Sermon Tone Analysis

“Why Are You Talking With Her?”

Jesus had been talking to the Samaritan woman…having a Gospel conversation…

Just as the conversation between Jesus and the woman reaches its high point the disciples return.

None of them ask, “Why are you talking with her?” The disciples didn’t say it but they were certainly thinking it!

Jewish thought — For a rabbi to talk with a woman, even his own wife, was at best a waste of time and at worst a diversion from his study and teaching…and therefore potentially a great evil that could lead one to hell!

“One of their sayings ran, “A man shall not be alone with a woman in an inn, not even with his sister or his daughter, on account of what men may think.

A man shall not talk with a woman in the street, not even with his own wife, and especially not with another woman, on account of what men may say.”

Some rabbis went so far as to suggest that to provide their daughters with a knowledge of the Torah was as inappropriate as to teach them lechery, i.e. to sell them into prostitution

Some rabbis went so far as to suggest that to provide their daughters with a knowledge of the Torah was as inappropriate as to teach them lechery, i.e. to sell them into prostitution

Add to this fact that the woman was a Samaritan…and in the disciples eyes you have an unexplainable moment in the life of their teacher.

Some

Carson, D. A. (1991).

The Gospel according to John (p.

227).

Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans.

The disciples didn’t understand what Jesus was doing but they had learned enough to know that He always had a good reason for what He did…so they kept their mouth shut.

One of their sayings ran, “A man shall not be alone with a woman in an inn, not even with his sister or his daughter, on account of what men may think.

A man shall not talk with a woman in the street, not even with his own wife, and especially not with another woman, on account of what men may say.

Morris, L. (1995).

The Gospel according to John (p.

243).

Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.

B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

He had just revealed to her that He was the Messiah.

She wanted to believe this and was convinced, on account of His supernatural knowledge of her life, that He was.

She leaves her water jug and runs into town to tell folks she thinks she has found the Messiah.

She is so excited about what has happened that she cannot be slowed down…These people who she undoubtedly avoided…as we can see from the time of day she went to the well and the fact she went alone…she now cannot wait to see and tell them of what has happened to her...

She tells the people in town, “Come see a man who told me everything I ever did.”

Of course this is not technically the case…He did not rehearse every moment of her existence on earth…but He did highlight the pain she had been carrying around…the moments most significant to her…Her messy and sinful personal life was most important in her thought about her life.

She asks the question, “Could he be the Messiah?”

She says these words tentatively…She hopes it to be the case and is looking for confirmation of her hopes.

The people are impressed with her excitement and her testimony of her conversation with Jesus…and so they set out to see Him for themselves.

We might stop at this moment and consider what we have read so far…Jesus took someone society has cast off and deemed of little value…someone who had been abused, used and discarded…

Because a woman's vocal cords are shorter than a man's she can actually speak with less effort than he can.

Shorter vocal cords not only cause a woman's voice to be more highly pitched, but also require less air to become agitated, making it possible for her to talk more with less energy expended.

Because a woman's vocal cords are shorter than a man's she can actually speak with less effort than he can.

Shorter vocal cords not only cause a woman's voice to be more highly pitched, but also require less air to become agitated, making it possible for her to talk more with less energy expended.

But no…it wasn’t because of her vocal chords…or her outstanding character…or her position within the community...

Because a woman's vocal cords are shorter than a man's she can actually speak with less effort than he can.

Shorter vocal cords not only cause a woman's voice to be more highly pitched, but also require less air to become agitated, making it possible for her to talk more with less energy expended.

Jesus took someone society has cast off and deemed of little value…someone who had been abused, used and discarded…

Because a woman's vocal cords are shorter than a man's she can actually speak with less effort than he can.

Shorter vocal cords not only cause a woman's voice to be more highly pitched, but also require less air to become agitated, making it possible for her to talk more with less energy expended.

He took her and loved her…gave her value...made her feel valued…and ultimately made her one of His own…and subsequently one of His ministers of God’s grace.

This is what the sermon is about this morning…God loves you…you are valuable to Him…He wants to save your life from sin…He wants you to be a part of His family…He wants to make you a part of what He is doing in the world today.

