“Laboring for God”

John 4:25-42

The Subject of the Messiah

A.     Jesus Christ the Messiah (v.25-26)

1.    Christ—Messiah.

a)       The words “Christ” (christos) and “Messiah” are the same word.

1)           Messiah is the Hebrew word and Christ is the Greek word.

(a)    Both words refer to the same person and mean the same thing: the anointed one.

(b)   The Messiah is the anointed one of God. Matthew said Jesus “is called Christ” (Matthew 1:16); that is, He is recognized as the anointed one of God, the Messiah Himself.

b)      The Messiah was thought to be several things.

1)           Nationally, He was to be the leader from David’s line who would free the Jewish state and establish it as an independent nation, leading it to be the greatest nation the world had ever known.

2)           Militarily, He was to be a great military leader who would lead Jewish armies victoriously over the entire world.

3)           Religiously, He was to be a supernatural figure straight from God who would bring righteousness over all the earth.

4)           Personally, He was to be the One who would bring peace to the whole world.

(a)         Jesus Christ accepted the title of Messiah on three different occasions (Matthew 16:17; Mark 14:61; John 4:26).

(b)        The name Jesus shows Him to be man. The name Christ shows Him to be God’s anointed, God’s very own Son.

(c)         Christ is Jesus’ official title. It identifies Him officially as Prophet (Deut. 18:15-19 cf, Acts 3:22-23), Priest (Psalm 110:4), and King (2 Samuel 7:12-13).

These Officials were Always Anointed with Oil:

q           Samuel signified God’s choice of the young shepherd boy, David, to be the future king, replacing disobedient Saul (1 Sam.16:13; 10:1).

q           This is the way the high priests were installed in their offices (Exod.28:41).

q           Elijah anointed his successor Elisha with oil before he himself was taken up into heaven (1 Kings 19:16).

q           A symbol of the Holy Spirit who was to perfectly anoint the Christ, the Messiah (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:32-33).

B.      The Ministering Heart Goes Beyond Barriers (v.27)

1.        The disciples “marveled” they were amazed!  Why? (v.27)

a)       She was a  “woman” “Samaritan.”

1)           The Rabbis of that day would not be alone or talk with a woman in public.

(a)         A man shall not be alone with a woman in an inn, not even with his sister or his daughter, on account of what men may think.  A man shall not talk with a woman in the street, not even with his own wife, and especially not with another woman, on account of what men may say (Leon Morris’ translation of Sbk, II, p.438).

(b)        He that talks much with womankind brings evil upon himself and neglects the study of the Law and at last will inherit Gehenna (Mishna, Aboth 1:15).

b)      Practical Application, there is Some Merit to this Idea.

1)           She was a woman – A person, especially a leader, must guard himself & his thoughts & actions around the opposite sex.  Take heed to his spirit (Mal.2:15,16); Self-Control.

2)           She was a Samaritan – a person considered despicable, below their social standing, unfit to be seen with in public (Jn.4:9).  Christ tore down the barriers. 

(a)         God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35); Jesus talked with her.

(b)        There is no difference between Jew & Greek (Romans 10:12), we are all one in Christ (Gal.3:28).

3)           She was a sinner – it would have been easy for Jesus to pass right by her, to pretend He didn’t see her, or to acknowledge her existence.  But He didn’t do that.

(a)         Jesus looked at her, read her circumstances, & felt the need of her heart.

(b)        Jesus treated her not as a problem to be solved, but as one who has something to offer (John 4:7).

(c)         He listened to her, didn’t argue with her, didn’t shame her, not out to win a debate (2 Tim.2:24-26).

(d)        He wanted to win her soul (v.26, 36), that is truly the Fathers work (4:34).

(1)      Luke 7:36-39 –The Woman Who Anoints Jesus’ Feet.

(2)      Mark 1:40-42 – A Leper is Cleansed

(3)      Luk5:27-32 – Jesus was a friend of sinners

(e)         How well are you doing?

