Fountain of Youth

Text: John 4:13-15
Theme: The life Jesus gives us should always bubble inside us and refresh us.
Key verses: “Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.’ ‘Please sir,’ the woman said, ‘give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” (v. 13-15).
What God said to me: So, are you doing this QT to check it off your list this morning? Is this just a routine for you? Did you come expecting to hear from me today? Better yet, do you really want to hear from me? If I speak to you, will you obey what I tell you to do? Do you really want change? What if I change your plans for today? What if I tell you someone to call or something to do that’s not on your to-do list? I’m just curious how much I should bother to tell you if you’re not listening or not willing to follow my words. The first thing you need to notice about this passage is that Jesus had the woman’s attention. She was all-in, more than interested in what he had to say and in what he could give her. Are you all-in at this moment, Dwayne? Do I have your attention? Ok, then next you need to see what got her attention. It was something she knew she needed, something she longed to have. Do you know you need what I can give you? Do you feel desperate to hear and receive from me? Now look closely at what Jesus offered her: living, fresh, bubbling water. He wanted to give her fresh and lasting life–eternal life that started the moment she received him and followed him. Dwayne, here’s the crux of what I want to show you today. I gave you my life, my living water, some 45 years ago when you were a small child. That water inside of you hasn’t run dry, and it never will. It’s still just as fresh and alive in you as that day in 1970 when you received the Holy Spirit as a deposit of your salvation. Your life, your attitude, your joy should be as fresh and enthusiastic as it was when you first trusted me as Savior. Sure, your circumstances have changed. You’re much older, have many more responsibilities and cares, and you’ve made many mistakes and committed many sins since then. But my living water still lives in you. That hasn’t changed. I haven’t changed. Today, allow my Living Water–the Holy Spirit–to fill you and control you. Let my life become “fresh and bubbly” in you again. This is the real fountain of youth! This is how you will stay fresh and green until and beyond your dying day–both in your walk with me and in your born-again, never-to-die soul.
What I said to God: Holy Lord, Holy Spirit, abba-Father, precious Friend, I am desperate to hear from You. I am in need of what only You can give me. I know no other father with whom I’d rather be. You hold the words of life; please come now and hold me. I thank You for giving me Your Living Water, which is to say You, Holy Spirit, to live and breath through me. Thank You for the joy of my salvation that no one can steal or take away from me. Please forgive me when I search for other things to fill me up, when all I need is You. Forgive me when I allow my circumstances to control my emotions, when all I should depend on and look to for strength and help is You. Thank You for my family, especially my wife and boys. Thank You for my awesome church and the ministry You’ve called me and allow me to do. May those around me always see Your fresh and bubbly life flowing out of me.