THE WATER OF LIFE

Here's Pastor Doug Batchelor from www.amazingfacts.org with the Sacramento church



To study the lesson with Dr Derek Norris of the Lake Forest church,
click on the following link:

http://media.forestlakechurch.org/content/media/2010q204-24-water-life


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http://www.ssnet.org/qrtrly/eng/10b/less04m.html


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The Water of Life
“ ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life’ ” (John 4:13, 14, NRSV).



Nor Any Drop to Drink! Nor Any Drop Consumed?
Deena Bartel-Wagner, Spencerport, New York, U.S.A.
Sabbath Introduction
Rev. 21:6

“Water, water every where, / Nor any drop to drink.” These lines from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner resound with desire and convey the deep need of water for sustenance.

Water seems like such a simple thing. Cool, clear water has no calories and often no taste. We usually take it for granted and generally don’t consume enough of it. The moment we can’t access it, however, our minds can think of nothing else but having a tall glass of it.

Water seems like such a simple thing.

Our bodies are composed of 70 percent water. Our bodies can survive between 50 and 80 days without food, but only 3 days, on the average, without water. Dehydration comes quickly, and we begin to experience all kinds of physical symptoms when we don’t consume water.

Throughout the Bible, numerous stories and references speak about water. Sometimes it is used as a cleansing agent (Noah and the Flood). Another time God made sure that a prophet on the run had water to drink (Elijah and the brook Cherith). God used the water of the Nile to send a message to stubborn Pharaoh. Jesus turned ordinary water into the most flavorful wine served at a wedding feast. The Samaritan woman was confronted about her need for living water beside a well that was the source of daily water for an entire village. It was there that Jesus promised to supply water that would keep His followers from ever thirsting again.

The Creator could have chosen a different physical makeup for this world. Instead, He chose to cover 72 percent of the world in water. Christ told the woman at the well that even with all this water, we would still be thirsty if we didn’t access the Living Water daily.

How often do you drink water without thinking about the Living Water and what it means to you? During this week, we will examine stories of water in the Bible and their implications for our lives today. Remember the feel of the water in the baptistry as you were washed clean of your sins. Reflect on how parched and dry your life would be without the Living Water that is provided to you because you became a follower of Christ.

Don’t go through life with water, water every where, nor any drop consumed. Drink freely today of the Living Water.


Gushing or Seeping?
Jordan Wagner, Spencerport, New York, U.S.A.
Sunday Evidence
1 Kings 1:45;2 Kings 20:20; 2 Chron. 32:30; John 9:1–12

Jerusalem was built on a hill of hard limestone. Underneath the limestone hill are karstic caves that were carved out by the underground water that flowed from the Gihon Spring. This spring was the city’s only water source. It is mentioned several times in the Bible including during the anointing of Solomon as King of Israel (1 Kings 1:45). In Hebrew, the word Gihon means “to gush forth.” The Gihon Spring didn’t have a steady flow of water. Its water flow was affected by the season and the amount of annual rainfall.
Residents of the city used a natural subterranean water system.

The spring was fed by ground water, which accumulated in the subterranean caves. When the area was filled, the water would spill over and siphon its way to the surface to create a pool.
The water would flow from the cave out into the Kidron Valley, where crops were watered from the spring. The Bible speaks of this area as the “King’s Garden” (2 Kings 25:4; Neh. 3:15).

Because the Gihon Spring lay outside of the city of Jerusalem, if an attack on the city occurred, the water supply for the city was threatened. Residents of the city used a natural subterranean water system, which is today known as “Warren’s Shaft,” because it was discovered by C. Warren in 1867 during archeological explorations. This shaft allowed a person to travel underground to the Gihon Spring and draw water from it by utilizing a container fastened to a rope without ever having to leave the protective walls of the city.