(1)      When we treat the people of God’s creation with honor, kindness, and care for their redemption—isn’t that a crucial part of worshiping God “in spirit and truth” (v.23-24)?  (Read Matthew 25:31-36, 40).

C.     The Result of a New Life (v.28-30)

Changes that take place in a baby’s life during the first few seconds after its birth.

To begin with, eyes that have previously been accustomed to darkness must adjust themselves to the light.  A body that was used to temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit with the mother must adapt to temperatures approximately 20 degrees lower.  The circulation of the infant’s blood changes, no longer flowing through the umbilical cord, as it did when the child was in the womb, but instead flowing through the lungs.  A valve in the heart, which had been open until birth, must close permanently so that the used blood and fresh blood circulating through the heart will not mingle.  Lungs must fill with air and begin their lifelong function.  These and many other changes involving the nose, throat, digestive tract, and skin, must all take place within a few seconds of birth if the baby is to live its new life and be healthy. 

In the same way, there are certain changes that must take place within the life of the one who has been born again spiritually.  These took place in the life of the Samaritan woman, and since they took place we know that she was converted.  These changes must also occur in the life of those who are born again in our day.  If they do not take place, there are grounds for questioning whether the birth from above has occurred.  

1.        Confession of Christ – no such thing as secret believers (Matt.10:32-33; Rom.10:9-10) 

2.        Changes of Values – the woman left her water-pot, she found the only water that satisfies (Jn.4:13-14; Philippians 3:7-14)

3.        Concern for the Lost – the woman went to tell others about Jesus, just like Philip did (1:46).  Why?  2Cor.5:14-15

4.        The result: they “came to Him”, He gladly met the friends of this woman (v.39-40)!  

II.              Laboring For God – (v.31-39)

A.     Physical vs. Spiritual Concern (v.31-35)

1.        The disciples concern was: physical nourishment (v.31-33)

a)       They had no spiritual depth yet.

1)           They had not yet learned about the war being waged between the physical & the spiritual.

(a)         They were not focused on Christ and His mission of salvation.

(1)      Jesus told his disciples to take heed of the leaven of the Pharisees (Matt.16:5-12)

(2)      Jesus told Peter he was not mindful of the things of God (Matt.16:23).

(3)      The disciples seemed to interpret things literally (John 2:19-21).

2.        Jesus’ concern: Spiritual food—to do the will and work of God (v.34)

a)       The will that must concern men is God’s will & God’s work.

1)           Jesus lived to do God’s will & doing God’s will gave Jesus complete satisfaction .

(a)         The disobedience of Satan (Isaiah 14:12-15), he was brought low.

(b)        The obedience of Jesus (Ps.40:7-8), he was exalted (Phil.2:6-10)

(1)        The works that Jesus did bear witness of that the Father sent Him (John 5:36).

(2)        Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:33-40).

(3)        Jesus always did the things that pleased the Father (John 8:29)

(4)        Just before His crucifixion Jesus prayed (John 17:4)

(5)        One of His last cries from the cross was “It is finished” (John 19:30)

(6)        Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10)

(7)        Doing God’s will (Matt.21:28-32)

3.        Jesus’ challenge: Work and labor for God right now (v.35)

a)       God sent Christ and Christ sends us – John 3:34; 20:21

1)           Note the Warning: Believers are Sent by God

(a)         Believers are not to allow goals and energy to be entangled with this world (2Tim.2:4).

(b)        Believers are to be about their Fathers business (Luke 2:49)

(c)         Believers have a responsibility to finish the work that God sent us to do. 

(1)        We were created in Christ Jesus for good works (Eph.2:10) & to complete the work God has given us to do (2Tim.4:7-8).

(2)        God started a work in us and will be faithful to complete it (Phil.1:6).

(3)        Believers are responsible to “work out their own salvation” (Phil.2:12-13) 

2)           The Fields are already ripe for harvest.

