Gospel Boundaries

Welcome

Thank everyone for New Years

Well, its time to dive back into John’s Gospel

If you would start opening your bibles to the Gospel of John

Chapter 4, verses 1-26

Last week we covered the ministry of reconciliation

Which is such an act of God

Because this week, as we look at the woman at the well

We learn of a great example of that reconciliation only God offers

That reconciliation that knows no boundaries

Last we we spoke that we are to see people as Jesus sees them

We are to see the world no longer as we once saw it, but in a new way

because we are new creations once we have been born again in God

And since we are new we not to look at others as we used to

But we are to look at others what they could be, children of God

Jesus will show us that example today,

As he presents the Gospel to someone that was an outcast

someone that probably never would have set foot in a church today

someone that was shamed by her culture

someone that didn’t fit in

But that someone, would be the first one to be presented the gospel outside of Jewish territory and outside of the Jewish faith

And that was exactly Jesus’ point here

See the Gospel has no boundaries

The Gospel has no reservations

The Gospel is for everyone

That is why we must be ambassadors for Christ

and share this great message with everyone,

no matter who they are,

what they look like

or where they are from

And we should see a little of ourselves in this story as well

because we all need the gospel every single day

so turn with me and lets read about how Jesus presents the Gospel to the woman at the well

This is a longer passage, therefore, if you do not stand I understand.

But for that willing, please stand as we read the word of God

Scripture

John 4:1–26 “When Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard he was making and baptizing more disciples than John (though Jesus himself was not baptizing, but his disciples were), he left Judea and went again to Galilee. He had to travel through Samaria; so he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar near the property that Jacob had given his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, worn out from his journey, sat down at the well. It was about noon. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. “Give me a drink,” Jesus said to her, because his disciples had gone into town to buy food. “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” she asked him. For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would ask him, and he would give you living water.” “Sir,” said the woman, “you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this ‘living water’? You aren’t greater than our …”

Pray

Illustration

Picture of Jacobs well

Elaborate

The Christ (1-6)

The Conversation (7-15)

The Conversion (16-26)

Our text this morning starts shortly after our last time we met in John

If we remember the the pharisees took a hard look at John the Baptist in John chapter 1

When he witness so greatly of Jesus and denied being the messiah, Elijah, or THE profit

Well, those same Pharisees are again seeing how Jesus’ ministry is growing

Now they are looking to investigate him

The Christ

John 4:1–6 “When Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard he was making and baptizing more disciples than John (though Jesus himself was not baptizing, but his disciples were), he left Judea and went again to Galilee.

Now, with the pressure starting to stack Jesus decides to move his ministry further away from Jerusalem

Further away from the religious zealots to an area that is a little more low key

But also a little more welcoming

It says that Jesus was baptizing, most likely this was adding to his popularity

Either way, Jesus decided to leave and move his ministry further north

But lets look at how John noted this transition of location

It says Jesus HAD to travel through Samaria

Thats interesting..

See Jews in that day would have bi-passed Samaria at any and all costs

Why, well lets just say the Jews and the Samaritans didn't get along

Thats a topic we will cover tonight during our evening service

but for now, just trust me in the fact that the Jews considered the Samaritans

Half breeds

Less than human

Inferior if we will

And well, the Samaritans reciprocated those thoughts

Just passing through that area would cause defilement in some’s eye

so, the most common route was all the way around

Cross the Jordan river

Go up it, then cross back over

But this isn’t the case this time

See Jesus took the direct path

The shorter path

The path laid out by God

There is not a doubt in my mind that Jesus took this path because it was the will of His father to witness to that woman that day

And just like we should do in our ministries

Jesus took the harder path, knowing it would produce weariness

knowing it would be against traditions of those around him

but also knowing it would produce fruit

He went this way for the Gospel

Because this is his mission

To spread the gospel to all the world

even to those that don’t look, or act like us

So as Jesus and his disciples are walking this path lets notice it is about noon

And our scriptures say that Jesus was worn out

So he stopped

In the heat of the day

To rest

To rest at a place of significance

A place known as Jacobs well

Whom are we all may know

Is an extremely influential player in Gods plan of salvation

as well within the Jewish community

So Jesus stops at this

what we know consider a special place to take a break

Now I want to camp here for a minute

See, up to this point we have seen John the author only refer to Jesus in exalted terms

some examples of how he has been referred to thus far are..

we see that the Word was God

We have seen his Glory

The only Begotten God

he manifested his Glory

He’s the Son of man

He is Lamb of God

He is above all

He who comes from Heaven

Just in 3 chapters Jesus has been referred to in this way

Yet here, in verse 6

it says Jesus was worn out… …

Other translations says that he was wearied

And isn’t that amazing

That the one that has been talked about so exclusively,

so highly so far

was weary

was worn out

See the very fact that Jesus

The agent through whom God created all things

Got tired is mind boggling

Because it shows his humanity

It emphasizes the fact that Jesus was fully God

and yet Fully man

Remember he became fully man for us

So that we know that he endures all we endure

that he feels the same way we feel

See Jesus was so full of humility and self denial

that he would not exempt himself from fatigue

because we get tired

he would not exempt himself from thirst

because we get thirsty

He would not refuse to bear the heat

because we must endure the elements

See Jesus became like us to save us

And there is no better example to follow than his!

