Welcome to Pastor Kyle’s blog, where we delve into the profound realization that Sundays alone aren't enough to sustain our spiritual journey. Here, the emphasis is the importance of taking time throughout the week to reflect on and internalize the messages we receive each Sunday. The posts are dedicated to exploring these teachings further, providing insights, practical applications, and personal reflections to help you live out your faith every day. Join me as we discover how the lessons from Sunday can transform our lives, guide our decisions, and deepen our relationship with God beyond just one day a week.
Over the last four weeks, we’ve been on a transformative journey through the "Carry The Water" series. It began with a deep dive into understanding the burdens we carry, moved into recognizing the companions who walk this path with us, taught us about the resilience needed to persist despite challenges, and culminated in witnessing the fulfillment of God's promise through Jesus as the living water.
Reflecting on the conclusion of our the series, I want to express how much I've enjoyed preaching through it. This journey from has personally convicted and challenged me in profound ways. Over the past four weeks, we've delved into themes that challenge and compel us to deeper faith and understanding, culminating in a message that resonates deeply within my spirit. I want to take a moment to reflect on the message from this past week. We delved into a significant moment found in John 7:37-39, where, during the final and most important day of the Feast of Booths, Jesus stands up and loudly offers living water to all who are thirsty.
This offer of living water wasn't just a metaphor for physical thirst but a profound invitation to experience the Holy Spirit's transformative power. But to fully grasp the weight of this moment, let's step back into the setting of John 7. The Feast of Booths was a vibrant, communal celebration, yet Jesus' brothers doubted Him, urging Him to perform His works publicly to gain followers. Despite their misunderstanding and the world's skepticism, Jesus chose His moments carefully, prioritizing His Father's will over public acclaim.
This journey has taught me the importance of seeking validation not from the world but from God. Jesus’ response to His brothers' challenge — that His time had not yet come — underscores the divine timing in our lives, reminding us that our actions should align with God's purposes, not the world's expectations. His teachings, especially the shocking assertion that one must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have eternal life, further illustrate this point. This statement, so bewildering to many, was clear to those who truly knew Him: Jesus was offering a relationship so transformative that it would completely satisfy our deepest spiritual thirsts.
But what struck me most was the setting of Jesus' proclamation. The Feast of Booths was a time of remembrance and anticipation, celebrating God's provision in the wilderness and looking forward to the Messiah's coming. On the last day, when the ritual pouring of water reached its climax, Jesus stood and declared Himself the source of living water. This wasn't just a bold claim; it was a dramatic declaration of fulfillment. Jesus was the promised Messiah, the true source of life-giving water that would satisfy the deepest thirst of every believer through the Holy Spirit.
Reflecting on this, I see a powerful message for us today. Like the crowd at the feast, we live in a world filled with voices seeking our attention, demanding we prove ourselves and align with its values. Yet, in the midst of this, Jesus calls us to find our fulfillment in Him, to drink deeply from the well of His Spirit, and to let His life flow through us to a thirsty world.
As I ponder my own walk with Christ, I'm reminded that this isn't just about believing in Jesus' teachings but living them out daily. It's about letting His living water flow through us, transforming us from the inside out, so that we can carry this water to others. Our series may have ended, but our responsibility to carry the water has not. The Holy Spirit has gifted us for this purpose, empowering us to be vessels of His life-giving water to a world in desperate need.
So, as we move from feast to fulfillment, let's carry the water with courage, conviction, and the confidence that comes from knowing the One who has called us. Let's live in such a way that out of our hearts flow rivers of living water, reaching every dry and thirsty soul with the hope and healing of Jesus Christ.
Last week, as I delved into the narrative of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana, I aimed to weave together a tapestry of insights that have been threading through our sermon series. Reflecting on this powerful story from John 2:1-11, we explored not just a miracle but a constellation of lessons about trust, obedience, and the transformative power of Christ.
In that moment at Cana, with the wedding festivities under threat due to a lack of wine, we saw the interplay of human concern and divine provision. Mary's approach to Jesus, despite His initial response, and His eventual miraculous intervention, speaks volumes about the nature of our relationship with God. It underscores the importance of faith, even when the path forward seems unclear or the request at hand appears beyond our understanding.
This account goes beyond the surface of a miraculous event; it’s a profound demonstration of Jesus’ capacity to transform the mundane into the magnificent. It speaks to His ability to take what is ordinary—a simple request at a wedding—and turn it into a testament to His glory and a foundation for faith.
