This message explores Jesus’ visit to the Feast of Tabernacles, the division arising around Him, and His teaching about rivers of living water coming from within those who believe in Him..
(John 7:1-52)
Sermon Outline
On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37-38)
Meaning of the Festival of Tabernacles
Sequence of Events at the Festival
- Jesus’ brothers go up to Jerusalem (John 7:1-8).
- Jesus goes up in secret (John 7:9-13).
- Jesus disrupts the festival with his teaching (John 7:14-36).
- Jesus stands to proclaim the main message of living water (John 7:37-44).
- The Pharisees “lose it” (John 7:7:45-52).
What We Learn from Particular Campers at the Festival
- Jesus’ brothers
- The crowds
- The Jewish leaders
- The temple guards
- Nicodemus
The Significance of the Festival for Us
- We’re all in tents (2 Corinthians 5:1-5).
- We’re all looking for water (Isaiah 55:1).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
- What is your “go to” drink on a hot day or after you’ve exercised a lot?
- This week we continue our sermon series “Look for the Signs,” by exploring John 7:1-52. Whether on your own or with others, begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you.
- What do you think Jesus meant in John 7:34 when he said, “You will look for me, but you will not find me,’ and ‘Where I am, you cannot come”?
- In John 7:35, the Jews asked each other: ‘Will he go where our people live scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks? [referring to Hellenistic Jews or pagan Gentiles] Think about how this became true through the Apostle Paul and others.
- How would you describe your own conversion to Christ? Was it all at once (like the Apostle Paul) or stretched out over a long period of time (like Nicodemus)? Or somewhere in the middle? How did you experience God’s grace in the timing of your own experience?
- Have you had a chance this past week to let “rivers of living water” flow through you to someone else? In this next week, how can you open yourself to being even more of a tributary of the living water you’ve received from Jesus?
DIG DEEPER
- Exploring Faith – At the festival, the people were all thinking about the need of water for their crops and their bodies, while Jesus stood up and proclaimed in a loud voice that he had living water for their souls. What things, religions or practices have you tried to quench the thirst of your soul? Based on what you’ve discovered in your search so far, how might Jesus be able to fully satisfy what you’re looking for?
- Growing in Faith – What is God teaching you from your observation of the particular campers we talked about at the festival, positive and negative? These would be Jesus’ brothers, the crowds, the Jewish leaders, the temple guards and Nicodemus.
- Centered in Faith – As you think about how Jesus is the source of living water, and he wants us to let that living water flow out from us, how would this affect the way you live your life? What habits and attitudes does he want you to change, with his help?