Looking Beneath the Surface

Looking Beneath the Surface

2005046

Topic # 1510 evangelism

Introduction:

A. We live in a suburban, middle to upper middle class area.

1. Full of families w/2.4 kids, dog/cat; 3 cars; nice homes; well kept yard.

2. kids to soccer practice

3. latest gadgets in our homes

B. On the surface, all looks well. People couldn’t be happier.

C. But...we might be very surprised to discover the addictions & sin issues that fester in homes all around us.

1. When we pause & take a deeper look, we find that people desperately need the saving grace of Jesus Christ.

D. So how do we reach people with the gospel? Depending on how you look at it – it can be a daunting challenge.

1. Some people seem to have no need for Jesus.

a) Appear to be doing fine on their own.

b) Others seem to have so many needs that we’re reluctant to get involved.

2. One important skill is sharing the gospel is the ability to see past outside appearances & look at the heart of an individual.

E. The heart holds real needs that the gospel can address.

1. We can learn how to look for people’s needs. Maybe they are:

a) Physical. (Helping people’s basic needs.)

b) Relational. (respect; acceptance; receiving love; protection from emotional harm, relief from loneliness)

c) spiritual (a connection w/God; an awareness of being part of something larger than self, clarity about what’s important in life; forgiveness for wrongdoing; eternal life; peace)

F. Think back to before you became a Christian.

1. What were some of your unmet needs at that time?

2. How obvious do you think your needs were to people around you?

G. A look at Jesus – John 4.

1. Jesus was brilliant at looking past people’s defenses & into their hearts.

2. With the woman at the well – he zeroed in on the real needs of the Samaritan woman.

3. What can we learn from this story on how to look beneath the surface?

I. (4:4-9) Start from where people are.

A. 4:4 – he had to go through Samaria. (Jews avoided Samaria at all costs)

1. We often expect people to come to us – when Jesus commanded us to go to them. We must look for opportunities to reach out; take our evangelism outside the church building.

2.      When people aren't coming to Christ, it's because we are not going to the people!

a)     We can't be fishers of men by fishing in a barrel; if the fish won't come to the barrel, then we must go where the fish are!

b)     The problem with sowing the seed is not that there is not good ground to be found, but that the seed is still in the barn! - cf. Hag 2:19

3.      We can reach out to people at school; work; and at home (neighbors, etc)

4. 4:5-8

5. In 4:7 – Jesus starts a connection w/the woman by pointing not at her need – but his own. (thirsty)

a) Significant … because He initiated the conversation.

b) Jewish men did not have conversations w/Samaritan women.

c) Men not to speak publicly to women.

B. This teaches us sometimes we have to start from lower than they are.

1. Human nature would have wanted to exalt its self-image and look down on this woman.

2. Here’s the Son of God reaching out – to someone lost – needing forgiveness of sin.

3. Intimidating the lost w/lofty religion does nothing but turn them away.

a) David Yarbrough: We are only beggars telling other beggars where we found bread.

C. 4:9 - After his request for water – she responds suspiciously.

1. She saw Jesus as only another Jew – another person to reject her.

2. 9b – did He want just a drink or something more? What did He really have in mind?

3. After all – she’s at the well during midday – odd time – usually AM or PM

a) alone – as to avoid having to be confronted by others

b) Bad reputation as a “bad” person.

4. But yet, Jesus sees in her an opportunity and doesn’t stop at her initial defensiveness. He keeps the conversation going.

II. 4:10-14 – Use conversation as an opening for spiritual things.

A. Jesus’ statement shifted their conversation to spiritual matters.

1. Living water would have been a common spiritual interest.

2. Several OT references to the metaphor of living water.

a) Zech. 14:8 & Ezek 47:9 – OT prophets looked forward to a time when living waters would flow from Jerusalem.

b) Living waters speaks of God & His grace which provides cleansing, spiritual life, and spiritual transformation.

3. Jesus tells her he is the water of life, He told her who controlled it, how to get it.

B. Regarding our teaching today:

1. We can raise questions or make statements that shift conversations to spiritual matters.

2. Start with things you agree upon.

a) This builds rapport & instills confidence.

b) Acts 13:16-22 – look at how apostles taught. Paul speaking about things – which no one would disagree.

3. Then move into areas where teaching can be done.

III. 4:15-18 – Lay the proper ground work.

A. She wanted the living water.

1. Did she really understand?

a) She needed faith in Him as being the Messiah.

b) He needed to provide evidence that He was the Messiah.

2. 4:16 – go call your husband… not only would this statement make her realize His supernatural capabilities….

a) It would make her come to face to face with her situation.

b) 4:17a – she’s directly facing her spiritual condition.

c) We are often blind to the real problems that plague us.

d) When we see them for what we are, we have a choice:

1) we can decide to change:

2) We can reject the insight and go back to our self-delusion.

