Participants: Justin McNeilus
Series Code: OTR
Program Code: OTR000947
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01:02 You know I want you to know that I only ask to do
01:06 one thing up on stage this whole weekend 01:10 and this is what I wanted to do. 01:12 I'm going to introduce our speaker for tonight. 01:16 But before I do that I just wanna let you know that 01:21 my husband and I were discussing 01:22 how many years we have been coming to ASI 01:26 and this is our 22nd year. 01:29 And you know what we haven't missed once 01:32 since we started in Glorieta, New Mexico. 01:36 Now that means that if you do a little math 01:39 because I know a lot of the people here enjoy math 01:42 and if we've been coming for 22 years 01:45 I happen to know the age of our speaker tonight. 01:49 He's 25 years old so that means 01:52 when we became ASI members he was 3 years old. 01:56 I think I can safely say that I've known him longer 01:59 than anybody in this room and it's been a privilege. 02:05 He is my son, better give my husband credit, too. 02:09 He is our son. 02:11 Justin has been a true delight to have in our family. 02:16 He is the son that loves Jesus passionately. 02:20 He is a brother to his two sisters 02:23 and it's been a privilege to have them as our family 02:26 as I would say again. 02:29 He's a husband to our beautiful 02:31 daughter-in-law Stephanie. 02:34 They've been married three years. 02:36 It's been exciting to see how God is growing their family. 02:41 Justin graduated from Southern Adventist University 02:45 with a business administration degree 02:47 and a minor in religion and he's been using both. 02:52 He is vice president of Sterling State Bank, 02:56 our family business and we couldn't be happier 02:59 than to have Justin as a part of our family business. 03:03 He is the president of GYC, Generation Youth for Christ. 03:10 But above all that he is a servant for Jesus. 03:14 And tonight as he speaks to us it's his prayer 03:19 and his mother's prayer that you will be blessed. 03:24 And that you will hear Jesus' words spoken through him. 03:28 I just ask that God will bless abundantly. 03:36 Good evening. 03:39 I'm particularly excited about this message 03:43 and I'll tell you why. 03:44 Few sermons I've preached have convicted me personally more. 03:52 Few sermons I've preached have convicted me personally more. 03:56 My wife and I even adjusted some of the priorities 04:00 in our life because of this sermon, 04:02 because of this message. 04:05 So tonight's not a message you would get 04:07 probably from a pastor with a three points. 04:10 We're gonna take a look at a story in the book of John 04:13 and it's gonna be like a worship talk tonight 04:16 that I believe has some convicting points from God. 04:20 Before we do that you'll bow your heads with me 04:23 and we'll pray. 04:27 Our precious, heavenly father, Lord, you see me here 04:32 as a young person, a servant of you. 04:37 You know my deficiencies. You know my selfish desires. 04:42 You know me better than anyone and yet you selected me 04:46 this evening to preach to your people. 04:50 I pray that as you-- as we invite your spirit 04:55 into this auditorium may all distractions be taken away. 05:00 May angels fill the empty seats and may you speak 05:06 through me tonight, Lord, like you never have before. 05:10 Not so people can leave here tonight and say Justin 05:14 preached a powerful sermon, but so that they can leave 05:18 here tonight and say they saw Jesus 05:22 and they learn more about your love. 05:26 Lord, be with us as we dive into your scriptures 05:29 and may you give us a new look at the life tomorrow. 05:35 I humbly pray these things in your precious name, amen. 05:40 It was not that long ago that I was at ASI, 05:44 Youth for Jesus in Columbus, Ohio. 05:48 We're going out door-to-door. 05:49 We are simply inviting people to the meetings 05:52 that we're having. 05:53 I was teamed up with one of the younger youth for Jesus 05:57 and I was considered, I guess, a senior youth for Jesus, 06:00 if there is such hierarchy in youth for Jesus terms. 06:04 We're going out door-to-door. 06:05 We are knocking on doors and to be honest 06:07 it wasn't going that well. 06:09 People were meeting us with rejection. 06:12 They were slamming the door on our face 06:14 and then it was getting a little discouraging. 06:19 And I was speaking that night so I honestly thought 06:22 to myself a couple of times. 06:24 You know what, my time is-- might even be better 06:27 to spent preparing for my sermon. 06:31 I was about ready to give a quit. 06:33 We came to the last cul-de-sac. 06:35 We went through the houses. 06:37 We knocked on the doors not that many people 06:39 came to the door and when they did 06:41 they pretty much slammed it in our face 06:43 and we got to the end of the cul-de-sac 06:46 and the young lady I was with suggesting 06:49 we need to go back to that one house. 06:53 I was thinking to myself we went there once. 06:56 She or he didn't come to the door, 06:59 why on earth do we need to go there again. 