“The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”
Revelation 22:17
These are some of the last words in the Bible. The Holy Spirit of God invites everyone to come. The Bride of Christ – the Church – calls out the invitation. All who hear the good news of Jesus Christ join in raising the shout, “Come.”
Who is the invitation for? “The one who is thirsty.” Whoever feels a need. Whoever knows there must be more. Whoever longs for true love, peace, joy and satisfaction.
What is the offer? The water of life.
“Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”‘”
John 7:37-38
Water is what keeps us alive physically. The water of life is what you need to live spiritually. And only Jesus can give it to you.
“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”
John 14:13-14
Physical water satisfies for a little while. Living water fills your soul and connects you with the life and power and goodness of God.
“If you want to get warm you must stand near a fire: if you want to be wet you must get into the water. If you want joy, power, peace, eternal life, you must get close to, or even into, the thing that has them. They are not a sort of prize which God could, if He chose, just hand out to anyone. They are a great fountain of energy and beauty spurting up at the very center of reality. If you are close to it, the spray will wet you: if you are not, you will remain dry. Once a man is united to God, how could he not live forever? Once a man is separated from God, what can he do but wither and die?”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity p. 153
As we walk through Romans 8:1-17 these next five Sundays we will see five incredible gifts God offers. But they are not a la carte options. They are a package deal – all or nothing. And they only come in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ the Lord. If you are united with Him by faith then you have every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3). If you don’t belong to Him then you don’t have access to any of these blessings.
- Jan. 7, 2024 – Be Forgiven (Rom. 8:1)
- Jan. 14, 2024 – Be Free (Rom. 8:2-3)
- Jan. 21, 2024 – Be Filled (Rom. 8:3-9)
- Jan. 28, 2024 – Be Fruitful (Rom. 8:9-13)
- Feb. 4, 2024 – Be Family (Rom. 8:13-17)
Listen to the original invitation to living water, 700 years before Jesus came.
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.”
Isaiah 55:1-3
The living water God offers is found in a covenant relationship with Him. Nothing else can give you the security of being forgiven. No one else can set you free from the power of sin and death. Nowhere else will you find fullness, power and satisfaction like only the Holy Spirit can provide. There is no other way to a life of fruitful ministry and lasting impact. And there is no community like you will find in the family of God.
Come and see.
And, of course, bring someone with you! It’s an open invitation!