Speaker: Ps. Christopher Chan
Date: May 2 2010

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The Heart of the Father

1. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1Ti 2:3-4)
2. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2Pe 3:4, 9)
3. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! (Eze.18:31-32)

Reaching Out: Jesus’ Example

John 4: 3-26

1. Jesus was intentional
   • (v.4) Now he had to go through Samaria.
   • Jesus took the road less traveled…Samaria.
   • He did not choose a popular path.
   • He did not choose the easy path.
   • But He had to go through Samaria.
   • He went and did not wait for people to come to Him.
   • Illustration: Invitation (come at your own risk)

   Road less traveled…..

   • Jesus had to break the cultural norm – Jews had no dealings with Samaritans. (v. 9)
   • Jesus had to break the social norm – a Rabbi would not talk to a woman in public. (v. 27)
   • Jesus did not take offense when the woman used sarcasm. (v. 9) – She was implying, “We Samaritans are the dirt under your feet until you want something; then we are good enough!”
   • Jesus risked His reputation by reaching out to a woman of questionable moral character.
2. Jesus was engaging not forcing or condescending.
   • (v.7) When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”
     Water – immediate MATERIAL need.
   • Husband – deep hearted EMOTIONAL need – lonely, abused and tired.
   • Spiritual thirst – for something real and meaningful, fulfilling, enriching - SPIRITUAL
   • Jesus offered her “living water” (v.10) (which) “will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (v. 14)
3. Jesus showed her that He was the WAY, the TRUTH & the LIFE.
   • The WAY – worshipping the Father in Spirit and in Truth; not in Mt. Gerizim nor in Jerusalem.
   • The TRUTH – her religion did not work for her. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know. (v. 22)
   • The LIFE – there’s a better way to live her life through the LIVING WATERS that guarantees satisfaction..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.“ (v. 14)

A Transformed Life

• What happened to the Samaritan woman after the encounter with Jesus?
• She left behind the jug that had caused the sag in her shoulders. She left behind the burden she brought. (v. 28)
• She became an evangelist. Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him (Jesus) because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” (v. 39)

Does Anyone Care?

• We are too busy – no time.
• We are too preoccupied – no urgency.
• We are too caught up in needs – no passion.
• Illustration: when tickets don’t hurt.