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John 7, 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 – Jesus speaks of those who believe in him and how, out of them will flow rivers of living water. A living testimony flowing outward.
This morning we’ll look at some practical examples of how this living water can and should flow out of us.
- Demands for what we own. We can’t say yes to everything and it would be irresponsible to say yes to everything, but the question here is “what bubbles up in our minds to guide our decisions when asked to give up something we own?” This isn’t something that just applies to “things” but also to time.
- Sinful allurements and temptations. We are acquainted enough with the world around us to know that there are lots of temptations everywhere we look. A person ruled by selfish passions will “leave the decision till later.” Instead we need to make solid, decisive decisions when the question comes up. It is likely that the decision being made in weakness will result in a fall.
- Unjust treatment.
- When our will is crossed.
- Threats to our comfort and security. Our lives here in America tend to be much easier than they are in other places in the world. You can only grow in persecution what is in place before the persecution begins. It isn’t reasonable to expect that when a large test comes we’ll suddenly be giants of faith if we aren’t walking with God on a daily basis in the small, regular, normal things of life.
Titus 3:3-7, 2 Timothy 3 – In the last days there will be perilous times. Men will be lovers of themselves. We should continue in the things that we know, being strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God is able to keep what is entrusted to him, but we are too keep the things that are for us as well. The Christian life is more than doing good things and not doing bad things, it is to be a fragrance of Christ, a manifestation of the beatitudes.
What we are filled with doesn’t just affect us, it affects others. Whether for good or whether for bad.