John 7:38
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.
I have meditated before on the importance of relationships within the church and especially small groups. I often came from the viewpoint that we need relationships. We need people. We need edification and encouragement from those around us. But this time I am going to come at it from a different standpoint.
All the above is true and we should be humble enough to admit those needs. But this time I’m coming at it from the other side. I am not mentioning your need to get, but your calling to give. And specifically, to give yourself.
Paul tells the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:35, "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" It may sound crazy, but it’s true. It is more blessed, more deeply satisfying, more rich and solid to give rather than receive.
This is who we are, and must be, as a Christian. The moment we become a Christian, we are givers by nature. This is who we are — self-giving is part of our nature, our essence, our identity.
Jesus is an essential part of our nature, essence and identity. Listen to what He says: “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14).
That is who we are too. United with Christ, we are a spring. Jesus also said, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38). That’s who you are. You are a spring. You are a fountain. “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life” (Proverbs 10:11).
I have tried to stop up a spring. It doesn’t work very well. What makes springs and fountains happy and healthy is when they make streams. If you stop them up, it’s not natural. They naturally fight against it. They want to give forth water. If you let them give — if you let them become what they are — they stay clear and healthy and life-giving and happy.
This meditation is an effort to help you be happy like that — a message to encourage you to be a self-giving part of a small group. This time not because of your need to get, but because of your calling to give. Specifically to give yourself — the new self that God has created in you.
I know many of you feel like you have little or nothing to give. However if you are a Christian that is not true. You have Christ (Romans 8:10), you have the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), you have the word of God (1 Corinthians 2:13), you have spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:10), you are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and you are a fountain (John 4:14; 7:38). This is not a matter of personality. This is a matter of faith. Trust him, and give yourself.
"Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" (Acts 20:35). And Paul gave not only the gospel, but himself (1 Thessalonians 2:8). I urge you to do the same. Create relationships within the church. Be loving and outgoing in those relationships. Give of yourself to those around you, and you will be blessed.
I have meditated before on the importance of relationships within the church and especially small groups. I often came from the viewpoint that we need relationships. We need people. We need edification and encouragement from those around us. But this time I am going to come at it from a different standpoint.
All the above is true and we should be humble enough to admit those needs. But this time I’m coming at it from the other side. I am not mentioning your need to get, but your calling to give. And specifically, to give yourself.
Paul tells the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:35, "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" It may sound crazy, but it’s true. It is more blessed, more deeply satisfying, more rich and solid to give rather than receive.
This is who we are, and must be, as a Christian. The moment we become a Christian, we are givers by nature. This is who we are — self-giving is part of our nature, our essence, our identity.
Jesus is an essential part of our nature, essence and identity. Listen to what He says: “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14).
That is who we are too. United with Christ, we are a spring. Jesus also said, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38). That’s who you are. You are a spring. You are a fountain. “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life” (Proverbs 10:11).
I have tried to stop up a spring. It doesn’t work very well. What makes springs and fountains happy and healthy is when they make streams. If you stop them up, it’s not natural. They naturally fight against it. They want to give forth water. If you let them give — if you let them become what they are — they stay clear and healthy and life-giving and happy.
This meditation is an effort to help you be happy like that — a message to encourage you to be a self-giving part of a small group. This time not because of your need to get, but because of your calling to give. Specifically to give yourself — the new self that God has created in you.
I know many of you feel like you have little or nothing to give. However if you are a Christian that is not true. You have Christ (Romans 8:10), you have the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), you have the word of God (1 Corinthians 2:13), you have spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:10), you are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), and you are a fountain (John 4:14; 7:38). This is not a matter of personality. This is a matter of faith. Trust him, and give yourself.
"Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" (Acts 20:35). And Paul gave not only the gospel, but himself (1 Thessalonians 2:8). I urge you to do the same. Create relationships within the church. Be loving and outgoing in those relationships. Give of yourself to those around you, and you will be blessed.
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