B. We must do all this w/o condemning a person.

1. 4:17-18 - He could have dwelt on her being an adulteress.

a) 3:17 – He came to save the world; not condemn it.

b) Not to say he won’t judge the world later,

c) But His purpose on earth was to bring salvation.

1) Lk. 19:10; John 1:29

2. When we preach against sin – our primary purpose is to point the way to salvation – not to judge.

3. 2 Cor. 5:18-20 – our focus should be to inform others about God’s forgiveness.

a) God seeks reconciliation with sinners.

b) Ours is a ministry of reconciliation.

IV. 4:19-26 – Once the groundwork has been laid – make the proper application.

A. 4:19-20 – she turned the subject away from herself to where one should worship.

B. 4:21-25 – Jesus answers her questions while effectively turning the conversation back to the original subject.

1. Who he is & what he offers.

2. 4:26 – he confronts the woman w/who he is.

C. Remarkable; he reveals his identity in the shade of a well, in a rejected land, to an ostracized woman.

1. He confronted her w/the truth only after laying the groundwork.

V. 4:28-42 – Her response is amazing.

A. 4:28 – forgot her water pot.

1. She left b/h the burden she brought.

2. Suddenly, the insignificance of her life was swallowed up by the significance of the moment.

a) 4:29 – God has come….God cares….for me!

b) Grabbed first person she saw & reported her discovery!

B. When a person is truly evangelized they in turn become an evangelist.

1. 4:39

a) Power of a life turned around can’t be denied!

b) Look at our own congregation. Do you see any changed lives?

c) If your life has been changed by the gospel through the power of God – then you must share this truth with others!

d) Allow them to see the difference Jesus has made in your life!

2. 4:40-42 – people of Sychar believed because of the woman’s testimony.

a) came and checked out Jesus

b) When they spent time with Jesus themselves they were even more convinced by knowing Him personally.

C. What does this say to you about the love of God?

D. What does this say about the Lord’s desire for evangelism?

E. How do your life & heart line up with these truths?

Conclusion:

A. Do you need to catch up to the source that gives out living water?

1. Nothing else will satisfy.

2. Rev. 22:17

B. Come into contact w/the blood of Jesus Christ today.

1. Seek to have your sins remitted.

2. Seek God’s forgiveness.

C. I N V I T A T I O N



Looking Beneath the Surface 2005046 Topic # 1510 evangelism Introduction: A. We live in a suburban, middle to upper middle class area. 1. Full of families w/2.4 kids, dog/cat; 3 cars; nice homes; well kept yard. 2. kids to soccer practice 3. latest gadgets in our homes B. On the surface, all looks well. People couldn’t be happier. C. But...we might be very surprised to discover the addictions & sin issues that fester in homes all around us. 1. When we pause & take a deeper look, we find that people desperately need the saving grace of Jesus Christ. D. So how do we reach people with the gospel? Depending on how you look at it – it can be a daunting challenge. 1. Some people seem to have no need for Jesus. a) Appear to be doing fine on their own. b) Others seem to have so many needs that we’re reluctant to get involved. 2. One important skill is sharing the gospel is the ability to see past outside appearances & look at the heart of an individual. E. The heart holds real needs that the gospel can address. 1. We can learn how to look for people’s needs. Maybe they are: a) Physical. (Helping people’s basic needs.) b) Relational. (respect; acceptance; receiving love; protection from emotional harm, relief from loneliness) c) spiritual (a connection w/God; an awareness of being part of something larger than self, clarity about what’s important in life; forgiveness for wrongdoing; eternal life; peace) F. Think back to before you became a Christian. 1. What were some of your unmet needs at that time? 2. How obvious do you think your needs were to people around you? G. A look at Jesus – John 4. 1. Jesus was brilliant at looking past people’s defenses & into their hearts. 2. With the woman at the well – he zeroed in on the real needs of the Samaritan woman. 3. What can we learn from this story on how to look beneath the surface? I. (4:4-9) Start from where people are. A. 4:4 – he had to go through Samaria. (Jews avoided Samaria at all costs) 1. We often expect people to come to us – when Jesus commanded us to go to them. We must look for opportunities to reach out; take our evangelism outside the church building. 2. When people aren't coming to Christ, it's because we are not going to the people! a) We can't be fishers of men by fishing in a barrel; if the fish won't come to the barrel, then we must go where the fish are! b) The problem with sowing the seed is not that there is not good ground to be found, but that the seed is still in the barn! - cf. Hag 2:19 3. We can reach out to people at school; work; and at home (neighbors, etc) 4. 4:5-8 5. In 4:7 – Jesus starts a connection w/the woman by pointing not at her need – but his own. (thirsty) a) Significant … because He initiated the conversation. b) Jewish men did not have conversations w/Samaritan women. c) Men not to speak publicly to women. B. This teaches us sometimes we have to start from lower than they are. 1. Human nature would have wanted to exalt its self-image and look down on this woman. 2. Here’s the Son of God reaching out – to someone lost – needing forgiveness of sin. 3. Intimidating the lost w/lofty religion does nothing but turn them away. a) David Yarbrough: We are only beggars telling other beggars where we found bread. C. 4:9 - After his request for water – she responds suspiciously. 1. She saw Jesus as only another Jew – another person to reject her. 2. 9b – did He want just a drink or something more? What did He really have in mind? 3. After all – she’s at the well during midday – odd time – usually AM or PM a) alone – as to avoid having to be confronted by others b) Bad reputation as a “bad” person. 4. But yet, Jesus sees in her an opportunity and doesn’t stop at her initial defensiveness. He keeps the conversation going. II. 4:10-14 – Use conversation as an opening for spiritual things. A. Jesus’ statement shifted their conversation to spiritual matters. 1. Living water would have been a common spiritual interest. 2. Several OT references to the metaphor of living water. a) Zech. 14:8 & Ezek 47:9 – OT prophets looked forward to a time when living waters would flow from Jerusalem. b) Living waters speaks of God & His grace which provides cleansing, spiritual life, and spiritual transformation. 3. Jesus tells her he is the water of life, He told her who controlled it, how to get it. B. Regarding our teaching today: 1. We can raise questions or make statements that shift conversations to spiritual matters. 2. Start with things you agree upon. a) This builds rapport & instills confidence. b) Acts 13:16-22 – look at how apostles taught. Paul speaking about things – which no one would disagree. 3. Then move into areas where teaching can be done. III. 4:15-18 – Lay the proper ground work. A. She wanted the living water. 1. Did she really understand? a) She needed faith in Him as being the Messiah. b) He needed to provide evidence that He was the Messiah. 2. 4:16 – go call your husband… not only would this statement make her realize His supernatural capabilities…. a) It would make her come to face to face with her situation. b) 4:17a – she’s directly facing her spiritual condition. c) We are often blind to the real problems that plague us. d) When we see them for what we are, we have a choice: 1) we can decide to change: 2) We can reject the insight and go back to our self-delusion. B. We must do all this w/o condemning a person. 1. 4:17-18 - He could have dwelt on her being an adulteress. a) 3:17 – He came to save the world; not condemn it. b) Not to say he won’t judge the world later, c) But His purpose on earth was to bring salvation. 1) Lk. 19:10; John 1:29 2. When we preach against sin – our primary purpose is to point the way to salvation – not to judge. 3. 2 Cor. 5:18-20 – our focus should be to inform others about God’s forgiveness. a) God seeks reconciliation with sinners. b) Ours is a ministry of reconciliation. IV. 4:19-26 – Once the groundwork has been laid – make the proper application. A. 4:19-20 – she turned the subject away from herself to where one should worship. B. 4:21-25 – Jesus answers her questions while effectively turning the conversation back to the original subject. 1. Who he is & what he offers. 2. 4:26 – he confronts the woman w/who he is. C. Remarkable; he reveals his identity in the shade of a well, in a rejected land, to an ostracized woman. 1. He confronted her w/the truth only after laying the groundwork. V. 4:28-42 – Her response is amazing. A. 4:28 – forgot her water pot. 1. She left b/h the burden she brought. 2. Suddenly, the insignificance of her life was swallowed up by the significance of the moment. a) 4:29 – God has come….God cares….for me! b) Grabbed first person she saw & reported her discovery! B. When a person is truly evangelized they in turn become an evangelist. 1. 4:39 a) Power of a life turned around can’t be denied! b) Look at our own congregation. Do you see any changed lives? c) If your life has been changed by the gospel through the power of God – then you must share this truth with others! d) Allow them to see the difference Jesus has made in your life! 2. 4:40-42 – people of Sychar believed because of the woman’s testimony. a) came and checked out Jesus b) When they spent time with Jesus themselves they were even more convinced by knowing Him personally. C. What does this say to you about the love of God? D. What does this say about the Lord’s desire for evangelism? E. How do your life & heart line up with these truths? Conclusion: A. Do you need to catch up to the source that gives out living water? 1. Nothing else will satisfy. 2. Rev. 22:17 B. Come into contact w/the blood of Jesus Christ today. 1. Seek to have your sins remitted. 2. Seek God’s forgiveness. C. I N V I T A T I O N