Book Of John: John 4

Book Of John: John Ch. 4

October 15th, 2023 | Casey Middle School

Title: Invest And Invite

Big Idea: Invest in a few and invite everyone.

Passages: John 4:1-26 CSB

When Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard he was making and baptizing more disciples than John2 (though Jesus himself was not baptizing, but his disciples were), 3 he left Judea and went again to Galilee.4 He had to travel through Samaria; 5 so he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar near the property that Jacob had given his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, worn out from his journey, sat down at the well. It was about noon.

7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. “Give me a drink,” Jesus said to her, 8 because his disciples had gone into town to buy food. 9 “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” she asked him. For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would ask him, and he would give you living water.” 11 “Sir,” said the woman, “you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do you get this ‘living water’? 12 You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are you? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock.” 13 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.”

15 “Sir,” the woman said to him, “give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and come here to draw water.” 16 “Go call your husband,” he told her, “and come back here.” 17 “I don’t have a husband,” she answered. “You have correctly said, ‘I don’t have a husband,’” Jesus said. 18 “For you’ve had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 “Sir,” the woman replied, “I see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 Jesus told her, “Believe me, woman, an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. 23 But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Jesus told her, “I, the one speaking to you, am he.”

Background:

This is the longest recorded conversation between Jesus and another person recorded in Scripture.

Jesus crossed geographical and ethnic barriers. Usually people would take the route along the river to get to Galilee, but Jesus went through Samaria.

The witness of this unnamed Samaritan woman. Just before we witnessed a Pharisee having a late night conversation with Jesus, unable to comprehend the teachings of Jesus, but here we see a woman, untrained in rabbinical teachings, seeing clearly the divine revelation of Jesus. This transformed woman becomes a great evangelist, resulting in many from her town coming to know Jesus as Messiah and savior.

Notice Jesus movement as He began His ministry. He was in Jerusalem (2:23), Judea (3:22), and then Samaria (4:3). This is a perfect parallel to Acts 1:8 ““But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”” Acts 1:8 CSB

INVEST IN A FEW: Jesus and the disciples, Peter, James, and John

• Jesus had 12 disciples, but there are many occasions where he pulls away with just 3, Peter, James, and John.

• We see this when Jesus raises Jairus’s daughter

  • “And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James.” - Mark 5:37

  • The Transfiguration

  • “Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. - Luke 9:28

  • Garden of Gethsemane

  • “And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” Mark 14:32-34

  • Jesus was always intentionally in His relationships, but I think it’s important to note that He didn’t treat everyone the same. He chose 12 disciples to invest in and then out of those 12, he pulled aside 3 to go deeper.
  • There are several principles that I want to talk about tonight as it relates to investing in a few.
  • In this story we see Jesus investing in a woman and then a people that otherwise would have been overlooked. Jesus takes time to invest in a few, and as a result, many come to know Him!

INVITE EVERYONE: Woman at the Well

• This is someone who made an incredible impact by giving an invitation. You never know how an invitation could change the life of someone forever.
• “So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of the town and were coming to him. - John 4:28-30
• This woman had just met Jesus and then she immediately goes and gathers others to “come and see”!
• Later on we see that “Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word.” - John 4:38-41
• This woman at the well knew that if she could just get them to Jesus, then it would change everything.
• Question: Do we have this type of tenacity when we invite people to Jesus?

Pray: (Pause 3-5 seconds)

Main Points:

1. INVEST IN A FEW (Jesus Example)

   1. Be Positive
      1. Jesus doesn’t condemn her or carry prejudice like everyone else would have, especially a Jewish rabbi.
      2. Instead Jesus loves her by pointing her towards a better future.
      3. “If you want to make the least possible impact, be negative, isolated, and busy.”
      4. Question: Who here this morning loves being around negative people?
      5. This may sound simple, but I want to unpack this for a minute.
      6. “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice.” Philippians 4:4

      7. Being positive does not mean that you can’t have tough conversations.

         1. Tough conversations are still positive when given the right way and with the right motive.

         2. Tough conversations are meant to build up, not tear down. 8. Being positive is more than saying “You look great today.” to be positive means you have a proper perspective on what God has done in your life, and how you can share that joy, love, and hope with others. 9. There is enough negativity going on around the world, let’s be a church that brings hope to impossible situations and joy amidst the trials. Amen?! 10. “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.” Romans 5:3 11. Question: How many of you know that we’re all going through something? Nobody is living in “perfectville” 24/7. Right?

         3. Let’s be a people that keep a Gospel perspective in all areas of our lives. Believing that God has a plan and purpose for people and that He is going to work it out for our good and His glory.

         4. “And I am certain that God, who began the good work in you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. “ - Philippians 1:6

            2. Be Present
               1. Even though Jesus was tired and “worn out”, that didn’t stop Him from engaging with this woman on a very personal level.
               2. Instead of being distracted by His exhaustion, or looking for a more “qualified” person to speak to, Jesus focused on her story.
               3. In your conversations

         5. How many of you do this on your phones while talking to people? (pull out phone and text) Anybody guilty in the house tonight?

