Sermon Summary
Have you ever been so desperately thirsty that no amount of coffee, achievement, or distraction could satisfy the aching dryness deep within your soul? Pastor David opened John 7:37-39, where Jesus—standing boldly in the midst of the Feast of Booths celebration—cries out a wide-open invitation: *"If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink."* Pastor David's unique insight is that spiritual dehydration often disguises itself as restlessness, anxiety, emptiness, or irritability—and we keep treating the symptoms instead of the source. Just as First Church's mission is to welcome *anyone*—regardless of background, label, or life story—Jesus' invitation carries no prerequisites except honest thirst. And the gift isn't merely a sip to ration; it's rivers of living water, the Holy Spirit flowing *through* you to transform your home, your workplace, your neighborhood, and your world. First Church is not called to be the Dead Sea—absorbing blessing and keeping it contained—but a river that rushes outward. Today, whether you've never surrendered to Christ, feel spiritually dry, or have built dams of unforgiveness and hidden sin, don't just pray *"Lord, give me a drink"*—pray *"Lord, make me a river."* Come to the source. The invitation is wide open.
Sermon Questions
Come and See the Power-God's Forgiveness| June 21,2026 Pastor David Colp
Are you thirsty—not for water, but for something deeper that no achievement, relationship, or distraction can satisfy? Pastor David draws from John 7:37, where Jesus stands in a crowd and cries out an invitation that's still echoing today: *"If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink."* Just as priests carried golden pitchers celebrating God's provision in the wilderness, Jesus declares himself the ultimate source—promising not just a sip, but rivers of living water flowing from within. Don't miss this powerful message; it could be the fresh outpouring your soul has been waiting for.
1. In John 7:37, Jesus stands up in the middle of a crowd and cries out, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.' What do you think it means to be spiritually thirsty, and how is that different from just wanting a little more of God in your life?
2. What are some 'Tylenol moments' in your own life — things you've reached for to deal with spiritual emptiness instead of going to Jesus? What would it look like to turn to Him first instead?
3. Pastor David explained that the word 'believe' in Jesus's invitation isn't just intellectual agreement — it involves trust, surrender, and allegiance. How would you describe the difference between agreeing with Jesus and actually entrusting your life to Him?
4. If you honestly evaluate your own faith, would you say you've mostly admired Jesus from a distance, or are you actively abiding in Him? What's one area where deeper trust might look different in your daily life?
5. Jesus says in John 7:38, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water' — and John explains this is about the Holy Spirit. What's the difference between receiving just a 'cup' of the Spirit versus being a flowing river of living water?
6. When people are around you — at home, work, or school — what tends to 'flow out' of you? Is it the fruit of the Spirit like love, joy, and patience, or things like anxiety, cynicism, or unforgiveness? What might need to change?
7. Pastor David talked about 'dams' that can block the Holy Spirit from flowing through a believer's life — things like unforgiveness, hidden sin, pride, fear, or the need to stay in control. Why do you think those particular things are so effective at blocking spiritual flow?
8. Is there a specific dam in your life right now that you sense is blocking the Spirit's work? What would total surrender in that area actually look like for you this week?
9. Pastor David shared that Jesus's invitation — 'if anyone thirsts, come' — is wide open to everyone, but that welcoming people doesn't mean avoiding truth. He described sharing the church's beliefs on marriage gently but clearly with two men who asked directly. How do we hold both radical welcome and honest truth together without dropping one for the other?
10. Think of someone in your life who might feel unwelcome in a church setting. How could you personally extend genuine welcome to them while also being honest about your faith if they asked? What would that conversation look like?