John 4:1-42 Smart Water

John 4:1-42 Smart Water! Intro: Jesus could have used this water as we will see. * This water is called smart because if you are out there exercising or working, especially when it is really hot and humid, this is supposed to help you a lot-it's to refresh you and energize you. * You ever have those times where you are so thirsty-you just guzzle a whole bottle of cold water-and it barely quenches your thirst-Ahh! * My friends what we need today is some smart water! * It was smart for the woman to accept Jesus' "Smart or living Water" * It is Smart for Christians to look how Jesus offered this smart or living water to her and to take notes in how we might approach people in offering them a spiritual drink. 1. Jesus wants to reach all of humanity regardless of culture, sub-culture, background, gender. Vs 1-4 Pharisee = Jesus knew trouble was brewing. o The Pharisees would have stirred up controversy-who does this guy think He is? o Did not want confrontation at this time. * He was going to go to Galilee through Samaria-big deal it was the short route-wrong * Jews would avoid Samaria-unclean! Even own temple. * When the Assyrians ruled Israel, they intermarried as well as adopted some of their pagan religion--which resulted in Samaritans o Jews considered them half-breeds and compromised * Several routes-could have avoided going through Samaria. * Why did he go? o Needed-that means that Jesus was on a mission. o He had a divine appointment to people that the Jews thought were second class citizens. * God calls us to go to places we might not want to go, to minister to people that we might not feel comfortable to minister to. * He needed to go through Samaria-as an example. o When we say multi-cultural-I mean sub-cultures as well. o Emu's, gang members, bikers, anyone who is considered an outcast-we should be willing to minister to them. o Story of Jonah-Nineveh-Hated those people. o Story of Holden Chapel o Story of David Rosales * God is no respecter of persons-he wants to reach everyone-the homeless, the rich, the religious-even the terrorist, the Arabs, the African tribes. * What prejudices do we hold onto? * God wants us to not have those prejudices when it comes to sharing the gospel. * What does God want you to do-where does He want you to go? * This is Jesus! 2. Jesus was very smart and sensitive when it came to offer living water to others. Vs 5-15 * (Vs 5) Sixth hour-middle of the day-heat of the day. o Woman went to draw water first thing in the morning as a group o Again-Divine Appointment o When strange things like that happen-it is a divine appointment. o She went at this time-well because she had a reputation, as we'll see. o She has a pretty nasty past-and everybody knew her business o So, this was a walk of shame to get the water. * (Vs. 6) Jesus was Weary-He needed some smart water! o His humanity. o But also, Jesus knew this place was significant. * (vs 7-9) Jesus says give me a drink! * He sent His disciples away to get food. * Why? * Three reasons-she was a Samaritan * Second-she was a woman-Men and woman did not converse. o Both of these reasons would have elicited a very negative reaction by the disciples and most likely would have blown a sharing opportunity. * But I believe the biggest reason is because Jesus knew that He was going to have a very personal conversations with her about some very personal stuff-that would have been very embarrassing. o The sensitivity of Jesus is remarkable. o It is not just about sharing-it is about sharing with sensitivity and strategy-being smart about it. o This is Jesus-so sensitive. * Why didn't He ask the woman for the stuff to draw the water? o He had a purpose o He was stimulating curiosity-He wanted to talk about spiritual things-to share o Her response shows she is blown away. * (Vs. 10-15) Jesus turns it on her-He tells her that He is the gift of God and if you understood this you would be asking me, and I would be giving you Living Water. * I can give you this smart water-that will temporarily quench your thirst-but I want to give you living water. * Smart Evangelizing: Take the natural and brought it into the spiritual. o This is why I don't like cookie cutter evangelism o Common Ground-relate! o He takes whatever subject and turns it into a spiritual evangelistic dialogue. o Just listen to people. * Like Nick @ night-she did not get it-right over her head. * You cannot do that. * Vs 13-You drink a smart water; you will thirst again. * You drink anything the world has to offer-and you will be thirsty again. o Drugs, alcohol, sex, career, education, fame, relationships, leadership, power-whatever else. o Many people have drunk of that cup and wound up empty-even dead. * You drink what Jesus has to offer-first Himself. * Then His His word, His people, His church, prayer worship-and you will not thirst-you will be satisfied. * Everlasting life-Jesus is offering her life * When do we get thirsty again as Christians-when we go back to the ol watering holes that we think will somehow quench our thirst? o When we desire those things that we think will satisfy. * Vs 15-I want that! o Notice she says that I do not have to keep coming back to-come to draw o When we have Christ-we have the living water-no need to keep coming back. o What Joy. Vs 16-26 3. When offering the living water, we must communicate the whole truth * You cannot have conversion without conviction. * We all want the life, we all want the benefits * I wish I could stop here-how wonderful of a message-a truthful message-who can say no to that * Smart evangelism-we must present the whole truth. * He says bring your husband-I do not have one. * Yeah, you've had five and the one you're living with is not your husband. o I shared that Jesus was going to have a very personal conversation with her and that she had a nasty background. * A side note-a lot of singles think that they will quench their thirst with a relationship-only to end up empty again. o It is not necessarily the husband or wife's fault-it is the one who put their hopes of satisfaction in the relationship. o Satisfaction must come from Christ alone-only He can quench your thirst! * Omniscience or all-knowing Jesus. * Woman, you are living immorally o He does not condemn her-just points it out. o You have to point it out. o 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. * Notice Jesus, even as bad as the situation-points out the positive o You are not lying! * Grace and truth. * And that is what smart evangelism does-it is not hellfire and brimstone; not easy belivism-it is a balance for the purpose of bringing about conviction-for true conversion. * And then notice that Jesus never brings up the other husbands-well what happened to butch and, Joe and so on. * We do not need to go into