The Living water
Notes
Transcript
When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. And he must needs go through Samaria. Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.
Intro:
Intro:
i absolutely love this passage of scripture...
the first sermon i ever preached i used this passage as point in God calling the ones society despised and dismissed
in this woman and what was going on in her life here we can see so much comparison to the world today...
this is one of those awesome passages in the bible that show both the world and the church in one place...
This woman needed something better than what the religion of this society had given her....
and let me be blunt people still need something better than what the modern church has been offering to people…
the religion of the day looked at this woman’s sin and dismissed her as useless, but this women needed to know the savior and the savior purposefully went to her to show her a better way
and i know its mothers day today, this was a mom like so many moms who had made mistakes and then been abandoned by the so called people of god
but then something better came along and what was better was the messiah who came not to dismiss because of sin but he came to dismiss the sin from her life and save her soul
and look here, we have something better… not a one time refreshing drink of cool water, but we have the living water that after we taste of it we will never thirst again…
we are going to see first the water offered, but understand this whole passage is awesome because after the water is shown her sin is seen, worship is addressed, the messiah is shown, and then we see her work in telling others about the savior and we will look at that all as well today...
but what is awesome about this situation is while the water was being offered their were things that had to be addressed in the life and thought process of the woman it was offered too...
and listen to me christian we have to stop dumbing down the living water of the gospel and start addressing things going on around us as well…
look at the text with me...
I. The water is offered (1-14)
I. The water is offered (1-14)
A. Jesus left Judaea (1-9)
A. Jesus left Judaea (1-9)
jesus left out of necessity because the crowds were leaving John and coming to him and the religionist were trying to tear down the ministry of john because of it
jesus didn’t want to create a competition in the eyes of the people because even though we has the messiah, John was sent for a reason
and what is absolutely awesome in this is seeing the Son of God making sure he didn’t hurt another ministry and buddy we could learn from that today
we need to see in this first part here that if God has ordained a ministry we are not in competition with that ministry and we should be helping that ministry as we can
we are a ministry that is growing and that is awesome, but that doesn’t mean we are a ministry that is better than any other ministry
one thing i personally can’t stand is the grandstanding of certain ministries because all it does is make them look ignorant to anyone who understands that Gospel preaching churches are all are the same team
but then we also see He left to confront the Samaritan woman
he came and he sat she walked up and he started talking and it amazed her because the jews didn’t deal with the Samaritans and the reason they didn’t was for racial reasons
they were considered to be Half breeds by the jews or less than in the eyes of a jew… and because of that a history of mistrust and back and forth misdealings had taken place...
let me side track and be clear here racism has no place in the church… me and my wife have been listening to clips and whatnot of certain preachers here recently and let me tell you i am absolute disgusted by the fact that certain supposed men of god freely use certain words at all much less from the pulpit
and let me say this i am absolutely disgusted that people think we should separate based on race in the church when we are united in christ...
back on point here though...
he was about to discuss one of the greatest truths of spiritual life with this woman and he was going to let her know somehting few knew and thats who he is
B. What the Water is and who is comes from (10-14)
B. What the Water is and who is comes from (10-14)
this water was alive and being alive it had certain qualities no other water had
living water is OF GOD
living water is a GIFT FROM GOD
living water is GIVEN TO THOSE WHO ASK FOR IT
this is not some weak religious experience we are talking about here…
what we are talking about is BETTER than all that the world offers and better than anything you had ever had before it
this water is from a person even BETTER than a religious father
understand the culture of this question she asked in verse 12 of our text
Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
to the jew Jacob was one of the religious patriarchs of their people and they held him in an almost godlike regard
and Jacob had to dig this well to get water fo this family and this guy shows up saying he can do better than Jacob
this woman was seeing something that most didn’t at the time, jesus was telling her that he was greater than one of their greatest religious fathers...
this random guy (he didn’t walk around with halos like the pictures show) was telling this woman that he had somehting better to offer than Jacob did when it came to her thirst
and if you study the bible over and over again jesus told them he was BETTER than stuff they held in almost idol like positions
he was better than: the temple (Matthew 12:6 ) better than Jonas ( Matt 12:41) better than Solomon (Luke 11:31) and one and one i could god
and let me tell you that Jesus is still Better than so many things we in the modern church hold in almost idol like positions today and you wanna know why??
