Visitation With Jesus - John 4

Visitation With Jesus John 4:1-26

Opening Remarks: A couple of years ago I preached out of John 4 and used it as a template for evangelism training. I’ve enjoyed preaching on the life of the woman at the well for the last few weeks, but I just couldn’t get away from going through Christ’s exchange with this woman as a practical reminder about how to present the Gospel.

A man named Ray Comfort wrote a book called, “The Way Of The Master” and his thought flow established the roots of this message. The reason he titled his book “The Way Of The Master” is because he thinks the best real-life example of evangelism is Jesus Christ’s encounter with the woman at the well. If you could go on visitation with anyone, wouldn’t you pick to go with Jesus?

So tonight I want to notice four principles Jesus followed in this conversation. We could spend lots of time on each of these, but I’m going to try to give you an overview or we’d be here all night.

I. RELATE

A. Vs. 7 – Christ said, “Give me to drink.” He talked to her of something tangible and common. Water.

1. This was a unique request for a few reasons:

a. Good Jews didn’t speak to Samaritans. Most Jews would have gone around Samaria.

b. Jewish men didn’t speak to women, especially strangers.

c. Jesus comes at the heat of the day, around noon, which means this woman didn’t come to draw water at a normal time. It seems clear that she came alone because of shame due to her past relationships.

2. But the fact that Jesus asks for water is important.

a. He starts with something that He can RELATE to her with. It is a mark of good communication to establish something you can relate with in any conversation.

b. Especially in this culture, don’t start with religious jargon and deep theological discussions.

c. Our country has never been more spiritually ignorant.

B. Speaking first about water was something anyone could understand.

1. Why is this important? The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:14, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

2. Relating to people is the first factor in witnessing. Be “relational,” not robotic.

a. First, be aware of your physical appearance. You represent Jesus Christ. Consider modesty, neatness, appropriateness, distinction.

b. The world needs to see distinction between the Genders. As Christians, we should desire to model that.

c. The physical doesn’t matter as much as the spiritual, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter.

d. You have to consider the small things that will help you relate.

e. Have good breath. Have good manners. Don’t walk on the grass.

f. Be nice and personable, be aware of personal space.

g. Practice a good introduction. Walking up to someone means you know what you’re going to say.

C. Introduce yourself, your partner and clearly give the church name.

1. Make sure your greeting is natural and confident.

2. Be complimentary. Make a positive comment about their home, car or garden.

3. If they have children, compliments about kids go a long way in disarming people.

4. If they have a dog or they’re flying a flag that represents their favorite team, find something to relate with.

5. If you ask a question, sincerely listen to the answer. Don’t appear as if you’re simply waiting for them to get through so you can ask another question.

6. Find out their name and use it.

D. Part of Relating is Awareness

1. Be aware of those on their phone or in the middle of a meal. 2. Timing is often everything. Bad timing usually leads to nothing.

a. Are they distracted? If they’re busy, be aware.

b. Are they sober? Be sure the person is aware of what is going on.

c. Are they agreeable? If they appear agitated or annoyed or impatient, it may not be the right time.

d. Are they alone? If they have a houseful of people, consider coming back at a different time.

E. Witnessing is about building bridges and planting seeds.

1. Take a genuine interest, ask questions, and be a good listener. That’s a bridge of connection.

2. Plant Seeds – Even if the conversation doesn’t lead to spiritual things, consider that you have left a positive impression in their mind and move on.

3. The Lord could use someone else to bring along and water and further cultivate the seed you plant!

II. CREATE

A. Verse 10 – Christ created an opportunity to mention the things of God.

1. After relating to the woman, Christ deliberately created an opportunity to take the conversation from physical to spiritual.

2. This step in the conversation will reveal whether or not someone is ready and willing to hear or not.

3. In my opinion, the best way to CREATE an opportunity to transition to spiritual things is to ask a Church question.

a. A church question is easy question to answer and it gives insight into their spiritual background.

b. Ask, “Do you have a church home that you attend?”

c. If they answer, “Yes,” ask them the church name and then be complimentary about their choice to attend church.

B. Spiritual Question – “Even more important than where you go to church is the matter of eternity and what happens after we die. Could I ask you a spiritual question?”

