Message from the Pastor

Rev. Lawrence Bradford  Archived from:  August 2001

Let's Go Swimming

I. Ezekiel 47: 1-5 1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. 2 Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side. 3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. 4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. 5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.   A. SOME NEVER GET IN THE WATER                  1. They lay around but never get wet.             2. They get upset if someone wants them to enjoy some water.           3. Some people come to church, they won't worship, they won't                 sing, some don't even smile.           4. They won't give tithes, they won't clap their hands, they won't                  raise their hands.           5. They will not obey the preached word.           6. What they will do, is set in the pew. It is time to get in the                        water.           7. These are not even saved.           8. Come on let's go swimming!           9. The water is fine come on in!   B. SOME WILL WADE JUST BARELY GETTING THIER FEET           WET.          Ezekiel 47: 3 And when the man that had the line in his                hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand                      cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters          were to the ankles.                                                                       1. These also don't like to get wet.                     2. Don't splash me; don't get me wet.         3. Some people are in the church, but they do not want to get                    too involved, something might get on them, they might get                    wet.         4. No commitment in ankle deep water.         5. You are saved; you are in the water         6. Christians that play in ankle deep water do not take Hebrews               10:25  seriously. "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves                  together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one                            another: and so much the more, as ye see the day                                  approaching".          7. They come to church when they want to, they will never come                 to all three services in a week.          8. Why?  Because they are only up to the ankle.          9. You are not going to see them every night at revival, too                        much commitment        10. Their commitment is only ankle deep.        11. You have to go in ankle deep water before you can get to                       waters to swim in.        12. Come on let's go swimming!        13. Honest the water will not hurt you.        14. Come on in the water is fine.                                                                                                                                                       C. SOME WILL PLAY IN THE WATER UP TO THE KNEES        Ezekiel 47:4 (a) Again he measured a thousand, and                    brought me through the waters; the waters were to the                knees.          1. These people don't want to get wet either.          2. You try to get them out a little deeper into the water; they say                 don't splash me, don't get me wet, don't judge me.          3. They are moved by the way they feel, if they feel like standing               they will stand.          4. If they feel like singing, they will sing.          5. They say I only move when I feel the spirit; the Lord has tried                 to move some for years.          6. The Lord wants you to get out a into the deep, away from                       knee high water.          7. Come on lets go for a swim, you can't go swimming in knee                   high water.          8. Come on in the water is fine.   D. SOME WILL GET OUT IN THE WATER UP TO THE WAIST        Ezekiel 47:4 (b) Again he measured a thousand, and                    brought me through; the waters were to the loins.        1.  These people don't mind getting wet, but they still won't get                    into the deep.        2. These people they love the church.        3. They love to worship, they love to sing, they love to hear good               preaching.        4. They are concerned about the ones in the church.        5. But they won't take any thing out side the church.        6. It is come hear me preach, hear me sing.         7. We have to get out of water that is only to the waist.   E. SOME REALLY DID COME TO SWIM, THEY ARE GOING                TO THE DEEP WATER        Ezekiel 47:5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it                was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were          risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed            over.        1. To swim you have to move if you don't you will drown.        2. There have been many that has went swimming with the Lord.        3. But to remain in the deep water takes work.        4. It is so much fun to dive into the deep water and swim!         5. But the longer you are in the water, the harder it gets to stay a               float, you have to swim, you have to move.        6. You can go back where you can touch bottom, you can go                     back to knee deep, you can go back to ankle deep, you can                even go back to the bank.       7. Are you one that can stay in the deep water until you can swim             no more?        8. I will drown! No you will not!        9. If you will stay in the deep water long enough, the Lord will                    come and swim with you, even swim for you. He will strengthen             you, if you stay in the deep water.     10. Some enter the deep water with life jackets on. It is time to                    take off the life jackets, and trust God.     11. The deeper the water the greater the effort, until God shows                  up.     12. Things happen in the deep.    F. Luke 5:4-7       4 Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon,                 Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a                 draught.       5 And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have               toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at       thy word I will let down the net.       6 And when they had this done, they inclosed a great                   multitude of fishes: and their net brake.       7 And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the       other ship, that they should come and help them. And they         came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.        1. In Matthew 14:29 we find Peter walking on the water, how he                was in the deep water.        2. In the deep water we find Jesus calming the storm; Mark 4:39        3. Things happen in the deep water        4. Always remember the closer you are to the bank the easier it               is to get out of the water.        5. Come on let's go for a swim; this water is the best!

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