C. because the water He offered is the only water that will quench the spiritual thirst of men (13-14)
C. because the water He offered is the only water that will quench the spiritual thirst of men (13-14)
we have two thirsts (physical and spiritual)
and when we get physically thirsty we know what to do right? (we get a drink) but our spiritual thirst is something different all together
mankind has a problem and that problem is we thirst for a bunch of stuff spiritually speaking
we want purpose and meaning, we want significance and satisfaction, we want fulfilled because something is missing,
we chase after “STUFF” to fill a void we don’t even realize we have, and we want deliverance from stress, pressure and that “LOST” felling we all have
and here is what we do, we go to the stagnant waters of this world to try ot quench that thirst (lust, immorality, indulgence, pride, money, positions, power etc.) and when we do we keep coming back thirsty
the waters of this world are like drinking salt water… drink all you want but you’ll always be thirsty for more
BUT LIVING WATER IS DIFFERENT:
it comes from christ alone, it will keep a man form ever thirsting again,
it is a well of water placed in man, it is a spring that springs up and continues to bubble,
and it brings with it everlasting life that never ends...
and you know what that means? it means this is the water that soothes the thirst of men and replaces it with a new purpose and new desires…
drink from this well and everything is different and the desires change and you are new, because what your crave is new...
but jesus then did somehting so many don’t do in the modern church he addressed somethings that were probably an uncomfortable thing for this woman...
II. The subject of sin (15-18)
II. The subject of sin (15-18)
The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
A. the request for living water (15)
A. the request for living water (15)
she asked for what the messiah was offering she wanted everlasting or living water, but at first she asking for the wrong reasons
she didn’t want to thirst anymore or come to the well every day to get water but the fact that she requested it is important...
jesus doesn’t just hand out eternal life without someone asking him for it…
the entire world isn’t saved because of the work on the cross, but instead they are saved when they come to the savior and ask for forgiveness
but when a person comes looking for what christ offers they need to get some things straight first...
B. he exposes her sin (16-18)
B. he exposes her sin (16-18)
She had requested the living water but before she could have it she had to see her sin as sin, be convicted of it, and repent of it…
and the offer of living water stirred that conviction and confession of sin…
she was weary and very burdened and that was caused by her sin..
and guess what we are all that why when we are in our sin.. sin brings us down, weighs heavy on our hearts, and will stop us from advancing spiritually...
sin will lead to that heavy weight that you just can’t seem to shake and will cause you to thirst spiritually speaking
she also had a the symptoms of a disease but didn’t even know it yet...
and make no mistake about it sin is a disease that is killing people spiritually and physically and the only cure for it is the offer of salvation made by christ on the cross
and look at how christ didn’t minimize or let her evade her sin...
He did what so few do today and he was direct and to the point when it came to her sin… he pointed it out and then she couldn’t deny it…
and the point of that is this you can’t evade your sin you have to confront your sin, renounce your sin, and repent of your sin in order to be saved...
jesus knew who this woman was she couldn’t hide it from the son of god… and she had done what so many of us have done...
she made worldly choices, she was a poor mate, she was probably cold distant and indifferent towards her sin...
and check this out you me or no one else can hide our sins from the savior
he knows them and he will point them out to us and we then must make the decisions to either repent or continue in them
we also need to see that christ keeps an account of out sin on earth because he is the righteous judge and one day if you're not saved you will stand guilty of your sin in front of him...
and look take this how you want, but you me and everyone we know will have to face sin at one point or another
but if you face them and don’t repent of them here on earth you wont get a chance later...
the same offer she was made is the same offer you are made when that small still voice confronts you of your sin… either admit, repent and be saved or be pride filled keep sinning and one day face judgment in sin
but know this drinking that water that christ is offering is essential if you want to be saved and then you must worship… and thats where this conversation goes...
III. The subject of worship (19-24)
III. The subject of worship (19-24)
The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
and this subject right here is something the modern church needs to hear about…
in verse 19-20 we see this woman's response to being confronted with sin…
she didn’t get mad, or ignore, or consider the preacher to just be old fashioned instead she felt conviction and was stired to worship...
she knew she had to get right with god (in those times make a sacrifice for sin)
now understand this christians when we are convicted of sin we need to get right with god… the sacrifice is already made by christ, but the repentance and worship is done by us...
she asked some great questions about worship here too… and jesus answered them
A. the place of worship isn’t important (19-21)
A. the place of worship isn’t important (19-21)
in verse 21 he says the words “THE HOUR COMETH” and what he was talking about is the whole nature of worship was about to change…
and think about it the messiah was here among them on earth and all the law was now about to be fulfilled in him
and the great sacrifice for sin was about ot happen and everything was about to change
the place of worship was no longer going to be at the temple (or any other building) because God’s presence is now in the hearts of God’s people
and we can worship him all day everyday where ever we are because God is with us and because of christ dwelling in us
B. how we worship is important (23-24)
B. how we worship is important (23-24)
again christ says “THE HOUR COMETH” and then says “AND IS NOW”
we have to understand that Christ changed worship because since christ came lived and died for man place and buildings mean nothing in worshipping God
the very nature of worship is different now than it was then because now we worship in spirit and truth instead of in tradition and law...
