John #11

“What Do You Believe?”
John 4:1 -26
Pastor Ben Fleming
August 9, 2009

Turn in your bible to Jn 4. Evangelism in America is difficult. It is hard to talk to people about having a saving faith in Jesus Christ. It is difficult because we are afraid – we fear being rejected --- we do not know what to say – we have a hard time defending our faith. We run into people who are good people and spiritual people and we conclude that they are Christians and have saving faith. We see no reason to explain the gospel to them. We have heard for years – “I am a Catholic, I am a Methodists, I am a Presbyterian and so on, and when one tells us that - we assume they of course are saved. Today – we hear some conservative Christians saying that we are quickly becoming a secular nation. Al Mohler, in his book Culture Shift, would disagree, he says, “for when you say something or someone is secular they or it has to deny the existence of God. One cannot be genuinely secular and be indifferent to the existence of God.” We are a God focused nation – If you remember after 9/11 secularism began to raise its head in our nation by saying that one could reconcile the claims of Christianity and Islam. President Bush and P Oboma have both said that the God of the Christian and Islam are the same. We are no longer a Christian nation but a spiritual nation. Spirituality is what matters. What makes you think that your truth claims about Jesus Christ are any truer than my spiritual beliefs? How dare you. How intolerant. What makes you think that Mormans are not Christians – they even put on a seminar making the claim that they are --- many immature Christians cannot believe that Mormans are not Christians. We are quickly becoming a nation where spiritual thinking is common,, but dogmatic and absolute thinking spiritually is intolerant – offensive and one stands being accused of being a hate monger. Surprisingly, the author Salam Rushdie – who wrote the novel Satanic Verses said, “You only believe in free speech as long as it does not get up your nose”. 95% of all Americans believe in God – so why are we called to evangelize? When you speak to someone about God they most likely are going to tell you they believe. We evangelize because the gospel or spiritual thinking of America is not the gospel of the bible. Al Mohler makes this clear, “spirituality is what is left when authentic Christianity is evacuated from the churches and the public square. It is a refuge for the faithless seeking the trappings of faith without the demands of revealed truth. Spirituality affirms us in our self-centeredness and tells us that all is well. Authentic Christianity pulls us out of ourselves – points us to the cross of Christ and calls us to follow Christ.”

In the gospel of John today - we have come to the encounter of Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well. There are a few key ideas that we could take off on from this text – one major one is in verse 24 “God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.” ---- this is at the end of Christ encounter with the woman. In light of my introduction and what I believe is the struggle of every believer in this room --- me included --is to evangelize and to be evangelistic – today I want us to view Christ encounter with this woman as our model for evangelism --- you want to know how to bring glory to God in evangelism --- examine how Jesus did it.

Please stand as we read: John 4:1 – 26 ----- PHIL BRADY

Background: Jesus has left Nicodemus. (MAP) This is map of the Holy Land during the time of Jesus. Remember Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover – he had his encounter with Nicodemus and then verse 22 of chapter 3 says he went into the Judean countryside – he spent sometime with his disciples – which would have included more than the 12 men – up to 70. He most likely spoke to the masses, and his disciples baptized the new believers and the religious leaders began to hear about how his following was growing. Jesus heard about their worries and decides to head north back to Galilee. The Jews had such a dislike and disgust for the Samaritans that any good Jew would cross the Jordan river and head north on the road on the east side – making certain that they would not go through Samaria and encounter a Samaritan and esp a woman. – (BLANK) Jesus of course refused to act the way of regular Jews and heads directly north into Samaria and comes to a city named Sychar. He sits down at a well named Jacob’s well outside of the city at high noon. His disciples leave and go on into the city to get some food and Jesus encounters a woman who comes to the well to get water. He begins to evangelize her.

