OUR SOULS THIRST (Outline)
February 28, 2010 -
Lent 2 -
JOHN 4:1-14
INTRO: Hunger and thirst are basic needs that we seldom overlook. In our country we have unlimited access to all kinds of food choices. We also have access to clean, drinkable water. This is not true in many other nations around the world. At times we even eat and drink when we are not that terribly hungry or thirsty. It is easy to recognize when we are physically hungry or thirsty. Today, our Lord God Almighty wants us to know that spiritually, in our souls there is also a great thirst. "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" (PSALM 42:1,2). Today we come to “meet with God” in his house, in his living word.
OUR SOULS THIRST.
I. Jesus knows the thirsty.
II. Jesus gives living water.
I. JESUS KNOWS THE THIRSTY
A. Today’s text contain many, minor details that reveal great truths for us and our lives and souls.
1. Verses 1,2. The Pharisees tried to drive a wedge of conflict between Jesus & John the Baptist.
a. Jesus was not baptizing. b. Jesus knew their evil intent. c. There was no conflict.
2. Verse 3. Jesus left the region to go up north to Galilee. Galilee was removed from Jerusalem.
B. Verse 4. Jesus went through Samaria. Scripture says he “had” to go this way. Jesus’ mission had to.
1. Verse 5. The Old Testament (Genesis) is connected with Jesus. Jacob (Israel) bought a field.
2. Verse 6. Jacob’s well was well known. Jesus’ physical body was tired. He rested at noon.
C. Verse 7. Here is why Jesus “had to go through Samaria”. There was a thirsting soul needing water.
1. Verse 8. The disciples were gone. Jesus and the woman were alone together. Unusual event.
2. Verse 9. The woman was surprised. The Jews looked at Samaritans as “half-breeds”.
a. Samaritans were not full-blooded Israelites. b. Jews even called them mongrels, dogs.
D. Jesus’ mission on earth was to do his Father’s will. Jesus’ mission on earth was to glorify his Father’s name. Jesus carried out his Father’s will by living, suffering, and even dieing on the cross. Jesus did all of this to pay the price for the sins of the world. Jesus died to pay for all of the sins of all of mankind – billions and billions of people. Here, now, in these words Jesus travels out of his way for one sinner. This is our seeking Savior. "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?"(LUKE 15:4). Sometimes we give up on the lost. Jesus never gives. Jesus continually seeks thirsting souls.
E. Humanly speaking, a Samaritan woman was hardly considered to be worth all of this effort. To seek out and to find and to save one sinner among billions reveals the love of our heavenly Father. Very much like sheep we wander off in the wrong direction. We would never, ever find our way back except the Good Shepherd knows our thirsting souls. In God’s eyes there is no difference, all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst" (1 TIMOTHY 1:15). Jesus knows that our terribly, sinful souls are thirsty almost to the point of dehydration. Thankfully Jesus also seeks us out to save us.
F. The challenge for the believer is to take the time and follow Jesus’ example. Jesus’ journey through Samaria would take a number of days. But Jesus “had to go through Samaria”. Jesus associated with those who were not the acceptable members of society. Jesus called the tax collector Matthew to be his follower. Matthew hosted a supper for him. Others were shocked that Jesus would sit at the same table and eat with a tax collector and other sinners. "On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners’" (MARK 2:17). In our circle of friends, family, and acquaintances we also will want to look closely for thirsting souls.
OUR SOULS THIRST.
Jesus not only knows the thirsty but he also seeks them out to save them.
II. JESUS GIVES LIVING WATER
A. Verse 9. Jews and Samaritans did not get along. It was a great surprise at Jesus’ request for a drink.
1. Verse 10. “Gift” here is the same word used in Ephesians where grace is called God’s gift.
2. Living water was the water in streams or rivers. Well water was called “dead water”.
B. Verse 11. This woman is still thinking in physical, earthly terms. No streams existed in Samaria.
1. Verse 12. People question Jesus with the answer unknown but often mentioned.
2. Yes, Jesus was and is greater than Jacob, his sons, and animals. She was thinking deeper.
C. Verse 13. People would always return to the well for “dead water”. Physical thirst always returns.
1. Verse 14. Jesus speaks of living water that eternally satisfies. God’s word is living water.
2. This living water from Jesus not only satisfies but also bubbles up like spring water.
D. It is rather easy to know when we are physically thirsty or hungry. How do we recognize our spiritual thirst or hunger? More importantly how are we to satisfy our thirsty (hungry) souls? First, because of our sins and wickedness our souls truly do thirst. Our souls hunger for God’s forgiveness. It is only in God’s word that we discover the living water which is soul satisfying. Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (MATTHEW 5:5,6). Man may think the meek will not inherit the earth. But God says it is so. Seek God’s righteousness first. Living water satisfies.
E. We live in a time and a day and an age that puts all too much trust in the wisdom of men. Our lives are filled with books and experts who have all of the answers to all of life’s problems. The wisdom of man falls far short of bringing satisfaction to thirsting souls. Such is the perverted thinking of man as the Last Day draws near. Trust in man and his word had replaced trust in God and his Word. "’The days are coming,’ declares the Sovereign LORD, ‘when I will send a famine through the land--not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD’" (AMOS 8:11). Our souls thirst.
F. Jesus provides living water. God’s word is that living water that always satisfies every thirsty soul. Miracle of miracles the cost for this living water is absolutely nothing. Jesus suffered, died, and rose again to completely provide an unending supply of living water. In truth, we cannot earn salvation. We could never pay for eternal life. No one deserves to share in the joys of eternity of heaven forever. By grace through faith we are saved. God sent his Son to be our Savior – perfectly. "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life" (REVELATION 21:6,7). Our souls thirst. Jesus gives living water.
CONC.: It is necessary to remind ourselves that our souls thirst. Our souls need even more attention than what we provide for our physical desires. Our souls are eternal. This physical body and all of its desires will pass away. When we get a drink of water we will want to remember our souls also need to be watered. Thankfully it is our Good Shepherd who goes out of his way to find us even when we do not seek him. Jesus offers himself for the sins of the whole world. It is this same “worldwide” Savior who knows our personal, individual thirsty souls. This is God’s great, personal love for each one of us. "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe" (EPHESIANS 1:18, 19a). God has watered our souls with his hope, his eternal riches, and his divine, great power. OUR SOULS THIRST every day. Thankfully Jesus knows (and tirelessly seeks and finds) us who are thirsty. Joyfully Jesus freely gives living water. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
LENT 2 rdgs:
JEREMIAH 26:8-15;
PHILIPPIANS 3:17-4:1;
LUKE 13:31-35;
(PSALMS 42-43)
SERVICES: 1:00pm @ NCF Min. (Sat)/12:00pm @ NCF Medium (Sun) / 9:30am @ Redeemer (Sun) / 7:00pm @ Hays (Sun)
BIBLE STUDIES: 10:55am @ Redeemer (SUN) / 6:00pm (Min) + 7:30pm (Med) @ NCF (TUES.)
/ Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM
