What Have You Run Out Of?

by Hadley Baker

As a pastor of students I love summer break.  I feel like it gives you guys a chance to really dive into your faith.  Not having to worry about school, homework, and all that jazz frees you up to focus more on your relationship with Christ.  Mission trips, Summer Burn, Awakening.  I love it all!  I am hopeful that these upcoming weeks will bring about significant spiritual growth in many of your lives.

Tonight we kicked off our summer series, SUBMERGE.  According to Webster's Dictionary, to submerge is "to cover or overflow with water." All of our teachings this summer will somehow be connected to the theme of water.  In the same way you sink to the bottom of the pool when you do a cannon ball, we said that our goal this summer is to "jump deeper into our faith." I hope you are ready to do just that.

I love the story we read tonight in John 2:1-11. Thinking back over tonight's message, I am wondering how it spoke to you personally.  Just like the hosts of the wedding party ran out of wine, what is it that you have run out of?

Have you run out of JOY?  Always sad and depressed. 
Have you run out of PASSION? No longer feeling excited about your faith. 
Have you run out of INTIMACY?  Feeling so far from God. 
Have you run out of STRENGTH? Temptation is overwhelming you every day. 
Have you run out of COMMUNITY? Doing life on your own in isolation.

Even though the hosts of the party had run out of wine, all was not lost.  When Jesus got involved, their mess-up became a miracle.  But here's what I want you to get--and you HAVE to get this.  The miracle didn't just happen.  It happened because the servants followed Mary's orders.  Remember what she told the servants?

But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” (John 2:5)

Because they did what Jesus told them, He gave back to them what they had run out of.  And not only did Jesus turn the water into wine, He turned it into the best wine they had ever tasted.  When God gives you back what you have run out of, He gives you better than what you had before!  But it all hinges on you doing "whatever he tells you."

In your life right now, what is God telling you that you need to do?  What step of obedience do you need to take?  Isn't it awesome to think that you could be only one choice away from a completely different life!  I don't know what God is asking you to do, but I wanna encourage you like crazy to follow through on it.  Like Nike says, just do it!

Maybe it's committing to study your Bible every day. 
Maybe it's spending more time in prayer and less time on Snapchat. 
Maybe it's ending a sinful relationship or friendship. 
Maybe it's cleaning up your language. 
Maybe it's showing respect (not attitude) to your parents. 
Maybe it's staying away from parties and other places that tempt you.
Maybe it's committing to go to Summer Burn later next month.

I can't tell you what it is you need to do, that's the job of the Holy Spirit.  But I hope and pray that you will literally (right now) ask Him what He wants you to do, and then do it. 

I can promise you this: you won't regret it.  Whatever you feel like you have lost or run out of, God will not just restore it back to you--He will make it better than it ever was before.

You ready to be submerged?  Let's do this.