07:02 But I was the senior youth so I couldn't say that out loud. 07:07 We went back to the door because of her persistence. 07:10 We knocked on the door and a young middle aged... 07:14 I'd say a lady came to the door by the name of Cathleen. 07:19 Cathleen opened the door, let us come in 07:21 and she began to say with tears in her eyes, 07:24 I'm so happy you came. 07:28 I'm so happy you stopped by my house this afternoon. 07:34 You see what I've been in and out of jail. 07:39 I'm a terrible mother. 07:40 I have three kids and I couldn't be any worst to them. 07:45 I'm addicted to cocaine. I'm addicted to heroin. 07:48 To be honest I've been ready to call it a quit on life. 07:55 And Cathleen said with tears welling up in her eyes. 07:59 This morning I got out of my bed. 08:03 And as if one last time I cried out to God. 08:08 God send someone to my door 08:10 today to tell me the good news about you. 08:16 We entered that home we had a Bible study. 08:20 We invited her to the meetings 08:21 and Cathleen came night after night. 08:25 She made decision after decision. 08:29 I shudder to think what would have happened, 08:32 if that un-senior youth wouldn't have been with us. 08:38 If we hadn't have gone back to that door 08:40 to meet with Cathleen I believe her eternal destiny 08:44 would have been much different. 08:47 Turn with me to the book of John. 08:51 You've got Matthew, Mark, Luke and then John. 08:54 We will spend the majority. 08:56 We will spend probably the balance of our evening 08:59 inside the book of John. 09:01 I like John because John I believe sized up 09:04 Matthew, sized up Mark, sized up Luke, 09:07 read through them and put things 09:10 in his account of Jesus that he believe had the capacity, 09:14 ability, had the capability to change the world. 09:18 So we find things in the book of John 09:20 that we don't find in Matthew, Mark or Luke. 09:23 We're gonna study one of those unique stories tonight. 09:26 John 4 and verse 4. 09:30 John 4 and verse 4. Are you with me? 09:34 John 4 and verse 4. 09:38 And he had to pass through Samaria. 09:42 Now if you read this text quickly enough 09:45 you could miss a valuable lesson. 09:48 I would submit to you what in the world 09:50 was Jesus doing going through Samaria. 09:54 You see at the time of Jesus a bitter hatred existed 09:58 between the Jews and the Samaritans. 10:03 You will remember that in this time 10:06 if a Jew wanted go to the other side of Samaria 10:09 it was common for them to take the long route around the city 10:14 so that they wouldn't have to associate themselves 10:16 any with the Samaritans. 10:20 So why was Jesus going through the city of Samaria. 10:25 Some could speculate Jesus was on some sort of a time crunch. 10:29 He needed to get to the other side 10:30 and thus He was going straight 10:33 through His shortest route possible. 10:37 That might be possible. 10:39 Some may say that Jesus wanted to prove a point 10:43 that He wanted to rise 10:44 above these ridiculous racial traditions 10:48 and associate himself with the Samaritans. 10:52 I would argue that's even more possible but in my minds 10:55 I picture it a little differently. 10:59 In my minds I picture a woman waking up that morning. 11:04 That same morning Jesus was walking through the desert. 11:08 I picture this unnamed woman almost unable to rise 11:12 out of her bed. 11:14 Society has deemed her a social outcast. 11:18 Her sinful ways are unsurpassable. 11:21 Nothing good can ever come up for her life. 11:25 She lays there in her bed hopeless, meaningless, 11:29 empty and hollow inside. 11:33 And is if to risk it all I picture in my minds--I-- 11:38 her risking it all one last time. 11:43 I see an unnamed woman kneeling beside her bed 11:46 that morning as she awakes. 11:49 Tears streaming down her face, she cries out for God 11:53 to reveal himself to her. 11:56 She cries out for God to give her hope. 11:58 To give her a purpose. To give her a sense of destiny. 12:03 And as she rises that morning she rises with a smile. 12:08 With that blessed assurance because Jesus is hers. 12:14 See, friends, the God I serve is not a God of accidents 12:18 and coincidental encounters. 12:21 Jesus was at that well for a reason. 12:23 He was there to answer a prayer 12:26 and aid in a heavenly objective. 12:31 So my question I would propose tonight 12:34 to us is simplistic in nature. 12:40 How many people have crossed our path 12:43 who woke up in the morning crying out for God? 12:49 How many people have walked by us 12:51 when all heaven was waiting for us 12:53 to rise to our true progress? 12:58 How many people has God orchestrated for you to meet 13:02 so you could share the gospel with? 13:06 God is not a God of accidents and coincidental encounters. 13:11 He's placed you here on this earth for a reason, 13:17 for a specific purpose. 13:20 John 4 and verse 5. 13:23 "So He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, 13:26 near the field the Jacob had given to his son Joseph." 13:29 Jacob's well was there. 