Bible Sermons Online

CHRIST IS ALWAYS READY TO HELP THOSE IN NEED

1. His offers of mercy usually are to those in need: "if any man THIRST" (= in need). So also: "Come - labour" / "Bread of life - he that hungers", etc.
   DOCTRINE: None come to Christ without a felt sense of need.
   (Proof: "I came not to call...").
2. Q. But are not all sinners in need?
   A. Yes - but not all know it to be so.
3. Satan labours to hide this need from us:
   1. By re-defining "sinner" -> "criminal".
      There is an important difference.
   2. The harm done by some psychiatry:
      The tendency to get us to heal ourselves:
      "Every day and in every way ...".
   3. Keeping us so busy - no time to stop and think:
      "Where am I going wrong?"
      APPLICATION: If we think we are well we shall not come to Christ for His gracious help.
4. "Thirst"
5. 1. for a sense of God's forgiveness
   2. for increased peace of soul
   3. for God's love and favour
      APPLICATION: Who goes to the doctor when they are well?

CHRIST IS ABLE TO SATISFY OUR EVERY NEED

1. "Come - drink": None are excluded - all the qualification you need is a sense of your need: I show you how to stir this thought in your soul:
   1. Think about your past sins - every one is enough to damn you - but there are myriads of sins - God will not/cannot pardon out of Christ.
      APPLICATION: Have you no thirst for God's mercy?
   2. Think how short your time for repentance is - soon you will be too frail to come to church - prayer will be harder - your heart harder...
      APPLICATION: Do you not feel your need of God's mercy?
      Can you ignore Christ's offer?
2. Once you have drunk from this cup of salvation, you will never thirst again. See:
   • The disciples: did they want the old life?
   • Matthew: did he go back to tax-collecting?
   • the devout woman: Mary, Martha - did they?
   • DOCTRINE: None who come to Christ are unsatisfied.
   • APPLICATION: I promise you - it will be so for you.
3. Christ is able to lay every fear to rest in your life now and in time to come:
   1. past sins: Illustration: Satan and Luther.
   2. present worries: "Casting all your care upon Him".
   3. future needs: "I am with you always..."
   4. facing death: Illustration: "Today - in paradise"!
      APPLICATION: I can assure you: a life lived by faith in Christ is the only happy and fulfilled life there is.

TEXT: "Come - Drink!"

THE SECRET SPRING BY WHICH CHRIST GIVES FULL SATISFACTION IS HIS HOLY SPIRIT

* The vv..38-39: "rivers - out of His belly - the Spirit" (Explain).

1. It is a picture of extravagant blessing - not drops but "rivers" of blessing, grace and full satisfaction.
   APPLICATION: No wonder Isaiah says: "Why do you spend...not bread?" God gives it all free.
2. What are these "rivers"?
   1. The assurance that we are saved. This comes by the Spirit.
   2. The clean heart: Illustration: dirty house clean and beautified.
   3. The power to resist evil: The Spirit gives us ability now to master sin.
   4. The joy of being a witness to God: Illustration: How did Legion feel?
   5. The good hope of eternal: Illustration: "Tell mother, I'll be there".
3. Christ makes all these blessings ours - this mercy "springs up" in the soul.
   APPLICATION: I bid you come and drink