(The Holy Spirit) 5. THE LIVING WATER
A.B. Simpson teaches that the Holy Spirit, symbolized as living water, refreshes, cleanses, and sustains believers in their spiritual journey.
In this sermon, A.B. Simpson explores the profound symbolism of water as it relates to the Holy Spirit's work in the believer's life. He draws from key biblical passages to illustrate how the Holy Spirit cleanses, refreshes, and sustains Christians, likening Christ to the spiritual Rock that provides living water. This teaching offers a rich understanding of the Spirit's role in redemption and spiritual fullness.
Text
"And all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of the spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." 1 Cor. 10: 4.
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; and having a high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10: 19-22.
There is no emblem of the Holy Spirit more frequently used in the Scriptures than water. Naturally suggestive of cleansing, refreshing, and fullness, it expresses most perfectly the most important offices of the Holy Ghost. It is not possible for us to refer to all the passages and incidents which are based upon this figure; but we shall call attention to four remarkable passages which unfold in logical and chronological order the work of the Holy Spirit in our redemption and complete salvation.
1. The first of these passages, quoted above, refers to the first three of these unfoldings of the Holy Spirit. They are all connected with incidents in the journey of the Israelites through the wilderness. The first is the smiting of the rock in Horeb, of which we read in the seventeenth chapter of Exodus. They had come to the fountain at Meribah, but found it dry; and, as usual, instead of trusting and praying, they began to murmur and complain. Then God commanded Moses to lead them to the rock in Horeb, and to smite it with the rod wherewith he had divided the Red Sea and performed the miracles of judgment in Egypt. The cleft rock gave forth a flood of water, and the people drank abundantly, and their cattle.
The smiting of the rock in Horeb was, of course, a type of the Lord Jesus Christ and the stroke of the Father\
Sermon Outline
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I. The Symbol of Water for the Holy Spirit
- Water as cleansing and refreshing symbol
- Frequent biblical emblem for the Holy Spirit
- Represents fullness and spiritual sustenance
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II. The Rock in Horeb as a Type of Christ
- Israelites’ journey through the wilderness
- The smiting of the rock producing water
- Christ as the spiritual Rock providing living water
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III. The Work of the Holy Spirit in Redemption
- Cleansing from evil conscience
- Assurance of faith through Christ’s sacrifice
- Spiritual refreshment and fullness
Key Quotes
“There is no emblem of the Holy Spirit more frequently used in the Scriptures than water.” — A.B. Simpson
“The cleft rock gave forth a flood of water, and the people drank abundantly, and their cattle.” — A.B. Simpson
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- Trust in the Holy Spirit to refresh and cleanse your heart daily.
- Approach God boldly through the new and living way made possible by Jesus.
- Recognize Christ as the source of living water that satisfies spiritual thirst.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is water used as a symbol for the Holy Spirit?
Water symbolizes cleansing, refreshing, and fullness, which perfectly represent the Holy Spirit's work in believers' lives.
What does the rock in Horeb represent?
The rock in Horeb is a type of Christ, from whom living water flows to satisfy spiritual thirst.
How does the Holy Spirit cleanse believers?
The Holy Spirit cleanses believers by sprinkling their hearts from an evil conscience and washing their bodies with pure water, symbolizing spiritual purification.
What is the significance of the new and living way mentioned in Hebrews?
It refers to the access believers have to God through the sacrifice of Jesus, enabling them to draw near with full assurance of faith.