13:31 So Jesus wearied as He was from His journey 13:34 was sitting beside the well it was about the sixth hour. 13:39 The sun was high up in the sky 13:41 making the heat almost unbearable. 13:45 And we find the savior of the world fairly exhausted. 13:50 He's just returned from Judea where his own people 13:54 rejected Him. 13:56 It's been a while since He and His disciples 13:58 have had any food so hunger is setting in His stomach. 14:02 The trip here to the well was dusty. 14:04 He is sweaty. He's dirty. He is physically tired. 14:10 You can kind of feel that dry moist, not moist 14:15 the dry feeling you get in your mouth 14:16 when it's been a while since you've had water. 14:19 The wind has saturated Him. 14:23 I'm not gonna point any fingers tonight but most of us 14:26 in this room if were in the sandals of Jesus 14:29 would be rather grumpy. 14:32 But our savior of the world was there waiting 14:36 with open arms for His children. 14:40 Verse 7, "A woman from Samaria came to draw water," 14:44 an unnamed woman in the Bible enters the scene. 14:48 An unnamed woman who through the ages 14:51 has changed countless lives. 14:53 An unnamed woman who was taken, 14:55 life lived for the enemy and turn them to their creator. 14:59 An unnamed woman who has taken lives out of darkness 15:02 and turn them in the path of light. 15:04 An unnamed woman enters the scene 15:08 and without a doubt this woman's life has changed many people. 15:16 We don't a lot of this woman, but here is what we can glean 15:19 from this passage. 15:20 She has come to the well alone. 15:23 It's entirely possible that she is just a loner. 15:26 She likes to be alone nothing wrong with that. 15:29 It's possible that she is a social outcast. 15:32 As we find out later about her personal life 15:34 it might not be up to par with the rest of the Samaritans 15:38 so may be society has somewhat cast her out. 15:43 And we can also conclude that she is a poor person. 15:46 She doesn't have someone go to the well for her 15:49 so she is not someone with worthy wealth. 15:52 And the final thing we can glean from this passage 15:55 is that she is of Samaritan descent. 16:00 Four in verse 7, the second part, 16:03 Jesus said to her, give me a drink of what? 16:09 About 8% of you are with me tonight. 16:13 Jesus said give me a drink of what? 16:17 Water. 16:19 Jesus asked the woman for a drink of water. 16:21 Four short words Jesus is able to transcend 16:25 traditional culture and put ridiculous 16:29 racial traditions to the side. 16:31 We already talked about the intense hatred 16:33 between the Jews and the Samaritans 16:35 but also it was uncommon for a man to talk 16:39 to women without their husbands present. 16:45 Clearly Jesus did not subscribe to the theory that one race 16:49 or one sex was better than another. 16:54 The woman questioned why Jesus as Jew 16:57 would ask her for a drink. 16:59 And we find Jesus' response in verse 10. 17:04 Jesus answered to her, "if you knew the gift of God, 17:08 and who it is that is saying to you, give me a drink, 17:11 you would have asked Him, 17:13 and He would have given you living water." 17:19 The creator of the universe takes an average conversation. 17:22 One in which physical needs are being addressed 17:25 and appeals to her spiritual need. 17:29 Verse 11 the woman said to him, 17:31 "Sir, you have nothing to draw the water 17:33 with and the well is deep, 17:35 where do you get the living water?" 17:37 The woman completely misses the real appeal. 17:41 You can picture her face, kind of puzzled, almost impatient. 17:45 Obviously, sir, I'm here. I love some water. 17:49 It's hot and frankly that's the reason 17:51 I came to the well this evening. 17:53 But you've got nothing to draw at well. 17:58 How can you get me this living water. 18:01 On top of that, sir, we can find out in verse 12. 18:05 Do you think you are better than the Jacob 18:09 who God gave us this well. 18:12 The woman tries to reflect on her past experiences 18:16 on her ancestor's past experiences 18:20 and she tries to draw from the relationship 18:23 Jacob had with Christ. 18:27 She says Jesus, 18:28 actually she didn't know it was Jesus at this point. 18:30 She said, sir, you're probably just not good enough 18:34 to get me the water. 18:36 But what a blessed savior we serve. 18:39 He does not give up on us after one attempt. 18:42 He wasn't even willing that one could perish. 18:47 He felt the holy purpose bestowed on him. 18:50 He sensed the woman woke up ready to call it quits 18:53 on the human race and He knew exactly what she needed. 18:59 You will remember the relevant question 19:01 for us to ponder tonight. 19:05 Who has God put in your life who is facing the same 19:08 struggles as this woman at the well? 19:13 Who has God entrusted your abilities with to bestow 19:17 true hope, true change inside? 19:23 Jesus appeals to her again in verse 13. 19:27 Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks 19:29 of this water will be thirsty again. 19:32 But whoever drinks of the water 19:34 that I will give him, he'll never be thirsty again. 