Life in the Overflow: A Sermon

The following article is not in the form of an essay but is a copy of the notes I used for a sermon to my brothers in the Conqueror's Men's Fellowship on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. This may require a different kind of reading and thinking on your part in some cases, but I pray the truths herein will be a helpful and encouraging blessing all the same.

Yours to count on,

Larry

Two Questions
What is a paradigm?
Can you give an example of a paradigm?
Do you find it difficult to break out of a paradigm?
This message may well require you to do so, to "renew your mind."

The Shepherd’s Table, Psalm 23:5
The images of the table, the anointing, and the overflowing cup present a picture of God’s extravagant provision and blessing even in the face of adversity.

What is My Enemy Doing Here?
Why is the presence of the enemy mentioned?
He can only be a witness here because he cannot prevent the Shepherd’s blessing.
Not calamity nor catastrophe.
Not danger nor difficulty.
Not misfortune nor misery.
Not sorrow nor suffering.
The only plausible explanation for even mentioning him this context is to provide stark contrast and further highlight the glorious generosity of the Shepherd.

The Lavish Feast
Imagine the scene. See the table with your own eyes. (Mine has a white tablecloth, but this is YOUR table to set.)
This feast points directly to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb in eternity.
This feast is the Communion we share to proclaim the death of Jesus until then.

The Anointing
This practice is performed to express welcome you, and to bestow favor and honor upon you.
Imagine the oil running down from the crown of your head, onto your beard, and onto your garments as the Shepherd lavishes more than what is required for mere sufficiency.
Feel it as it soothes, heals, and refreshes you.

The Cup
Focus on the magnificent cup uniquely provided just for you.
Watch as it fills with the sparkling Living Water and runs over the top.
Even so, the Shepherd continues to pour!
You are invited to drink deeply.
Consume His joy, peace, strength, provision, and salvation in unmeasured quantity.
Far beyond survival from tough times and troubles, the spiritual overflow is astonishing:
Joy unspeakable.
Peace that passes understanding.
Renewed strength.
Grace upon grace upon grace upon grace upon grace upon grace...

And we are just getting started!

The Promise of the Good Shepherd, John 10:10
Jesus, in this chapter, declares Himself to be the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.
He is the same Shepherd who filled your cup to overflowing, and now He further emphasizes His goodness to His sheep.

The Enemy is Here Again
Notice His presence just as he was at your banquet table.
His proximity is only a glaring contrast to the life-offering of the Good Shepherd.
Be warned, for he is a thief! A lying, harmful force!
He intends to draw you away from the genuine into the counterfeit of false shepherds.
These deceptive false pastors and prophets teach for doctrine the sin-ridden ideals of fallen man.
They twist the Scriptures to match and justify their sinful, lustful behaviors.

What a contrast to the real thing: abundant life in Jesus, the True Shepherd who lays down His life for you.

Life
The word translated for life in this sentence means more than merely existing.
This is life that never ends.
Life that is vibrant.
Life that is breathed into you by God.

Abundant
Jesus promises more than this marvelous gift of vigorous, vital, eternal life.
Abundance.
Another overflow.
Exceeding.
Superfluous.
Beyond expectation.
Beyond anticipation.
Beyond imagination.

Spiritual Fullness
The life he offers begins with eternal life and keeps going.
He breathes power for living into you.
He gives you the person of the Holy Spirit as a permanent roommate.
(You are not a VRBO. You are not the landlord. He moves in to stay until you leave your body, and then He goes with you.)
Fruit begins to grow in you, and your abundant life becomes marked by
Joy,
Peace,
Purpose, and
Freedom from sin’s dominion and power.

These effects then spill into every aspect of your being.
They change your heart.
They change your mind.
They change your relationships.
They continue to be part of you forever in Heaven.

Material Wealth
God generously provides the material things you need as part of this abundant life.
You seek first the Kingdom of God and allow Him to add them to your life.
This is not, however, His primary concern for you.
Life in the overflow is deeper, superior and surpasses all you can imagine, even through trials and suffering.
Spiritual wholeness.
Inner strength.
Fruitfulness in the Kingdom of God right now.
Eternity in the presence of Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.

Are You Convinced Yet
Then why wait another minute?
This life is accessible right now by trusting in Jesus, the Good Shepherd and determining to follow him wherever He leads.
Joy beyond what circumstances allow,
Peace you cannot explain,
Purpose greater and higher than any human plan,
The abundant life can be yours right now.
You can live life in the overflow.
Your soul restored to its intended fullness.
Your life whole and meaningful.

All you are asked to do is surrender to Jesus and accept this glorious gift of grace.
(Why not take this pause and offer your own prayer of surrender? Jesus, I want Your abundant life in me now and forever. I know I can never have it on my own because of my sins and failures. Good Shepherd, accept my surrender to your will and plan for my life. Fill me with your Holy Spirit now and receive me into Your presence both now and for all eternity.)

