Living Water

Ask Utopia Bibles to Exodus chapter 17. The Sunday evenings were thinking of the life of Moses. This remarkable leader of Israel and where thinking of this very interesting incident in the life of the children of Israel.

Exodus 17 I'm going to read the first seven verses Exodus 17 verse one all the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of sin by stages. According to the commandment of the Lord and come to academe but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said give us water to drink and Moses said to them, why do you quarrel with me. Why do you test the Lord but the people thirsted there for water and the people grumbled against Moses, and said why do you bring us upright of Egypt, to kill us under children under livestock with thirst, so Moses cried to the Lord, what shall I do with this people that almost ready to stone me. The Lord said to Moses pass on before the people taken with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go bold. I will stand before you, that on the rock at hundred and you shall strike the rock on water shall come out of it and people will drink.

Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel, and he called the name of the place Masa and Malabar because of the quarreling of the people of Israel and because they tested the Lord by saying is the Lord among us or not. In a study of the life of Moses, we come to this incident. We joined the Israelites traveling in the wilderness to the promised land.

And God is guiding them number. He guided them by a pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of cloud by night and read and there's one that they're moving on in the wilderness of sin by stages. Notice what verse one Cesar according to the commandment of the Lord. Now you would think that we tend to think that if were doing what the Lord tells us life is easy. Life is not difficult and in a sense we think. At least we feel that God always it to us if we're doing what we should do that God should make life easy for us, but that's not the case being led by God. Following Jesus Christ does not mean that they're not hardships, unexpected situations, obstacles and painful circumstances in the life and we previously seen that as the children of Israel were going through the wilderness. They were hungry. They had grumbled and complained and yet God graciously provided an abundance bread from heaven mana. The ready food of angels. I know here in chapter 17. The problem is not that they don't have food there is no water that's a real problem in the dust and heat of the wilderness. Remember they had seen the faithfulness of God. There were eyewitnesses of the invincible poet of God they had benefited from the wonderful, faithful promises of God to show them he had delivered them from Egyptian bondage. He had delivered them through the Red Sea. He had turned bitter water into sweet he'd given them quails had given them the bread from heaven mana time and time again, God was watching over providing leading his people, but now they come to this other test and here as we read the quarreled with Moses and grumble against them. Now why would God give these tests, Israel why does God as we follow him lead us sometimes in the difficult circumstances. Circumstances now that we would choose and in a sense they're not about making we realize that them like we sometimes make foolish decisions and these foolish decisions have consequences or we can understand that but when were following God when were doing the right thing and difficulties, and problems on unexpected situations.

What is God doing what you don't need to speculate about that.

It is the answer in Deuteronomy chapter 8 Deuteronomy 8 � two and you will remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these 14 years in the wilderness.

This, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether he would keep his commandments are not and he humbled you and let you hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know that he might make you know with all of this this morning as we thought of Matthew chapter 4 and the Lord being tempted that you may know what that man does not live by bread alone, but by the but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord that it is the situations humblest done day they test us and then reveal what's in our heart because the true test is not a limit on the mountaintop know when things are going well.

Even unbelievers are joyful then know the true test is when the difficulties, and the obstacles come so that God is humbling us and God wants to us to trust him and to call out to him for help.

I God never tempts us, but he does test us to reveal was in our hearts and to deepen our trust and their faith in him masculine working humbly before the Lord. Each day you relying on the Lord the Christian faith is a life of faith is of daily dependence on the Lord, Lord, give us this day our daily bread Thursday. I need your strength this day. I need your help. I would we responding to the tests which God brings to us were going to see very quickly God's miraculous provision for Israel, and then C has miraculous provision for us. What happens here when Israel wants water well the company academe. There's no water to drink. We previously seen that they gone to the wonderful oasis of dealing with these wonderful pine trees and with abundant water, but know that they carried some of the water with them in their journeys to feed them thousands upon thousands of them to think that animals are but no, they have no water et al. the thirsty I would later respond know very well the forgotten guards at the forgotten that God was leading them.