19:38 The water that I will give him will become in him 19:40 a spring of water welling up to eternal life." 19:44 The wheels are kind of clicking inside of her head. 19:47 She is contemplating this. 19:49 Thinking only of her physical needs she gives in. 19:53 All right, sir, if it is water 19:55 and if I will never be thirsty again hand it over. 19:59 I hate to walk to the well. 20:01 I hate the dry feeling I get in my mouth. 20:03 I don't even like the taste of water. 20:08 I'll take it. 20:09 Give me some of this special sauce 20:11 that I'll never get thirsty again. 20:15 And as Jesus takes inventory the situation 20:18 I'm sure He could perceive this woman 20:21 was in desperate need of a savior. 20:25 He knew she was longing for hope, 20:27 longing for a better tomorrow, 20:29 waiting for something to live for. 20:31 So Jesus leaves the analogies and moves in to doctrine. 20:37 John 4 and verse 16, "Jesus said to her go 20:41 call your husband and come here. 20:43 The woman answered Him I have no husband. 20:46 Jesus said to her, you are right in saying, 20:48 I have no husband for you have had," how many? 20:52 12% with me tonight. 20:54 You have had how many? 20:56 "Five husbands and the one you are with now 20:58 is not your husband, what you have said is true." 21:02 I want to analyze these three verses 21:05 but before we do that before we go there a parenthesis. 21:16 There seems to exist inside of mainstream-- 21:21 mainstream Christianity a fallacy. 21:26 A misleading notion that doctrine won't change lives. 21:35 Mainstream Christianity feels it is their job 21:39 almost their entitlement to soften the message. 21:47 A myth that their sole purpose is to apologize 21:50 for what is in the Bible and what it teaches. 21:55 And the edges of this foolishness 21:58 is moving inside the sacred walls 22:01 of our Seventh-day Adventist Church. 22:05 I believe Jesus understood a key point. 22:09 The Holy Spirit's inspiration into holy men and women 22:13 was relevant in the time of Jesus. 22:16 But guess what, that same Holy Spirit 22:20 had you and me in mind when the Bible was penned. 22:24 The Bible was relevant a thousand years ago. 22:27 The Bible is relevant today and if God chooses not to come 22:31 for another thousand years the Bible will be relevant then. 22:36 God knew what He was doing when He wrote His love letter 22:39 to His fallen race. 22:41 And I would even go so far as to say 22:44 that the same critics that are around today 22:47 were just as vocal as there at Jesus' time. 22:51 Jesus, you don't understand except the woman 22:54 for who she is. Love her. 22:57 Don't use any type of convicting material with her. 23:01 Jesus, your approach is too old fashioned, 23:05 too traditional. 23:08 It may have worked for Moses maybe for Joshua 23:11 may be for Ezra 23:13 but that type of approach isn't gonna work for A.D. Christians. 23:19 But Jesus knew better. 23:21 He knew the Bible was relevant. 23:25 As Christians, as Seventh-day Adventist 23:28 it is time for us to take a bold biblical refresh stand. 23:34 The Bible is just as relevant today 23:36 and is as it has ever been. 23:40 There is nothing, absolutely nothing in the Bible 23:44 that we should apologize for. 23:49 It's so arrogant. 23:51 So absolutely ridiculous for us as Christians 23:55 to state we have more insight than God. 23:59 To say that the Bible is irrelevant 24:01 for the postmodern mind or whatever term 24:03 you wanna give to people 24:04 that you don't think are ready for the Bible. 24:09 Instead of the Bible take our feelings, 24:12 take our experiences, take our love. 24:14 As if our feelings and love have more changing power 24:18 than God and His inspired word. 24:23 But rest assured, liberal bloggers will continue 24:25 to argue why the Bible is irrelevant. 24:28 "Adventist publications will write" 24:31 "Articles arguing the faults and cracks inside 24:34 our holy scriptures." 24:36 And until Jesus comes again men and women, 24:39 sincere and insincere will attack the fundamental beliefs 24:43 of our church one by one. 24:47 Now more than ever God is calling for a group. 24:50 An army of young and old, black and white, 24:53 educated and uneducated who will stand for the doctrines. 24:58 Who will stand for the doctrines in the Bible 25:01 who will unapologetically teach 25:03 these beautiful principles to others. 25:12 Understand I'm not discounting 25:14 the need for us to act with love. 25:17 Our love and respect combined with the changing power 25:20 of our living God is dynamic. 25:24 You will remember 1st Peter 3 and verse 15, 25:27 "Be prepared to give an account, 25:29 a defense for everything you believe." 25:32 If you're a Seventh-day Adventist just be ready 25:34 to defend it from the Bible but do so in love and respect. 25:45 I think we belabored this point enough 25:47 but I think it's important. 25:49 I'm not even talking about necessarily debate 25:52 between creation and evolution 25:55 because as soon as we're past that the devil 25:57 will bring something else into our existence. 