How Did Jesus Evangelize? 5 points

1. He encountered people. (Vs. 6 -7) “Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. When a Samaritan women came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” Jesus encountered people – he spoke to them. He did not ignore the people who came into His life. Think about it: Jesus had been walking perhaps for two days – he was beat, but so were his disciples and yet they went into town and Jesus sat down by the well. Even though he was tired and hungry – food was not #1 on his mind. This woman shows up at the well – she comes at high noon – no women would go to a well at high noon the hottest part of the day and they would never go alone. Going to fetch water was a high point of the day for they would get to socialize with other women. Jesus knew something was up with this lady – he knew she was avoiding social contact. Jesus just simply asks her a question. Will you give me a drink? Jacob’s well was a deep well so you had to have a bucket which Jesus did not. Jesus was wise – he made the most of the opportunity ( no one else was around). Look at this example Jesus gives for us---- Christ perfectly displayed the commands of the apostle Paul. ---- on your outline………..
Colossians 4:5 “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” I think we see Jesus giving us a clear example of this scripture in action.
Ephesians 5:15 -17 “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

I am firmly convinced……..If you and I are going to evangelize like Christ then we have to be intentional. Talking to people just does not happen in our society. You get in a line at the store you keep your mouth shut ---- when someone starts talking to you its odd. It is hard to be wise and make the most of every opportunity that God gives us ---- most of the time your conversation with people is not going to be spiritual. Examples: I went to Keva juice. I met a young man who smiled at me. I opened my mouth and introduced myself and shook his hand and he told me he was Miguel and he was going to the HS to practice football – he played wide receiver – I told him I might see him there some day….. I have wonderful neighbors who do a fantastic job of taking care of the outside of their house --- three kids and yet it is so so hard to see them and talk with them ---- I have a branch I need to cut off our cottonwood – so I went over and made a point of seeing Danny and talking with him about it and he readily agreed to help me cut the branch so that it does not fall on his backyard storage shed. Paul is the manger of a store near hear – he is friendly – which makes for a good manger and I have gotten to know him some – I invited him to the movie Fireproof – he did not come. In a recent conversation I found out he had a grass fungus in his yard and last Sat I walked down the street to his house and put some fungicide on his yard for him from some leftover that I had. If we are going to evangelize we have to encounter people and in our society most of the time we are going to have to go out of our way. Make the most of the opportunities God gives to you – ask Him to make you bold and make your conversation be seasoned with grace……….

2. He turned the conversation to God (vs. 9 -10) “The Samaritan woman said to Him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink? Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would gave given you living water.” This woman knew that Jews did not talk with Samaritans let alone a man talking to a woman especially in public. Not only did Jesus talk to her but he was willing to use the same drinking cup that she used. He was not interested in tradition – legalism or even sanitation – Jesus turned the conversation to God. “if you knew the gift of God and who it is who asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” If we are going to evangelize like Jesus we have got to learn to talk about God. We have got to learn to get our foot in the door verbally – back then I believe it was much easier since everyone was spiritual and had a public god sense about them – today – it most likely will take time – building conversations again and again with people. I find it difficult – I find it a challenge – I need the power and wisdom of God.

Story: I have a new relationship I am building upon as a result of a conversation. I found a wonderful employee at Lowes to help when we were building Marcellas room. She was so friendly – so kind and a blessing to be waited on – she gave me all the time I needed. When a pause came – I asked her, “why do you have such a joyful attitude?” - she said she did not know and I said – is it because you are a woman of faith? From that question: She then began to open up and talk and talk and tell me about herself and her spiritual feelings. I have since given her Pipers book – Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ and I gave her an invitation to National Back to Church Sunday this week.

When people are gently confronted – not judged or rejected – I believe they will open up and you will be able to turn the conversation to things about God. You most likely will not get to tell them a gospel presentation right away but over a period of time with conversations about God you will. Giving people written material is an excellent way to get the conversation turned to God. Jesus did it – you and I can too – Jesus said this about you…. outline……John 14:12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”------------ Jesus turned the conversation to God.

3. He gave real answers (Vs.13) “Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Christ gave answers to peoples real needs. This lady was not satisfied with life. She was only really thinking about drinking water and Jesus was talking about living water. All around us people are crying for help deep inside and they do not even know it and most are ignoring it --- some of you are like that. People are searching for answers about their spiritual conditions. Our fall Wed night study – “defending your faith” is our attempt as a church to help you and equip you to be like Jesus and be able to give real answers to people in your life that you encounter. We have got to learn to listen to people’s cry for help and be equipped to give them real answers – when you are equipped and available you will never know what can happen.

