OVERFLOW... THEN WHAT?

1. Introduction

a) "Overflow" means flow over the brim or edge of, run over, surplus, more than full or completes, be superabundant.

2. Overflow with praise

a) Then, we express our approval and admiration to God.

i) 171May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. (Psalm 119:171 NIV)

ii) 3But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. (Psalm 22:3 KJV)

3. Overflow with hope

a) Then, we feel that what is wanted will happen.

i) 13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13 NIV)

4. Overflow with comfort

a) Then, we feel relief from distress, misery and sorrow.

i) 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7 NIV)

5. Overflow with thanksgiving

a) Then, we show and express appreciation or gratitude to God for all the things he has done for us.

i) 13It is written: "I believed; therefore I have spoken." Since we have that same spirit of faith, we also believe and therefore speak, 14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you to himself. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 4:13-15 NIV)

6. Overflow with love

a) Then, we have deep and tender feeling of affection for God. Our feeling of agape love will increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else.

i) 12May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. (1 Thessalonians 3:12 NIV)

7. Overflow of our hearts

a) Then, we bring good things out of the good stored up in our hearts.

i) 43"No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. (Luke 6:43-45 NIV)

b) Then, we don't live according to the flesh that cannot please God.

i) 5Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8 NIV)

c) Then, we don't live in sinful nature that cannot inherit the kingdom of God.

i) 19The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 NIV)d) Then, we love to fulfil every law.

ii) 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22, 23 NIV)

8. Overflow with goodness and love (mercy)

a) Then, we show goodness and mercy to others.

i) 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:5, 6 NIV)

9. Prayer focus

a) Do we want aid from God? God's given power will help us in fulfilling whatever dreams we may have in our hearts.

b) Pray that God will give us our hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places.

i) 3I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. (Isaiah 45:3 NIV)