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Living Water (4 things)
Passing by the emptiness of religion – to finally let them see Jesus!
1st – The need to go through Samaria… vs. 4-5
1st – Samaria was the located between Jerusalem and the Galilee…
It was the most direct route for Jesus and His disciples to take home…
But Jews went out of their way in order to avoid Samaria – it was not safe for Jews…
In fact later on in Jesus’ ministry the Samaritan would refuse to let Jesus through…
Luke 9:53 – “The people of [Samaria] refused to have anything to do with Jesus…”
2nd – The history of Samaria…
After King Solomon – Israel divided into two nations – Northern & Southern…
The Northern Kingdom became know as Samaria – named after its capitol city…
The Northern Kingdom was conquered by Assyria in 722 B.C – II Kings 17:23
The Assyrians took the Israelites and scatter them to other conquered countries…
Then took captives from other countries and placed them in Israel…
Wild animals began to kill the people – cause they did not know how to ‘worship God’…
So Assyria allowed some of the Israelites to return to teach the people about God…
This mixed people/religion – became the ‘Samaritans’ of the New Testament…
3rd – Why the Jews hated the Samaritans…
Dating back to when the Jews returned from the Babylonian captivity 516 B.C….
The Samaritans wanted to help rebuild the Temple – Ezra 4:1-5 – but were not allowed
Ezra 4:4 – “Then the people of [Samaria] tried to discourage… [the Jews] in building…”
The Samaritans went on to oppose the rebuilding of Jerusalem – Nehemiah 4:22
There after there was a constant tension and distrust between the two nations
4th – But Jesus NEEDED to go through Samaria – and came to the city of Sychar…
It was the same place where Jacob had bought a plot of land – Genesis 33:19
The city had been called Shechem – one of the 6 cities of refuge – Joshua 20:7
But now it was called Sychar – meaning the city of drunks…
The point is this was a place that DID NOT know about God – they NEEDED Jesus!
To many ‘Christians’ today try to stay as far as they can from sinners…
To them church should be a ‘social gathering’ for Godly people just like them…
But the church is not for social club for saints – it is a hospital for sinners…
We cannot be afraid to go and get our hand dirty – sinners need our help!
Not that we join in with them – we need to be careful not to fall back into the world…
But we reach out to them – showing them the Love of Jesus!
2nd – Jesus was tired / thirsty / and hungry… vs. 6-8
1st – Jesus was tired from His journey – so He sat down by Jacob’s well…
When we think of Jesus – we often get the impression He never stopped / rested / slept
But the Gospel of John – more than any other Gospel – shows us the humanity of Jesus…
Jesus was fully God / but also fully man – so after a long journey He was tired…
Serving Jesus does not mean that we will never be tired – or worn out…
In fact being a Christian is hard work – and there are times when we need to ‘rest’…
We need to find / take the time – to recharge our batteries so we do not wear out!
2nd – Jesus was thirsty – it was 6pm – when people came to draw water for dinner…
The suggestion is there was nothing at the well to draw with – no bucket or rope…
Jesus could raise the dead / He could calm the storm / He could multiply the loaves…
Certainly He could have performed a miracle to get water out of that well…
But instead Jesus asked a local woman to give Him a drink…
God can miraculously provide for our needs – like manna from heaven…
But He can also take care of us through the kindness of others…
Sometimes it is just matter of having the humility to ask for help
3rd – Jesus was hungry – so the Disciples had gone into town to buy food…
Again Jesus could have done something miraculous to get food…
But instead He just sent the disciples to the market to buy what they needed!
The most common way God provides – we work to put food on the table…
II Thessalonians 3:10 – “If anyone will not work, neither will he eat.”
3rd – Only the Living water satisfies… vs. 9-15
1st – The woman was surprised Jesus talked to her… vs. 9
Why would you a Jew – ask me a Samaritan – for water / Jews hate Samaritans…
Jesus was not afraid to cross boundaries – He was willing to talk to anyone…
The person you know who is a Mormon / Iglesia ni Cristo / or JW…
Perhaps you have hesitated talking to them – they are from ‘that group’…
But they need Jesus just as much as the next person – so step out and start talking…
2nd – Ask for Living Water… vs. 10-12
Jesus challenged her – if you knew the gift of God you would ask for Living Water…
Jesus was not talking about physical water – but about the gift of salvation…
Revelation 22:1 – “A pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb.”
Like His conversation with Nicodemus – Jesus ignored her question…
And went right to the heart of the matter – how to receive eternal life!
How do you share the Gospel with someone – just start talking about life…
Maybe you ask about the weather – are talk about the local well…
Once the conversation begins – you can then turn it towards Jesus!