26:01 We need to root ourselves in the scriptures. 26:08 If you are building your house on love 26:12 and experiences of other people, 26:15 you're building your house in a sand--in the sand. 26:20 God needs us to root ourselves in the scriptures. 26:25 Incidentally, if I can just make a little commercial. 26:30 My father-in-law Rick Yeagar 26:32 is doing a seminar tomorrow at 2 o'clock. 26:34 He's gonna go over some more of these things in detail. 26:38 I would urge you, if you are a leader of our church, 26:42 if you're an active member of our church please be there. 26:46 If you can't be there you can get it online 26:48 after it happens but God needs us 26:51 to be biblically rooted, friends. 26:54 It's not that the thesis of my message 26:57 by any means but it's important 26:59 and I think it's particularly interesting 27:01 that Jesus injects a little bit of doctrine, 27:04 a little bit of conviction into the life 27:07 of the woman at the well. 27:09 Jesus said to her, 27:11 "it may be legally you don't have a husband, 27:13 but actually biblically speaking you have five." 27:18 And the woman sighs accepts the conviction 27:20 putting the question back on Jesus. 27:24 "Sir, I perceive you are a prophet." 27:28 The woman then goes on to explain the difference 27:31 in worship style and brings up an age old rub 27:37 between the Samaritans and the Jews. 27:39 See you'll remember during Ezra's time 27:41 when the temple was being rebuilt 27:43 the Samaritans approached the Jews and said, "We're here. 27:47 We love to help rebuild this temple. 27:49 Can you use us?" 27:51 That privilege was denied the Samaritans 27:54 and so the Samaritans somewhat irritated 27:58 by the response went back to their place 28:00 built a rival temple at Mount Gerizim 28:04 and began to worship there. 28:06 So the woman says, "listen, Jesus, 28:08 the Jews worship in their temple. 28:10 They think it's right. 28:11 The Samaritans worship--" excuse me, she didn't say 28:14 Jesus because she didn't know His name yet. 28:16 She said, "Excuse me, Sir. 28:17 The Jews worship in their temple, 28:19 they think it's right. 28:20 They think that's what will save them. 28:22 The Samaritans worship in their temple. 28:24 They think it's right. They think that will save them. 28:27 So why don't you weigh in on that?" 28:31 And it's interesting to me because we find Jesus' 28:34 response to her is almost identical to what He gives 28:38 to Nicodemus the chapter before. 28:42 Essentially His response is this. 28:45 The temple will not save you. 28:48 The place of worship will not save you. 28:52 The location of the temple will not save you. 28:55 The style of worship will not save you. 28:59 The religion that comes from God is the only religion 29:05 that can lead to God. 29:08 It is the religion that causes us to be born again. 29:13 The woman's sense seemed she's out of what 29:15 she believes to be legitimate excuses 29:20 tries to procrastinate. 29:23 Verse 25 the woman to Him, 29:26 "I know that the messiah is coming. 29:28 I've read about it in Deuteronomy 29:30 He who is called Christ. 29:32 When He comes He will tell us all things." 29:37 I wanna interject just a little footnote into our story. 29:41 When it comes to us allowing God to use us 29:44 to our full potential we serve the same God 29:48 as the woman at the well. 29:50 In verse 12 we read about the woman 29:52 believed that God did incredible things 29:54 in the past with Jacob and God's relationship combined 29:58 pretty much the whole countryside 30:00 was given to our people. 30:01 Oh, God, was incredible in the past, you'll understand, sir. 30:05 And then she projects into the future. 30:08 Listen, one day the messiah will come 30:10 and it is going to be awesome. 30:12 I mean, oh, poof. 30:13 All answers to our questions will be-- 30:16 all questions to our answers will come about. 30:18 The messiah will come. It will be incredible. 30:23 And yet many of us serve that same God. 30:27 You can read about Jesus in the Bible. 30:29 Oh, it is awesome. 30:31 I tell you what oceans were being parted. 30:34 Whales were swallowing humans. 30:36 Lame were walking. Blind were seeing. 30:38 Lions were being shut up. 30:39 I mean God was awesome in the past. 30:43 And, oh, boy, just you wait and see He has some real 30:47 doozies in store for the future. 30:50 You better look out, in the later reign 30:52 Jesus will come-- just before Jesus comes 30:55 again miracles will start happening. 30:57 People will be joined in the faith by the second. 31:00 God will be awesome in the future 31:04 but we forget God wants to use us in the present. 31:11 We forget He has an awesome work for us to do now. 31:15 I don't wanna belabor this point 31:17 but I think it is very important for our study tonight. 31:20 God is alive today and He wants you 31:24 to start acting like it tonight. 31:27 God is alive today in the present doing awesome 31:32 and incredible things and He wants you 31:34 to start acting like it tonight. 