Meat That Matters (Missions Conference) | John 4:27–42

Meat That Matters | John 4:27–42

Opening Remarks:

Enjoyed the hospitality

Grateful for the time with the Moores and the Stusseys (Great staff, don’t take for granted)

Also have enjoyed getting to know the Means

Had a few too many laughs at lunch today, went home with a stomach ache

Enjoying Arizona. But I’m trying to get used to the differences between here and South Dakota.

On Friday when we landed it was in the 70’s and people were wearing heavy coats. It was almost 90 today so you’re back to light jackets.

Understand, if we get a 30 degree day in January, people break out the shorts.

Also, I think I got a second degree burn today because I accidently touched the wrong part of the car trying to get into it.

That’s a hazard we don’t deal with in South Dakota.

It’s dangerous here!

All right, hopefully you’re awake and ready for the Word tonight. Turn to John 4.

This is the tail end of the story of Jesus witnessing to the woman at the well and what happens afterward.

READ John 4:27-42

I’d like to look at a principle that Jesus teaches His disciples. We spend most of our lives wrestling with the needs of the moment or the needs that matter. And Jesus tells His disciples that the key to a satisfied life is to live for Meat That Matters.

PRAY

Introduction: I have a 2002 Chevy Tahoe. It’s a 4wd so it can go anywhere in the winter. It’s reliable. It looks good except for a few SD rust spots. In fact, it’s such a beast that I got rear ended last Wednesday and I hardly felt it. The guy in the little Subaru that hit me was definitely worse off than me. About the only thing I don’t like about it is has a healthy oil leak, like many older vehicles do.

A while back I was running errands around lunch time, I had jogged that morning and hadn’t eaten anything, so I was hungry, and then the engine oil warning light came on. I was low on oil.

So here’s the situation: I needed oil but I also need to eat. I was halfway between an auto parts store where they sell oil, and Chick-fil-A, where they sell the Lord’s chicken. I weighed my options. Did a pros and cons list. Prayed. I was already fasting. But the choice was clear. I needed oil. Waiting to eat would have been a minor inconvenience. Waiting for oil would have been disastrous.

Life often comes down to the choice between what we want in the moment and what matters in the long run.

Eating healthy or eating what is good

Sleeping in or getting up to read our Bible

Exercising or watching TV

Life is a constant battle between what we want and what matters.

Tonight is a perfect example. I believe the most important thing happening in Glendale right now is the Missions Conference at WHBC. But there are 100+ here and 60k+ over at State Farm stadium to watch the Cardinals play.

We Tend To Operate Based On The Moment

The most pressing need for the disciples was food.

Vs. 8 - They had gone to the city to buy meat. *Meat in Scripture is anything considered to be food.

Vs. 31 - They came back with food expecting Jesus to eat. Who can blame them? They were probably hungry themselves. They’d been walking for miles. It was the heat of the day. So they were hungry, but Jesus probably was too. He had a body that got hungry just like the rest of the disciples. He was 100% God and 100% man.

John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us”

Jesus was all God and all Man. The God Man. He has existed since eternity past in Heaven. He was there at Creation. Yet He had a body and got hungry and tired and hot like anyone would.

The difference is He didn’t let His flesh dictate what He did.

When everyone else was thinking about growling stomachs, Jesus was focused on something much more important.

Jesus Operates Beyond The Physical

Vs. 31 “I have meat to eat that ye know not of”

This answer really confused his disciples. They assume someone else had brought Him food. But it wasn’t about food. The disciples were focused on temporal things, but Jesus was focused on eternal things. So He uses this account to teach His disciples that there’s something greater than temporary.

He was doing greater than eating. He was offering eternal life to lost people.

He says, “I have meat to eat that ye know not of. My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.”

“I have one priority and it’s enough for me: To do my Father’s will till it’s done. And you, disciples, can learn to live this way too.”

Illustration: Playing football, came home, hungry as could be, but I remember my dad saying, “You played a great game Jason. I’m proud of you.” That was bigger to me than three plates of my favorite food.

That’s what Jesus is trying to teach His disciples. Pleasing the Father is ultimately more satisfying than pleasing yourself.

Luke 4:4, “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”

Jesus is teaching them there’s a greater, more satisfying existence than food. It’s doing God’s work and watching lives changed because of it.