Did you notice their demanding attitude of entitlement � to as a quarreled with Moses and say to him give us water to drink nobody gracious is it very demanding when entitled to this is the point guard to attend the bitter water into sweet the God that sent them quail and minor. The God bless them every day without fresh manna right from heaven, but now you are taking God for granted. We got no other give us water to drink. I often say that God doesn't like being taken for granted the city to do that you might your friends to take you for granted you don't like your husband or your wife or your parents or your children to take you for granted and God must not be taken for granted and here they come, and saying, in effect, to the Lord and to Moses. We don't deserve this.

Give lighter side of Egypt's and that it's up to you to provide for us not only to the grumble.

We read here in verse two. The people quarreled with Moses a very strong work at their testing the Lord here is right unbelief and really rebellion varsity why did you bring us up out of Egypt to kill us and their children and our livestock with thirst, the really think were going to die, but they forgotten the promises of God that they forgotten that God had said to them when they were in Egypt and I'm going to bring your eye of Egyptian bondage into a land flowing with milk and honey had the forgotten. Isn't God true to his promises. Isn't it true that what God says he always delivers. But here they're calling you is unbelief. God is always to his promises, he remains faithful even when we are unfaithful and God had poured his grace is protection his provision on them in this place is going to be known as we read in verse seven as Messiah, the place of testing men about the place of Carling a permanent record in Scripture that the Israelites at least at this point we are quarreling complaining on unbelieving people that be written over some episodes of your life Messiah met over unbelieving quarreling, complaining people taking God for granted when problems and difficulties come into your life and they have and they will some of you are facing them right today we have a choice them with these problems.

These difficulties can result in our hearts be hardened. We can become bitter and hard and then complaining and looking to find fault with everyone, whether it's the leader out of ourselves or those around us or society generally and to make demands on God wanting God to act on our towns and their timing, I must confess I'm sometimes like the Israelites had been in the past, expecting God to act the way that I think God should act to say that of course is to say something that is observed is to say that I think I'm wiser than God that my tightening up my solutions are better than God's listen to what Psalm 95 says some 95 is a great Psalm of praise begins letter saying let's make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

Since then, Advair 60 come, let us worship and bow down and let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hands today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as that mad about as on the day I Messiah in the wilderness. Exodus 17 when your fathers put me to the test and put me to the proof though they had seen my work, some as the saying God is saying to us today when difficulties come in your life. I don't want you to be like the people here and ask the 17 when they quarreled and complain know today. Notice it's today today if you hear my voice do not harden your heart. The right of Hebrews 3 is going to develop that you can this morning to worship God to come tonight to hear the voice of God is God been speaking to you. Hope you have us this morning with a lot of the temptation of our Lord and hope we are to resistant signs fast against our enemy to resist the devil and he will flee from us today. Yesterday, but today you had the voice of God today when you hear his voice, do not harden your heart. This relates hardened their hearts in spite of the quarreling and sprites of their accusation against poor Moses, God in his grace the medical face with the quarreling on the complaining and unbelief. Moses again cries out to the Lord in verse four so Moses cried to the Lord, what shall I do with this people there almost ready to stone me unbelievable. Moses was the leader, and in spite of the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of cloud by fire the Israelites in the presence of the Lord. Did you notice that at the end of verse seven is the Lord among us are not a statement look up your Chandler crop do not see the pillar of cloud knights do not see the pillar of fire in your dieting of God is with us are parts once again God is graciously going to demonstrate his invincible power and his unfailing faithfulness. We have a God who is able to do far more abundantly than we can ask or think. Paul says in Ephesians 3 what happens related. God leads them to the rocket heart member Horeb is the place of the burning bush, Moses, it is to take that stop you the very staff we perform the medicals of the Nile very staff that was held up as they crossed the Red Sea as a reminder that God's power that is undiminished. The God who led them through the Red Sea, the God who destroyed the Egyptians, is the same God that is within our teacher staff.

Moses taken the elders and go to that rock and strike that rock and Moses obeys the Lord some hundred and five verse four.

He opened the rock and water gushed out.

It flowed through the desert like a river of the discovered that God's grace is abundant. Paul says of the New Testament that God lavishes his grace upon us.

Sometimes we are generous, but we really keep more for ourselves own way. But God's grace is infinite.

Simon says this is not a little bit of water. This is like a river so that there is ample water for all of the thousands of Israelites all of their animals.