To worship god in the spirit means to worship God with ones soul seeking intimate and real communion and real fellowship with god
it means with the core of your life trusting and resting in the father’s love and care
to worship in truth means to worship god the right way because yes there is only one way to worship god
it means to be sincere and honest in your worship of god
and we need to understand the reason we worship is because the father is worthy of worship form his people...
he created man to worship him and live in fellowship with him through his worship
i get it people think they have the right to worship however they want, but what God says is he only accepts worship his way… and his way is in spirit and truth
its not where you worship but how you worship god thats important, but that doesn’t takeaway from the call to corporate worship either
and while we are here we need to see we cannot be worshiping in spirit and truth if we are stifling the spirit of truth in us..
we are not being true to worship if we are holding back, caring what others think, or not following the leading of the spirit…
we are not worshiping in the spirit if we are not allowing the holy spirit to have his will and way in the service
I’ve heard preacher after preacher (and so have you) pray for the holy spirit to be felt in the service and lives of the church people but then in the same breath quench the moving of the spirit by trying to put god in a box and
personal opinion here but i think the reason so many churches are not seeing souls saved, lives changed, and growth spiritually and numerically is they are not allowing the holy spirit to work in the church
and the reason they don’t let him work is they either afraid of him opening the flood gates of truth in their church, following men instead of him in what to do, or they are just so ignorant to the awesome power of the holy spirit that that shy away form following him
if you want that unction or anointing of the spirit in your life it starts with worshipping in spirit and truth (and i don’t care how Pentecostal you think it sounds but buddy i want that anointing on my life, my family, and my ministry and you should too)
VI. Now we see the conversion & the “go and tell” in action (25-29)
VI. Now we see the conversion & the “go and tell” in action (25-29)
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
she knew the messiah was coming and she believed he would one day be there and probably soon…
she knew that when he came he would tell them all things…
this is important here because she had what a lot have today… she had a cultural understanding and cultural belief in the messiah and that led to her being about to be talked too and open to the thought of a messiah
A. Jesus is that messiah (26)
A. Jesus is that messiah (26)
he flat out told her he was that messiah and she saw it and believed it (we know that from what is coming up…)
B. but then the “church folks” showed up (27)
B. but then the “church folks” showed up (27)
they marvelled that he was talking to her… for a few reasons
she was an unaccompanied woman & she was a Samaritan
and this is where the cultural context comes into play… the norms of society was a rabbi or a teacher didn’t talk to unaccompanied women alone because they were thought of as less than .
and also a jew had no business with a Samaritan because of historically and racial differences
now keep that in mind when i say this it doesn’t matter who a person is, what they had done, where they come from, or what you think about it… jesus has the power to save anyone from their sin
he came for the world, he came for the lost, he came for the ones who are different, he came for the ones you are afraid of, and he came for the ones you just don’t like...
the grace of god is more powerful than your prejudices and your fears and your preferences
and what we see next is awesome in light of what the disciples just did
C. she went and told of the messiah (28-29)
C. she went and told of the messiah (28-29)
she left her waterpot (or her worldly work) and immediately went and told others about the savior...
she was confronted with truth, she responded to truth, and then she went and spread truth to others...
and you better she probably thought people would say “ain’t that the woman with all those men in her life” or “yea right we know who this is” but it didn’t matter to here what others though because she knew who the savior was...
and isn’t that an awesome lesson for us today.. we need to stop caring what others will say and just spread the news of the messiah
Conclusion: (v30)
Conclusion: (v30)
Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
and when she did that people responded,
listen to me, people are thirsty for the truth and for comfort and for salvation
right now people need to drink of the living water because they are seeing more and more that the water of the world is bitter and leaves them craving more...
jesus is better than all the other options because jesus is that living water than men need to quench their thirst…
jesus is better because he is the savior of man, the redeemer of life, and the messiah who came to take our sins away
we need to be like this woman and respond to the message of truth
either for the first time and be saved or for the hundredth time to get our lives back to being right with god..
we need to heed the lessons of repentance and worship jesus gave here
and then we need to be like this woman and leave our worldly business where it is and tell others about him…