Here are the highlights of the message given by Pastor James Lee on Sabbath, 1 February 2014 at the Santa Barbara Seventh-day Adventist church. Pastor Lee is a VP of the Southern California Conference and is in charge of Evangelism.
Ezekiel 47:1-5
The Healing Waters and Trees
Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side.
3 And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 4 Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. 5 Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed.
Looking at our world today convinces many that the world is not getting better. God is withdrawing His Grace. Jesus is coming soon!
We need to find ourselves more like Jesus at the end of each day and month this year! No matter how much we already know about being a Christian-God is not finished with us yet. Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
In time, our bodies, our clothes and our homes deteriorate. Even movie stars fade from public memory. Our Christian walk should grow stronger as we age. Our faith should grow stronger. We should not be struggling with the same issues we had difficulty with 10 years ago. We need to look at ourselves. Examine where we are right now with God!
In the above verses that the Prophet Ezekiel wrote, Ezekiel dreamed that he we was ankle deep, then knee deep, then waist deep and finally in waters that he could not cross.
Ankle deep water or religion does not last. Some people jump in and out of church according to the person’s desires. No heart change or repentance has happened.
Knee deep water or religion requires walking a little slower. It is a little inconvenient as the person experiences being led by the Spirit some of the time but their religion does not hold fast.
Waist deep water has some depth. Some change has happened. It is easy to be a member of the church but not have a spiritual walk with Jesus. Many Christians experience waist deep religion. These people look good on the outside but are dead in the water.
Ezekiel was directed by God to surrender totally to the power of God. Once the river got so deep, it could not be crossed. Surrender requires a personal encounter with Jesus.
How much trust do you have in God? We won’t be driven away from the church when we are surrendered totally.
Religion that is deep enough to swim in will take us home to Jesus. Does your religion focus on God’s word? Is it deep enough when life gets tough?
Family Problems
Job Loss
Sickness
I want to be saved! We all have a choice. We can be in ankle deep or knee deep or waist deep religion or we can go all in and swim in deep water when we let Jesus take our lives and our hearts.
When that spirit comes, our lives are changed. We need the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. If you want Christ or a closer walk with Him, He is inviting you to come. Just Ask!