Provision of God's abundant grace and that was to be the best the water. You think so I must be in the states whether there was and that Matt alternates God's miraculous provision once again for his people were about God's miraculous provision for us. Well, if you have your Bibles come to what Paul says about this in first Corinthians chapter 10 is often said the best commentary on Scripture is Scripture and that Paul says something that probably we would never have thought of, but here it is in first Corinthians 10. He gives a New Testament commentary on Exodus chapter 17 verse when things 10 one. I don't want you to be on the scares me unaware brothers that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea.

All were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea involving the same spiritual food and all drank the same spiritual drink.

This, for they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them. This wasn't just a little bit of what through the four years there was going to be abundant water for they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them and the raw was Christ interesting the rock is Christ. Paul makes a very interesting application of the rock of Exodus 17, to our Lord Jesus Christ that you know your Bibles frequently God is described as a rock as the everlasting rock is the rock of ages of one who is unchanging and unchangeable, steadfast, immovable, absolutely dependable, unlike you and me no moods, not fickle, steadfast, unfailing, God is the rock God was with his people in the wilderness wasn't a Paul says the spiritual rock followed them and our Lord Jesus Christ is always with his people, always with the church and that we as followers of our Lord Jesus are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ regarding his grace saves you, he doesn't just give you a little bit of grace.

He doesn't just give you a little bit of salvation know all of the benefits flowing from our Lord Jesus Christ available to each one of us as we draw of this tremendous unfailing Constance Waller. Now you say, when was I understand the rock being struck in the in the wilderness and water coming out. But when was Christ. The rock struck again.

You really don't need to wondered about that. Listen to the words of as it's recorded by Mark Mark chapter 14 verse 26 that amazing scene. Mark 14 verse 26 Lord instituted the Lord's supper that we celebrated this morning. Verse 26 they sung a hymn that went out to the mind of olives Lord is on his way to the garden of Gethsemane on the way to the cross and Jesus said to them. This you will all follow way for this written I will strike the shepherd is quoting from Zechariah 13 verse seven I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.

You understand that gives the shepherd watching over his flock. You attacked the shepherd you strike down the shepherd and the sheep were scattered without a shepherd sheep gather we know that the Lord Jesus Christ applies the Scripture from Zechariah 13 verse seven to himself and to his disciples, he shepherd is about to be struck on the disciples, the sheep will be scattered.

I will strike the shepherd, Mark 14 verse 27, who struck the shepherd who struck the rock which is Christ the Jewish Sanhedrin do this pilot.

The Roman soldiers, all of them played a part in the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ, who struck the shepherd freelancer the following answers this God the father struck his son, God the father is the one who strikes his son as predicted by the Old Testament prophet. Let me remind you, from Isaiah 53 words that you may be familiar with verse four surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we esteemed him stricken, what comes next smitten by God, and afflicted. It is true. Judas betrayed him. It's true that the Jewish Sanhedrin delivered them up to be crucified.

It's sure that Pilate delivered them to Golgotha.

It's true the Roman soldiers put the nails that hung him on the cross in the spirit in the site behind it all, from all of eternity. This is in the father's will. The father is going to smite his son verse 10 of Isaiah 53. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him him the Messiah. And so the next 17 we have a remarkable illustration of what happened to the rock who is Jesus Christ. He is struck by God the father.

The Old Testament Scriptures tell us that the Messiah is going to be struck is going to be pierced is going to be wondered, he's going to be crushed and upon the Messiah, the Christly chastisement that brought us peace. Who is it that disciplines the children who is it that chastises the children the father. This is the work of the father, why did the father strike his son. Why did the father crush his son is at work under that infinite Lord of sin. Why save you and me. There is no other way for sinners like us to receive all of the wonderful blessings which flow from God, who is provided in Jesus Christ our salvation. He is struck and from that striking flows. The wonderful everlasting benefits of salvation in particular the water gushing from the rock is a picture of the Holy Spirit is it John, that seems a little far-fetched. It's not but thank you for your comment and your question because I know some of your saying that is the true when the rock and exit 17 was struck great blessings flow to all the Israelites, but they had to partake of the water was there when Jesus Christ is struck because it would on the cross. Thrash spiritual blessings flow to those who drink of these eternal waters was into the words of Jesus in John seven is a wonderful words on the lap you listen on the last day of the feast, the great day. Jesus stood up and cried out, if anyone thirsts anyone spiritually first to hear. I hope you are. Anyone hungering and thirsting after righteousness utilize other things of this world can never truly satisfy you. If anyone thirsts, as Jesus, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scriptures said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. Now this he said about the spirit whom those who believed in him where to receive for as yet the spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Many of you recognize the come up here and you could testify as I could. But when you came to Christ, you experience a spring of water welling up to eternal life member that fascinating conversation between our Lord and the women of the well and John Ford the Samaritan woman.

