testifies of particular deliverances in verses 5 through 18. “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.” (Psalm 18:6-7) Mary Queen of Scots stated she was more afraid of John Knox at prayer than of 10,000 soldiers ready for a fight.

“He that would be wise, let him read the Proverbs; he that would be holy, let him read the Psalms.” [from Spurgeon’s Notes]

II. David’s Faithfulness Increased His Confidence in God

A. God delivers His people because He delights in them. “He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.” (Psalm 18:19-20) “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

B. A clear conscience in a matter, as David had in this dispute, strengthens a person and it does not show disrespect for grace. “For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his judgments were before me, and I did not put away his statutes from me. I was also upright before him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.” (Psalm 18:21-23) A student receives recognition for learning but the real honor goes to the teacher who successfully taught.

C. God protects those who seek protection in Him. “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?” (Psalm 18:30-31)

III. Remember God’s Record as a Protector

A. God gave David his victories and narrow escapes. “He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.” (Psalm 18:33-35)

B. The victory always comes from God. “For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me.” (Psalm 18:39-40)

C. God gave David the kingdom and kept it in David’s hands. “As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.” (Psalm 18:44)

D. Ultimately, David was speaking of his greater Son, the Messiah, Who would ultimately triumph over all. “The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.” (Psalm 18:46-50) “I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.” (Psalm 89:3-4)

This sermon is a product of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Rev. Dr. Edwin Elliott, Jr. Pastor, www.rpchurch.org Email:Pastor@rpchurch.org This message is available in MP3 format for downloading or in streaming audio for your listening pleasure at www.sermonaudio.com

Audio:
2007-11-18 PM Make God an Offer - Romans 12.mp3

Make God an Offer

Romans 12
Dr. Edwin P. Elliott, Jr.

I. Do the Reasonable Thing

A. As Christians grow in knowledge of God, an awareness of providence clarifies how God’s world works; act accordingly. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)

B. The transformed mind inevitably moves toward the revelation of God and awareness that service to God is simply a form of sanctified self-interest. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2)

II. Find a Place in the Larger Divine Plan

A. A Christian must consider gifts and abilities in the light of sovereign grace; God places the elect according to His plans. “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

B. The parts of the body are related without being identical; the same principle applies to believers. “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:” (Romans 12:4)

C. The church is no place for the “Peter Principle”; find an appropriate function and use every asset to fulfill that calling. “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;” (Romans 12:5-6)

D. Christians must offer to God what they have rather that what they might want to have or what they might see in other people. “Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:7-8)

III. In Everything Be Sincere

A. God calls believers to integrity. “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” (Romans 12:9)

B. For a Christian, the fundamental career question is not, “What will help me become the best Christian?” but “What will advance the cause of Christ?” “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” (Romans 12:10-11)

C. Not one of the obligatory features of the Christian life factors into contemporary career development manuals. “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.” (Romans 12:12-13)

The Way Out

Psalm 17
Dr. Edwin P. Elliott

I. Ask God for Help

A. Believers turn to God because He knows and understands everything; when God determines matters, the solution is never merely superficial. “A Prayer of David. Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips. Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.” (Psalm 17:1-2) “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.” (1 John 3:21)

B. God knows the dark moments in a believer’s soul and He also knows when a believer genuinely wants to avoid contributing to the problem; the power is in the Word of God. “Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” (Psalm 17:3-4)

C. Appeal to God for help avoiding mistakes which compound life’s trials; no person has the strength to prevail alone. “Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” (Psalm 17:5) “He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.” (1 Samuel 2:9)

D. Constantly remember that God listens; He has a personal interest in the lives of the people identified with Him. “I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.” (Psalm 17:6) “Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake. O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.” (Daniel 9:17-19)

II. Ask for Mercy

A. God protects His own people. “Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.” (Psalm 17:7)

B. Be specific; ask God for what the situation demands. “Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.” (Psalm 17:8-9)

C. Do not ignore enemies; see them for what they are and describe them to God. “They are enclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly. They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth; Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.” (Psalm 17:10-12)

III. Remember that God Is the Great Deliverer

A. Ask for what the situation demands; there is no point in asking for less when the full solution is available. “Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:” (Psalm 17:13)

B. People who only prosper in this world are still agents of God and subject to His direction; take the long perspective. “From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.” (Psalm 17:14)

C. When a person understands how Providence works, all kinds of problems shrink in importance. “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” (Psalm 17:15)

1. Joshua based his life on the promises of God rather than the apparent advantages of the damned. “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)

2. Relax; everything will sort itself out for the best in the end. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

D. Remember the instruction of James. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)

Audio:
2007-11-11 PM A Little Secret - Romans 11 Part 3.mp3

A Little Secret

Romans 11:25-36
Dr. Edwin P. Elliott

I. God Hasn’t Finished with Israel

A. The problem with old Israel is temporary; God had plans He has not finished. “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” (Romans 11:25)

1. A single event may have multiple implications and consequences. “Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.” (Hosea 14:9)

2. Acknowledge God and submit to Him even when what He is doing isn’t obvious. “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:6-7)

B. All the elect will eventually be saved in the same way—by grace. “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” (Romans 11:26-27)

C. The disruption between the Jews and the Gentiles is the instrument of gathering elect Gentiles, but it is not an exclusion of elect Jews. “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.” (Romans 11:28)

D. God does not change His mind; He will finish what He starts. “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Romans 11:29)

II. Electing Love Is the Key

A. People who were utterly beyond hope entered the household of faith because the Jews in Paul’s time rejected the gospel. “For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:” (Romans 11:30)

B. The salvation of the Jews will come in the same fashion when God is ready; the Gentiles will become instruments of saving Jews. “Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.” (Romans 11:31)

