November 19, 2023

The Woman

Preacher:
Passage: John 4:1-26
Service Type:

Introduction

We looked briefly at the end of John 4 at Harvest Time
Today looking at one person – the woman
Example of Joan Collins

What has gone wrong to have 4 divorces

Considering the woman in John 4

Nameless
From an obscure village – Syca
From a despised territory – Samaria

The people were seen to be unclean

5 husbands – the men had initiated the divorces

Why – was she unfaithful, was it because divorce was easy, was it because of the adulterous generation
She is currently living with someone who is not her husband – living in an immoral relationship
Sex outside of marriage is sinful
She would appear to be an immoral women

The passage does not focus on her immorality but Jesus compassion for her

The offers given by Jesus to her

Living water

The love of Jesus is so clear and plain
He is so kind to her

This story is full of precious lessons

Jesus has the same love for sinners today
He draws, woos, invites, entreats them
He understands human nature (unlike us)

He states both Nicodemus and the woman were sinners

Overview

A Context
A Conversation
A Conversion

A Context
Going to Samaria

Jesus has been in Jerusalem
Jesus had been baptising – though it was His disciples

Jesus departs from Galilee
"He needed to go through Samaria" – why?

Jesus was never constrained by time
There was no message to come to a particular town
Jesus went because He loved Samaritans

The worst thing the Jews called Jesus was a Samaritan and a demon – John 8:48

The Jews hated them
They had no dealings with Samaritans (v9)

The Woman

The women often come to draw water at the end of the day

She came to draw water at midday, which was unusual – perhaps she was ostracised

Jesus is alone with her – there are invisible barriers

A samaritan
A woman
Alone with her
Race, gender, religion

Overview of the Samaritans

They only held to the Pentateuch – not the prophets or books of wisdom

Such a meeting – was not done
Sometimes there are big barriers to overcome:

Example

Yet nothing is too great for the Lord – He can overcome all barriers

Examples

A Conversation

Jesus starts by asking for a drink

He was human and divine
His Divinity did not overtake His humanity – in that He knew full human frailty and emotion

He was weary
Yet He was never too weary for people – example
Jesus had time for this woman

Jesus is a master bridge builder

Do we have time for others?

Jesus initiates the conversatioin

He values her

We must not forget the person when preaching the message
Are we bridge builders?

He needed water – she was going to draw water

Acts 8 – Philip

We must graciously seek to point people to Jesus Christ
We must not be predujiced

Jesus makes the woman curious

She asks Him questions
He speaks in metaphor

‘Who is this person and what is He offering me?’
The Jews knew these references to living water – Isa 12:3, 55:1

What is the state of your soul?

Are you satisfied in Christ?
Where is your satisfaction found?
Real satisfaction is found in Jesus alone

The woman does not understand about living water (v13-14)

Never thirst, never perish
John 7:37 – religion had only made people thirsty
Those who believe in Jesus Christ will know deep satisfaction and have the Spirit of God poured into their lives

Cumulating in heaven with Christ

Do you identify with this woman?

Have you tried lots of things but feel empty inside?
Only Jesus Christ can satisfy
Quote from Augustine – only God can fill the god-shaped hole inside us
Have you drunk of the living waters?

Jesus changes the conversation (v16)

Call your husband

She might have thought He was speaking in a physical capacity
Jesus was putting His finger on her sin and her deep dissatisfaction

Jesus reveals her sinful past

It is only when we realise our sin that we cry out for a Saviour
Unless you understand your need – you will not call on Jesus Christ
There is punishment for sin – examples

What must you do?

Turn to Jesus
Jesus did not condemn her but offers her salvation

The woman perceives He is a prophet

Though the Samaritans did not believe in the ‘prophets’

Deut 18:18

She asks a question about religion

Jesus graciously answers and says that people need to worship in spirit and truth

Jesus reveals Himself as Messiah (v26)

A Conversion

When you read on, you realise that all had Jesus had spoken had affected her

She and the people go out to listen to Jesus
She is wonderfully converted

Jesus spent only two days in Syca

The testimony of one individual unlocked the whole community

The gospel is for everyone

For the rich / poor
For the religious / the biblically illiterate
For those with ‘good standing’ / immoral people

We should never say that a person is ‘too far gone’

Example
All can be saved

Are you saved?

Do you really know God?
You are offered eternal life in Jesus Christ

Turn from sin and turn to Jesus