She says to him give me to drink and he said no if you knew I was you. The last me and I would've given you living water. And if you drink of this water you'll never thirst again because the water that I give you will be a function of water springing up into eternal life and sent that's the promise of the gospel is in the that if you drink of this water says Jesus you will never thirst again nor this water you're drinking a symbol of this life this world. It is a very promiscuous woman who is trying to find a job. I in an unending series of relationships with different men and he says you're totally on the wrong track. If you continue there you'll continue to thirst but if you come and drink of the water that I gave you something will happen. It will be a well of water. The fountain of water springing up to life eternal justice. Physical water satisfies our physical needs. So this living water. The spiritual water which Christ offers will satisfy your deep spiritual longing deep within all of us is that there is a body which only God our creator can fill the living water is a picture of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. So Jesus cries are. If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink and back is a little boy of 12 coming to Christ beginning to drink of that living water, and although that moment. My sins were gone and I was forgiven and I was saved for the rest of my life in a sense I've continued to drink of that living water.

This function of water, which brings up to eternal life and quenches our thirst forever.

So from Exodus 17 we see important lessons with difficult circumstances, to life, and it will. Don't grumble and complain when attack other people and certainly don't question the Lord's power and protection provision.

God will never ever feel you.

He provides bread from heaven. He provides water from a rock.

He provides a continuing and continual guidance in your life. Don't turn and look to the things that the stuff of this world to satisfy you, whether it's relationships or staff of popularity that will never ever satisfy you fully.

All you need is filing in Christ, if you're hungry come to him. If you're Thursday come to him and drink of these living waters always be with you as your provider and protector. So Paul says in first Corinthians 10, for they drank from the spiritual rock that followed our mission at Calvary is to be authentic followers of Jesus Christ. That means is I follow Jesus Christ. Day by day.

He's always there supplying all that I need on tempted to go other places.

But when I keep my eyes on Christ. I drink of these living waters keep drinking of this living stream. CS Lewis illustrates it in his fascinating book the silver chair. I quote Jill person to an opening in the forest she thirsty. She spies a running stream not far away, but she doesn't rush rush forward to throw her face into its refreshing current. She sat instilling fear for a great lion picture of Christ Aslan is lying on the ground just inside of the stream that speaks there.

Are you not first they said the line I'm dying of thirst at Jill then thinks that the line manic today. Would you mind going away when I do set Jill line answered this only by looking at a very low growl and the chill gazed at this, motionless boat, she realized that she might've asked the whole Moncton to move aside for convenience. The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her near frantic.

We promise not to do anything to me.

If I come set Jill. I make no promise of the line.

Jill was so thirsty know that without noticing it should, step neuter.

Do you eat girl.

She said I swallowed up girls and boys, men and women kings and emperors cities and realms of the line and say this as if it were boasting as if it were sorry not as if it were angry. I just said it.

I did, I didn't comment.

Drink said Jill. Then you'll die of thirst of the line with their set Jill coming another step, neuter.

I suppose I should go and look for another stream then there is no other streams the line is not beautiful. There is no other thought this morning of the uniqueness of our Savior's beauty of the sinlessness he says to you and to me tonight if anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink today. This evening drink of that living rash water from the rock Christ Jesus. There is no other stream. There is no other fund. There is no other way of salvation, drink freely of this living water and you'll never thirst again hopeless father to drink from outliving whether we confess that we often tempted to turn the wonder of this world.

Eagle prides sinful pleasures many things carved into her life as we thought this morning we would all tempted help us to keep our eyes on Jesus, we thank you for that living stream. The stream that will satisfy us for all of eternity.

We thank you for the rock Christ Jesus, we thank you for his obedience on the death, even death on the cross and that he is the risen Savior and we thank you for the function of the Holy Spirit, which he gives us make each one of us know Christ and love and serve him. We pray in his name