Posts with the tag “icsheridan”

From Cups to Wells: Embracing the Overflowing Blessings of the New Covenant In our latest gathering at Issachar Church, we explored a profound contrast between the Old and New Testaments, captured in the imagery of cups and wells. This message, rooted in Psalm 116:12-13 and John 7:37-38, invites us to reflect on the depth of God's provision and challenges us to move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance. The Cup of the Old Covenant The Old Testament often depicts salvation as a cup—limited in its capacity and temporary in its effect. Psalm 116:13 says, "I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord." This cup was a powerful symbol for the Israelites, representing the salvation offered through the blood of innocent animals, a sacrifice that had to be repeated year after year. It was just enough to cover the sins of the people, but it was never a permanent solution. Similarly, David in Psalm 23:5 speaks of his cup running over, acknowledging the blessings of God but also recognizing their limitations in the Old Covenant. The cup was always something to be refilled, a temporary reprieve in a world full of trials and tribulations. The Well of the New Covenant Fast forward to the New Testament, and we find Jesus offering something far greater. In John 7:37-38, Jesus stands up during the Feast of Tabernacles and declares, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." This living water is not just a cupful but a well—an endless source of life and blessing that springs up within us. This shift from a cup to a well signifies the fullness of the salvation and blessings that Jesus offers. No longer are we limited to a cup of temporary relief; instead, we are given access to a well of eternal life that never runs dry. This well, representing the Holy Spirit, fills every area of our lives with overflowing grace, joy, and power. A Cup of Trials, a Well of Blessings In our Christian walk, it's easy to focus on the cup of trials that life often serves us. Even Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, spoke of the "cup" of suffering He was about to drink (Matthew 26:39). But the message of the New Covenant is clear: while we may face trials by the cupful, God offers us blessings by the well-full. Our trials, though real and challenging, are not worthy to be compared with the abundance of blessings that flow from the well of salvation in Christ. Cleaning Out the Well However, just as wells can become clogged with debris, our spiritual lives can become obstructed by the cares of this world, sin, and distraction. Genesis 26:18 tells us how Isaac had to re-dig the wells of his father Abraham because the Philistines had stopped them up with dirt. In the same way, we must be vigilant in maintaining the purity and flow of our spiritual wells. We need to clear out the "dirt" of worldly concerns, negativity, and sin that can hinder the flow of God's blessings in our lives. Leave the Cup, Take the Well The choice before us is clear: we can continue to sip from a cup, getting just enough to get by, or we can leave our cups behind and embrace the well of living water that Jesus offers. This well not only quenches our deepest thirst but also empowers us to live a life full of the Holy Spirit, overflowing with joy, peace, and purpose. As you reflect on this message, ask yourself: Are you living with a cup mentality, constantly seeking just enough to get through? Or are you ready to trade your cup for a well, allowing God’s endless blessings to flow into every area of your life? Let’s commit to cleaning out our wells, letting go of anything that clogs the flow of God’s Spirit, and embracing the fullness of life that Jesus offers. At Issachar Church, we believe that God has called us not just to survive on cupfuls of blessings but to thrive with a well of living water springing up within us. Join us next Sunday at 10 am as we continue to dive deeper into the Word and experience the overflowing blessings of the New Covenant.

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