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I. JESUS THE EVANGELIST: JOHN 4:1-10
A. Intro
1. John portrays in interesting array of individuals – the gospel is for everyone
a) Jesus came to save not just one class or type of person – He cam for all and each must receive Him in faith
b) Compare Nicodemus and the woman at the well for instance
(1) James Boyce comparison Loc 1232
i) It is difficult to imagine a greater contrast between two persons than the contrast between the important and sophisticated Nicodemus, this ruler of the Jews, and the simple Samaritan woman. He was ajew; she a Samaritan. He was a Pharisee; she belonged to no religious party. He was a politician; she had no status whatever. He was a scholar; she was uneducated. He was highly moral; she was immoral. He had a name; she is nameless. He was a man; she was a woman. He came at night, to protect his reputation; she, who had no reputation, came at noon. Nicodemus came seeking; the woman was sought by Jesus.
ii) A great contrast. Yet the point of the stories is that both the man and the woman needed the gospel and were welcome to it. If Nicodemus is an example of the truth that no one can rise so high as to be above salvation, the woman is an example of the truth that none can sink too low.
2. Jesus’ witness to the women at the well is an example of speaking the truth in love
B. Caring for the Lost
1. Jesus brings the Gospel to those He would save
2. John 4:4, “And he had to pass through Samaria”
a) Geographically, Jesus did not have to pass through Samaria – in fact it was inconvenient for Him to do so.
b) But, it was necessary for Jesus to seek and save His own; Jesus took a detour.
3. John 4:6 – Carrying the gospel is hard work
(1) We should be wearied in prayer, service, and witness
(2) John’s Gospel is full of the deity of Christ. But, here John demonstrates Jesus’ physical frailty.
(a) When we pray for help, we can know that Jesus understands what it means to be human; He’s been weary too.
4. We, typically, are not like Jesus
a) We won’t cross the street to evangelize
b) We don’t want to risk the social hazard of talking about Jesus
5. We can find inspiration in the work of Jesus
a) He didn’t have to go to Sychar in Samaria. He could have died and risen again, in power, without going.
b) But He chose to pursue His own. Like us. That should increase gratitude and a willingness to witness.
C. Crossing the boundaries (that separate people from God)
1. The Samaritan woman would never have gone to Jerusalem, so Jesus went to her (4:7-9)
2. Jesus crosses three boundaries … (CONTEXT!)
a) Separation of Jews and Samaritans
(1) After Assyria conquered the Northern kingdom, Israelites were deported. The gentiles brrought their own gods and mixed their religion with Judaism. This was gravely offensive to the Jews of the southern kingdom and they grew to hate the Samaritans.
(2) FIND REF… Samaritan and a demon!
b) Separation of men and women
(1) It would be scandalous for a man and a women to sit by a well in Jesus’ day.
(2) A Rabbi would lose his reputation if he spoke to a woman publicly (even family)
c) Social and religious taboo
(1) Jews didn’t share utensils with Samaritans for fear of separation of fellowship and worship under temple rules (verse 9).
3. Jesus didn’t sin, but He did cross social boundaries. The Gospel is supremely more important. We should have the same attitude.
D. Connecting with People
1. She was a sinful person with all kinds of false beliefs. But Jesus treated her as a person, starting with a simple request for something to drink. He sought to find a connection
2. Instead of a miracle or a rebuke, Jesus humbled Himself, allowing her to minister to Him.
a) Do we travel in our own subculture? Unwilling to open up and let “worldly” people offer something to us…
b) We should not hide our anxiety, fear, or grief from neighbors. We should allow them in, displaying Christ’s power through our faith.
c) Jesus is our example: He who is the living water, was never-the-less willing to ask for drink.
3. The doctrine of election is no deterrent for evangelism.
a) Jesus knew she’d be there. He likely waited in thirst for her to arrive.
b) God has people around us to be saved, so we witness with confidence.
E. Communicating Good News
1. Pre-evangelism: relating and connecting with people. But this isn’t evangelism. Not until there is Good News!
a) Jesus followed up with John 4:10; the way He presented the Gospel
(1) He used the situation He was in to point to spiritual realities (see also John 6:35, 8:12)
(2) He spoke of salvation as a gift that God offers.
(a) Most people look on God with vague resentment, like this woman first did.
b) The heart of the Gospel is the Good News of God’s free gift!
(1) John 10:10
(2) Jesus wants us to connect with all kinds of people (people like Nicodemus and the woman at the well) and communicate the Good News the them (John 20:21).