"Time for Some Water"

John 4:1-18, 25-26

Background on Samaritans and Jews relationship 

Trouble started not long after Moses brought the twelve tribes of Israel to the Promised Land. At the death of Solomon in 975 B.C., the kingdom of Israel was split into two parts, Judah in the south, and Samaria in the north. The two kingdoms were often in disagreement. The northern kings loved their pagan idols and were constantly at odds with Jerusalem.

Samaria fell into deep sin by worshipping idols and foreign gods

Relationship between Jews and Samaritans was greatly strained

– Jews had no dealings with Samaritans although they were alike in many ways (i.e food, occupations, hope and ambitions, suffering from same diseases)

– Sadly, disagreements, wars, differences in worship, and miscommunication resulted in the simmering hatred that divided the people of Israel that were once brothers

The animosity was so great that the Jews bypassed Samaria as they traveled between Galilee and Judea. They went “out of the way” to avoid going through Samaria

Then comes Jesus… Bridging the gap between the two

Jesus decided to stop by… Jesus had dealings with Samaritans

– He healed a Samaritan leper (Luke 17:16)

– He honored a Samaritan for his neighborliness (Luke 10: 30-37)

– Praised a Samaritan for his gratitude (Luke 17: 11-18)

And now we find Jesus asking for a drink from a Samaritan woman at the well. He is tired and this encounter is not coincidental (Jesus knew what time the women came to the well)

The title of this sermon is “Time for Some Water”

You Ready… Let’s Go Replenishes Us

The marathon runner (life is a marathon, not a sprint)

John 4: 4-8

He had to go through Samaria on the way.  5  Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.  6  Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime.  7  Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.”  8  He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.

Jesus is tired and needs to be replenished

– What I love about this is that it shows Jesus requires food and drink just like us. It testifies to the realness of His humanity

So when He met the Samaritan woman at the well, He knows all about her guilty past and her souls deepest need

– In other words, Jesus knew that she was tired of running too and needed some water! (help me somebody)

And as weary and thirsty that Jesus was (and He often weary IN His work), Jesus is never too weary OF His work.

As man, He knows all about our human and spiritual needs. And as God, He can meet every one of them

– He gives us faith over fear – He is a healer of our pain

– whether it be physically, spiritually or financially

– He is a way-maker in times of trouble

– He gives us hope where there is despair

– He gives us clarity where there is confusion

– He gives us victory when we feel defeated

So about noon that day, Christ, a Jew and the God-Man met a Samaritan woman whose life was to be transformed as a result of this pre-ordained encounter

Question is how many of you are tired of running and just need a drink of water?!? 

Jeremiah 31:25  

For I have  [a] satiated (satisfied) the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.”

You can get this water anytime, anyplace, anywhere!!!

Then the story takes a MAJOR shift in verses 9-10. This is where true transformation takes place

John 4: 9-10

The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. [ b ]  She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”   Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”

She was ignorant of the Lord and what He was offering… She was about to be transformed and didn’t even know it!!

Gives Us Life

John 4: 11-15

“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?  12  And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again.  14  But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”   “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”

You see, in Jewish culture, “dead water” referred to standing and stored water. “Living water” referred to moving water, as in rivers, springs and rainfall. Such water was precious because it was fresh, because it came directly from God. In other words, this living water RAISED you from the dead. 

There are only 3 events where Jesus raised someone from the dead

Luke 7: 13-15

And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said unto her, weep not. And he come and touched he coffin and those carrying it stood still. He said young man I say unto you, GET UP!! Or RAISE UP!! The dead man sat up and began to talk and Jesus gave him back to his mother

Matthew 9: 25

But when the people were put forth, he went in and took her by the hand and the girl GOT UP!! Or RAISED UP!!

John 11: 43-44

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, Lazarus COME OUT!! The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen and cloth around his face

Now for us we are not physically dead, but some of us are spiritually dead

DEAD IN YOUR PRAYER LIFE

DEAD IN YOUR FASTING LIFE

DEAD IN YOUR WORSHIP LIFE

DEAD IN YOUR PRAISE LIFE

DEAD IN YOUR THANKSGIVING LIFE

DEAD IN YOUR READING OF THE WORD LIFE

DEAD IN YOUR MEDITATION LIFE

DEAD IN YOUR WITNESSING TO OTHERS LIFE

DEAD IN YOUR GRACE AND MERCY LIFE

DEAD IN YOUR LOVE LIFE AND

DEAD IN YOUR TITHING LIFE

But yet and still you got the nerves to complain and wonder why!!!

John 10:10

The Lord says a thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly.

Tell your neighbor… RAISE UP AND LET’S LIVE!! Cleanses Us

John 4: 16-18

“Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—  18  for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”

She had a secret

Jesus did not expose her sin to others; He didn’t call her out or embarrass her

He wanted her to feel the sense of sin herself

– So when she asked for the living water to cleanse her, Jesus said go call (or tell) your husband

That is one of them “Oh, Oh” moments… The truth just came to the light (help me somebody)

Her life had to be a clean receptacle (container) to hold the living spring, so Jesus revealed the foulness that had to be destroyed. 

How do I know that?… I’m glad you asked

In verse 11 she said “and this well is very deep”

This is a metaphor saying she was deep in sin

Psalm 51:2

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me.

The Bible also says… Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

I just came by tonight to let you know that the living water of Jesus…

Replenishes Us

Gives Us Life

Cleanses Us

The Bible says, “Whoever is thirsty, let him come and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life!!

I pray that you were blessed by this word of God on today. Remember you and me, we are heirs to the throne and God has made us righteous through Jesus and His sacrificial death, burial and resurrection.

In verse 25 and 26 it says, “The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus told her, “I AM the Messiah!” [d]

The Lord…

PAID THE PRICE ON CALVARY

HE WAS BRUISED FOR INQUITY. HE WAS WOUNDED FOR OUR TRESSGRESSIONS. THE CHASTISEMENT OF OUR PEACE WAS UPON HIM. AND BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED

HE DIED ON THE CROSS FOR OUR SINS

HE WAS RAISED 3 DAYS LATER TO DEFEAT DEATH

HE NOW SITS ON THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER

HE SAYS I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE AND NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME

When I think of the goodness of Jesus and what He’s done for me. When I think of the goodness and how he set me free… I want to dance, dance, dance all night!