         6. This is becoming the new normal. I’m all for staying connected to the insta-sphere, and sometimes the texts just keep rolling in, but we need to learn to connect again. I mean really connect.

         7. Simple reminders for us today. Look people in the eye, settle in, and listen. 4. In moments of grief, pain, and shame

         8. This is critical. It’s easy to be present when everything is good, but true friends show up and stay close during seasons of hurt and grief.

         9. Send those text messages, ask the hard questions, get in the car and drive to someone’s house just to be near.
         10. Often times we don’t know what to say right? People aren’t looking for you to say the right things, they are looking for a friend to stay close and just be.
         11. Lean in, listen, and show support and encouragement in times of grief.
             3. Be Proactive
                1. Jesus took full advantage of the opportunity to rescue this woman from her despair.
                2. Instead of waiting till another moment, or putting it off for another day, Jesus engages her with the truth of who He was and gives her an opportunity to respond.
                3. Be proactive to tell people about Jesus and make disciples.
                4. Investing in someone's life is more than being positive and present, it takes a proactive intentionality and commitment to invest in the right things.
                5. Illust: Pointing people to Jesus

2. INVITE EVERYONE (Woman At The Well)

   1. Be Real
      1. You don’t have to get it all together before you can bring others on the journey
      2. “Authenticity is the apologetic of our day.” - unknown
      3. In the words of the great genie “Beeeeee yourself”
      4. Question: Anybody have that friend that’s always making up stuff just to try and connect?
      5. Illust: Trey Wingo
      6. “Be yourself. People would rather follow a leader who is always REAL than one who is always RIGHT.” -Craig Groeschel
   2. Be Relational
      1. “Let me tell you what He’s done for me”
      2. When the Samaritans came and believed, they asked Jesus to stay for a few days
      3. Jesus makes time to build relationships and pour into these new followers

      4. Illust: Connect Four

         1. What’s your name?
         2. Where are you from?
         3. What’s your story?
         4. How can I pray for you? 5. “The Gospel flies best on the wings of relationships.” 6. Question: How many people in here tonight are looking for community? All of us right? 7. Everyone wants to know and be known, love and be loved. 8. Be real with people and then work towards establishing relationships with people. You don’t have to be bff’s to invite them to something, but at least know their name!
            3. Be Relentless
               1. The woman didn’t even grab her water jar before leaving to go tell others
               2. The woman gives a simple yet powerful invitation, “come and see.”
               3. One ask is great, but if you really believe in something, why give up so soon.
               4. I’ve heard countless stories where people say “John never gave up on me.” or “I used to think they are crazy, but I finally said yes and now I’ll never be the same.”
               5. Keep invite cards with you at all times and hand them to everyone.

7 Leadership Principles:

1. Leaders initiate connection

   1. Jesus spoke first and initiated the conversation

   2. Leaders establish common ground

   3. Jesus references the water and meets her at “Jacob’s Well”

   4. The Samaritans were a mixed race, Assyrians intermarrying with Jews who had stayed behind in the Northern Territory following Israel’s demise.
   5. Jews shared commerce with Samaritans, but would never share a meal or drink with them.

   6. Leaders allow room for conversation

   7. Jesus asks questions and gives space to hear her speak

   8. Even as she is processing what all this means in verse 15, Jesus stays leaned in to the conversation to point her to the reality of His Living Water.

   9. Leaders speak to the real issue

   10. Jesus addresses the bigger issue and makes her thirsty for something more than water

   11. The issue at hand, 5 men and no husband, was a symptom, not the root cause.

   12. Leaders take others as far as they are ready to go

   13. Jesus shared who He was and gave an invitation for something so much more

   14. Leaders meet people where they are

   15. Jesus knew her lifestyle and was familiar with the customs, but that did no spot Him from meeting her on her turf

   16. He “had to” go through Samaria.
   17. Traditionally, women would gather water from this well in the morning or evening, not in the heat of the day. She was likely coming at “noon” to avoid meeting people, but Jesus meets her at this moment despite the circumstances or appearances.
   18. This woman was a Samaritan, known to be living in sin, and was in a public place talking to a Jewish man.
   19. Verse 35, Jesus is saying “stop making excuses.” The harvest is plentiful. Many are ready to receive. Go, tell, boldly proclaim the Good News.

   20. Leaders communicate clearly and directly

   21. Jesus revealed Himself and kept it simple. He is the gift. He is the living water that quenches our deepest thirst.

Big Idea: Invest in a few, invite everyone.

Walking Points:

1. Who are you investing in?

   1. Pick 3-4 people that you can invest in and write their names down.
   2. Go deep with these people and pray for them constantly.
   3. Then watch God work.

   4. Who are you inviting?

   5. Think of people that you interact with on a weekly basis and hand them invite cards.

   6. Always carry invite cards.
   7. Personally hand out 10 cards this week.

Let’s pray.