1. If they say “Yes,” then take a step to get an idea about where they stand spiritually speaking.

2. One great way to do this is to give them a scenario:

a. If they give permission, use this scenario: “If you were standing at the gates of heaven and Jesus Christ asked you why He should let you into heaven, what would you say?”

b. This question is wise because it is hypothetical and less personal than, “Do you know if you’re going to heaven when you die?”

c. If you ask a person if they’re 100% sure they’ll go to heaven when they die, you will have to follow up with other questions about what they base their answer on. This one gives their answer.

3. If they give the correct answer, be complimentary.

4. If they simply say, “I’m not sure,” proceed to the next step (CONVICT).

5. If they give an incorrect answer, be tactful. We will use the “church attendance” answer as an example:

a. Complimentary: “I think it is good that you have a religious background.”

b. Comparing: “It is very important that each of us attends church and that our children attend Sunday School. I do the same thing.”

c. Correcting: “However, church attendance and religion in themselves have never provided salvation to anyone.”

6. At this point, you can attempt to proceed to the CONVICT step.

a. Make sure you get permission first.

b. Ask something like this, “You can know today. Would you mind if I took a few minutes to show you straight from the Bible how you can know for sure what will happen to you after you die?”

C. This point in the conversation is very important. The prospect’s answer will determine which direction the conversation goes.

1. If the person acts impatient or irritated at the conversation, proceed very carefully.

a. Although that can be disappointing, don’t force anything. Plant a seed, leave a kind impression, and give room for someone else to come along and present the Gospel later.

b. God must initiate the process of salvation. John 6:44 says, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him…”

c. If they have an open heart, the Holy Spirit is likely working. If not, they will not be able to grasp the truth you present (1 Corinthians 2:14).

d. GOD MUST DO THE WORK! Acts 6:14, “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.”

2. If the person has an open heart, it is appropriate to move on to the next step.

III. CONVICT – Vs. 13-15

A. After relating to the woman and creating an opportunity to mention spiritual things, she responded with, “Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.”

1. It seems that the woman was willing to receive the water right then. But Jesus knew she wasn’t ready.

2. She first had to recognize and admit that she was unqualified to receive the water.

3. She had to honestly admit her sin and recognize her guilt before Christ.

B. Christ used the Law to bring her to the point of repentance.

1. Galatians 3:24 says, “The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

2. Verse 16 – Christ used the spirit of the seventh commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” to reveal her sin. Why is this needed?

3. If you ask most lost people, they’ll likely say, “I’m a good person,” because the Bible says in Proverbs 30:12, “There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.”

4. If they’ve never compared themselves to the standard of God’s righteousness, they might appear good. Especially in this culture.

C. Illustration: A little girl passed a sheep standing in the green pasture, and she thought, “Look how white that sheep is.” Later, it began to snow and she passed the same sheep and saw him against the snowy background and thought, “How dirty that sheep is.” It was the same sheep against a different backdrop. When you and I compare ourselves to man’s standard, we come up reasonably clean because there are plenty of people worse than us. But, when we compare ourselves to the pure righteousness of God’s law, suddenly we can see reality.

1. We must show people that they are lost before they can understand their need to be saved. The Law’s function is to bring about that conviction.

2. Without conviction there can be no salvation. Comparing our actions to God’s law is what convicts sinners.

D. Let’s Illustrate this:

1. Let’s say I said to you, “I have good news! Someone has just paid that $25,000 speeding fine you had!” That wouldn’t mean anything to you if you don’t owe $25,000.

2. But if I said, “On the way here, you were clocked going 65 mph through an area set aside for a blind children’s school. There were 10 clearly marked signs stating that the speed limit through that area is 15 mph, yet you never slowed down from 65. The law was about to take action, but someone else stepped in and paid the fine for you.” If I never clearly explained that you’d violated the law, the good news means nothing. But once you understand you’ve broken the law, the good news truly becomes good news.

E. The Bible convicts sinners of their sin.

1. It’s like a light that reveals or a mirror that exposes.

2. We must bring people face to face with the fact that their sin is the breaking of God’s Law, and they stand guilty and open to God’s wrath because of it.