So there, a worn out Jesus,

the worn out word or God

The worn out son of God

sat down at the well, around high noon

knowing the will of the father,

and knowing he was about to have a conversation

So let us get into the conversation shall we

The Conversation

John 4:7–15 “A woman of Samaria came to draw water. “Give me a drink,” Jesus said to her, because his disciples had gone into town to buy food.

The fact that his disciples went into town to get food isn’t much of a surprise

after all they traveled lightly

and this would have been the norm for them

BUT, what is a surprise is the fact that Jesus, a Jew

would speak to this woman, a Samaritan

And by speaking these 4 words

“Give me a drink”

Jesus broke down barriers

Barriers that had been there for centuries

Why

Because just as our sermon title indicates

The Gospel has no Boundaries

So Jesus

Broke down substantial barriers in order to spread the message of redemption,

reconciliation,

and salvation

Barrier 1 - The racial barrier

See the gospel doesn’t care about race, ethnicity, or where you came from

Barrier 2 - The Religious barrier (She was a Samaritan)

The gospel doesn't care about what religious you are,

There are a lot of religions out there

But only one that saves

and only one that is true

So all people, of all religions need the gospel

Barrier 3 - The Sexual Barrier

She was a woman

Jewish Men would and should not be speaking to women

Barrier 4 - The Cultural Barrier

We will soon find out that she was an outcast woman

The conversation continues with her surprised response

“How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” she asked him. For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.

She is taken aback by the fact that Jesus spoke to her

Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would ask him, and he would give you living water.”

Living water - are we starting to see a theme here

water has been prevalent this whole time right

between all the baptisms, and then the water was turned into wine

See water was a valuable resource in the ancient world,

a source of power and fear,

a means of deliverance and punishment,

and a vital element in religious worship.

Which is precisely why Jesus referred to it here

Do you know that we can only live about 3 days without water

Isn't it funny that that is precisely long Jesus was buried before he rose again..

Anyway, water is vital to life

And here, Jesus says that he will give her Living water!

As opposed to what.. Dead water

If you remember we briefly touched on living water when we discussed

Jesus turning water into wine

See living water is water that is moving

water that is fresh from a spring

water that is used for purification

see to this culture living water,

because it flowed was to be considered from God

Because it didn't need human hands to transport it

By saying that he is able to give her living water

he is essentially saying that he is from God’’

She thinks he is offering her spring water

much like we would see at the pool of Bethesda, something like that,

But Jesus is in fact offering her salvation

He just went From speaking of earthly things

to speaking of spiritual things

much like he did with Nicodemus

something that can benefit us when we attempt to witness to others as well

The woman, somewhat confused, still thinking on an earthly level

and still attempting to be helpful replies with

11 “Sir,” said the woman, “you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this ‘living water’? You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock.”

She is still awestruck to some point right

How is he to draw this water when he doesn’t have a bucket or a rope

And the fact that he is willing to share the bucket or utensil with her is also troubling

remember, she is a samaritan

Even touching something they touch is defiling

much less drinking after her

BUT it seems as though she is also starting to come around

By asking if he is greater than Jacob

I don’t think she is mocking him

But I think she is noticing there is something different about him

something she hasn’t seen in any other Jew

Much like Jesus did with Nicodemus, he does’t directly answer her questions

Instead, he focuses on one particular point buried within her comment

The question of where to get this water

but even before he answers that

he needs her to understand her NEED for this living water

Its as if during this conversation Jesus looks back and points to the well

13 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again.

Where can we find that which satisfies

See every man woman and child is thirsty for something

Whether that is money

fame

respect

God put within us this urge to worship

this urge to long for something

Now, for many we attempt to satisfy this urge

with longing for the things just listed

or by accumulating possessions

How many do we know will be feeling down or misunderstood and instead of dealing with the problem at hand will just run out and buy something shiny to fulfil that need

to make them temporarily feel better

Some find that urge fulfilled in things like food or drink

they long to quench their thirst for meaning

by cracking open a beer

or Dr pepper

or some other type of substance

But what Jesus is saying here is that those things will never satisfy you

they will only keep you coming back for more

However, what Jesus offers will never run out

That need or longing for acceptance, for whatever our own desire is

can be found in Jesus

and when we come to HIM to quench our thirst

we will never be thirsty again

He finishes this response by saying

In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.”

Not only will what He offers satisfy our thirst

it will will spring up!

