A Man Named Jesus
Part 1
Come See A Man
Lesson
Tex: John 4:7-29
When you
think about them spiritually, it is the preacher who unselfishly yielded his
time, the elder who guided the flock with tender care and was always
approachable, the deacon with an unrelenting spirit to serve, the Christian
woman dedicated to the scriptures with the respect of Deborah and the attitude
of service like Phebe and the Christian man with the diligence and persistence
of Peter.
When you
fall on hard times and you need to be restored this is the person(s) you think
of because they approach the table, knowing you are at fault and without excuse
with a spirit of meekness. They know you are wrong but they still love you and
treat you with care. Not turning an eye or ear to your wickedness but reproving
with a heart of love, letting you know they will never stand by and watch you
destroy your spiritual soul.
Galatians
6:1 ¶Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou
also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law
of Christ.
Young
preachers, as we attempt to establish ourselves throughout the brotherhood, we
come in contact with fiery gospel preachers that no doubt influence us and in
some cases maybe we even pattern our preaching style after them because we like
their charisma, their spirit and modus oparandi.
Members of
the body of Christ, frequenting gospel meetings and revivals, hearing the Word
proclaimed by Gods most instrumental men often begin to develop their
favorites. And when the man of God comes to town we scurry quickly to invite
our friends and family members to hear the gospel preached by a unique man.
In essence,
although we are asking them to come hear the preached Word of God, we elude to
the same stance as the Samaritan woman as she invited her friends, family and
maybe even strangers to come see a man.
A Man Named Jesus
There Jesus
sat, all alone, up against Jacobs well, tired from all of His journeying.
Whether it was 6pm or 12 noon is unclear but we know that Christ was tired.
Nevertheless the Bible tell us "be not weary in well-doing" so
Christ, although he was tired, perched up against a well, took the time to
persuade a woman to follow him and be a true worshipper.
Even at this
time the relationship between the Jews and Samaritans was strained and in
actuality they were enemies. At one point in Old Testament history they mingled
with each other and the Samaritans benefited from the contact, breaking off
many of their idolatrous customs, but
over time the bitterness and envy resurfaced.
It
might be a stretch, but I believe that although Christ was tired He saw
this Samaritan woman coming toward Him
and made up His infinite mind that He would capitalize on this opportunity to
teach.
Apparently
the Samaritan woman knew that Christ was Jewish as she approached. It could
have been his garment it could have been his phenotype. But as this woman
approached she just as soon well conduct herself as if Christ was not even
there because communication between Jew and Samaritan was a cultural and
political faux pas.
It was an
understood and a normal part of life that Jews would not speak with Samaritans
and the reverse with the latter feeling as second-class citizens to the Jews. Let this not be named among us in the church.
Let us look
at the story again. The bible says in John 4:7 "There cometh a
woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
This woman
was utterly shocked that Christ was speaking to her. It was not as if Christ
was asking her for water because he wanted to be served He was asking for water as was indicative of asking for
help. He was tired, in need of water and was saying to the woman, can you help
me?
How was a
Samaritan woman to help a Jewish man? All Jesus was doing was attempting to
reel the woman in so He could influence her who would in turn influence others.
Christ had to break that tie and be the example of severing that embarrassingly
ill relationship between Jew and Samaritan.
This
national mediation on the part of Christ resulted in discord among His own
people and Jesus was even called a Samaritan. They saw Him differently now and
in John 8:47-48 the bible says "He that is of God heareth God's
words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Then answered the
Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a
devil?"
Jesus did
not really want her water He wanted the opportunity to tell her about the
living water he had to offer as the Messiah.
Christ
shared many things with her in this chapter, to many to delve into and
elaborate on but he did specifically talk to her about worship. Although many
Samaritans were added to the church of our Lord at the time of this encounter,
the Samaritans had no idea how to worship God and were stuck in paganistic
traditions and customs. They had no idea of the what and how to worship but
they no doubt thought they were worshipping God. They were steeped in
will-worship (Col 2:23) and did not even know it.
Christ said
in John 4:22 “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for
salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the
true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the
Father seeketh such to worship him.”
I do not
believe Christ had any problems persuading this woman but if she was struggling
with unbelief about the deity of Christ her conviction became crystal clear in
the following passage.
John 4:16 Jesus
saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
Jesus went
against the grain, just as Christians are to do daily. We do not follow the
patterns and customs of this world we follow Christ which makes us different,
strange and traveling in a different direction. Christ went against the grain
to show the world he can befriend and love anyone: friend, family or foe.
The woman
was still unsure if Christ was the Messiah but Jesus had dealt with her so
convincingly that when He told her who He was she believed unequivocally.
The exchange
of Christ and the woman is powerful and consciousness raising.
John 4:25
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called
Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto
her, I that speak unto thee am he.
Jesus said
and did all in this encounter so the woman could believe herself and then go
tell those in her city about Him.
John 4:28
The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and
saith to the men, 29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever
I did: is not this the Christ?
This woman
came to the well for water. The water might have been for her, her family, her
children or her husband. But the words of Christ gracefully imposed themselves
over her initial motives and she left that water pot behind. She came for water
and left testifying of Christ. Some may have come here for one reason or
another but we should all leave the assembly this morning, following after
Christ.
She ran into
the city, telling the men to come see a man. Have you seen Christ? You need to
come and see Him. You have seen him already through His scripture today.
Christ
wants to do something for you:
1.
He wants to change your life.
2.
He wants to make you into a new person.
3.
He wants you to cast all your cares upon Him.
4.
He wants to wipe away all your tears.
5.
He wants to be your mediator.
6.
He wants to be your refuge.
7.
He wants to be the apple of your eye.
8.
He wants to give you rest.
9.
He wants to regenerate you.
10. He wants to recreate you.
11. He wants to give you a gift
12. He wants to heal you.
13. He wants to give you newness of
life through His death.
14. He wants to be a lamp unto your
feet.
15. He wants you to be a joint-heir
with Him.
16. He wants to renew your mind.
17. He wants to wash away your
sins.
18. He wants to give you His Holy
Spirit.
19. He wants you to open the door.
20. He wants to eat with you.
21. He wants to deliver you.
22. He wants to bless you.
23. He wants to mold you.
24. He wants to see you in heaven.
25. He wants to give you the living
water.
26.
He wants to add you to the church.
We
speak so well of those who have touched our lives. We lift them up and
recommend them and push them off on others. So and so can help you. Go talk to
him. Go talk to her. Come see him he is good. Come see her she is good.
There
is a man named Jesus that we all need to see because he has done so much for
you and me.
You have
seen a Man so simply obey His gospel because he died for your sins. There are
five simple steps to becoming a Christian and all are imperative.
Hear: Romans
10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Believe:
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he
that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them
that diligently seek him.
Repent: Luke
13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish.
Confess:
Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and
with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Baptism:
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive
the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Become a
child of God today.
Amen