Known, Yet Loved | John 4:27–42 (2)

Known, Yet Loved | John 4:39–42

Opening Remarks: Turn to John 4

Great time at CR

ARBC is one of our favorite places

Taken such good care of us - Accommodations, hospitality

Today - Great spirit, music has been a blessing

Love Pastor Denson and his family

Love your staff

ARBC is blessed - I hope you take time often to thank God for what you have

Our text this morning tells the story of the Woman At The Well (STAND)

Jesus and His disciples are heading north toward Galilee and they go right through Samaria

That wasn’t typical. The average Jew went around Samaria because they viewed the Samaritans as unclean.

But not Jesus. He had an appointment with a Samaritan woman at a well.

So His disciples go to town to buy food and this woman comes along.

He confronts her about her sinful lifestyle and reveals Himself as Messiah in Vs. 26.

So His disciples return and see them talking and are kind of scratching their heads like, “Why is He talking to her?”

Look at Vs. 28-29 (READ)

She goes and gets the Samaritans and brings them to the well.

Look at Vs. 39-42 (READ)

God did big work in a little village. And it all started with Jesus loving an unlovable woman.

Title: KNOWN, YET LOVED

PRAY

INTRODUCTION: Tried Blue Sky yesterday - wow! Amarillo is blessed to have that place.

Our experience yesterday reminded me of a name I recently became familiar with - George Motz.

He’s an expert on the eternally essential subject of hamburgers. You might say he’s obsessed with them.

Made a documentary film about the history of the hamburger in the US

Hosted a Travel Channel show called Burger Land

Owner and head chef of Hamburger America in Manhattan

Motz has written two books:

Hamburger America: One Man’s Cross Country Odyssey To Find The Best Burgers In The Nation

Great American Burger Book: How To Make Authentic Regional Hamburgers At Home

He inspired that old McDonald’s character that gave every child of the 80’s nightmares, the Hamburgler. Just kidding!

I saw an interview of George Motz: He says he’s eaten over 40,000 burgers.

But what surprised me the most in the video I saw is, he was eating a cheeseburger and you would have thought it’s the first one he’s ever had. That’s how much he was enjoying it.

My first thought is, “How is he not sick of hamburgers?”

I like hamburgers, but after 40,000 of anything I might be ready to move on with my life.

I’m amazed when someone can do something repeatedly or for a long period of time and continue to do it with passion.

Like Walter Orthmann, the Guiness World Record holder for holding the longest job at the same company. He worked at a company in Brazil for 84 years and nine days.

Maybe slightly less impressive is my wife, who can eat a peanut butter sandwich every day for lunch and never get tired of it. No jelly, just peanut butter.

The reason that’s amazing is, we have Tendency To Grow Tired of Repetition.

Which is why I commend married couples who stick it out for decades. My parents celebrated their 50th last year. My wife’s parents did the same this year. Some in this room have been married longer than that.

The reason it’s impressive is, The more knowledge of something or experience with something that we have, the less we tend to appreciate it.

People get tired of jobs

College students quit early

Athletes get burned out

Married couples take a spouse for granted

The more we know about something, the less we appreciate it.

Some have said it this way: Familiarity breeds contempt.

It’s a human tendency.

But is that how Jesus operates?

I. Jesus was intent on speaking with the Samaritan woman

He went to Samaria on purpose

He talked to the woman deliberately

He knew all about her and confronts her about her sin

Then Jesus offered her eternal life

It’s obvious that Jesus wanted to know this Samaritan woman.

He valued her soul enough to pursue her, then welcomed her when she believed.

Jesus values every soul.

He pursues sinners. A holy God actively seeks people like you and I. That’s miraculous.

He’s not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

His purpose for coming to earth was to offer eternal life to sinners.

That’s what He was referring to in John 4:32 when he said “But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of.” He was referring to the business of offering sinners eternal life.

That’s why He came to earth. His priority was offering eternal life. It was more important to Him than eating or having a place to lay His head.

1 Timothy 1:15 “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

No wonder Jesus was so intent on talking to this woman. That’s what He came to do.

Look at another statement He makes in Vs. 34:

John 4:34 “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.”

The Lord wasn’t going to be happy until He completed His task. And He did. On the cross He cried, “It is finished.”

From the time He was born until the time He died, His purpose for coming to earth was to save sinners. To offer eternal life. To let people know that sin brings despair but there is hope in God.

His passion for on soul turned into a harvest of many souls. Dozens of Samaritans believed.