31:39 The woman at the well woke up that morning feeling hopeless. 31:45 Feeling like the world had turned its back on her 31:48 when she was in need of a savior. 31:51 Jesus was there to answer the call. 31:57 There is a world full of women and men just like her 32:00 who woke up this morning. 32:04 Will you be there to answer the call? 32:10 Verse 26, Jesus said to her, 32:14 "I who speak to you am He." 32:17 She starts to project in the future 32:19 the messiah will come, it will be incredible. 32:21 Jesus says, "You who you are speaking of, 32:24 the person you are speaking of I am He." 32:30 Verse 27 then his disciples came back. 32:34 They marveled that He was talking with a woman 32:37 but no one said, what do you seek 32:40 or why are you talking to her? 32:42 The disciples came back food in hand only to find Jesus 32:47 talking to a woman and not just any woman, 32:50 a Samaritan woman. 32:51 It was almost appalling for the disciples. 32:55 You can kind of picture them huddled together. 32:58 Dumb founded look on their face, 32:59 wondering why in the world Jesus would talk 33:02 to a Samaritan woman. 33:05 But the Bible tells us that the disciples said nothing. 33:11 Now when I first read through this story 33:13 I always just assumed the disciples 33:15 said nothing because of the racial divide. 33:18 They were holding true to their Jewish heritage 33:21 and way of life but as I studied the story more 33:24 and reenacted the moments in my mind 33:27 I began to wonder about something. 33:31 Allow me to speculate with you a little bit this evening 33:35 but understand something before we do that. 33:39 My speculation is not to reshape doctrine 33:42 or to add a 29 fundamental belief. 33:46 It's purely a question that I think we can apply 33:48 to our lives as Christians living today. 33:54 Amen. 33:56 The disciples were sent off that afternoon to retrieve 33:59 food for their master. 34:01 It was okay for the Jews to associate with Samaritans 34:05 if they were buying something. 34:07 If they were seeking to gain something 34:09 certainly not for any kind of friendship 34:11 but it would be okay for the disciples to walk 34:14 into Samaria and buy food for their master. 34:19 Now while it is not true, I am educated 34:22 and all the streets and pathways 34:24 to and from Samaria, I would assume 34:27 that there is only one pathway that led from the well, 34:31 Jacob's well into the city of Samaria. 34:35 You're following me so far? 34:38 If you can assume that there was only one pathway 34:43 you can conclude that the disciples passed 34:46 right by the same woman into their trip in the city. 34:54 The same woman that woke up 34:55 that morning to heartache and despair. 34:58 That same woman who longed to hear something 35:00 in her life that would give her purpose. 35:02 The disciples knew the good news. 35:04 They would have had the opportunity to change 35:06 her life but they missed it. 35:11 So in my speculation I would ponder this. 35:16 Did the disciples miss her? 35:22 Did they miss her? 35:25 Was the God of divine appointments trying to lead 35:28 the woman into the pathway of the disciples? 35:31 You can kind of grapple with how that somewhat awkward 35:34 meeting would went. 35:35 A woman comes into the sight. 35:37 She's not normal based on their parameters. 35:40 She is a different race. Society has cast her out. 35:43 It's completely possible that she was dressed 35:46 a little bit more scantily. 35:47 Maybe her hair was a different color 35:49 than they were used to. 35:50 Maybe piercings existed where they shouldn't have. 35:53 And the justification in their mind is this. 35:57 She would have no interest in God. 36:00 No point even telling her about Jesus. 36:05 Friends, if we label someone as having no interest in God 36:08 we realistically doubt the power of God 36:11 to change their life. 36:14 It's not about if they do or do not have interest in God, 36:17 it's about if God has the power to change their life. 36:22 Did the disciples miss the woman at the well because 36:25 they doubted the power of God 36:30 and an even more important and relevant question is this. 36:35 Who have we missed because we doubted the power of God? 36:41 Who woke up this morning met the day with an ugly outfit? 36:44 Combed their pink hair, loaded their face with jewelry 36:48 and fell to their knees crying out for God 36:51 to put someone in their life to show them purpose and meaning? 36:56 Was that purpose-- and person intended to show 36:59 the meaning, you or I? 37:03 Have you ever bypass someone with the good news 37:06 because they probably wouldn't have any interest? 37:11 Have you given up on a family member, neighbor or co-worker 37:14 because they appear to have no interest? 37:20 God is calling for us to be messengers for Him. 37:24 Not to weed out whom we think 37:26 does or does not have interest in God. 37:31 "Desires of Ages," page 194, "The gospel invitation is 37:35 not to be narrowed down and presented only to a select few, 37:39 who we suppose will do us honor if they accept it. 37:44 The message is to be given to all." 37:48 Not to be narrowed down to who we think 37:50 does or does not have interest. 