The greek word behind “springing up” here doesn’t signify just a little splash

actually it represents like a geyser leaping up

picture old faithful in Yellowstone National Park

Just an explosion of water right

See where the earthily things we use to satisfy our soul are like a dribble

The living water Jesus offers to satisfy our soul is like this geyser

Just exploding with new life

with eternal life

and with this the woman stars to understand

she says in V 15

15 “Sir,” the woman said to him, “give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and come here to draw water”

And Jesus is ready to give this water to her

this water that will fulfill her every need

This water that provides salvation and forgiveness

But first… …

She must fully understand her need for this

And that leads us to our next point

The Conversion

John 4:16–18 ““Go call your husband,” he told her, “and come back here.” “I don’t have a husband,” she answered. “You have correctly said, ‘I don’t have a husband,’ ” Jesus said. “For you’ve had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.””

This poor woman had had 5 husbands and was not living with a man that wasn’t her husband

Do we see now why she was getting water at noon instead of early in the morning or late in the evening when it is cooler

she is wanting to avoid the crowds

wanting to avoid the gossip about her

wanting to avoid weird look and probably even the insults

see this woman was trying to fulfil her needs with relationships

failed relationships at that

And Jesus, again portraying his supernatural awareness

Much like he did with Simon (Peter) and Nathanael in chapter 1

does it again here

See by stating these things he is convicting her of her sin

He wants her to come face to face with the very thing that is separating her from God

So that she can understand that her needs wont be met in the ways that she is trying to meet them

And that they can and will only be met by forgiveness

See her problem, and ours as well

is not the particular sin we commit

its the fact that we are sinners

and with this very fact that we are sinners we are separated from God

From the beginning of human history this has been the case

unless we understand the true depth our sin we will never understand the true grace that God provides

Thomas Watson, a 17th century Puritan wrote

“Till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet”

Christ is telling us that the gospel without sin is no gospel at all

Yet for some reason all around the world stadiums, auditoriums, and mega church’s are being filled with people who are hearing condemnation free messages

messages of Love and life improvement

12 step plans if you will

bumper sticker Christianity that says “God wants you to be happy just as you are”

Brothers and sisters that is a lie!

It is impossible to be truly happy as we are

we are sinners in need of rescue

and that rescue will only happen when we turn from our sin

repent, and follow Jesus

But, like most of us would do

when confronted with our sin we don’t want to recognize it

instead we turn the other way

or change the subject

Just like this woman attempts to do here

John 4:19–20 ““Sir,” the woman replied, “I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.””

Its clear that she is starting to understand what Jesus is saying here

But she also tried to change the subject as well

Again we will talk more this evening about the different places of worship between the Jews and the Samaritans

But can we sense this tension that is forming within her right

and she is admitting that Jesus is a prophet

she is switching the conversation to a spiritual one as well

she is asking about worship and their differences

And listen to how Jesus responds…

John 4:21–24 “Jesus told her, “Believe me, woman, an hour is coming

That should sound familiar as well

remember Jesus has reffered to this hour before

In chapter 2 V4

this hour eludes to his passion

to his cruxifiction

to his death, his burial, and his resurrection

and after that time

Lets pick back up in V21

……you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews.

That is God established his plan for salvation through the Jewish people

Right, Christ came through the Jewish people

But an hour

There it is again

is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.””

Jesus is saying well among many other things

But at least these 2 things

That the way that Jews and Samaritans worship will no longer matter

and will no longer suffice

Because now, proper worship will be centered on Christ

and the new life that gives

See geography doesn’t really matter to God when it comes to worship

what matters is the heart

See God is not a material being

he is a spirit

so worshipping on a mountain or in a temple will no longer matter

sure corporate worship as we doing here this morning is important

if fact we are called to do so within scripture

But! this building is not the basis of our worship

God is

And because God is spirit he comes to dwell within us

So to worship in spirit and in truth

means that we have recieved the truth

and the truth is the testimony about who Jesus Christ is

For he is the eternal Son of God of became man in order to live a sinless life

and bear our sins upon the cross so that we can be reconciled and redeemed

and we will understand that truth then we will receive the spirit

as his presence comes and dwells within us

John 4:25–26 “The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Jesus told her, “I, the one speaking to you, am he.””

Jesus held nothing back in our final verses of the morning

She was on the fence

trying to mend these concepts

and understanding that a messiah would be coming for her

And then Jesus tells her

He is the messiah, he is the living water that can quench her thirst

HE is salvation

Conclusion

Our call to action is two fold this morning

1st, The gospel knows no boundaries

Just like water flows without boundaries

So should the gospel

We are to share it with everyone

from the religious example, as seen in Nicodemus

to the outcast example, as seen this morning

to the political and powerful example, as we will see with the officials son in a couple of weeks

no matter who they are or where they come from

And Christ gave us a great example of that this morning

We don’t have to wait for the perfect time, place, or setting

to share the good news of Jesus

We must only be open and ready when the opportunity presents itself

Whether that opportunity is at work, the store,

or at a well, tired, and weary

The second call to action this morning is the fact that

we are all searching

searching for something to quench that thirst

searching for something fulfill us

and I can assure you,

nothing in this world can do that

Only Christ can do that

So stop looking for salvation in material things

and start finding it in Christ

Let us pray