C. In all cases, the underlying reality is God’s electing grace; God has closed all other doors to Himself. “For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.” (Romans 11:32)

D. No one is better or worse, because all have sinned; salvation must be by grace. “What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;” (Romans 3:9)

III. Praise God

A. God is too big and too gracious for human boxes and philosophical constructs. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33)

B. No one understands the inner mind and no one is large enough to instruct God. “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counselor?” (Romans 11:34)

1. God does not take orders. “Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding? Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.” (Isaiah 40:13-15)

2. Christ, however, is the expression of the mind and purpose of God; Christ displays electing love. “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16)

C. God acts from Himself rather than from things foreseen in people. “Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?” (Romans 11:35) “For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)

D. Everything in life takes its meaning from God; nothing is independent. “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36)

E. Nothing is outside the gracious providence of God. “Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11-12)

Audio:
2007-11-07 PM Genuine Joy.mp3

Genuine Joy

Psalm 16
Dr. Edwin P. Elliott

I. Grace Is Sufficient for Believers

A. The psalmist entrusted himself and his hopes to God; such confidence distinguishes believers. “Michtam of David. Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.” (Psalm 16:1) “O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.” (Psalm 31:23) [see John 17:1-26]

B. Ultimately God dominates the relationship He has with a believer; God providentially takes care of His people. “O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: my goodness extendeth not to thee;” (Psalm 16:2)

1. People have nothing to give God. “Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?” (Job 22:2-3)

2. Even if people did have something to give God, He would not ask for it. “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” (Psalm 50:10) “If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.” (Psalm 50:12)

3. Jesus incorporated the psalmist’s doctrine into a parable. “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10)

C. Affection for other saints redeemed by God becomes inevitable when reflecting on grace. “But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.” (Psalm 16:3) “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (Hebrews 6:10)

D. In contrast, people who turn to other gods can expect multiplying disasters. “Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.” (Psalm 16:4)

E. Everything works out to the best for God’s people. “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.” (Psalm 16:5-6)

II. Assurance Transforms into Joy

A. The psalmist praised God for the direction he received, particularly in the shadows of life. “I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.” (Psalm 16:7)

B. God provides stability and is the context for interpreting life. “I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” (Psalm 16:8)

C. Providence yields hope as God enables believers to glorify and enjoy Him forever. “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” (Psalm 16:9)

D. A believer knows that life will not end in the grave. “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Psalm 16:10)

E. In God’s presence, the good times will never end. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

III. Ultimately the Psalmist Is the Messiah

A. Peter interprets the psalm; this is the story of the Saviour. “For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.” (Acts 2:25-28)

B. Paul identified this psalm as a prediction of Christ’s resurrection. “Wherefore he saith also in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Acts 13:35)

C. The substitutionary atonement and the resurrection are at the heart of the Christian Message. “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

D. Through Christ all believers will eventually be resurrected and enter a new and perfect world. “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-23)

A Place in God’s House

Psalm 15

Dr. Edwin P. Elliott

I. How Do People Get to Heaven?

A. What are the entrance requirements for heaven? “A Psalm of David. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?” (Psalm 15:1)

B. Believers know they will have a place with God. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalm 23:6)

C. People want to go to heaven; the desire to glorify and enjoy God becomes the overriding and directive force in a genuine believer’s life. “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4)

D. People who are born again know they cannot make the world of sin home. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3-5)

II. God Identifies His Guests

A. People who are upright from the inside out are welcome with God. “He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.” (Psalm 15:2)

B. Behavior matters to God; He expects His people to walk the holy path. “Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.” (Proverbs 28:18)

C. God designed good works and assigned them to His people to demonstrate the life people were intended to live. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

D. People saved by grace begin to display God to the world; saved people come to look like the Savior. “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” (1 John 3:7)

E. Believers refuse to let the world set the standard for Christian living. “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” (James 2:1-9)

III. God’s Guests Will Stay for Eternity

A. A person who lives as God directs cannot be shaken. “He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” (Psalm 15:5)

B. When people live with constant awareness of God’s presence, they prosper, and when they do not, they blow away in the wind. “I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” (Psalm 16:8) “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” (Psalm 1:1-6)

C. Jesus reaffirmed what David had believed and taught. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

Audio
2007-10-28 AM Thirst.mp3

Thirst

Psalm 42:1-11; John 7:37-53 / Revelation 22:1-21

Edwin P. Elliott

I. People Are Thirsty

A. People natively have a thirst which only God can satisfy. “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:2)

B. Believers have an even greater thirst because the world taunts them. “My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?” (Psalm 42:3)

C. The memory of refreshment from God affects the thirst for God’s things in yet another way. “When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.” (Psalm 42:4)

D. Christians always have hope. “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” (Psalm 42:5) “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” (John 4:10)

II. Living Water Is Available

A. Jesus directs suffering people to come to Him and receive what they most desire. “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” (John 7:37)

B. Not only do people who come to Jesus find what they need, but they begin to supply others with what they also need. “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)

C. People who determine not to drink will never be able to quench the overcoming thirst. “Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people because of him.” (John 7:40-43)

D. People who offer drinks which only make people thirstier are wretched; the church which does not focus on Christ is part of the problem people face. “ “Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” (Luke 11:52)

III. Here Is How the Story Ends

A. Old things are inevitably passing away. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” (Revelation 21:1)

B. Isaiah saw the holy future and the refreshing grace of God; the church is the New Jerusalem. “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.” (Isaiah 65:17-19)

C. Christ makes all things new; sovereign grace is free. “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” (Revelation 21:5-6)

D. Jesus points to the happy way. “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.” (Revelation 22:7)

E. The Triune God calls people to quench their thirst. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17)

F. Avoid everything which makes people thirsty; share the genuine water of life. “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19)