Jeremy Utley - Are Rivers Flowing From Your Innermost Being?

Jeremy UtleySeptember 18, 201819mWatch on YouTube

Speaker: Jeremy Utley Title: Are Rivers Flowing From Your Innermost Being? Date: 09-16-2018 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The central message is that the promise of rivers of living water flowing from one's innermost being requires radical honesty with God. The speaker emphasizes that one's current experience, rather than theological belief, determines the reception of God's promise. Drawing an analogy from a blind man who was honest about his incomplete sight, the speaker urges listeners to honestly confess to Jesus where they are lacking in their spiritual experience to receive the fullness of the promise.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

He who believes in me, rivers of living water shall flowThe speaker introduces John 7:38 as an unequivocal promise for New Covenant believers that rivers of living water should flow from their innermost being.John 7:38

Is this your experience?The speaker challenges the congregation to consider whether this promise is their actual daily testimony or merely a doctrinal belief.

The first step is being honest with GodTrue spiritual progress begins only when we stop pretending and honestly admit to God if our current life does not match His promise.

The healing of the blind man in Mark 8Jesus heals a blind man in Bethsaida who initially sees men walking like trees, demonstrating a parallel to incomplete spiritual vision.Mark 8:22

What if the blind man had said thanks a lot?If the blind man had pretended his sight was fully restored immediately, he would have missed out on the complete healing Jesus intended for him.

Tell Jesus plainly if you do not have riversWe must not pretend we have rivers of living water when we do not; we need to confess our state to Jesus with complete honesty.

What did Jesus mean by rivers?To truly understand the promise of rivers of living water, we must look to the Old Testament background in Ezekiel 47 rather than our limited experience.

The waters reaching ankles, knees, loins, and then a riverEzekiel's vision shows water rising gradually from ankles to knees to loins and finally becoming a deep river as he follows the measuring man.Ezekiel 47:3

Keep following and keep obeyingEntering the fullness of God's promise requires continuing to obey and follow God's instructions as He leads us deeper over time.

Refuse discouragement when experience falls shortThe enemy wants to use our limited current experience to make us give up on God's promises, but we must refuse to listen to discouragement.

Abraham did not waver in unbeliefLike Abraham in Romans 4, we must look at God's promise rather than our own weaknesses and grow strong in faith by giving glory to God.Romans 4:19–20

Summary of the four vital stepsThe speaker concludes by reviewing four key principles: do not settle for less, be honest with God, keep obeying daily, and praise God in faith before the promise is fully seen.

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Jeremy Utley - Are Rivers Flowing From Your Innermost Being?

Jeremy Utley · September 18, 2018 · 19m

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