Jesus Tells The Disciples They Can Live For Something Greater Too

While they’re having this conversation, the woman who’d been saved at the well is leading a crowd of Samaritans their way. So Jesus points to them and says, “Look, here they come. The harvest is ready to be gathered up.”

Vs. 35 - Farmers would typically have a period of waiting between planting seed and reaping the harvest. “Four months more and then the harvest” was a proverb of sorts, but the idea is that there’s a time of waiting between planting and harvesting.

But not in God’s harvest. The time for harvest is today. So Jesus says, “Stop thinking about your hunger and look at the harvest coming our direction. The time is now!”

Jesus says, “You can’t wait when it comes to souls. Souls hang in the balance. The TIME to do the Father’s work is NOW. People are hungry for the Gospel TODAY. Lift up your eyes, guys. The TIME IS NOW.”

Then Jesus compares the work of God to sowers and reapers. - Vs. 36-38

There are two roles in the harvest - sowers and reapers.

Sowers dig up the dirt, prepare the ground and plant the seed.

Reapers come along when it’s time and gather the harvest.

Both are essential to the process. But remember that Jesus isn’t just talking about farming. He’s talking about lost souls. (Vs. 36a) He’s dealing with eternal life.

The sowing had already been done. The prophets had sowed seeds by preaching about the coming Messiah for centuries. John the Baptist had been sowing by telling people to repent and prepare for the Messiah. Jesus had been sowing the seed that day with the Samaritan woman. And the Samaritan woman had been sowing seed already in her village.

So Jesus says, “Look at the Samaritans coming down the road. They are ready to be harvested.” Vs. 37-38

The disciples were about enjoy the harvest that someone else planted. And Jesus is saying, “Just wait till you experience this. You’re about to find out what satisfied living is really all about.”

Illustration: Taking someone to try your favorite restaurant, you almost can’t wait for them to taste it. I’ve experienced it, but I almost get more excited now taking someone who hasn’t been before.

I imagine that’s how Jesus is here. He knows His disciples are about to find out just how rewarding it is to choose MEAT THAT MATTERS over MEAT OF THE MOMENT.

Jesus says that anyone who gives themselves to the harvest of souls engages in the greatest and most fulfilling work a human can be involved in. It’s greater than meat. It’s greater than water. It’s better than pleasing yourself. It’s living to please your Father. And there’s nothing like it.

Here’s the problem - We usually choose to live for the meat of the moment.

Meat Of The Moment Is All Around Us

The meat of making money The world pretends that money makes us happy. But how many examples can we think of where people had all they ever wanted and were miserable and lonely. Don’t buy the lie that money is satisfies.

The meat of having the perfect job A job is important, but can’t satisfy you on your deepest level. You can go to college and find the exact job you always wanted and realize it can’t provide joy to the inner part of your soul.

The meat of success It’s easy to fall into the success trap, but successful people burn out all the time because they neglect the part of life that matters most.

The meat of possessions We think this car or this house or these clothes or this trip. But those things can’t touch the part of a person Jesus is talking about.

Illustration: Meat Of The Moment is like a steak from Texas Roadhouse. Don’t be offended, hear me out. It tastes so good, and you think you’ll never be hungry again, but guess what happens hours later? Hunger comes back.

Meat of the Moment is Temporary.

But Meat That Matters Is Permanent

What is Meat That Matters?

The meat of God’s Word Job 23:12, “Neither have I gone back from the commandments of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than necessary food.”

Luke 4:4 “And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.”

The Word of God is like bread for us. Food. It gives us strength, and hope, and help in our time of need. If you don’t have a steady, daily intake of God’s Word, don’t expect to have a sense of inner satisfaction.

The meat of God’s Will Living a life that pleases God will satisfy you like money and success never will. Because the things important to God are the eternal things. The important things.

Young people - It’s easy to become enamored with money and success and having stuff. But I can tell you this - Nothing satisfies like living for God.

I’ve never once regretted giving my life to live for God. Live for Meat That Matters.

The meat of investing in a local church Jesus loved the church and died for it. It’s that important to Him. We live in an age in which the church is being downplayed. It was declared non-essential during COVID. Many downplay its importance. But don’t let the haters convince you it doesn’t matter. The local church is God’s plan for the evangelism of the lost and the spiritual growth of His people. You will never lose investing in a local NT church. It’s a win for everyone. You serve, you help, you bless others, you grow into the image of Jesus Christ, and while you’re doing it, you find joy and satisfaction you can’t get anywhere else. Christ loves it and so should we. But many are chasing other meat. Ball on Sundays, going to the lake, doing yard work, sleeping in. It feels good now, but it’s meat for a moment.