Don’t ever put God in a box…Don’t ever limit, by a small estimation of self and God, what He can do for and with you!

This is what the sermon is about this morning…God loves you…whoever you are…He deems you valuable

Priorities

In order to be a part of what God is doing in the world around us…we must first become His follower…and then…make sure our priorities right so He and His work come first.

H. L. Hunt made millions as a Texas oilman.

He was an aggressive businessman with little regard for time.

His chief confidant, John, might be called in the middle of the night as quickly as in the middle of the day.

One night at 2:00 AM, Hunt phoned John.

He excitedly declared, “John, I just made the greatest trade of my life.

I traded the here for the hereafter… I just got saved.”

If you have never trusted Christ as your Saviour, you need to trade the here for the hereafter.

You need to be saved.

It is the wisest decision you will ever make.

One night at 2:00 AM, Hunt phoned John.

He excitedly declared, “John, I just made the greatest trade of my life.

I traded the here for the hereafter… I just got saved.”

If you have never trusted Christ as your Saviour, you need to trade the here for the hereafter.

You need to be saved.

It is the wisest decision you will ever make.

Competition for church attendance — All over the country this morning there are youth sporting events taking kids out of worship…not just for a Sunday but Sunday after Sunday after Sunday…Jesus is relegated to a postscript…He is someone to be worshipped when there is time…someone to be served when it is convenient.

Folks wonder why their walk with Christ is anemic…why their families are troubled…why their life is a mess…their life is spiritually as it would be if they stopped eating physical food.

Do you know Jesus?

Are you a follower of Him?

If so…we can continue on with our story for today...

While the woman was headed to town and gathering a crowd the disciples are concerned that Jesus would eat the food they had gone to town to get.

Jesus had to still be hungry, and thirsty but He isn’t concerned about it.

He is meditating upon His conversation with the woman and uses the moment to teach His disciples about priorities.

“I have food you know nothing about.”

Competition for church attendance — All over the country this morning there are youth sporting events taking kids out of worship (so much ministry here)…not just for a Sunday but Sunday after Sunday after Sunday…Jesus is relegated to a postscript…He is someone to be worshipped when there is time…someone to be served when it is convenient.

Folks wonder why their walk with Christ is anemic…why their families are troubled…why their life is a mess…their life is spiritually as it would be if they stopped eating physical food.

My Food — The food Jesus is referring to is to do the will of the Father.

This is a reference to verse which the disciples would have been very familiar.

“Man does not live by bread alone but by every word the at comes from the mouth of the Father.”

“‘The creative will of God, realized in obedience, sustains life’ (Barrett, p. 241).

If in his dealings with the Samaritan woman Jesus was performing his Father’s will, there was greater sustenance and satisfaction in that than in any food the disciples could offer him.”

‘The creative will of God, realized in obedience, sustains life’ (Barrett, p. 241).

If in his dealings with the Samaritan woman Jesus was performing his Father’s will, there was greater sustenance and satisfaction in that than in any food the disciples could offer him

There are a lot of Christians walking around malnourished because they have not participated in God’s will around them.

We need to participate in God’s life…be a part of what He is doing on the earth…our spirit needs this like our physical body needs material food to eat.

It is not enough to read the Bible and pray.

It is not enough to go to church regularly.

Not enough to be baptized and take communion.

The Christian life is one of obedience to God and participation in His life and work.

If you aren’t doing that you will be anemic, weak and spiritually sick.

Carson, D. A. (1991).

The Gospel according to John (p.

228).

Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans.

The priority of Jesus’ life is to do the will of the Father.

It is the major concern of His life.

He is single-minded about it.

He is using this moment to teach and encourage His disciples to do the same.

It is not enough to read the Bible and pray.

It is not enough to go to church regularly.

Not enough to be baptized and take communion.

The Christian life is one of obedience to God and participation in His life and work.

If you aren’t doing that you will be anemic, weak and spiritually sick.

Milt Rood worked for years and years in Spokane as a car salesman.