(a)         Though the grain harvest may still be four months away, the soul harvest is ripe for the plucking.  The Samaritans in their long flowing white robes were probably streaming across the fields by the hundreds or maybe thousands.  Jesus cried out, “Behold, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest.” 

(1)        We must pray that God would send out laborers for the harvest (Luke 10:2)

(2)        We must be fishers of men (Matt.4:19)

(3)        We must have a God-given burden for the lost (Romans 9:3; 10:1)

B.      Labor—Reward’s and Great Benefits (v.36-38)

1.        Christ mentioned some particular rewards.

a)       Wages (v.36a)

1)           God will pay the believer well; the wages are already there, ready to be paid.

(a)         Believers must be faithful (Luke 16:10-12; Matt.20:8-16)

(b)        We are wise to turn many to righteousness (Daniel 12:3; Prov.11:30).shining as stars.

b)      Fruit for Eternal Life (v.36b)

1)           What we are doing is of supreme value.

(a)         Are work actually delivers people from perishing to gain everlasting life (James 5:19)

c)       Joy and Rejoicing (v.36c)

1)           There is no envy or conflict between the two laborers(Luke 15:6-7; 1Thess.2:19-20)

d)      The privilege of having a specific part in God’s great work (v.37)

1)           It is a High-Honor for God to even allow us to serve Him (1 Cor.3:6-11)

e)       The privilege of being sent by Christ (v.38a) cf. John 15:16

C.     Labor—Because Results Follow (v.39-42)

1.        Many believed the woman’s testimony (v.39)

2.        Other opportunities were given (v.40)

3.        Many more believed: He is “the Christ, the Savior of the world “ (v.41-42)

III.          How To Witness

A.     Follow Jesus’ Example.

1.        Contact Others Socially.

a)       Jesus Actually Went Out of His Way to Associate with Sinners  

1)           He Was a Friend of Sinners (Luke 5:27-32).

(a)         In John 4:39-41, he talked with people who actually knew this woman & they urged them to stay there for two days!  He gladly met the woman’s friends and acquaintances.

(b)        Jesus went to the sick, lost, lonely, distressed, and perishing, and moved among them as a friend

2)           Jesus was a Master At Relating to Others (John 4:7-9)

(a)         The fact that Jesus even spoke to this woman at all was highly unusual.  He refused to discriminate against her.

(b)        Building Bridges is Good—actively seek opportunities to show love for this person; running errands, helping with the yard, baby-sitting, and allowing the other person to do something for you.

(c)         Ask Questions—Jesus was a pro at asking questions.

(1)      Luke 10:25-28 – Jesus even had the layer answer his own question.

(2)      Matthew 22:15-22 – Here the Pharisees challenged Him about paying taxes.

(3)      Luke 18:19 – the rich young ruler

(4)      Jesus drew people out with questions, listened to their answers and then gently gave them his message. 

(d)        Offer something related to their need.

(1)      To aging Nicodemus He offered New Life (John3:3)

(2)      Jesus spoke of Himself as light to the man who had been born blind (John 9:5)

(3)      Jesus offered “living water” to the woman who was thirsting for God (John 4:13-14).

(4)      It will not be much use for us to speak about the Power Jesus has to deliver someone from the power of drugs and alcohol if you are speaking to a disciplined scientist.

2.        Give them the Good News.

a)       What the Gospel is Not

1)           Some People Preach the “easy believism gospel.”

(a)         Just ask Jesus into your life, and he’ll be your best friend and give you peace, joy, love, and fulfillment, and everything will be great.  The gospel promises all that and much more.

(b)        But “easy believism” fails to mention the penalty of rejecting Christ & the difference of one’s lifestyle that must follow conversion.

(1)      It implies that you can receive Christ and go to heaven when you die and still continue to live the way you want to on earth.

(2)      It speaks of heaven & not hell, forgiveness but not repentance, happiness but not holiness—This is a watered down version of the real gospel. 

2)           Some People Preach the “legalistic gospel”