Jesus cried out to the crowd, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He called his true followers to receive “rivers of living water” in their hearts through believing in him. Someday the Lord will sort out the wheat from the tares (Matt. 13:24-43) and the good fish from the bad fish (Matt. 13:48). But until then, he continues to call us out from the crowd. We are called to be set apart, and God provides opportunities for us to stand up for Christ. 

 Nicodemus was the most unlikely of true followers. His peer group was Jesus’ staunchest critics and opponents. He first came to Jesus by night, yet now he is confronting his peers in defense of Jesus. He is a true follower, evidenced by his burial of Christ (Jn. 19:39). Jesus calls to us the same way he called to Nicodemus: Come out from the crowd!

 Take-Home Message: Jesus calls his followers out of the crowd.

 Jesus’ Offer (37-39).

 The People’s Response (40-52).

• The Convinced (40-41a).
• The Skeptic and the Hostile (41b-44).
  
  
  • Generational Questions 
• Baby Boomers (1946-64) – What is true?
• Gen X (1965-80) – What is real?
• Gen Y (1981-96) – What is good?
• Gen Z (1997-2012) – What is beautiful?

§  Answering the skeptic and the hostile: Share the gospel of rescue and renewal.

• The Amazed (45-46).
• The Authorities (47-49).
• The Follower (50-52).

 Message: Rivers of Living Water

 Scripture: John 7:37-52