The meat of investing in People Nothing lasts as long as people do. What will be around the throne of God for eternity? Not cash. Not cars. Not vacations. Not possessions. People. So here’s the question: If people matter the most, how many will be in Heaven because of you? Who will you take with you? Anyone? The one thing that matters most and you’ve never reached one? The world is in desperate need of knowing Jesus Christ. We have the Gospel. The harvest is ready. We need Christians that set aside momentary meat to live for meat that matters. Tell your co-workers and neighbors and classmates. Live for Meat That Matters. Decide that 2024 is the year you finally get involved in sacrificial missions giving. Why? Because it’s meat that matters. Could you use that money to upgrade your car or go on a better vacation? Sure, but what will be around the throne? A car? A vacation? Or people? That is fruit unto life eternal that Jesus is talking about.

One writer said it this way, ”Jesus exhorts disciples to live for long-term treasure they can never lose, not short-term treasure they can never keep." (Platt)

Friend, what are you living for in the moment that you can’t keep in the end?

When You Live For Meat That Matters

I. It will escalate your urgency. (vs. 35)

Jesus said, “Lift up your eyes. Look now.” Meat that matters will change your sense of urgency. Living for meat that matters will help you stop wasting your life on the meat of the moment. It will help you do today what lasts beyond today.

II. It will increase your reward. (vs. 36a)

Do you want to receive a “Well done” from your Father? Do you want to have fruit that remains in eternity? God will reward those who live for Meat that Matters. There is reward awaiting those who are faithful to do the Father’s will till it’s done. Jesus Christ experienced this. He endured the cross, He finished His course, and now He sits at the right hand of the Father. Your eternal reward is dependent on living for Meat That Matters. It may be hard in the moment, but it’s worth it in the end.

III. It will elevate your joy. (Vs. 36b)

Yes, there’s a reward in Heaven, but there is an immediate benefit down there. There is no joy like watching God work in people’s lives.

Illustration: Jallah came from Liberia. He’s told me stories of how God spared him during the Civil War there. The stories are fascinating and harrowing. But God was sparing Jallah for something. A few years ago, Jallah got saved right here in this building. There’s nothing like God working in people’s lives.

Illustration: Mel Everett came with her family about a year and a half ago. She wasn’t saved but God was working. She texted me one Sunday afternoon and said, “The blinders are off. I’m ready to be saved.” And God saved her. And He’s working in her life. And in her family. Her kids have been saved and baptized too.

Illustration: Erin’s Grandma saved in a tent city in California by someone knocking on Tent Doors. Erin’s dad became a Pastor. His daughter is married to a preacher. His son is an assistant pastor. His grandkids are all surrendered to the Lord in whatever way He chooses.

You can’t tell me a new house or nice car or amazing vacation or steak dinner is better than that. When all that stuff is gone, people will still be worshipping God around the throne for the rest of eternity.

Living For Meat That Matters Produces Results Unlike Any Other Work - Vs. 39-42

The disciples got to see Jesus change lives. The most rewarding and joy-giving thing any of us could be a part of. But it only comes if we choose to live for Meat That Matters.

The disciples had a lot to overcome. People didn’t want to talk to Samaritans. They were outcasts. The disciples had to work through that.

Maybe you have something to overcome in your life. The meat of the moment is keeping you from fully saying Yes to God.

I can tell you this, every disciple that day would have said, “Watching the Samaritans place their faith in Christ was greater than lunch. It was greater than my prejudices. It was more rewarding than getting to rest a little. It was more joy-inducing than doing what I wanted. I haven’t regretted it for one minute.”

If you’ll choose today to live for meat that matters, you will have not one regret when it’s all said and done.

Meat of the moment will satisfy your current need, but meat that matters will satisfy your greatest needs.

The choice is yours. If you want to live a life that produces something that lasts, stop living for the moment and live for meat that matters.

What does that mean this week?

Giving to Missions (either start or give more by faith)

Telling Others (ask God to be bold as a witness)

Going If He Calls (be willing to give your life to Gospel work)

Meat Of The Moment or Meat That Matters

The choice is yours.