1. THE SOURCE OF OVERFLOWING JOY John 7:28-39

2. This was the Feast of Tabernacles in the fall after harvest. it commemorated the Exodus from Egypt and the Wilderness Wanderings for 40 years.

3. Each morning a priest would lead a procession… out through the water gate in Jerusalem Somewhere on this side of the Temple

4. down to the pool of Saloam. "with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation".

5. up to the Great altar of burnt offering… where he would pour this water into a silver spout onto the altar as a libation unto the Lord.

6. This symbolized God's gift of water in the desert after they quarreled with Moses in the desert. So they quarreled with Moses and said, "Give us water to drink." Moses replied, "Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?" 3 But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, "Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?" – Ex 17:2-3

7. It also prophesied the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. – Isa 44:3

8. On the last day the ritual climaxed. As the priest poured out his pitcher of water several other priest poured water from great basins so that water overflowed in abundance in all directions.

9. Jesus stood and cried out… "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." (7:37-38)

10. We are told the meaning… By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

11. AN ESSENTIAL IN LIFE IS SCARCE

12. The story is simple… Man once had Joy Man lost it. Nothing but the fullness of God can restore it.

13. GOD OFFERS OVERFLOWING JOY

14. Originally man enjoyed it always in relationship to the Living God.

15. We get glimpses of it Through Bible stories, biblical heroes, biblical events, etc.

16. Through His Prophets, God promised a mighty outpouring of His Spirit. Isa. 44:3 "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants." Jer. 39:29 "I will pour out my Spirit on the house of Israel, declares the Sovereign Lord.". Joel 2:28 "And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people..."

17. An outpouring of God's Spirit is available now Personal satisfaction An endless supply –but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. -- Jn 4:14

18. THREE REQUISITES ARE FOCUSED

19. FAITH We Must Believe in Jesus. –Whoever believes in me – v 38a

20. EXPERIENCE Evidence of the reality of the overflowing joy resulting from the Gift of God’s Spirit in our heart & Life –streams of living water will flow from within him. – v 38b

21. EXALTATION Jesus must be glorified –Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. – v 39

22. You see….

23. We try so many ways to find Joy Fancy pitchers, Ancient wells, Elaborate rituals.

24. Jesus came so that we could have Joy overflowing We find it in Him!