Jesus was a superb conversationalist. Like him, we need to spend more of our time conversing about meaningful topics, especially spiritual ones.
A new pastor was asked to teach a boys class in the absence of their regular teacher. He decided to see what they knew, so he asked who knocked down the walls of Jericho. All the boys denied having done it, and the preacher was appalled at their ignorance.
At the next board meeting, he told about the experience. “Not one of them knows who knocked down the walls of Jericho.” he lamented. The group was silent until a seasoned veteran spoke up. “Preacher, this appears to be bothering you a lot. But I've known all those boys since they were born and they’re good boys. If they said they don’t know, I believe them. Let’s just take some money out of the repair and maintenance fund, fix the walls and let it go at that.”
Each one of us is placed by God to be an insider into people's lives so they can find a personal, intimate relationship with Him. Our family members, co-workers, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances are all around you so you can be a personal and positive influence.
Our study has given us a look at common beliefs in the world that are counter-cultural to God's plan of salvation. This insight is not just for our own benefit, but so that we can develop ways to have meaningful conversations with others that answer questions many people are searching for in life. The key to this is understanding that God has strategically placed you in your sphere of influence to be an insider.
Today as we conclude this series Jesus Among Secular Gods, I want to leave you with a challenge to be the Jesus the people in your sphere of influence needs. You may be the only opportunity they have to see and talk with a true believer in Christ. For some reason, most Christians are afraid to share what they believe and what Christ has done in their life. Sometimes we think there must be some kind of formula. Other times we're afraid of rejection. Still, other times we just don't know what to say to hard questions.
I think a big root in all of this is we've lost the art of being great conversationalists. To really sit down and listen and converse. So this morning, I want to talk to you about the most meaningful conversations you will ever have in your life and how you can comfortably share about Jesus in your sphere of influence, by going back to the master conversationalist, Jesus.
I. Be Willing to Break Through Social and Cultural Barriers
3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee. 4 And he had to pass through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
6 Jacob's well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) (John 4:3-9)
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH?
Jesus was a master conversationalist. I pray all the time that God would give me that same boldness and skill of Jesus to have the kind of conversations he did with people. Jesus went out and had honest conversations with people because ultimately he cares about them. What became deep and meaningful conversations about spiritual things started off as conversations about everyday things.
One thing that Jesus did well was cross-cultural and social boundaries. He was not afraid of differences between him and other people. He talked with the wealthy, the poor, men, woman, religious, or secular with the same amount of ease. He even talked with people labeled "the enemy."
In our culture today we are hostage to our prejudices or fear of being prejudices. What we the church need to do is stop looking at all the differences between us and the rest of the world and start looking at the common needs. What Jesus did here was break cultural barriers with 4 words by connecting him and the woman with something universal. Thirst.
The greatest source of sin and separation from God today is a different kind of thirst. We have all the water we need with just a 20-foot walk to any faucet. But there remains a single and universal thirst that we are still longing to satisfy. Loneliness.
II. Generate Curiosity About Jesus
10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." 11 The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock." (John 4:10-12)
That simple walk across a room can open up doors to share the Gospel. It is up to us to share it. Why? Because Jesus did something in each of you that others desire to know. It is easy to look at cultural differences as barriers. But Jesus never overlooked something so critical that is in each and every person here on earth - the 'Imago Dei'. Every person we meet is an image-bearer of God.
You see, Jesus started with water, but the conversation was about to go deeper than just talking around the water cooler. The conversation is a means of establishing a trust in a relationship. Unfortunately, most of the time, we linger around shooting the breeze instead of taking the conversation more personal and deeper. This is where a conversation is truly lost in our culture. Small talk remains small, but we never transition into something of substance. Talking about deeper topics, especially spiritual topics require consistent practice if you are ever going to get good at them.
People love to talk about themselves. Find something that you and another person have in common and let them talk about it. Learn to ask good questions to make the conversation more deeply. Questions take you to the heart of a person. Show genuine interest in them and their interests and learn something new while you are at it. Simple questions can open up doors for great conversations. (Have people look at the list of conversation starters)
“If you are a church-going Christian, the question, "How was your weekend?" is an absolute gift that we pass up all the time” (Vince Vitale).