Water from Gihon Spring also flowed through Hezekiah’s Tunnel to the Siloam Pool. It was to this pool that Jesus sent the blind man to be healed (John 9:1–12). Hezekiah’s Tunnel was constructed during the reign of King Hezekiah and is mentioned in 2 Kings 20:20 and 2 Chronicles 32:30. The Assyrian army presented the threat of invasion and so the tunnel, as well as fortifications, were constructed. With these modifications, the Pool of Siloam was subsequently located within the walls of Jerusalem.*
____________
* Hillel Geva, “Jerusalem—Water Systems of Biblical Times,” Jewish Virtual Library, http://www
.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/jerwater (accessed February 6, 2009).




Water Please, No Ice Got water?
Monday Logos
Gen. 2:10; Isa. 40:31; Matt. 9:2−7;
John 4:1−26; 9:1−11; Rom. 6:1−6

“Water, Water, Every Where” (John 4:14)
Water is so ubiquitous that it seems almost meaningless to talk about it. Surely, everyone knows what water is and what it does. The only people who need to study it are the molecular biologists who want to understand the construction, application, and function of the tiniest parts of water. On the other end of the spectrum, it would be great to comprehend the depths of the deepest trenches of the ocean and how light-emitting fish can live there. But when the smart people who study those things figure them out, they’ll let us know with a news feature on the Daily Show, right?

Got water?

Assuming that God made water along with everything else He made, why is it the most abundant and recognizable commodity on the earth (at least from space)? And why do we spend so much time and money looking for it in places such as Mars? Those aforementioned smart people tell us it is the most fundamentally essential substance needed for life to exist. After all, God could have made things any way He wanted, according to any set of natural laws He wanted to put in place. There is no such thing in God’s universe as coincidence.

So what did Jesus mean when He said to the woman at the well, “ ‘Those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life’ ” (John 4:14, NRSV)? The woman had obviously been living for some time without ever having drunk of the water Jesus offered. She had been married five times without the water Jesus offers. Perhaps this, in itself, is a clue to our quest for a reason to care about water.

Water’s Dual Meaning (Gen. 2:10–14)
Water is physical, and it is spiritual (symbolic). We use it to keep ourselves clean. Doing so not only helps us to look better and to be more socially acceptable, but it actually helps to prevent illness. We can literally wash away what ails us or what could potentially ail us. On the inside, by keeping our bodies hydrated, our organs can gather, filter, and eliminate hazardous foreign microscopic bodies and worn-out cells.

Spiritual water cleanses us from the eternal deadly effects of sin. A soul connected to the Source of this water is kept clean by the constant renewing of the Holy Spirit’s cleansing.
When Genesis 2:10–14 speaks of the river of water that runs from Eden, it tells us of the four rivers that originate from this source in the land of sinlessness. In the same way the four winds represent strife in all corners of the world, these four rivers could represent health and spiritual cleansing going to all corners of the world. Even today, Hindus believe rivers are sacred and their water is an important part of purification rituals.

Water’s True Source (John 4:14; 1 Cor. 10:4)
Jesus is the source of this living water (John 4:14; 1 Cor. 10:4). “Prayer will bring before the Lord of hosts the wounds of Jesus, and then will flow forth afresh the life-giving blood, symbolized by the flowing of the living water.”* Everywhere we see water—in the seas and rivers, in the vapor of the atmosphere, even within the membrane of every cell of our bodies—we are to remember that the saving, healing grace of Jesus is right there, ready to give us healing from sin and the illnesses it creates in us. We cannot be separated from this water and live. We cannot be separated from the grace of Jesus and live spiritually.

Water baptism was designed to teach these very lessons. The watery grave of Romans 6:1–6 bears in it the promise of healing for eternal life. This is the all-enveloping nature of water. Convenience aside, a person being baptized is intended to get wet. Thus, the intermingling of the physical and spiritual aspects of water are taught by God in making water one of the indispensible elements of good health—water on the inside, and water on the outside.