II. Jesus’ pursuit didn’t stop at one

Notice :

Jesus talks to the woman - Vs. 14 He offers her eternal life.

The woman believes - Vs. 28 “She left her waterpot.” Which means she found something better than a cold glass of water. All she did was believe and she got eternal life.

The woman immediately goes to town to tell others - Vs. 28-29 If you’ve had genuine heart change, the natural response will be to tell others about the source of your transformation. If it’s real, it won’t be like pulling teeth. It will happen naturally.

Vs. 39a, Vs. 41 The Samaritans believed. But their faith didn’t end with that decision. It was just beginning.

They wanted Jesus to stay and teach them - Vs. 40

One more sure sign of conversion is hunger for God’s Word. “They BESOUGHT him that he would TARRY with them: and he abode.” Besought means to ask in a personal and humble way.

They wanted to be around Jesus and spend time with Him. This isn’t the application, but sometimes you can tell a big difference between people that have been saved for a while and new believers.

The new believers are excited about church and Jesus and growth.

Us old fuddy-duddies come to church on Sunday like, “Meh, done this before.”

If Jesus changed your life, we should never get over that.

Jesus’ interest in one woman turned into a harvest of souls.

III. Think about all reasons this took place:

Jesus was on a mission to offer eternal life

He deliberately went to Samaria to talk to this woman

He took the time with one sinner because every soul matters

He was willing to confront her about her past

He was willing to set aside comforts like food so even more might believe

He even changed His schedule to stick around a few days just to be with them

Lives were changed because of what Jesus did.

So that’s one category: “The Because”

This happened:

Because Jesus went to Samaria

Because Jesus took the time

Because Jesus was all about His Father’s will

Because Jesus was intent on finishing the work of God

All of these things happened because of what Jesus did

But there’s an element to the story that I don’t want to miss.

Yes, all these things happened because of what Jesus did.

But all these things happened in spite of what Jesus knew.

What did the woman tell the villagers in Vs. 29?

“Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did.”

Vs. 39 “Which testified, He told me all that ever I did.”

Think about all the things she could have said about Jesus.

“A Jewish man talked to me. Can you believe it!”

“He taught me all about real worship.”

“You should hear what He has to say about living water.”

And all those things are true, but what convinced her that He was Messiah?

What did she run to the village talking about?

She went saying,

“He knows all about me. He knows all about me, but He still offered me eternal life.”

“He knows all about me, but He’s the first man I ever met that didn’t look down on me.”

“He knows all about me, but (CATCH THIS), HE CARES ABOUT ME ANYWAY.”

That’s what she couldn’t get over.

“He knows all about me! He knows all I’ve done! He knows my past. He knows my history. He knows what all of you think about me. But this man Jesus, the Messiah, still loves me enough to offer me eternal life.”

“COME SEE A MAN! THE MESSIAH!”

Not because He does miracles.

Not because He can teach us about worship.

Not because He was nice to me.

“Come see a man that knows all about me but loves me anyway.”

This woman didn’t have great relationships.

She had multiple husbands and the man she was with wasn’t her husband.

Jesus knew the worst things about her.

IV. What’s Interesting is His knowledge didn’t make her mad

It seems these days that any time you bring up a sore subject with anyone they just get upset.

Don’t talk about religion or politics at family get togethers. Why? People get offended.

It happens in churches too. “Don’t mention something people don’t want to talk about or they’ll leave.”

We are overly sensitive people. Our culture doesn’t like truth.

But here’s Jesus talking to a woman He just met bringing up her biggest failures and she’s not mad.

How would you respond if someone you just met brought up the worst parts about you?

But to her it wasn’t offensive because The One who knew her best was offering her eternal life.

You’d expect Jesus to offer eternal life to someone deserving. Not someone like her.

But when Jesus offered HER eternal life, she couldn’t ignore that.

He didn’t offer her eternal life it because she deserved it. He offered it because she needed it.

That’s the case with all of us. We’re all sinners. None of us deserve eternal life. Yet Jesus offers it to all of us.

Now, He confronts our sin in the process. But He doesn’t only focus on the wrong.

He also proves His love. Which is a cross.

Yes, we must repent of our sin to be saved.

But the biggest message of the Gospel is not our sin. We’re condemned already.

The biggest message of the Gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Here’s the truth that the woman appreciated and we should too: The One who knew her the best loved her the most.

We do the opposite. The closer we get to something the less we appreciate it.

The more we know, the less we love.

The more familiar, the more contempt.

But not God. He knows us best yet loves us the most.

