Ezekiel's river of life
I.
II.
The three ways that this river represents the Holy Spirit
a. The source of the river
i. The source is the throne of God
ii. Like this river, the Holy Spirit comes directly from the Father's throne
b. The course of the river
i. The river's course starts with the alter, where sacrifices are made
ii. The Holy Spirit comes from the place of Christ's sacrifice
1. This is speaking of the cross
2. As John 16:7 confirms, the Holy Spirit came only after Christ's death on
the cross
c. The force of the river
i. This river had four qualities that made it special
ii. These are also four qualities shared by the Holy Spirit
1. This river had no feeder streams
a. There was no need for anything to flow into this river to give it
its force
b. In the same way, God's river of life needs no feeder streams
2. This river could heal
a. This river even made sea water pure
b. The Holy Spirit takes our impurities out
i. He can heal broken hearts
ii. He can heal broken lives
iii. He can heal broken dreams
c. This river could revive
i. This river transformed everything it touched with life
giving power
ii. When the Spirit of God comes into our life, there is a
renewal
1. As Ephesians 2:1-4 confirms, He can take that
which was dead and make it alive
2. He can and will give you a drink of the water of
life
d. This river could bring forth fruit and freshness
i. Everywhere this river flowed, fruit sprang up
ii. The presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer
will be manifested by fruit and freshness-John 7:38-39,
Galatians 5:22-23
d. Sadly, many see this river flowing by, but they never get wet
i. For this river to do any good, you have to get it-John 3:7
ii. An example would be the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:36-37
The ever deepening waters of this river
a. Ankle deep
i. This represents the step of faith that saves the soul
ii. While this step is great, it is only the beginning of the journey
1. The Holy Spirit brought you out, but He wants to lead you on
2. There is much more to being saved than just getting saved
III.
IV.
b. Knee deep
i. This represents a life that is learning dependence upon the Lord
ii. This is the person who prays and is trying to live their life in faith before the
Lord-Hebrews 10:38
1. Those at this level know something of the power of the river
2. They can feel it rushing by, but they aren’t really affected by it
a. They are still standing on their own two feet
b. They arn't being supported by the river
c. Loin deep
i. This speaks of spiritual power in our lives
1. When you wade out waist deep into the river, more of the river and less
of the man is seen
2. When we have waded this far out, we can feel the power of the river
a. Others can also see its effect on us
b. But, they are close enough to the shore to be able to stand if
they need to
In over your head
a. At this point, Ezekiel has reached a place where the river is in control
i. It takes him where it will
ii. He is at the mercy of the river
b. This represents the highest level that any believer can reach
i. When you have gone this deep, you have gone beyond your own ability
ii. This is being at the total mercy of the river
1. The person at this level of spiritual maturity has moved beyond himself
and has paced himself under the control and command of God
2. We must also come to the place where we realize who is in controlPhilippines 4:13
c. When you have reached this point, you have ceased to support yourself
i. Ezekiel was no longer wading, but resting
ii. He gave himself over to the power of the river
1. God wants us to reach the place where we can learn to rest in Him
2. He wants to support and carry us through this life
d. When you are this deep, you are happy to be carried by the river
i. The will of the river becomes yours also
ii. This is where we are all commanded to be-Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:25, 1
John 2:6
"He brought me through the waters"
a. God will never let you down
b. You will never drown in this river