[If you have made a decision to receive Christ as your savior, or you want to know more, please tell someone. If you would like, you can write to me: larry@everydaygracematters.com.]

It Just Gets Better and Better, Ephesians 3:20-21
This doxology is most encouraging, exploding the theme of God’s overflowing, superabundant, limitless capability to bless, provide, and work beyond your wildest expectations.
Paul does not just “double-down” in this verse, he “triple-downs” with three words for “more than enough” that are most accurately translated as “exceedingly, abundantly, above.”
By now I hope you understand and are convinced that God’s ability is infinite and boundless.
I hope you can believe that His intentions exceed your dreams, imaginations, and highest hopes.

Practically Speaking: How it Works
Now we discover how it all happens. It is “according to the power at work in you!”
Not just an abstract idea.
Authentic, substantial, resurrection power that raised Christ from the dead.
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is actively operating inside of you!
Remember, you are the permanent residence of the person we call Holy Spirit.
He gives you the capacity to manifest His abundance in everyday life.
Strength in weakness.
Joy in trials.
Contentment in poverty or prosperity.
Christ-like character beyond the bounds of personal potential.

The person of Holy Spirit has moved in with you.
Pray big.
Think expansively.
Trust explicitly.
Your biggest prayers and boldest imaginations are no match for the Omnipotent God you serve!

Be inspired to expect more from God:
Not from selfish passions and desires or greed.
From your awe of God, holy in all His ways and in all His character.

The Purpose of Living in The Overflow, John 7:37-39
It is the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles.
The most joyful celebration on the Jewish calendar.
The only feast that is left unfulfilled until Jesus returns to reclaim His Kingdom on earth. (O Lord, let it be today!)
A key ritual on this day was for a priest to draw water from the Pool of Siloam and pour it upon the altar while praying for rain and blessing.

On this climactic day, Jesus shouts aloud over the tumult of the celebration as it culminates in this great ritual.
He calls out over the noise to those who are spiritually thirsty:
Longing for forgiveness and cleansing.
Devoid of purpose.
Powerless to escape tormenting circumstances.
Yearning for renewal and a fresh start.
“Come to me and drink!” he cries out to the thirsty and despairing, offering to satisfy the dry soul through faith in Him.

To those who have it all figured out,
To those who have all they will ever need,
To those who have the right education, credentials, and recognition,
To those who are fulfilled by life in this world and contented with all it has to offer:
He says nothing.

But to the thirsty He holds forth
Your overflowing cup,
Your abundant life, and
The limitless love and ability of God both immediately and for eternity.

To What End?
Jesus shouts his invitation to you so that,
The refreshment,
The healing,
The love,
The truth,
The blessing, and
The vitality of Holy Spirit in you,
Will flow like rivers to a dry, deceived, and desperate world!

You were not created to be a reservoir like the Pool of Siloam.
You were intended to be an expansive conduit of Living Water to others.
You cannot be a mere cistern designed to hold a finite amount of spiritual bounty.
The Holy Spirit will never be confined by your puny limitations.
He wells up within you.
He bursts forth.
He spills out as roaring, rushing rivers flooding dry, dusty ground all around you!

Out of your belly,
Your innermost being,
Your deepest core of emotion, will, and inner life
The rivers discharge.
Not a dripping faucet.
Not a trickling brook.
Not a stream.
Not even a river.
Multiple, surging, unstoppable rivers of superabundant life deluge from your overflow.
And it is not stagnant tank water, but fresh, cool, life-giving, life-sustaining Holy Spirit water that pours forth.

The best part is that, for a believer, this should be normal Christian experience!
It is the issue of the abiding presence of Holy Spirit in you.
It requires no physical exertion or mental effort from you.
It is a product of your faith in Jesus that exists in you poured out to “whosoever will” receive.
The Holy Spirit is in you now.
Producing fruit. (It is happening over time. Be patient!)
Producing Christian character. (It is happening over time. Be patient!)
Empowering your witness.
Enabling you to refresh people all around you wherever you may go.

But Believers Can Get Thirsty, Too
If what I am describing feels unfamiliar to you, or if it has been a while since you were living like this, take heart.
Jesus still shouts his appeal to all who thirst and believe: “Come to me and drink!”
He still cries out over the tumult and noise of life!
Over distractions.
Over schedules.
Over the demands and pressures living brings every day.
Jesus is shouting out to you: "Come and drink!"

If you are feeling dry, then come back to Jesus.
Trust Him for His promise.
Drink afresh from His Word.
Linger anew in His presence.
Be filled and keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Then watch as the rivers overflow!