During my message, I shared my personal journey with ADHD, a detail that might have seemed tangential at first but was integral to the message. Like the servants tasked with filling jars with water, not knowing the outcome, my life with ADHD has been a journey of faith and transformation. This condition, which I once saw as a hindrance, has become a unique lens through which I view and interpret God's word, offering fresh insights and perspectives to those I serve.
The story of Cana is a vivid reminder that our perceived limitations or ordinary aspects can be used by Jesus in extraordinary ways. My experience with ADHD mirrors the transformation of water to wine—a testament to the fact that what we carry, no matter how cumbersome or ordinary it may seem, can be used by God in significant ways.
Reflecting on this narrative, the call to "carry it anyway" becomes even more poignant. It's an invitation to embrace our faith, our doubts, our quirks, and our challenges, with the assurance that Jesus can use all of these for His glory. The miracle at Cana reassures us that in Jesus’ hands, our ordinary water can become extraordinary wine.
This lesson from Cana is not just a reminder of Jesus' power to perform miracles but also a call to recognize the potential for transformation within each of us. It encourages us not to disdain our perceived weaknesses but to offer them to Jesus, allowing Him to manifest His glory through our lives in ways we never imagined.
So, as we continue on our spiritual journey, let's remember the message from last week's sermon: in Jesus, there is always room for transformation and renewal. Let us carry our unique gifts and challenges with faith, knowing that He can turn our water into wine, revealing His glory through our lives.
In a world that often glorifies independence and self-reliance, the biblical narrative invites us into a radically different ethos—one where the journey is shared, and the load is lightened by the presence of others walking beside us. This truth is vividly illustrated in Luke 22:7-13, where we see Jesus sending Peter and John ahead to prepare for the Passover meal. It's a scene rich in detail and significance, offering a profound lesson on the value of partnership and the nature of divine preparation.
Sent Out in Twos
The act of Jesus sending Peter and John together is emblematic of a recurring theme in scripture: We are not meant to navigate this world alone. Jesus could have sent any one disciple, yet he chose two, mirroring his earlier approach of sending the disciples out two by two (Mark 6:7). This wasn't a matter of mere practicality but a profound statement about the importance of companionship and mutual support in ministry and life.Throughout the Bible, from Genesis 2:18, where God declares, "It is not good that the man should be alone," to Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, which extols the virtues of companionship, the message is clear: Life is meant to be lived in community. The wisdom of Solomon in Ecclesiastes reminds us that two can achieve more together, provide comfort, and offer protection—a theme that is echoed in the instructions and life of Jesus.
The Importance of Equal Yoking
The partnership Jesus models isn't just about having company; it's about being yoked with those who share the same mission and values. Paul's admonition in 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 against being unequally yoked with unbelievers highlights the importance of aligning ourselves with those who can share the load effectively, without causing us to stumble. The metaphor of yoking, drawn from agriculture, emphasizes compatibility and shared direction, underscoring that who we walk with matters deeply.
Divine Preparation and Trust
When Jesus sends Peter and John into the city, he doesn't just give them a task; he assures them that what they need has already been prepared. They are to look for a man carrying a jar of water, a detail that signifies not just the provision of a location but the alignment of circumstances according to Jesus's plan. This narrative teaches us a powerful lesson about trust: When God calls us to a task, he has already made the necessary arrangements. Our role is to move forward in faith, trusting that what we need will be provided.
The Man Carrying Water
The instruction to follow a man carrying a jar of water is significant for several reasons. Not only does it demonstrate Jesus's foreknowledge and preparation, but it also offers a model for discerning whom we should partner with. In a cultural context where men typically didn't carry water, this man would stand out, a reminder that sometimes God's guidance is as much about recognizing the unique and unexpected as it is about following clear directives.
Carrying the Water Together
As we reflect on this passage and the broader biblical call to community, the challenge is clear: We are to seek out and journey with those who are also "carrying the water," those who embody the spirit and mission we share. The imagery of carrying water—something essential for life—reminds us that our shared mission is vital and life-giving, not just for ourselves but for the world around us.In Hebrews 10:19-25, the encouragement to hold fast to our confession of hope and to spur one another on to love and good works is not just about attending church; it's about living in deep fellowship with those who share our faith. This fellowship is where we find strength, encouragement, and the ability to persevere.
Conclusion
As we navigate the complexities of life and the callings God has placed on our hearts, let us remember the lesson of Peter and John: We are not sent out alone. In partnership with those who have the Holy Spirit and share our mission and values, we are equipped to carry out the tasks set before us, trusting in God's preparation and provision. May we seek out those carrying the water, joining together in a shared journey of faith and service.