Christ-Like Witnessing

Turn your Bibles to John 4:13-14

Title: Christ-like Witnessing

Theme: Following the Lord’s Example in Witnessing

Introduction: There is no greater honor than to be a part God’s work which is telling others about Jesus Christ.

In John chapter four Jesus is passing through Samaria. When He comes to Jacob’s well He is tired from his journey and He sits down. (John 4:6) The disciples have gone into Sychar to buy food. (John 4:5,8) The Bible says it was about the six hour which would most likely be around noon.

In this portion of Scripture we see Jesus’ human side for we read that He is tired and evidently hungry, just like we get tired and hungry. Just as God sent Jesus on a mission He can send you and me on a mission and yes we will get tired.

Jesus uses a common physical thirst to cause the lady at the well to enquire about deeper eternal matters. In their discussion He intrigues her with a promise of quenching a natural spiritual thirst that is common to all of mankind, that spiritual thirst which people try to satisfy through giving into the flesh, drinking in the world’s views and Satan’s lies. Sadly, only a few drink of the living water offered by the Lord.

Jesus said, “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.” (John 4:13-14) Let us Pray!

Proposition: I would propose to you that Jesus lays down three simple truths that could help all Christians in their witnessing about Jesus Christ. Jesus made a connection, then drew attention from temporary satisfaction to eternal fulfillment and then on to what true worship is.

A heart surrendered to the will of the Lord will be given opportunities to share about the wonderful works of Christ. It may be today, next week, next month or off and on through out the calendar year. You can be confident in this fact God wants to use you.

Interrogative Sentence: Just how can you follow the simple example of Christ with confidence that Jesus is going to use you?

Transitional Sentence: The first thing Jesus did was to make a connection. This woman who lived a life of sin came out to get water and He makes a connection with her.

You have family members, friends and co-workers who are just like this lady who are also bound by sin and you need to be making a connection. Jesus made this connection by being obedient to His father who was sending Him to Galilee. All divine appointments that are set up for you will come about as you are obedient to the Lord’s call upon your life.

Divine Providence brings about glorious things and Jesus does not want you to miss the opportunities He gives you. Is there someone in your work place that you want to reach for Christ? Is there a neighbor that you want to reach? Is there a family member you have been praying for? Ask the Lord for a connection!

Jesus had a need for water and the lady had a way of getting water from a well that was very deep. The dept is around 75 feet to the water line with a total dept of a 135 feet (The New International Dictionary of the Bible; The International Dictionary of the Bible; Pastor Tom Holladay) The point being Jesus, being man had a need that could not be met without her help.

You have some need that you cannot meet and there is someone who is bound by sin who can help you meet that need, This is a wonderful opportunity for you to make a connection. It may be an answer to a question about work, home repairs or about how to find the right resources. It could be a physical task that you cannot do on your own.

Here at the church we often like to find someone who does not know Christ as personal Savior and Lord to do things we cannot get done around here on our own. For example when the church parsonage needed painted, we hired a non-Christian to do that. When the driveway, sidewalks, curbing and parking lot needed improvements upon we gave someone the bid who not only knew what they were doing, but also did not know Christ. When the roof was causing some real problems, we let someone work on it who did not know Jesus. We made every effort to express appreciation of their good work and we paid them what they were worth. These are connections made with sinners who could meet a need we could not meet on our own.