In the grace you could swim.(Eze 47:1-8)

 

In the grace you could swim..(Eze 47:1-8)

47 :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.

⁶ And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.

⁷ Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.

⁸ Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.

Today’s sermon is about vision of water from Ezekiel. This Vision was very amazing and mysterious. The water flow from the gate of holy temple became a river.

1. Background of today’s text

About 2700 years ago, Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon invaded Jerusalem; he took their plunders and captured about 10000 young people for hostage. There was Ezekiel too he was 25 years old young man at that time.

When he reached his 30 in Babylon, God called him as a prophet of the Lord. His mission was support his people and give them courage and hope. However, Babylon army attack Jerusalem once again and destroyed their castle.

They killed king of Jerusalem Zedekiah by pulled his eyes, and tied his hand and feet then dragged him around until he died. So there was no government, no king, no nothing. People were panic they don’t know what to do. Mover over Ezkiel’s wife died, can you imagine how he felt about it? But he didn’t giveup. He encouraged his people.

Oneday, Ezkiel brought to a temple by angel of God.

Let’s see the Today’s text and see the story.

Afterward he(angel) 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.

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.

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.

Again he measured a thousand(450m,1500feet), 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.

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.

And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.

Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.

Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.

2. Then what is this water?

Ezekiel said the water flowed to the east and water flowed around the altar once, and then to the south. So what is altar represent? What is river flow means?

In John, Jesus said “³⁷ In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

³⁸ He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”

This means the water of Holy Spirit; the gospel that can wash up the wicked sinner will came from Jesus Christ’s holy blood shed on the cross, will be flow from Jerusalem.

In the Church we can share the holy water (Gospel), Calvin even said, there is no salvation without church. Yes, the altar represents the church. The Gospel from church has power to save people’s soul.

Some people think church is not that important. They don’t come to church to watch some sports game, or when some things happen. Eventually they will dehydrated, without water either man or women cannot stand 9 days. Believe that church should be your foundation of life.

This is the story of a church, now successfully grow up, but once almost collapse. A pastor called by this church in the story, pray very hard, and work hard for many years. However the church didn’t grow up. People didn’t kept the seat, of course, they didn’t bother themselves to go spread gospel. Number of people came to church were decreased each year. So pastor gave up, and he put ad at after Sunday’s service and on to the local paper. “Church’s funeral next week, because we cannot run this church no more.” People were surprised; I bet no one ever heard of funeral for a church. So, the Sunday that the funeral held was came, and many people gathered to the church to see what is going on. The pastor gave quick speech about death of the church and one by one people came up front where the big coffin.

People who came up and looked into the coffin were surprise. It is because of there was a big mirror inside of the coffin. So whoever came to see what’s inside of the coffin saw oneself in the coffin. What is that supposed to mean? If church isn’t growing, then it is equal to your spiritual death. People were shocked, and they started prayer ground and other things for the mission, so the church could grow up.

“Waters issued out from under the threshold of the house” means the source of the water is Jesus, Jesus explained that Himself in John “ But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Jesus is source of everything. He is the source of life, He is the source of blessing, He is the source of salvation if you believe it say amen.

2. The water flowed.

The water in today’s text was flowed, it didn’t stay like water in a pond, like this the Gospel started in Jerusalem by Jesus, didn’t stopped but will spreading into people of the Earth. When our faith flow, we will grow up, our life will be filled with faith. Faith should be growing.

3. The water kept increased.

In today’s text Ezekiel said the water was raised. So in verse five, Ezekiel said

“It was a river that I could not pass over.”

This means the gospel will keep increasing. The start of gospel was with 12 disciples of Jesus at Makah’s garret. Now, this water flow is dominating the world.

Brothers and sisters, the day that Jesus come back is near, because nowadays Gospel is everywhere even in communist country like North Korea, or Japan who worship misc gods.

3. How we can apply this vision of Ezekiel

What was the message of today’s text? We can measure our level of faith by these verses.

First level is the ankle level faith

“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.”

Water on the ankle represents the base level of faith. We cannot grow our faith, without this level. First of all, come to church regularly is important. This level of faith is achieved by come to church. However in today’s text the water rise which means your faith will grow. In Romans 10:17 says “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.

” The faith will grow when it fed by word of God. God will give you faith even if you don’t understand nothings every Sundays. First, you need to come before God to grow your faith. In the bible whoever came before Jesus were blessed.

2) Knee level of faith.

“Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees.”

The water reached to the knees! What happen when the water level rise near your knees. People usually roll up their pants. At this point, people start to think about working hard for the church with their pants rolled up. And also at this level you experienced some sort of bless of God. In addition, you start to understand the meaning of bible texts. Then what exactly is this level? It’s praying level.

Most of people kneel and pray to God, and if you look at Korean, and Israel people kneeing before God became habit to them. When they pray with their heart they kneel it, so God can feel how important is that prayer for them.

Kneeling is lowering them. When the knees sink in the river of grace, we kneel for the grace. I hope everyone of our pray sinks in river of grace.

When Prophet Jeremiah captured in the jail God told him that ^“Thus saith the Lord the maker thereof, the Lord that formed it, to establish it; the Lord is his name;

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:2-3. Everyone! We Christians have to have grace of knee!

3) Waist level of faith

Do you know what the most important part of the body is? It’s the waist, because waist is the center of our body where the upper and lower body meets. When your waist isn’t normal, then everyone won’t go fine. However, in faith life you will face this level which makes you to balance in your faith. Some point you will feel the bible as a love letter from God, which it used to feel like just an old story, and also realize that the bible isn’t just a history book of Jesus. It’s the word of God. The sermon is the word of God. If you are at this point you will be touched by grace of God. That is the level the water is reaching your waist, and help your modesty and gentle grow. Also, makes your waist band for others and respect them, which make you to do true volunteer in your life.

4) The level that you swim in the grace.

It says

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, in earlier text.

If you are in the river of grace you can swim with free will. It means your body is in the water of Holy Spirit. You will understand whole purpose of God, and you can forgive anything.

The water to swim is not able to walk through, means full filled with Holy Spirit and gospel you will live where ever the Holy Spirit leads. only Jesus, only church, only the cross, fruit of Holy Spirit, Love, joy, peace, patient, mercy, loyalty, and Resection. You can live life without concerning about your physical things. You offer more, not only 10%. It is beginning of thankful life. You don’t afraid to spread gospel why? Because Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

The apostle Paul who received this faith said “I live for God, I will die for God, live or die, I belong to God.” He lived on the earth but he lived in heaven.

Conclusion) at the end of world, the grace of God will spread to the corners of this world. Where ever the gospel goes there are joy, life, and living. Plants will grow, every land will alive. That’s God’s grace, and ability of gospel.

Your soul can be like this, no you should be. Offer your life to God so the grace of the God will fill you. Ask Him, He will give you what you seek.

Brothers and sisters, I bless, and hope by Jesus name, all of you to live in the river of God’s grace, experience God’s presence all the time, and feel blessing by swimming in the love of Jesus. Amen