Our Souls Thirst

OUR SOULS THIRST (Outline)

February 28, 2010 -

Lent 2 -

JOHN 4:1-14

INTRO: Hunger and thirst are basic needs that we seldom overlook. In our country we have unlimited access to all kinds of food choices. We also have access to clean, drinkable water. This is not true in many other nations around the world. At times we even eat and drink when we are not that terribly hungry or thirsty. It is easy to recognize when we are physically hungry or thirsty. Today, our Lord God Almighty wants us to know that spiritually, in our souls there is also a great thirst. "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" (PSALM 42:1,2). Today we come to “meet with God” in his house, in his living word.

OUR SOULS THIRST.

I. Jesus knows the thirsty.

II. Jesus gives living water.

I. JESUS KNOWS THE THIRSTY

A. Today’s text contain many, minor details that reveal great truths for us and our lives and souls.

1. Verses 1,2. The Pharisees tried to drive a wedge of conflict between Jesus & John the Baptist.

a. Jesus was not baptizing. b. Jesus knew their evil intent. c. There was no conflict.

2. Verse 3. Jesus left the region to go up north to Galilee. Galilee was removed from Jerusalem.

B. Verse 4. Jesus went through Samaria. Scripture says he “had” to go this way. Jesus’ mission had to.

1. Verse 5. The Old Testament (Genesis) is connected with Jesus. Jacob (Israel) bought a field.

2. Verse 6. Jacob’s well was well known. Jesus’ physical body was tired. He rested at noon.

C. Verse 7. Here is why Jesus “had to go through Samaria”. There was a thirsting soul needing water.

1. Verse 8. The disciples were gone. Jesus and the woman were alone together. Unusual event.

2. Verse 9. The woman was surprised. The Jews looked at Samaritans as “half-breeds”.

a. Samaritans were not full-blooded Israelites. b. Jews even called them mongrels, dogs.

D. Jesus’ mission on earth was to do his Father’s will. Jesus’ mission on earth was to glorify his Father’s name. Jesus carried out his Father’s will by living, suffering, and even dieing on the cross. Jesus did all of this to pay the price for the sins of the world. Jesus died to pay for all of the sins of all of mankind – billions and billions of people. Here, now, in these words Jesus travels out of his way for one sinner. This is our seeking Savior. "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?"(LUKE 15:4). Sometimes we give up on the lost. Jesus never gives. Jesus continually seeks thirsting souls.

E. Humanly speaking, a Samaritan woman was hardly considered to be worth all of this effort. To seek out and to find and to save one sinner among billions reveals the love of our heavenly Father. Very much like sheep we wander off in the wrong direction. We would never, ever find our way back except the Good Shepherd knows our thirsting souls. In God’s eyes there is no difference, all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst" (1 TIMOTHY 1:15). Jesus knows that our terribly, sinful souls are thirsty almost to the point of dehydration. Thankfully Jesus also seeks us out to save us.

F. The challenge for the believer is to take the time and follow Jesus’ example. Jesus’ journey through Samaria would take a number of days. But Jesus “had to go through Samaria”. Jesus associated with those who were not the acceptable members of society. Jesus called the tax collector Matthew to be his follower. Matthew hosted a supper for him. Others were shocked that Jesus would sit at the same table and eat with a tax collector and other sinners. "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners’" (MARK 2:17). In our circle of friends, family, and acquaintances we also will want to look closely for thirsting souls.

OUR SOULS THIRST.

Jesus not only knows the thirsty but he also seeks them out to save them.

II. JESUS GIVES LIVING WATER

A. Verse 9. Jews and Samaritans did not get along. It was a great surprise at Jesus’ request for a drink.

1. Verse 10. “Gift” here is the same word used in Ephesians where grace is called God’s gift.