III. Present The Gospel
13 Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water." (John 4:13-15)
Notice that Jesus doesn't argue with her or try to correct her theology. He simply introduces her to the Kingdom of God. Notice also that the conversation isn't over with Jesus, it has just begun. She is asking for the Living Water, but the conversation must still go deeper. To have her pray a prayer of repentance now would make her a false convert. Even though the gospel has been presented and there is a desire for receiving the Living Water of Christ, the true depth of her need for God has not been addressed.
The most important characteristic that needs to be in us as we share the gospel is humility. Ultimately, our goal is to make our lives an invitation to come to Christ. I think one of the profound ways people can experience Jesus in you is praying with someone. Prayer draws us away from ourselves and closer to God soul-quenching grace. We must remember that we're not leading people to something but to someone. Only Christ can answer man's cry for loneliness.
IV. Highlight the Need for the Gospel
HOW SHOULD THIS BIBLICAL TRUTH CHANGE THE WAY WE LIVE?
Jesus addressed the woman's need for security and significance. He did this because he took the time to know her and understand her. He wasn't looking for a notch in his belt, but a connection that would
The Gospel is life-shattering and life-giving. People will have questions and it is our purpose as gospel insiders to have answers to those questions. When Jesus responded to questions, he did so very specifically and purposefully. I think one important reason for this was he prepared himself constantly in prayer. He sought to have himself ready to give an answer because he cared about people.
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15)
V. Stay Focused on What Matters
19 The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship." 21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." 25 The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things." 26 Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he." (John 4:19-26)
When Jesus came close to touching the real issues in her life, the woman started to deflect. Don't be surprised when people do the same for you. The power of the cross is life-change. Life-after-death does not bring hope. Forgiveness brings hope. Transformation brings hope. The Cross brings hope.
As believers we need to question ready, response ready, and invitational. Be ready with questions that count. These start with common ideas, "How was your weekend?" and move toward the deeper need. While you are listening you are also praying. You should be asking the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom, compassion, and understanding. Remember. that this is not up to you. God wants to use you and work through you.
Be response ready. Before you can speak you must first LISTEN. Listen to understand the person you are talking with, not just to give your opinion. Lean into their hearts. These are important matters and you are the insider. Build a relationship with the person. Not just to get a positive confession of Jesus, but a willingness to bring them into a transformational relationship
Lastly, be invitational. No matter where people are at in their life, their lifestyle, their current relationships, or their beliefs, invite them to come and meet and experience the transformational power of Jesus.
Our goal is to make our lives an invitation to come closer to Christ. This was Jesus' final charge to His disciples in The Great Commission. I want to challenge this body of believers with the awesome task and honor of being an invitational and transformational community. Especially as we are entering into the Christmas season, our love for Jesus should be seen in everything we do, everything we are, and especially in how we care for one another and our guests.
My challenge to you is multifaceted. When people come into Grace Community Church I want what they see, hear, experience, and encounter be an invitation to come closer. If we are going to have conversations, we need to break down barriers and distractions.
Take it to the Cross
Close
Pray
Conversation Starters: If I asked you what keeps you from giving your life to Jesus, what would you say?
Sermon Notes
1. Be Willing to Break Through Social and Cultural Barriers
2. Generate Curiosity About Jesus
3. Present the Gospel
4. Highlight the Need for the Gospel
5. Stay Focused on What Matters
Study Questions
1. How can we develop the habit of spending more time in meaningful conversations?
2. What is one way you could invest in the interests of someone with whom you would like to share the gospel, as a way of loving them and deepening your relationship with them?
3. Why is it do you think that we hesitate to invite people into the Christian life?
4. Make a list of places where you are an “insider.” What are some ways you can bring Jesus into these places and have conversations about your faith?
5. What are some important lessons you’ve learned from the Woman at the Well that you have not considered before?
