To Cross a River

I just can’t believe what this world gets excited about. They get all excited over the Super Bowl and other sporting vents. If you want to excite me, just tell me that Jesus is coming. That is what thrills my soul. They get all excited when Gorbechov and Bush meet at a summit. All the while people are just looking to see whose shoes are untied and how their jackets are buttoned. If we could just get that interested in what God is doing tonight. There would not be a force on earth that could stop us. There is no force on earth that can stop us. If there is anything stopping you, it is yourself. There is no power on earth, no demon in hell, that could ever stop you because, greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world. I don’t know about you but, I want the Lord to do something tonight. If you have your bibles please turn to the book of Ezekial, chapter 47. The prophet is speaking. Afterward, he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward; for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under, from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the other gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran waters on the right side. And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits: and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. Again, he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward, he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in; a river that could not be passed over. Now let us go to the ninth verse. And it shall come to pass, that everything that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers cometh, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed: and everything shall live whither the river cometh. Tonight, I would like to preach “To Cross a River.”
The holy spirit is typified in many ways. It is typified as a dove, wind, fire, and as oil. The spirit is also typifiedas living waters. As I was reading this passage of scripture, I was beginning to realize what Ezekial was talking about. As I was looking at it thinking of my own experience with God. The Lord has lead me out deeper and deeper, and a little further until what I had was something more. There is a world out here that is in three stages. I was reading the other day about a drought that took place some years ago in 1976. It took place in Western Europe. It devastated that part of the globe, at that time. On top of the drought there, they had the hottest temperatures in over 130 years. The world, by large, is in a drought condition, when it comes to people that you walk up to today don’t know anything about God. You could walk up to them and ask them about God and all he could tell you is what her has learned from the media. What they say about God is not correct; it is not right. The average man has no concept of God. The only concepts that they have are: do it your way, grab up all you can, if it feels right do it, this is just a Burger King world, as long as you are satisfied do it. The Eastern religions are putting us to shame. There are few of us in here who know what New Age is. This world is in a trap when it comes to truly spiritual things. And because there is a drought with the word of God, satan will come in and slowly eat away until there is nothing left. The New Age movement is really influencing every facet of our life. The New Age movement is aimed for our young people. They are trying to make us look for satisfaction elsewhere. Parents, you must watch what you are letting your children do. Even comic books today are borderline pornography. Satan will use even the smallest things to get to us. Satan is deceiving them. They are going to die a dry spiritual death. They will dry up spiritually speaking. They are already separated from the Lord. Look at how much more we need to go out and tell them that don’t know. It seems easier to convert someone who doesn’t know anything about God. Than to convert someone who thinks he knows about God. We have a prison ministry in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. When I am not out preaching, I go with the brethern and we teach there. These men know the bible. They believe that they are already right with God and there is nothing more that they have to do. We come in and slowly try to gain their trust. They don’t care how much you know but, want to know how much you care. The other day I called one of the brothers in charge and asked how things were going. He said, four or five of them raised their hands when asked if they wanted to be baptized in Jesus’ name. There are some there with the Holy Ghost and they knelt down and prayed with them. The second kind of people in the world today are those who think they know about God. I call them diluted. They are not dry, just diluted. You could even say that they are polluted. They think that they are alright. It was the hardest thing to convince me that there was Something else that I needed to do to be saved. When they talked to me I got angry and mad. So, I fought them. Don’t think that it is strange if someone fights with you about this. They will snap at you and argue that they don’t have the be baptized. They are right, they don’t have to be baptized. They can go on living Just as they are, but they aren’t going to make it into the kingdom of God. You have the right to reject it. If you reject this truth, you are on a downward road. There is a truth that must be obeyed. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the light. lf you want to want to know truth, you better know Jesus. I feel the Lord here tonight. I also feel, that there are people here tonight who need truth. Exekial first brought the man to the door of the house. The first thing that you have to do is go to the door. And Jesus said, I am the door, there is no other way to enter in except for me. There is no other way of salvation except for the one that Jesus presented. There is no other way inside. The devil can not get in through that door. You are safe in the arms of Jesus. He said he brought me to the threshold of the house eastward. for the forefront of the house stood east. The waters came from under the right side of the house. At the Southside of the altar. If you are here tonight and you need the baptism of the Holy Ghost, you must go to where the waters flow. You must enter the door. You must take of drink of the living water. You must humble yourself before the Lord. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes. If you want me to dance, I’ll dance. If you want me to shout, I’II shout. If you want me to run, I’II run.
If we lose our praise, we lose our victory. The devil tries to trick us our of our worship. Just do what the Lord wants and stop caring what others think. Praise will humble you. when you find out who Jesus really is you will want to worship him. Always give glory to the one who bought your salvation. When you get baptized in the Holy Ghost your ankles will change direction. You’re going to turn around and walk a way that you’ve never walked. There are going to be things that you will give up. There will also be things that you aren’t going to want to do. When you get the Holy Ghost, there should be something inside you that you no longer want the things of this world. The water is up to your knees. Your prayer life will change when you get the Holy Ghost. Prayer should not be a drudgery. The Holy Ghost should well up in you soul. He brought me in through the waters, the waters were to the loins. The loins symbolize strength. What would normally hinder us doesn’t; the Holy Ghost gives us strength. There are things that you will come up against, that you will be able to overcome. Let the devil throw all he can at you. You can conquer it. You have the Holy Ghost in you. Afterward, he measured a thousand and it was a river which I could not pass over. For it was waters to swim in, a river I could not pass over. Some of us spiritually just want to wade in the water. You need to get in deep and swim in. When was the last time you ladies shouted your hair down. When was the last time you got so full of the Holy Ghost that you couldn’t stand up. Some of you wonder why you are so down with depression and fear. You don’t know where you are going. You ask God what are doing with me. Do you want to know why? It’s because you won’t get up and let the Lord bless you. Let him bless you with a blessing that you can not contain. The river is flowing here tonight.
I urge you to be continually filled with the spirit. When you get the Holy Ghost, you will find a friend. You will be taking your mind off of your problems. You can be assured that the Lord will take care of tnem.
There should be a praise on your lips when you are filled with the Holy Ghost. When God looks down, all he sees is a hungry heart.
It’s the Holy Ghost and fire and it’s keeping me alive. Lord, you are the spirit of truth. You are the comforter that dwells within our hearts. Lord, I ask you to touch every heart here tonight. Touch everyone who is hungry. You said if the hunger and thirst after righteousness they shall be filled. You are able. If you are here tonight, and you have not yet received the baptism or the Holy Ghost, please praise your hand. I would like everyone here to stand. If you need someone, I can only give you Jesus. Let the Lord restore to you your salvation.
by  Glen Gibson