The power of Jesus’ promise in John 14 is seen as He spoke of the relationship between Himself and the Father and the Holy Spirit. Their fluid boundaries make it nearly impossible to know where one ends and the others begin. In verse 17, Jesus promised the Spirit who “ ‘lives with you and will be in you’ ” (NIV). Jesus doesn’t want to be just with us, but in every cell of our physical and spiritual being. He longs to be the ubiquitous commodity that is seen above all, whether others look at us in passing or study us in detail to determine the source and function of our life ambition. We are to be so close to Him that there is no difference between us. Then He says, “ ‘Because I live, you also will live’ ” (John 14:19, NIV).
Got water?
___________
*Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 411.
Gary Wagner, Spencerport, New York, U.S.A.



Quench My Thirst, O God
Ashley Trecartin, Loma Linda, California, U.S.A.
Tuesday Testimony
John 4:1–26

One of the provisions God made for humans when He created the earth was to provide water in abundance. He designed us to need it both on the inside and outside of our bodies. Without it, we cannot live more than a few days. As Christians, we need the daily living water that Bible study and prayer bring to our lives.

“He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life.”

“In health and in sickness pure water is one of Heaven’s choicest blessings. Its proper use promotes health. It is the beverage which God provided to quench the thirst of animals and man. . . .
“The refreshing water, welling up in a parched and barren land, causing the desert place to blossom and flowing out to give life to the perishing, is an emblem of the divine grace which Christ alone can bestow, and which is as the living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul.”1

“He who seeks to quench his thirst at the fountains of this world will drink only to thirst again. Everywhere men are unsatisfied. They long for something to supply the need of the soul. Only One can meet that want. The need of the world, ‘The Desire of all nations,’ is Christ. . . .

“Jesus did not convey the idea that merely one draft of the water of life would suffice the receiver. He who tastes of the love of Christ will continually long for more; but he seeks for nothing else. The riches, honors, and pleasures of the world do not attract him. The constant cry of his heart is, More of Thee. And He who reveals to the soul its necessity is waiting to satisfy its hunger and thirst.”2

“He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The receiver becomes a giver. The grace of Christ in the soul is like a spring in the desert, welling up to refresh all, and making those who are ready to perish eager to drink of the water of life.”3
____________
1. My Life Today, p. 139.
2. The Desire of Ages, p. 187.
3. Ibid., p. 195.



Treating Spiritual Dehydration
Jason Hammel, Rochester, New York, U.S.A.
Wednesday How-to
Matt. 6:34; John 4:1–26;
Eph. 6:11; 1 Pet. 5:8

If you stop drinking water for just one day, it can cause headaches and dizzy spells. If you go without water for a longer time, the circulation of blood to your vital organs becomes less efficient, and your mental abilities become impaired. What would happen if a Christian stopped drinking the water of life that Jesus offers?

If you stay in this situation, you will surely die spiritually!

The media reports survival stories of individuals lost in the wilderness areas who have run out of water and drink polluted water in order to survive. The polluted water often causes illness. If the people are not rescued, they die.

If we apply this scenario to a person lost in the world without spiritual water, the result would be much the same. You realize you are lost. You become scared and desperate, willing to drink anything just to survive. Focusing on the immediate need rather than on biblical principles, you drink “polluted water” from worldly fountains. If you stay in this situation, you will surely die spiritually!

So how do we prevent this situation?

Be prepared for each day. Jesus says, “ ‘Each day has enough trouble of its own’ ” (Matt. 6:34, NIV). If we don’t drink enough spiritual water, we will become like a lost hiker without enough water. Therefore, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8, NIV). As you set out each day, be prepared. Don’t leave your house without drinking spiritual water. When you do leave, bring some with you, because you could lose your way. Remember, even seasoned hikers can lose their way.

Be forewarned. Paul advises us to “put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Eph. 6:11, NIV). Drink daily and drink often of the water of life that only Jesus can provide. This is how you can have inside you a “well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

Remember the symptoms of spiritual dehydration. Wandering without purpose; anxious without hope; tempted (seemingly) without escape; entangled in worldly affairs; resistant to spiritual counsel.

REACT
1. When have you been spiritually dehydrated? How did you cope?
2. How can we bring relief to those who don’t even know they are spiritually dehydrated?