37:52 The message is to be given to all. 37:56 But you say maybe she was dressed normal. 37:59 What then would have caused the disciples to miss her? 38:03 Speculate in your mind's eye this. 38:06 They meet on the dusty road. 38:07 The disciples collaborate together and it is determined 38:11 that the work they are on is more important 38:15 than speaking with the woman. 38:20 It's a shame that all of Samaria 38:22 could have been lost 38:23 because of the resumes of the disciples. 38:28 This perceived importance they thought they were doing 38:30 we're getting food for Jesus. 38:32 Certainly that is more important than speaking 38:35 with the woman, could it have been 38:36 that the disciples felt they were 38:38 above reaching out to this woman? 38:43 So the question begs to be asked. 38:47 Who of you and I miss because we assume 38:49 our work is more important than a lonely woman or man? 38:57 We're the president of GYC, ASI, 38:59 what difference will it make if one boy or girl 39:02 we reach out to when we're organizing such an army? 39:08 I'm a CEO, CFO, COO of a multimillion dollar company 39:12 that donates millions to the world. 39:14 Should I be seeking out a woman? 39:18 I'm a doctor on the verge of solving cancer. 39:21 What's a woman to me? 39:23 You must understand I'm the director of Arise, 39:26 Amazing Facts it is written, 39:27 my time is more valuable than a woman. 39:31 I'm the president of a conference, 39:34 a union, a division or even the GC. 39:37 My work is too great. 39:40 The disciples could have been willing that all of Samaria 39:43 would've perished because they were on a mission 39:45 they thought was greater. 39:50 Have we created such positions among us 39:52 that all of New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle 39:57 or Phoenix could be lost? 40:04 Perhaps you've been on a mission like the disciples 40:06 that you believed was a little more important than a woman. 40:11 Perhaps tonight God is calling you 40:13 to reach your full potential. 40:17 His full potential He has for you. 40:25 Their thoughts Ellen White speaking of the disciples. 40:28 Their thoughts were fixed upon a great work 40:31 to be done in the future. 40:33 They did not see that right around them 40:35 was a harvest to be gathered 40:37 but through the woman who they despised 40:42 a whole city full was brought to hear the savior. 40:46 Their thoughts were fixed upon a great work 40:49 to be done in the future. 40:54 Again don't let my speculation get in the way 40:57 of you missing the point or the appeal. 41:00 I'm not pretending to have extra insight into the Bible. 41:03 It is entirely possible the disciples never even cross 41:07 past with this woman. 41:11 But I believe the questions posed are still relevant 41:15 and I believe them to be extremely convicting. 41:20 We must take a stand on these points. 41:24 God needs a church that will not doubt His power. 41:27 God needs you not to assume 41:29 who does or does not need Him in their life 41:31 and without a doubt God wants a generation 41:34 who is not concerned with the hierarchy of life. 41:37 Presidents, directors and all of God's people 41:40 need to start concerning themselves 41:41 with God's true purpose for their lives. 41:45 Reaching a starving nation. 41:47 Getting serious about getting this gospel message 41:50 to the entire world. 41:53 See, friends, a day is coming in the near future 41:57 when many Christians, many Seventh-day Adventist 42:01 and possibly even ASI members will be silent. 42:09 Jesus will come again. 42:12 A glorious day it will be. 42:15 Lightning will flash from the east to the west. 42:18 A thousand times, ten thousand angels will fill the sky. 42:22 Cripple men will walk. The blind will see. 42:25 Our bodies will become perfect again. 42:29 Families lonely because of death 42:30 will be reunited in the clouds. 42:32 Husbands and wives separated by tragedy 42:35 will embrace midair. It will be an incredible. 42:38 Un-describable a day for many and yet a tragedy for others. 42:47 And they're Christians, Seventh-day Adventist 42:49 and may be even ASI members will face co-workers, 42:53 neighbors and even family members. 42:59 As the saints are taken in the cloud, 43:01 those who will reign, those who will remain 43:05 will question our priorities, our foolishness, 43:14 and stupidity will plague our very existence. 43:20 And as if a common thread of unity 43:23 those who remain will stand gazing in disbelief and disgust. 43:31 They will wonder you knew and you didn't tell us. 43:39 You knew He would come again 43:43 and you never breathe a word to me. 43:49 Friends, our only response will be silence. 43:54 Did the disciples get that same look? 43:58 Maybe even that same question at Jacob's well. 44:04 Perhaps the woman sat stunned in disbelief 44:08 at the return of the disciples. 44:11 The very man who knew Jesus the best 44:14 would walk by and say nothing. 