A New Source of Life – Discussion Notes
(Updated 12/2019; Dr. Baines, Jr.)
Click here to read Ezekiel 47:1-12
Read: Ezekiel 47:1-12
Summary Highlights: Ezekiel sees a vision or something. He is taken to several locations relative to the Temple. Water is flowing from the Temple. He talks about how the water goes deeper and deeper, as it leads away from the Temple eastward.
Ezekiel’s guide takes him to a place where he can see the benefits of the water that flows from the Temple to the Dead Sea. Trees and vegetation spring up. Fish and the fishing trade are on the rise. The leaves of the fruit trees are good for healing.
Introduction: A key idea in this lesson is God provides a mysterious way of life to that which is otherwise dead. Prayerfully, we will be challenged to receive God’s life, instead of remaining in death.
Key Points:
1. Effective communication. Notice in vss. 1-5 that we see the use of a picture or image. Throughout the Bible we see that a picture is worth a thousand words.
As we seek to minister to people, let’s be open to using pictures, images, and comparisons that will help us communicate the truths of God. The poison in the glass and grocery store illustrations, in the “Plan of Salvation,” have helped so many.
2. Living water. Notice in vs. 1 that the living water came from the Temple. In similar fashion, Christians are to take the gospel and word of God to the world. There is life in the gospel and word of God.
Let’s work on letting the living word of God run in our lives and through our lives for the benefit of others. We can help this idea by working on our discipleship and being a witness of the goodness of the Lord.
3. Wadding out into the water. Notice in vss. 3-5 that the water got deeper as one got further from the Temple. If we want to get deeper, we cannot simply be good church members. We must let God have rule over all of our lives.
We must let Him rule our families, communities, health, wealth, and all that we have. Let’s work on wadding out into the deep water of discipleship. We should study and obey God’s Word in every area of our lives.
4. God’s concern with practical matters. Notice in vs. 10 that the word of God is concerned with practical matters like food, medicine, and employment.
We should find great consolation in knowing that God knows what we need and is willing to supply. Let’s work on lining up with God’s word, so we can receive all that He has for us.
5. Swamps and marshes. Notice in vs. 11 that where the river does not flow, there is swampy marshy death. Without the gospel, no matter what else one may have, one is doomed to eternal death. If one has a good job, plenty of money, plenty of friends, and even good health, but doesn’t have the living word of God in one’s life, one is doomed to a vain life and eternal death.
Let’s work to make sure that we are in the living word of God, by making sure we are saved and growing in the Lord. We should also do what we can to help others do the same by working on inviting and bringing loved ones with us to church and to Christ, so they can grow in the Lord.
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