Like the old song said, “He knew me, yet He loved me. When He was on the cross, I was on His mind.”

APPLICATIONS

Marriage - So many marriages are failing because this principle doesn’t get practiced.

The longer you’re married the more knowledge you have of someone. But in this day and age, as soon as you find out something you don’t like, that’s the beginning of the end.

“They don’t fit my needs anymore.”

That’s a reflection of human nature. But godly love isn’t based on knowledge. It’s based on choice.

The marriages that last overlook and forgive the things they know and simply choose to act in a way that’s best for their spouse.

Friendship - How many friends would you still have if your darkest secrets were broadcast on these screens this morning?

Hidden sins. Unseen thoughts. Concealed attitudes. Words you’ve said under your breath. Stolen looks. Sin done in secret.

For most of us, the more knowledge others have, the more likely they are to leave.

But you know you have a true friend when someone has seen you at your worst and loves you anyway.

Some of us have friends like that. It’s humbling.

Most people don’t. But biblical, Christ-like love knows and loves anyway.

Now, I didn’t say condones. I said chooses love.

Love also includes telling the truth in love.

But never forget that Jesus said, “By this the world shall know that ye are my disciples. Love.”

Churches - When people first come to a church they think everything’s perfect. But just wait.

Arden Road BC is a great church, but get to know these folks and you’ll soon find out they’re just people. There may even be a few knuckleheads here.

But rather than cut and run the first time you don’t like something, don’t forget how Christ loves you.

It’s amazing to me that imperfect people expect perfect churches. You won’t find one.

You won’t find a perfect staff. Or even a perfect pastor.

But if you were loved by Christ in spite of what He knew, I think that’s a grace we ought to extend to each other.

So when you’re offended, remember that you offended Christ and He loves you anyway.

When someone makes a mistake, remember that you’ve made plenty and God still sent Jesus to die for you.

Healthy churches are full of members that practice this truth.

If you leave every time something isn’t perfect, you’ll be running your whole life. Because everywhere you go is full of people who are as flawed as you are.

Knowledge of us didn’t drive God away from us.

In fact, He came closer in spite of what He knew about us.

He came to earth even though He has seen your worst thoughts.

He pursued you in spite of knowing what kind of person you are when no one is watching.

He died on the cross for your sins even though He can read your mind and has heard your most shameful words.

Think about the worst thing you’ve ever done. God saw it. But that knowledge didn’t drive Him away. He still loved us with a cross. He doesn’t condone it. But He made a way for it to be forgiven.

God knows everything about us and loves us anyway.

Psalm 139:1–4 “O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, But, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.”

Only God knows all about you. And yet only God still sent His Son to die for you.

The One who knows you the best loves you the most.

There are three appropriate RESPONSES to this:

1. Salvation

Many in this story believed.

I can’t imagine knowing I’m loved like God loves me through Christ and not receiving eternal life.

That would madness. Yet many, perhaps some in this room, have done that very thing.

Repent of your sin and place your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

You can have eternal because The One Who Knows You Best Loves You The Most.

2. Closeness

The Samaritans that got this truth wanted to know Jesus and be around Him.

I can’t imagine knowing I’m loved like God loves me through Christ and not wanting to know Him more.

Every day. Every morning. Every Sunday and Wednesday. His pursuit of me ought to become my pursuit of Him.

His unconditional love for me ought to become unconditional love for Him.

The One Who Knows You Best Loves You The Most, therefore I want to know Him more.

3. Transference

By that I mean, what He’s done for, pass along to others.

He knows you and loves you anyway. I can’t imagine not doing the same for others in my family, my church family, neighbors and co-workers.

If we’re going to be like God, we ought to treat others the way He treats us. With grace and patience and love. Not ignoring sin, but also not writing someone off when we learn something less than flattering about them.

No one knows me like my wife. But no one loves me like my wife. Except…except for God. Which makes the point. When you know a certain amount about someone and you love them anyway, that makes you like Jesus Christ. Which is the goal.

Christian, you are saved because Jesus died for your sins and loves you in spite of them.

Our challenge is to love others in spite of their sin.

If you’ve benefitted from this kind of love, let someone else benefit from it through you.

That’s what the Samaritan woman did. And a harvest of souls took place because of it.

Show others Christ’s love through forgiveness.

Show others Christ’s longsuffering through your patience.

Show others what it means to be in it for the long haul.

Why? Because the One who knows you best loves you the most.

What should I do with this truth?

1. Believe and be saved

2. Draw closer and love Him back

3. Transfer the love you’ve received to other people