What do we run to when our tanks are empty? Are we staying connected to Jesus, our true source of life? Let’s ask ourselves: how do I get full when I’m running on empty?

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OPENING ILLUSTRATION:

Oh man, there nothing quite as exciting to me as taking your gas gauge on a car down below the red line.  Anyone else with me?  I get all excited and nervous when it happens.  Jenni hates it.  She won’t take her car past 1/4 tank left.  For me it’s a game to take it down as low as I can without running out of gas…   

Who are you more like?  Me or Jenni?  How many of you are daredevils and like running it low?

How many of you can’t stand to run it low at all?

I don’t know about you, but coming out of Christmas and the New Year, I feel like my personal tank is running low…

Think about all the things that take your time, all the things that you pour out into…

-Kid’s classroom parties

-Getting kids to games and practices

-Year-end projects

-Inbox’s that are FULL to capacity

I saw someone’s phone the other day and they had like 1,000 unread messages – that would drive me crazy

It feels like in today’s world our days are chocked so full that our emotional and spiritual tanks are on empty.

ILLUSTRATION:

Jenni and I have had conversations around this.  The words we would use are it feels like we are running ragged.  We are just going and going and going, constantly pouring out and never being filled.

I was praying on this a few weeks ago, I was literally just done.  So tired.  See if this sounds familiar.  I had found myself binging tv, I was getting irritated easily, I was overeating to find joy, I was not sleeping, literally getting like 4 hrs a night.  I was done.  

I was praying and twice I had God speak to me about my emptiness.

Once I felt like He showed me a bright light and I immediately looked away.  He was like, “This is what you are like with me”

The second one I had decided because of the first that I was going to stop putting an earbud in my ear at night to listen to a show to go to sleep and instead I would pray until I fell asleep.  I was praying and getting pretty sleepy and I felt like Jesus was like:

“Kent, you’ve run out of wine…”

All of a sudden I was awake…

Some of you are like, “Kent, what does your grocery list have to do with a sermon?”

It’s funny because Jenni and I don’t even drink.  

but here is immediately what came into my mind.

John 2:1-3

On the third day, a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.”

If you know the story, Jesus’ mom ask Him to fix the wine situation.  Most scholars think they have run out of wine because they are likely a poorer family who can’t afford wine.  In an honor culture like the Jewish people were, this level of embarrassment at running out of wine would be too much, it would be a serious shame.

You know the story don’t you?  Jesus has them take 6 huge jars and fill them to the brim with water.  He then sends the servant to the master of ceremonies with a cup full of water taken from the jars.  When the master drinks it, he says it’s the best wine he’s ever tasted.

As I laid there that night I realized what Jesus was saying…

b

I am poor and running on empty and all I have to do is ask Him…

It’s the same thing Jesus told the woman at the well in John 4 after asking her for a drink…

John 4:10

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

Look, 

Hearing the voice of God is not about you mapping out your life’s plan (although He might speak into that)

b

Hearing the voice of God is about you staying connected to the true source of life.

b

It’s about ACTUALLY asking Jesus to give you the living water, to fill your jars, and give you wine.

b

Let me ask you a question, what do you run to in order to fill your tank/jars?

-Maybe you were like, “Jesus would never tell me I’ve run out of wine” because I never run out – because liquor is what you run to

-maybe it’s feeling good about yourself, pleasing people and being needed

-maybe when you can just get some alone time

-maybe it’s fidgeting and never being settled

-or watching another game

Most of those things aren’t bad, but they are not living water, they can’t fill you completely…

Your deepest need as a human is connectedness to Jesus

can I say that again?

John 15:5-8

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Can I ask you some tough questions?  Maybe you’ve been thinking about if you actually hear the voice of God and what that looks like for you.

the question should actually be, am I staying connected to the vine?

• What does it look like for you to stay connected to Jesus?
• What priority does Jesus have in your life – if I looked at your daily agenda, where does He fall?

CLOSING ILLUSTRATION:

Over the years I’ve planted several peach trees – at this point, I’m probably going to give up because I’m a HORRIBLE gardener.  But, I can tell you something, with each one, I’ve WANTED the tree to produce fruit.  It was my goal and aim, I bought books and studied.  I tried pretty hard.  I’m just terrible at gardening.   Did you hear what Jesus said, 

“This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples”

b

Jesus wants you to bear fruit, He wants you to be His disciple.  He’s working on it actively…  The real question is do you REALLY want that?

Ya’ll know sports – how many of you would be ok with someone who never listened to the coach, never came to practice, never put any time into the team?  How long does that person last?

See, hearing God’s voice is the result of you being in connection with Him…  It’s about you being on the team,  you showing up, you seeking Him, and saying connected to Him – remaining in Him…

If you remain in Him, He will fill you up with living water, He will give you more wine, He will give you life…

This morning, I want to give you some time to pray and I want to give you the prayer I said that day – we’re just going to leave it up on the screen and play some soft music for a few minutes.

[Anthony, play music softly with the screen up on the last slide for a few minutes]

“God, I’m at the end of my rope, I’m so tired and worn out.  Jesus, I just need  you….”  (repeat that last part until you believe it)

b

If Jesus speaks to you write it down, close your eyes, listen to Him…

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