At The Well

Intro:

Good morning. Today is a great day. We are celebrating some very special life events today. Also today we are launching into a new series titled: Refreshed and Rekindled. After a 10 week series we need some refreshing. I am believing this morning that we are going to witness a move a God. Since March it seems like we have been running hard. Even with the lockdown life seemed very busy. We wrapped up an awesome series last week. That series caused all of us to take a look inside and we were challenged. John 4:7-12.

At the beginning of this year I picked up working out and running and as the weather got better I began biking. When I started biking, I would bring along my thermos of coffee. That only happened a few times because I realized it wasn’t very refreshing and it didn’t do anything positive for my body it actually was dehydrating me when I needed hydration.

Maybe you can relate to my experience working out, maybe you needed something refreshing that would revitalize you, only to realize what you were using wasn’t helping.

The same thing can happen to each of us spiritually as well.

As people we are absolutely fantastic at making idols out of anything. We are good at it because God created us to be in relationship with Him, but due to our fallen state we make relationship with just about anything and put it above God. We even make idols out of things God has designed to help us. We do that with healing, we do that with tithing, we do that with the knowledge God gives us. The point is if idolatry goes unchecked in our lives, we can miss the opportunities God gives us to be renewed and restored. Don’t allow idolatry to steal this season of refreshing and rekindling away from you. John 4:7-12.

Jesus was going through Samaria and came upon the well at about noon.

He meets a Samaritan woman there.

If you were a Samaritan you were a half breed. You were looked down upon. Reasons why this woman would be there at noon. Noon was not the time you would normally go to draw water it was hot. Reasons why she might.

John 4:7–12 NLT

Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”

Can you imagine. Try to imagine yourself at that well with Jesus. You’re tired and beat up. For one reason or another the people that see you ridicule you. I’m sure we all have been ridiculed at some point in our lives, but this is different. This is daily, it’s harsh, it’s ugly, and it sucks the life out of you. So here you are at 12pm, probably the hottest part of the day, you go because no one else is there. Everyone else waits to until later in the day when it’s cooler. All you are trying to do is get your water and go back home without any interaction with anyone else.

Now when the Samaritan woman encounters Jesus, is it surprising that she questions him and interrogates him? Not at all. She does this probably because of all the hurt and pain she has experienced.

Reasons She gives that are stopping her from being refreshed.

You are a Jew. We are different.

You don’t have a rope or a bucket. She’s essentially saying she can’t see how Jesus can help her.

Do you think you are greater than our ancestors. She’s questioning who He is and doubting.

How can you offer better water than our ancestors. Again questioning the legitimacy of Jesus.

Think for a moment about your own life. Have you given reasons or excuses that could hinder you from being refreshed or receiving what Jesus has for you?

Excuses We Give

I’m not worthy. I’m not spiritual enough. I’m not like other Christians or the pastor. I’m different.

I don’t see anyway I can be helped or refreshed.

Is Jesus real? Have you asked that question? Can Jesus actually do something about my situation?

Is Jesus legit? What’s the catch?

I’ve tried the Jesus thing before and it didn’t work.

And the list could go on and on.

How many of us would say we need refreshed today? Show of hands.

Let’s see what happens.

John 4:13–19 NIV

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.

For whatever reason the woman desires what Jesus has to offer. She’s tired of living life the way she’s been living life. She asks Jesus for the water. Then notice Jesus tells her to get her husband. And then she realizes the legitimacy of Jesus.

Here’s the deal. If you need refreshing, then you’re going to have to come to terms with a few things.

You have to choose it. You have to choose Jesus. You have to make a commitment.

Jesus is going to ask something of you.

You’re going to have to be honest with Jesus.

If you will do that, I promise you will find refreshing.

Parents get your Children.

Each Sunday we have an opportunity to meet Jesus at the well. Will today be the day you choose to meet Jesus at the well.Maybe today you make a choice. To follow Jesus or re-commit your life to Jesus. Maybe today you’re going to say yes to what Jesus has been asking of you. Or Maybe today you need to be honest with Jesus. Can I pray with you.

Today we are going to witness commitment. We have 4 children being dedicated today. You will witness commitment from the parents today. And after service 5 folks are going to be baptized, again these folks are publically declaring their commitment to Jesus. Bob would you come.