3. Romans 3:19, 20 “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.”

4. The function of the Law is clear. It is to bring people to the knowledge of their sin and the wrath they face from God because of it.

F. How does this happen?

1. I literally turn to Exodus 20 and read through the Ten Commandments, trying to help them see how they’ve broken them.

2. Some commandments are easier to explain than others, but let me give you a simple example or two:

a. Ex. 20:8, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

b. I would read that and then ask, “Have you always given God one day a week to worship and honor Him?”

c. Most people will say, “No.” It means they are guilty of breaking that commandment.

d. Ex. 20:12, “Honor thy father and thy mother.”

e. Have you always honored your parents? No? Then you’re guilty of this commandment.

3. If you spend enough time in the Law, they will feel the guilt and be ready for some good news.

IV. REVEAL – Verses 25, 26

A. Jesus follows up the bad news of her sin with good news.

1. Conviction from the law led her to acknowledge her sin, thus bringing her to the point where she was ready to receive Christ as her Savior.

2. Once someone acknowledges their sin and guilt before God, it is time to tell them the good news of Jesus Christ. The word Gospel literally means “good news.” When someone is truly convicted of their sin, they need Good News.

b. Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

c. Romans 5:8 – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

d. 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

e. These verses illustrate the Good News.

B. Substitution is a great way to reveal the Gospel.

1. A fine owed: The penalty for sin is death (Rom. 6:23a), and because God is just, the penalty must be paid. The problem is, we can’t pay the price for sin on our own. Knowing this, Jesus voluntarily paid it for us (Rom. 5:8).

2. Illustration: Imagine that you are standing in front of a judge, guilty of many terrible crimes. The Judge says, “The court hereby sentences you to life imprisonment or to pay $1,000,000,000.” You reach into your pocket only to find lint. It appears there is no hope for you. Just as the judge is about to have you handcuffed and taken to prison, a man steps forward with a checkbook in hand and pays your fine in full. That’s what Jesus did for you. You broke God’s law but Jesus paid your fine.

C. Here’s one more good illustration to get them to understand their responsibility:

1. What would you think about me if after that man wrote out the check and gave it to the judge, I said, “No thanks, I don’t want your money. I can handle this myself”? You would think I’m crazy!

2. In that same way, Jesus has already done everything He can for you. You have to accept His payment on your behalf. He’s not asking you to earn it or work for it because you never could. You simply have to place your trust and faith in Jesus Christ.

3. The Bible says it this way, “…with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation…For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” – Romans 10:9, 13.

4. Eph. 2:8,9 – “For by grace are ye saved…” There’s nothing you have to do. You can only receive the gift that has been provided.

Relate, Create, Convict, Reveal

1. Could you walk someone through a Gospel Presentation?

The most important piece of information in the world is the Gospel. How can those of us who’ve benefitted from it the most not know forward and backwards?

2. More importantly than your plan, do you have a burden to tell the lost that they’re on their way to hell?

Have you gotten used to the fact that most people go to hell when they die? I hope not.

3. What if it was your eternity at stake? Or someone you know? Would you want someone to be as passionate or prepared as you are?

What’s the first thing the Samaritan woman did? She left her waterpots and went to find people. Armed only with her testimony, she went out and sought the lost.

4. When’s the last time you dropped something you were doing to find the lost?

Don’t be so comfortable that you say, “I take advantage of opportunities when they come to me.” Did Jesus sit back and wait or did He pursue? He pursued. He went through Samaria to do it. So did this woman. She was in pursuit.

5. Who’s the last sinner you spent time pursuing?

Deliberate, self-initiated pursuit of a lost person.

6. We’re going to have Saturation Saturday a few times this summer.

Why won’t you be there? The Great Commission is not mine. It’s ours. As a church. And complacency is no small thing to God.

7. Have you grown complacent to the role you are supposed to play in the work of the Gospel?

As someone who’s been rescued, it sure seems inappropriate not to be engaged in rescuing people. Rescued people rescue people.

It’s time to get busy and do what God has commanded us to do.

Arm yourself with a plan.

Ask the Lord to give you passion for the lost.

And just get to work. Will you participate?