The woman did not understand – Jesus had nothing to draw water with…
The well was VERY deep – 41 meters – so how could Jesus get this ‘water’…
She asked if Jesus thought He was greater than our Father Jacob who dug the well…
She was only thinking about her immediate physical needs…
We need to be patient when we share the Good news – people do not understand…
They spent all their lives living for the moment – only thinking about money /food…
When we begin to talk about eternity – we will tend to confuse them at first
3rd – Never thirsty again… vs. 13-15
Jesus told the woman – if you drink from the well – you would be thirsty again…
But the Living Water – will spring up in you a fountain of eternal life!
You will never EVER be thirsty again / the woman demanded – ‘give me this water!’
That way she would not have to come to the well – she still did not understand…
Jesus was showing her – the things of this world can never satisfy…
If we seek pleasure – it is never enough – satisfaction is only for a moment…
I love chocolate chip cookies – when I was a kids I would eat them all…
I could never eat just one – I always wanted one more – then one more…
Till I was sick because of all the cookies – and still I wanted more!
If we seek after possession – it never seems to be enough – we always want more…
One of the richest men who ever lived – J.D. Rockefeller was asked…
‘How much is enough’ – his answer – ‘Just a little bit more’…
Most think this world has the answers – it lures us in with false hopes and promises
Then leaves us empty inside – never fulfilled – always wanting more!
Only Jesus can satisfy…
No matter how many times we drink from the ‘water of the world’ – thirsty again…
Ever noticed how the things of this world only seem to satisfy for a moment…
How many times have we said – ‘if I could only have ____________ I would be happy’…
And when we get what we wanted – happy for a moment – then we want more…
Only when we drink from the living water Jesus offers – are we truly satisfied!
4th – How to receive Living water… vs. 16-26
1st – Jesus told the woman to go and call her Husband… vs. 16-18
The woman was quick to answer that she was not married…
Jesus was just ask quick to reply – ‘you have said well you have no husband’…
She had been married five times – and was now living unmarried with a 6th man!
This woman had been looking for answers in relationships…
But from one man to the next she had been disappointed – left empty / thirsty…
Jesus showed it had not worked – she had not found the answer she was looking for!
There are many people who strive to find happiness in a relationship…
Men and women will abandon their families – thinking the grass is greener!
King Solomon had 1000 wives – he REALLY tried to find happiness in relationships!
But Solomon learned it was like chasing after the wind – Ecclesiastes 2:1-11…
Looking for happiness – answers to life in relationships – is chasing the wind…
You are not chasing something that is hard to catch – there is nothing there to catch!
Jesus showed revealed her thirst…
The only way to receive the ‘water of life’ is for someone to show you are thirsty…
If you think you are ok – then you are not going to see your need for Jesus…
It is when we shine the light of God’s word – revealing sin…
That people realize their great need to repent – and receive the gift of forgiveness!
2nd – Changing the subject… vs. 19-24
Like shining a light into the darkest corner – the woman did not like what Jesus exposed
So she tried to change the subject – ‘I think you are a prophet’…
We Samaritans believed God has to be worshiped at Mt. Gerizim in Samaria…
Because that is where the Blessing of the Law were read – Deuteronomy 27:12
You Jews teach (in accordance to the Law) – God has to be worshiped in Jerusalem…
She tried to get Jesus to argue about theology – rather than her look at her sins…
When people are convicted – they try to change the subject – talk about religion…
You are a Baptist / we are catholic – you sprinkle / we dunk…
But in reality they are just trying to change the subject because they are convicted!
The hour is coming when you will not worship God at Gerizim or Jerusalem…
True worshipers – will worship in spirit and in truth…
God is not concerned about ‘where’ we worship – but that we worship Him!
God is seeking those who are willing to worship in Sprit – knowing the truth…
God is Spirit – and those who worship him MUST worship in spirit and truth…
God is not concerned about our differences – traditions – ceremonies – or religion…
What day to gather to worship / the name on the sign over the church…
He just desires a relationship with us – God is all about a true relationship…
3rd – Receiving the Messiah… vs. 25-26
The Samaritan woman answered – I know the Messiah / Christ is coming…
When He comes He will tell us everything – how to worship / how to be saved…
Jesus answered – ‘I am the Messiah / Christ’!
We NEED to go through Samaria – go tell even those we do not like about Jesus…
Take the time to sit down and talk to people – just start a conversation…
Then take the opportunity to tell them about Jesus…
Patiently showing them the emptiness in their heart – their need for salvation…
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