44:18 How could it happen? How could it be? 44:21 You knew and you didn't tell me. 44:27 You knew about Jesus and you never breathe a word to me? 44:39 Perhaps the woman sat stunned in disbelief. 44:44 Maybe Jesus stopped at that well that high noon not 44:47 only to save Samaria but to teach the disciples a lesson. 44:53 Maybe God is so great that He knew Jesus needed to stop 44:57 there to teach you and I a lesson tonight. 45:01 Perhaps we find at the well a small reenactment 45:05 of the Second Coming. 45:10 That moment and time we're Christians, 45:13 we're Seventh-day Adventists are held accountable 45:16 who they did and did not tell the gospel to. 45:22 God is calling for a generation of followers 45:25 who unashamedly tell others about Christ. 45:29 That no matter the cost no matter the sacrifice 45:32 no matter the, excuse me, nothing in life 45:37 would stop us from leaving any stone unturned. 45:41 No co-worker, no neighbor, no family member is left untold. 45:46 A woman woke up that morning full of doubt, 45:49 full of fear and Jesus answered the holy calling 45:52 to tell her the good news. 45:56 Who has Jesus placed in your life 45:58 to alter their eternal destiny? 46:02 What woman at the well is God calling you to reach tonight? 46:10 The woman was excited about what she learnt 46:12 at Jacob's well that hot sunny day. 46:15 So excited in fact that the Bible tells us 46:18 she left the pitcher at the well. 46:21 She was filled with hope. 46:23 She was filled with a sense of belonging. 46:26 She was filled with a sense of purpose and destiny. 46:30 She ran off to Samaria not knowing much. 46:34 Not knowing how to give an eloquent Bible study. 46:37 Not knowing how to get up in front of people and preach. 46:40 Not knowing how to go through the Bible 46:42 and explain all 28 fundamental beliefs. 46:47 But the Bible tells us in John verse 6. 46:50 excuse me, Chapter 6, Chapter 4 and verse 39, 46:56 "Many Samaritans from that town believed in Him 47:01 because of the woman's testimony." 47:04 In order for Jesus to reach the city of Samaria 47:08 He had to reach one. 47:12 The city was conquered for Jesus 47:16 because Jesus was able to reach one. 47:21 It's a shame that we come to a place 47:23 where it doesn't seem exciting for us 47:25 to tell of just one being reached. 47:28 You've heard the reports before where someone says, 47:31 we went out door-to-door. 47:32 We went into the city and we only had three baptisms. 47:37 We only had one. We only had two. 47:40 One was enough for the savior of the world. 47:43 I think it should be enough for us. 47:48 The work for Christ should not feel 47:50 that He cannot speak. excuse me. 47:52 The workers for Christ should not feel 47:55 that He cannot speak with the same earnestness 47:58 to a few hearers as to a large company. 48:02 There may be only one to hear the message 48:05 but who can tell how far reaching its influence will be. 48:14 God is calling for us to not weed out the people 48:20 who we think do and do not want Jesus in their lives. 48:25 Pink hair, yellow hair, jewelry, tattoos doesn't matter. 48:29 God has the power to change their lives. 48:35 God is calling for a generation not concerned 48:38 with the hierarchy of life. 48:40 Doesn't matter if you are president of something. 48:42 Doesn't matter if you are director of something 48:45 God is calling all of us as a generation, 48:49 as an army, young and old to reach the world 48:53 for Him one person at a time. 48:57 God is calling for us to get our priority straight. 49:02 Did the disciples miss her that hot sunny day 49:05 on their way to Samaria? 49:07 I don't know. 49:10 But a day is coming when you and I 49:11 will be held accountable who we did miss or did not miss. 49:19 A woman woke up that morning ready to call a quits on life. 49:25 Crying out to meet a savior. 49:28 Jesus was there to answer the call. 49:32 For the rest of your life men and women 49:34 will wake up in the morning. 49:36 Tears will stream down their face. 49:40 They will cry out for God as if one last time. 49:45 Send me someone who can share the hope with me. 49:48 Send me someone who will give me the gospel message. 49:52 Send me someone who will give me something to live for. 49:58 Friends, will you and I be there to answer the call? 50:13 Shall we stand for the benediction? 50:21 Our Father, this evening, you've spoken to many hearts. 50:27 Lord, we can't do much about the past. 50:30 We do pray that you will bless 50:33 that somehow those that we haven't helped 50:36 will still have an opportunity. 50:39 But for the future we ask for a special 50:43 outpouring of your spirit. 50:46 That first of all we would recognize 50:49 that you want to make a short work. 50:52 You want to finish this work. 50:54 And we thank you that you are going to finish 50:58 it with those that are open to your leading. 51:02 May we be blessed as we go from here 51:06 to never neglect any opportunity 51:09 to share with those that are hungry. 51:12 We thank you in Jesus' name. Amen. |
Revised 2014-12-17