A Healthy Church Member Tells

A Healthy Church Member Tells

John 4:1-42

CHCC: January 24, 2010

INTRODUCTION:

Recently, I spoke to my friend, David, who told me all about purchasing his new Suburban and then took me out to look at it. He had lots to say about his new purchase. Later that same week I met elder Bob in the parking lot. He was driving a 66 Ford Farlane he had just finished rebuilding and he was animated as he talked about his rebuilding project. My wife blames these two men for the fact that a mere week later I went out and purchased an '03 Buick Century. She says they tempted me. Naturally, I could tell you the story of my auto purchase, but we don't have time this morning. I said that to say this: Everyone wants to TELL how they got their new car. So why, then, do we have such a hard time TELLING other people about our faith in God?

I heard about a conference where the speaker asked the audience what was the number one reason Christians don’t tell others about Jesus. Think about it a minute – what keeps you … or people you know … from sharing the Gospel message more often?

The people at that Convention gave answers ranging from things like fear and lack of knowledge to indifference. Then the Speaker stunned the audience by saying he thought the number one reason was that Christians don’t believe Romans 1:16. (the verse is on the screen) Maybe Christians don’t talk about the Gospel because they don’t really believe that "the gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes."

The speaker at that convention might be right … but I have my own suspicions about why some of us don’t talk more about Jesus. Think about the things you have NO trouble talking about. For me … as you know … it’s my grand-kids … and lately, my new car.

When you’re ENTHUSED about something, you look for every excuse to talk about it. It’s not a DUTY to get on that topic, it’s a DELIGHT. People … even introverts … LOVE to talk about their children (or grandchildren). People starting a new job love to compare and contrast it with the old job they were so glad to leave behind. People who found some medicine or nutritional supplement that makes them feel better want to tell everyone that THEY could feel better, too (for only $49.95 a bottle).

And have you ever been around Barbara Loveall when the Dallas Cowboys are on a winning streak?

We LOVE to talk about everything we’re EXCITED about. We can’t keep from talking about them any chance we get. So my theory is that if we’re not talking about Jesus, it’s because we we have nothing to say, and that may be because we aren’t ENTHUSED about our interaction with Him. Perhaps we just aren't abiding in him like we are admonished in John 15.

I found support for my theory about enthusiastically telling in John chapter 4. Jesus was traveling with his disciples from Galilee to Jerusalem when they stopped beside a well in Samaria. Jesus sat down to rest beside the well while his men went into town for provisions. …

Without retelling all the details of the story let me hit the high points about the Woman Jesus encountered at Jacob’s well. First of all, we can’t help but notice that this woman was trying to keep a low profile.

Most women came to the well early in the morning when it was cool … and spent their time not only filling their water pots, but having conversation with the other women (this is what my wife calls "recreational conversation"… something women seem to like)

But this woman didn’t want to talk to anyone from her village. She knew at high noon she could get her water without having to talk to anyone. And as she approached the well with her rope and water pots, she paid no attention to the man who was sitting beside the well.

She knew enough about protocol to assume that Jesus would have nothing to say to her. She ignored him, assuming he would ignore her as well. And that was the way she wanted it.

To her shock Jesus broke custom and initiated a conversation with her. “Will you give me a drink?”

His request so shocked her that she blurted out what was rumbling around in her mind. “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink” Then the scripture gives a short explanation - (for Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) One thing is sure; the woman was caught completely off guard.

Jesus conversation started out strangely and proceeded to get even stranger. “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 have given you living water.” Her initial words to Jesus bordered on rudeness, but his words to her were a friendly invitation to ask Him for “living water.”