443

John 4:27-42

The Samaritan woman is John's first example of evangelism. What does she do? (1) She tells people her experience. (2) She brings people to Jesus. (3) She gets out of the way so people can have their own first hand knowledge. "We have heard for ourselves. Now we know that this man is the Savior"

442

John 4:27-42 "my food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."

the Samaritans were ready to believe. They believed first because of the woman's testimony. Then they believed because of their own experience. Jesus stayed with these outsiders, these inconvenient neighbors, for two days. I love that. I love that you loved these people. Your food was to be with the unloved.  You love spending time with the likes of me!

441

John 4:27-38 "my food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work"

It brings to mind Deut 8:3 "man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord."

Bread might fill our stomachs. But it's God who fills our hearts. He is the filler of our Being. Doing his will, taking in his word - these are the food for our souls...

440

John 4:1-15

Then thing that strikes me this morning is that you were tired from your journey. Perhaps even more physically tired than your disciples. Were you out of shape? I find this difficult to believe. I have in mind that you were a type of superman. I'd like to have a savior who could beat me in a race, someone who would have to slow down for me to keep up. What if it was the other way around? What if I had to slow down to your pace? What if that is your invitation? "Friend, you're running too fast, sit down here with me at the well where I can offer you something truly life giving."

439

John 3:36 "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

For us, everything, our very life, depends on this one thing: what we do with Jesus. Do we place our life in his hands? Or do we place our lives in our own? That is the key decision we have to make in this life. If you have been trusting your own devices and ready to try something else - put your faith in Jesus. I can help you if you need help.

438

John 3:34 "God gives the Spirit without limit."

verse 35 "The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in His hands."

In two verses, we get the first clear reference to the Trinity: Father, Son and Spirit. There is no limit to what God has given to the Spirit. God has placed everything into the Son's hands. Father, Son, and Spirit fully God, fully sharing the power, authority, and blessing amongst one another...then offering this life to us...

verse 36 "whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."

More on this later...

437

John 6 "gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted."

Jesus gives offers us more than enough. But it's like a fine meal. It's delicious. It's succulent. It's more than you could ever ask for or imagine...but it's the dinner conversation he's after...the relationship. In a few days, no matter how wonderful that meal was, you're going to be hungry again. Does it mean Jesus  doesn't love you? Does it mean what you had a few days ago wasn't real? No! It means it's time to eat again. To hunger and thirst for that meal, that relationship - that is what Jesus is after. He provides more than we could want, but he offers his everlasting supply in portions, so we will need to return over and over and over again.