If Anyone Thirsts ...
A Sermon on John 7:37-38
Originally preached July 12, 1959
Scripture
37In 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. 38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Sermon Description
Who is the gospel for? In this sermon on John 7:37–38 titled “If Anyone Thirsts…,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines the perplexing question of who it is that Jesus came to die for and save. He says that the gospel is for all those that thirst for God because they know that they are sinners in need of grace. They know that there is nothing they can do to save themselves and escape the judgement of God. Realizing one’s own sinfulness and fallenness is the first step to coming to Christ for salvation. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that it is the law that brings sinners out of their stupor of self-righteousness and into the awesome grace of God. This sermon tells all that they are in dire need of the Savior, and that Jesus has risen from the dead in order that they might live. All who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus are made holy and are adopted as children of God. The only path to true happiness is by coming to God through His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the ultimate message of hope and it is the only truth that can save the world.
Sermon Breakdown
- The invitation is addressed to those who are thirsty, meaning those who have an intense spiritual need. This includes:
- Those longing for purpose and meaning in life.
- Those seeking peace of conscience and forgiveness of sins.
- Those thirsting for righteousness and purity.
- Those lacking strength and power to overcome sin.
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Those longing to know God himself.
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The invitation is not for the curious, the pleasure-seekers, or those only seeking temporary relief or experiences. It is for the spiritually desperate.
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Jesus himself is the well of salvation and the fulfillment of prophecy. He alone can satisfy spiritual thirst.
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Coming to Jesus and drinking means believing in him. It means accepting his claims about himself in Scripture and trusting in him personally for salvation.
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Jesus gives unsearchable spiritual riches: forgiveness of sins, knowledge of God, eternal life, understanding, strength, and more.
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To drink means to come to Jesus immediately, just as you are, without delay or attempts at self-improvement. Come now, without reservation, and believe.
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We must come like Abraham, who believed God's promise in spite of obstacles and circumstances. We must believe God's word about Jesus and salvation.
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If we come to Jesus and drink, we will be blessed and become a blessing. Our lives will be transformed and we will have new purpose and joy.
Sermon Q&A
Understanding John 7:37-38: Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon Analysis
What does Jesus mean by "If any man thirst" in John 7:37-38?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the invitation "If any man thirst" refers to those with an intense spiritual need, not merely curiosity or a casual interest. He explains: "He means a man that is so thirsty that he is desperate. By 'if any man thirst' he means an intense spiritual need." This thirst represents a desperate spiritual condition where the person feels they might perish without spiritual relief.
What was the context of Jesus' proclamation at the Feast of Tabernacles?
During the Feast of Tabernacles, a ritual was performed where water was drawn in golden pitchers from the pool of Siloam and carried in procession to the temple. Singers would chant Isaiah 12:3, "Therefore with joy shall we draw water out of the wells of salvation." Jesus deliberately chose this moment—"the last day, the great day of the feast"—to stand in a prominent position and issue His invitation, connecting Himself to this symbolic ritual.
Who specifically is Jesus inviting when He says "If any man thirst"?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies several types of spiritual thirst that qualify someone for Christ's invitation: - Those needing purpose in life: "A feeling that life is vain and empty, that it's no point and no purpose in it" - Those seeking peace of conscience: "Do you know what it is to feel that you want to run away and hide when you feel that God is near you?" - Those longing for righteousness: "He knows what it is to feel a moral leper" - Those needing strength: "Who finds that he ever fails and says 'to will is ever present with me. But how to perform? I know not'" - Those thirsting for God Himself: "As the heart panteth for the water brooks, so panteth my heart after thee" - Those seeking light on the future: "Where am I going? What's beyond death?"
What does it mean to "come unto me and drink" according to Lloyd-Jones?
Coming to Christ and drinking means believing in Him. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes this is not merely intellectual acceptance but practical action: "It means an actual going and taking and receiving and drinking." Specifically: 1. Believing what Christ says about Himself 2. Believing it applies personally to you 3. Coming immediately, without delay 4. Coming exactly as you are, without any preparation 5. Coming regardless of your past or present condition
What benefits does Christ offer to those who come to Him?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones lists several benefits that Christ offers to those who respond: - Forgiveness of sins: "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins" - Knowledge of God: "Would you know God as your father? Would you know God as the one who's waiting to bless you?" - Life with purpose: "Life with a purpose, life with an object, life which is real, life which is everlasting" - Understanding: "He'll explain history to you. He'll explain the present position to you" - Strength and power: "Weaklings made mighty, paupers made rich men, were slaves to sin, made more than conqueror"
How should someone respond to Christ's invitation today?
Lloyd-Jones urges immediate action: "If you believe this is for you, if you believe that he's the son of God and that he died for your sins, well, then you must believe it at once." He emphasizes that no preparation is needed: "You come in your rags, you come in your need, you come in your penury, you come in your vileness." The invitation is for "any man" without conditions or reservations—regardless of moral standing, knowledge, wealth, or age.
The Book of John
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.