PHOTO OF BELL In 1876, three days after he received his first patent, Bell and Watson, located in different rooms, were about to test the new transmitter described in the patent. Watson heard Bell's voice saying, "Mr. Watson, come here. I want you." Bell had upset a battery, spilling acid on his clothing. He soon forgot the accident in his excitement over the success of the telephone transmitter. The first telephone company, Bell Telephone Company, was founded on July 9, 1877.
Bell continued his experiments in communication. He invented the photophone-transmission of sound on a beam of light, which was a precursor of fiber-optics. He also invented techniques for teaching speech to the deaf. Bell was granted 18 patents in his name, and 12 he shared with collaborators. He also founded the National Geographic Society in 1888. Alexander Graham Bell died in Baddek, Nova Scotia, on August 2, 1922. Bell was a man who listened to the physical hearing needs that people had and he gave real answers in his inventions. You and I can be just like Bell but we do not have to invent any answers --- the bible has given us all that we need.
4. He made the conversation personal . (vs.17-18)) “I have no husband, she replied. Jesus told 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.” Jesus made the conversation personal with this woman. Since he was Christ he knew the woman’s heart and past --- some believers today have a prophetic insight or the gift of discernment --- but not all of us do. Getting personal with someone like Jesus did – for most of us is going to take time – but if they open up to you and you depend upon the Holy Spirit – He will give you insight and understanding to the persons needs --- go ahead and speak to them and make the conversation personal. Be bold. This woman was interested in Jesus message because she thought it could make her life easier – she thought he had some kind of a water and she would not have to go back to the well again. What Jesus will do for me if I accept him is not why a person needs the gospel – most of the time the gospel makes your life more difficult. Notice in the response of Jesus – he did not accuse the woman --- condemn her or call her names or offend her at all --- he simply described her life back to her. Jesus was sensitive but blunt………

When we talk to people - we draw conclusions about people very quickly without knowing all the facts and many times we ending up in error. We accuse the person and raise their defenses and loose further conversation opportunities with them or we excuse them and enable them in their denial. There is a time for boldness and there is a time for tenderness in our speech.

Story: I have a relationship with a man who I have been ministering to for two years. He is spiritual and thinks that his spiritual beliefs are okay. Talking with him is difficult because he brings us excuses very quickly and gives answers the spiritual cult he follows gives him. I asked him if we could spend some time together so that I could explain to him my belief in a spiritual relationship with God was all about. He said – sure – I will take you to dinner. We did that and for 1 hour he listened to me explain the gospel to him and I tried to be sensitive but blunt. We still talk and he recently said to me, “I can see that our beliefs about Jesus are not that far apart – I think that is okay.” As if he were questioning his statement. Jesus made the conversation personal……..

5. He let her direct the discussion. (vs.19 -20) “Sir, the woman said, I can see you are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus declared, Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.” Notice that Jesus did not turn the conversation back to her immorality. He let it drop. She started talking about worship – Jesus kept the woman’s interest by allowing her to direct the discussion. Evangelizing someone is not going from step to step to step. You will not keep the conversation spiritual when you turn a person off and not allow them to talk in any direction they want. Jesus did not get offended or defensive – he simply took the woman’s words and addressed them. “believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.” And then in verse 24 – 26 he closed the conversation with a clincher. “God is spirit and His worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth. The woman said, I know that Messiah is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us. Then Jesus declared, I who speak to you am He.”

Jesus left this woman with blunt truth – “God is spirit and His worshippers must worship in spirit and truth.” She was concerned about where to worship. Jesus tells her – God is not concerned about where but about the condition of a person’s heart when they do worship. You do not have to be on a mountain or in a city – you just have to worship God in spirit and in truth. And then for the first time – he bluntly tells her that he is the Messiah that the Jews and the Samartians were expecting. He did not baptize the woman – He did not have her pray a prayer – John does not even tell us if the woman believed. We have written for us only what Jesus told John when he returned……. What are the salvation truths that we must pay attention to as a result of this encounter that Jesus had with the woman?

Salvation Truths
1. Salvation only comes to those who recognize their desperate need for spiritual life they do not have. Living water will only be received by those who recognize they are spiritually hungry. Someone here today is spiritually dead and spiritually thirsty – you have to respond. Call Dan and Stacie at the end.

2. Salvation comes only to those who confess and repent of their sin. John does not tell us the woman in the story confessed and repented of her sin.

3. Salvation only comes to those who embrace Jesus Christ as their Messiah and sin bearer. Salvation is found in no one else.

Prayer