Food and Water, or a Sermonette ?
Carrie Purkeypile, Sacramento, California, U.S.A.
Thursday Opinion
John 4:14; 12:8

Jesus recognizes the physical needs we have. His earthly ministry was full of miracles that met such needs. He healed many debilitating diseases and provided food and drink for crowds of people. The other part of His mission, however, was even more important. He offered Living Water as well. He recognizes that spiritual knowledge and salvation are even more critical than the physical needs of His people. However, He doesn’t ignore either facet of our lives.

When we love God and have a relationship with Him, we want and need to share with other people. Because we know our value lies in God’s eyes, we should know that all other men and women are valuable too. All people, no matter how they are dressed or where they are located, are of the utmost value to our Creator.

We have the knowledge that can save lives just as certainly as any mythical superman who can hoist a fallen building, or a skilled mediator patiently rescuing hostages from a hostile situation. The fate of the human race is certain death. The saving answer to that problem is to accept Jesus as Lord of our lives and hearts. When we do, we become qualified to lead others to Christ.

Is it enough to serve soup at homeless shelters or send a donation that will purchase food for hungry people? By all means, Christ wants us to care about the predicaments of our fellow human beings. We weren’t called to live in a bubble. Christ balanced His ministry by meeting the physical and spiritual needs of those He encountered. Preaching a lengthy sermon to a starving person probably won’t do much good. As Christ did, we must reach out and help others. We must love them as He loves them. Show first; then tell what His love is and where to get more of it.

REACT
1. What are you doing to meet the physical needs of others? What spiritual needs are you helping others to meet?
2. Pray for a calling. Then be open to whomever God calls you to help physically or spiritually.
3. Have you received both the physical water and spiritual water in your life?
4. What is the water springing up to eternal life that Jesus spoke of in John 4:14?



Come to the Waters
Dwain Esmond, Hedgesville, West Virginia, U.S.A.
Friday Exploration
Acts 17:24

CONCLUDE
Water is the most abundant element on earth and arguably the most important. Wars have been fought over access to it. While physical water is essential to physical health and well being, the spiritual water offered humanity through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ is not only integral to one’s physical life, but it is also the essential building block of eternal life. When we drink deeply of the Living Water—Jesus Christ—we are satisfied for now and eternity. We become fountains from which others can drink freely.

CONSIDER
• Locating a babbling brook or waterfall. Watch and listen to the gentle flow. Ask a friend to videotape you doing a dramatic reading of Revelation 22, with special attention paid to verse 17.

• Ranking the following spiritual disciplines based on how much each quenches your spiritual thirst on a scale from 1 (most thirst-quenching) to 5 (least thirst-quenching): (1) spiritual music; (2) Christian friends; (3) Bible study; (4) witnessing; (5) devotional reading; (6) service done on behalf of others.
• Thinking of a moment in your life when something from God’s Word was a source of comfort to you. Write a one-paragraph testimony of this experience, and either share it with five Facebook friends or e-mail it to five friends.
• Writing a two-stanza song about Jesus, the Water of Life, using all of the • following words in each stanza: water, life, Jesus, cleansing, healing, thirst. The words need not be in the sequence listed.
• Reading and meditating on John 4:13, 14. What did Jesus say would happen • to those who drink the water He offers? Is your life a spring welling up with eternal life? Is your life having a godly impact on the people around you?
• Considering the following: If we cannot exist without water for more than three days, how long might our spiritual life last if we stop drinking the Water of Life—Jesus Christ?
•Starting a daily devotional walk with God by setting aside time each day to drink from His Word, the Bible. Plant something to signal the beginning of your journey, and remember to water it each day.

CONNECT
The Desire of Ages, chapter 19.
Max Lucado, Come Thirsty: No Heart Too Dry for His Touch, chapters 1–3.

http://www.cqbiblestudy.org/site/1/lessons/2010-2/English/STUDENT/CQ-10-Q2-04.pdf