Can I Get A Witness?
Opening
Phillip Yancey’s book “What’s so Amazing About Grace”....the author discusses during his street evangelizing they talked with a prostitute about how she rented out her two year old daughter because she can make more money since her body was no longer desirable. The preacher asked her if she had ever thought about going to the “church”. Her response is that the “church” will make her feel worse about her choices. This is a warning that when the “church” does not share the authentic Jesus then broken people remain fractured.
The church in America is suffering from identity crisis….instead of sharing JESUS NOW we put a premium on superficial social media
We fail to serve the marginalized but we prioritize brunch with our besties….”Check the Post”
We fail to pray for our annoying neighbor but we offer thoughts and praise for what's trending on Twitter….Check the Post
We are hesitant to share the words of Christ of social media but quick to quote Kendrick, Drake or Beyonce….”Check the Post”
When the church doesn’t share Jesus Now she does not extend an invitation of hope to those who are in our proximity yet suffering in silence
Sermon Key Points
In John 4, we meet a woman with a catchy past and shady living arrangements. Her encounter with Jesus is more about Grace than judgment. More about mercy and compassion than condemnation
Paul encourages us to get to know the biblical Jesus. Jesus is the son of God and came to earth and died for our sins.
What stands in your life that needs resurrection? You need peace….take to Jesus. You need hope….take it to Jesus. You are all of options….take it to Jesus
It teaches that God does not discriminate
Jesus was walking through Sychar and encountered a Samaritan woman at a Jacob’s well (John 4:7)
Jesus came to the Samaritan woman and asked for a drink and the woman was offended. (John 4:7-9) Jews viewed Samaritans as racially inferior. Jewish men were never to engage an unknown woman in conversation. Jesus crosses cultural and religious norms. “His conversation was considered a scandal”
The biggest scandal is a Holy God is found messing with messy people like us
God has covered us broken people to cover us with his Son Jesus Christ. “Trophy of Grace”
Romans 5:8- “While We Were Yet Sinners Christ Died For Us”
John Howard Griffin published a book called “Black Like Me’. He disguised himself as black man so he can understand what it feels like to be black man in the Jim Crow South.
For centuries, God sent representatives but each one fail short:
He sent Noah but struggled with alcohol
He sent Moses but he struggled with anger management
He sent David but committed adultery
He sent Jeremiah but he hated church people and lamented about their stubborness
He sent Samson but he enjoyed Philistine women
He sent Isaiah but he was a man of unclean lips
In Matthew 1, God decided to come down himself because all the representatives failed short.
Jesus offers us divine correction with dignity
Most women went at 8am to the grab water but she went around noon because she was an outcast in her culture
Shame can hang our heads and remind us of the unholy things we have done in our lives.
We should not allow shame to restrict our praise and worship
“All Have Sinned and Fall Short of the Glory of God” ~ Romans 3:23
“There are no condemnation in Christ”~ Romans 8:1
A Woman Caught in Adultery- A group of men bring a woman to Jesus who was caught in the act of adultery. The law said to stone those who have committed adultery. Jesus responds “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone” Everyone left and Jesus tells the woman he will not condemn her. (John 8:1-11)
Jesus said if you only knew who asked you for a drink. (John 4:10)
She did not know of the Goodness of God. She was unaware of his holiness and his ministry.
Everywhere we go is our opportunity to share Jesus Now!
Jesus reveal her sins to her and wants to remove the false Gods in her life. (John 4:16-26) Everyone worships but the only choice we have is what we worship
The human heart has a hole in it and only God can fill
God and his word should always has preeminent in our life