every sin and deal with it individually-Jesus deals with our sin collectively. o Nails it to the cross. * Story of my mother--doc asked if I ever brought it up. * Vs 19-He is getting to her-but not quite there-she changes the subject-like many do. o Even brings up religion. * Smart evangelism-it is a process. * Let us talk about religion. * First-prophet, o Hey, obviously there is something supernatural about you. o I recognize that you are a messenger from God. * Then she talks about where to worship-we are getting closer. * They tell me I can only worship god at our temple-you are a Jew, you know that they say you can only worship God in your temple. * Irrelevant-our fathers-The Father * The place is also irrelevant. o You are bringing up irrelevant stuff. * What is important-that you worship Him in spirit and truth. * That you know Him. * Spirit-the Holy Spirit flowing. * Notice the balance of the Spirit and truth. * Some churches are all truth, others are all spirit-we need both! * The Father is seeking such to worship Him. o He wants you to worship Him, to exalt Him, to sing to Him and about Him. * Jesus is telling this woman that the true God, the true father wants you to worship Him. o I am here sharing with you because God wants you-he wants you to worship Him-He's seeking you. o Do you ever take time to just worship God-to spend time with Him. * And what this says is you can do it anywhere-as long as the heart is right. * Vs 25-getting closer to drinking the smart water. * I am thinking that you might be Messiah * I have heard a few things about Him. * And Jesus says literally-I am. * I am the Messiah! * I am the living water. * I am the one that can quench your thirst. * To take away that shame, that hurt, that nasty reputation, that guilt * And replace it with fountains of living water-satisfying! 4. When you drink of the living water, it should cause you to go and tell others. Vs 27-42 * The disciples marveled * Because it was against Jewish tradition to talk to woman * But notice the Apostles did not question Jesus about what He was doing. * They trusted Jesus enough that they believed he knew what he was doing. * And sometimes leaders will do things that you do not understand at first * But they will soon find out. Vs 28-30 * She drank of the living water-she got smart * Left her water pots-probably for the guys to drink * But her priorities changed-she was not interested in doing what she was doing. * Her main priority was now to go and tell others about Jesus-to offer them the living water! * Also notice who she went to-the men. o I have no more shame and guilt. * I am going to tell the men and tell them that I think I found the Messiah. o Go back to the drugies and tell them you found the Messiah-smart evangelism. * She did not understand it all yet!! * Smart Evangelism again-check him out for yourself! * He told me all things about myself. * Testimony is so important in evangelizing-it is smart evangelizing. o Acts 22 & Acts 26 This is what Paul did. * And then she leaves the question-Could this be the Christ? * Put the question in their heads o She is prodding them to check it out-could be-hummmm! Vs 31-38 * How did Jesus respond to the disciples offer to eat? * Remember the disciples went to town to pick up some food so it would be natural for them to ask this. * And then Jesus does what HE does-the natural into the spiritual. * And the disciples do not get it. * Vs 32 Jesus had an MRE * Jesus tells them what sustains Him, what keeps Him going, what satisfies Him. * The living water is necessary for life but then what keeps you going-to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work. * Phillip Brooks said, "Seek your life's nourishment in your life's work." * To sustain your life as a believer-you need to do the will of the Father. * What brings me satisfaction and contentment-doing that which God has called me to do. * I believe that a lot of discontentment comes from not serving or being committed to Christ and His cause * Operating in your calling. * Notice it says Finish. o John 17:4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. o John 19:30 "It is finished!" * Acts 20-22-24 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. o Paul was told that tribulations and chains awaited him-what mattered and what brought him joy was to finish what God had called Him to do. * It was not a burden for Jesus nor Paul when it came to the ministry. * What is that one thing that God has called all of us to? * Evangelism-telling others about Jesus. o It not worship, it's not pastor, it's not sound guy, youth leader-God has called you primarily to witness. o And I personally believe that many are not content, not satisfied, are hungry for more-because they do not share. * Look what he says-Hey guys look around-look at all the fields are ripe for harvest. * He was pointing to all the Samaritan people coming to Him. * He was showing them all that were interested in Him-all who were thirsty-all the people who are rejected by society! o Look around your neighborhood, your work, and so on-people are thirsty-trying to find fulfillment. * Sometimes we think that many are not interested in spiritual things-oh that we might look around. * They are just looking for someone to show them and point them in the right direction-just like this woman. * Remember she was interested in spiritual things-she knew some stuff. * Vs 36-you will be rewarded for your service-and fruit of eternal life-you get to share in people coming to Christ. * And its teamwork * Vs 38 you ever have those moments when you talk to someone and you are praying with them five minutes later to receive Christ-what did you do? * Thank everybody else-there is no competition when it comes to sharing. o You stole my convert!!! Vs 39-42 * Jesus giving them a real-life example of what He just said. * You will not believe what Jesus did-man it was awesome. * Notice that the woman did not give a big theological discourse. * So, they came to Jesus-and they wanted more of Him. * In this case, there were no big miracles, no nothing really. * We do not need to hype up God. * Vs 41-42 This was not a dig on the woman. * You ever hear the saying "you can lead a horse to the water, but you can't make Him drink?" * The Samaritan woman led them to the living water-but they needed to drink. * And we believe because God spoke to us. * And that is why it is so important to share the word-let the word do its work. * Let Christ do His work. * That is smart evangelism and offer others the living water.! * Calvary Chapel was birth because Chuck Smith was willing to reach out to a part of society that was being rejected and labeled. * And that started a movement-He was willing to go to the Samaritans-and look what it produced. * This is Him! 2