Scripture:
Revelation 22:17 — “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”
Good morning, dear friends. Today, I want to talk to you about one of the most beautiful truths in all of Scripture: the freeness of the gospel. God’s invitation to salvation is open to everyone, and He wants us to know that His grace is free, full, and available right now.
Let’s look at the picture the Bible paints here. The “water of life” is a common image in Scripture for the mercy and blessing of God. In Isaiah 35:6-7, we read,
“Then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.”
And again in Isaiah 41:18,
“I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.”
Isaiah 55:1 says,
“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”
These verses show us that God’s blessings are like fresh springs in a desert—free, refreshing, and available to all who are thirsty. In a world that can feel dry and empty, God’s grace is like a cool drink of water for the soul.
But the special message in our main verse today is that everyone is invited. The Holy Spirit invites us. The church—the Bride—invites us. Everyone who hears the good news is invited to pass it on and say, “Come!” If you’re thirsty for something more in life, if you’re weighed down by guilt or longing for peace, Jesus says, “Come and drink freely.”
John also saw in his vision in Revelation 22:1,
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”
That river of salvation is clear, pure, and offered to anyone who will come.
Let’s not miss how clear and open this invitation is. Salvation is not just for a select few. It’s not for the “good enough.” It’s for anyone who will come. It’s for you, right where you are.
Jesus Himself said in Matthew 11:28,
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
And God says in Ezekiel 33:11,
“As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?”
Hebrews 2:9 tells us,
“But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”
And 1 John 2:2 says,
“He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Jesus also promises in Matthew 7:8,
“For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
When Jesus left this world, He told His followers in Mark 16:15-16,
“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Friends, the door is wide open. God’s grace is for all, and His invitation is for you.
Why Should You Accept This Invitation?
1. Because You Know It’s True
Most of us here would say we believe Christianity is true. We’d be embarrassed if someone thought we were atheists or didn’t believe in God. You probably want your children and grandchildren to know you believe. Maybe you’ve seen the difference faith makes in someone’s life, or maybe you’ve felt it yourself.
The gospel comes to you not as something strange, but as something familiar. You know its truth. You’ve seen its power. Maybe you’ve watched a loved one face suffering or even death with hope and peace because of Jesus. The gospel simply asks you to accept what you already know is real and true.
2. Because Your Reason and Conscience Support It
Our minds and our consciences agree with God’s Word. When we’re honest, we know that serving God is right. No one, in their final moments, ever regrets trusting Jesus. No one ever says, “I wish I hadn’t become a Christian.” Even in life’s hardest times, or even at the hour of death, faith in Christ brings peace.
Charles Spurgeon once said,
“You will never know the fullness of Christ until you know the emptiness of everything else.”
If you’re honest, you know the world can’t satisfy your soul.
3. Because Your Heart and Life Need It
We all have moments when we feel our need for forgiveness. Sometimes guilt or sadness creeps in, and we know deep down that things aren’t right between us and God. The gospel meets us in that need, offering forgiveness and peace.
Isaiah 1:18 says,
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
Life is hard. Trials and sorrows come to everyone. No amount of money, pleasure, or success can shield us from pain and disappointment. We need comfort that only God can give. Jesus offers to walk with us, to wipe away our tears, and to give us hope.
And when we think about the shortness of life and the reality of death, we realize we need more than just what this world can offer. Psalm 90:12 says,
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
Deep down, we long for everlasting life, and the gospel meets that longing with the promise of heaven.
4. Because God, the Father, Son, and Spirit, All Invite You
God the Father invites you home, just like the father in the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:20,
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
No matter how far you’ve wandered, God is eager to welcome you back.
Jesus, the Son, invites you. He left heaven, lived among us, suffered and died—all to say, “Come.” He never turned away a repentant sinner. He says in John 6:37,
“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”
The Holy Spirit invites you, too. The Spirit works in your heart, nudging you, stirring you, giving you a sense of your need for God. If you feel that tug today, that’s the Spirit saying, “Come.”
5. Because the Church and All of Heaven Invite You
The church—the Bride—invites you. Every Christian who has gone before, every loved one who trusted Jesus and is now with Him, calls out to you: “Come, and join us!” There’s room for you. There’s a place at the table for you.
Maybe you remember a godly parent, grandparent, or friend who prayed for you or encouraged you in faith. Their voices join in the invitation today.
6. Because the Opportunity Won’t Last Forever
One day, the invitation will end. The river of life will keep flowing in heaven, but if you refuse Christ, you won’t be there to enjoy it. Don’t put off this invitation. Today, the whole universe invites you—God, the church, your own heart, and even departed loved ones. But tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
Don’t trade eternity for the temporary pleasures of this world. Don’t let pride, fear, or distraction keep you from Jesus.
Come, Take the Water of Life Freely
Dear friends, the gospel is free. God’s grace can’t be bought or earned. Jesus paid it all. All you need to do is come—come with your need, your thirst, your longing, your sin, and your hope. Come and receive the water of life.
Let’s close with a word from the Psalms, fitting for this invitation:
Psalm 34:8 — “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
Amen
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