What Do You Have to Eat?
Jay Robison JOHN 4:31-38
Do you like to Eat? Of course we all do
I’ve had Some memorable meals..
Vol Nat'l Pk Hawaii lodge dessert Hilo berries only grow there
at Jenny's Diner Lou. Greasy spoon, get Sweet Daddy platter
1.25 lbs of Hamburger, with fries, all grease could eat
Free Heart Cath when you finish
On Honeymoon Micki and I were having Chateau Brillion
Restaurant where movie Bond Movie Thunderball was filmed
After day in Cozemel Mx. tired someone led us to Island Lady,
upstairs rest. Conch fish, great Iced Tea worth $$ for tea
Or Steak and Chicken Breast, grilled on deck with potatoes, salad etc
As wonderful as those meals are, not as fulfilling as meal John 4
Jesus traveled w\disciples through Samaria in hot sun, tired
disciples went out for food, they return with KFC & all fixins, Andrew w\plates & napkins Matt giving out beans, John Cole Slaw
Judas being sure no one took more than their share biscuits
Jesus uninterested so much so they ask if someone brought him food
“I have food to eat that you know nothing about” Vs 32 TNIV
See while they were gone Jesus stayed by city well gathering place
Everyone needed water but in middle of day when sun hot only
most desperate came then Jesus met woman came outcast by
society a notorious sinner, embarrassed and ashamed
1. Jesus fed SPIRITUAL HUNGER
Listen to way he explained it in Vs 34 TNIV "My food," said Jesus,
"is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work Vs 34
Was Jesus ascetic who never ate and denied physical needs?
no after resurrected he fixed breakfast by sea,
1st miracle at Wedding feast, before cross last supper
Yet in a way unlike us focused on spiritual food first many of us
so focused on physical needs ignore spiritual like disciples
Herschel Hobbs before church on which spend more time?
clothes, preparing spiritually, praying
Who are those outside of Christ around us?
J just met someone on outside told her no 1 outside of God’s love
Remember she was a social outcast coming to well all alone ashamed
like Kroger in middle of night to avoid anyone Jesus spoke to her,
unusual because Jesus was a man, imagine she was ashamed,
beaten down slumped shoulders Jesus told of well never run dry
to avoid this embarrassment great she looked for physical spring
he talked of spiritual one, welling up inside
Who are the unchurched? Those on outside, what are they like? May assume they have no interest in church, want to know God suspicious of church got angle especially young Cath sex scandal. Many of us here have people we love unchurched kids or grandkids who quit attending church, but they’ll come w\you occasionally. In many ways see what do here as not significant enough for them
While the disciples were in town buying lunch, they were surrounded by unreached people & never thought about it, not that didn’t know better, but because they had preconceived ideas about these people prevented them from even wanting to reach them. Imagine they may have passed woman at well but never saw her
Over and over Jesus drew people TO A SPIRITUAL PLAIN
He said my food or reason for living to do God’s will
challenging us to look beyond the temporal to eternal
calling us to be investing ourselves in spiritual things
That’s what he did with woman and the disciples as well
2. Be Aware of the SEASONS FOR PLANTING
Just as with a garden there are season for planting
It is the same way spiritually
Look at what Jesus said Vs 35 NKJV Do you not say,
‘There are still 4 months & then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say
to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields,
for they are already white for harvest! Vs 35 NKJV
Jesus was illustrating spiritual truth, no seeds sown produce that fast
but you and I both know we will plant a garden for later
do not go out in a.m. tell wife want Broccoli for supper
take out seeds and plant, takes time
if this is true physically of course true spiritually
few people will respond to message of Christ 1st time
those that do I wonder about depth of commitment
Growing food takes DEVOTION AND DETERMINATION
Farmer has to be receptive to timing and nurture seeds
We make a great mistake by pushing others to decision
and by giving them the impression that they have forever
You and I must be committed to bringing about spiritual fruit
Jesus said fields are already ripe unto harvest
JO Moore and Abby Crump went to visit one night to see one man
who was busy so moved on went on to see brother, said I've been
waiting for you had young friend that died what does Bible say
about it that night man were not going to see accepted Christ
wonder how often spiritual fruit available but we give up not devoted
Listen to Gal 6:9 CEV And let us not grow weary of doing good,
for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 CEV
many times we become discouraged if no results right off
we throw up our hands, well that doesn't work
why Bible commands us to be diligent
Cast your bread upon the water will come back Ecc 11:1
3. Raising Spiritual Food takes A TEAM EFFORT
vs 38 one sows and another reaps when we are producing spiritual food
is part for all of us to play may feel have corn combine in wheat field
May say pastor that’s your job few become Xns by preacher along
few, you became Christian because of sowers
Like the picture Jesus paints for us in Vs 36 the Message
The Sower is arm in arm with the Harvester, triumphant.
These are people who imparted and lived out Christian faith
Chafin ordered 1 biscuit, gravy and coffee, next day to same place
ordered same thing, told cannot get 1 said got one yesterday,
lady said not supposed to do that order is 2 biscuits,
exasperated said just coffee peacemaker waitress, said right,
you were paid for 2 now would you like your other biscuit
When you live out faith before others sowing seeds
Love like Christ for others to see, sowing seeds
Important for us to consider what are the seasons for sowing seed
People are more receptive to spiritual things when faced with crisis,
Sometimes have to be knocked down to make us look up
reach beyond self lost a job, faced death of loved one ask questions
having a baby need to have hope for future
we have got the reason for life, answers to questions
why not share it, seeds need to be sown and nurtured
give them other biscuit, we have all been cheated share with others
What does Trinity offer to our community?
Why should we bother to show up here? Many reasons, share a few
To be part of something bigger than self
Find a connection with God, in SS small groups
Find a connection with others,
Find opportunity to serve using gifts we have been given
4. There are Great REWARDS IN SPIRITUAL FRUIT
Why bother with sharing my faith with others?
Won’t they just see me as judgmental?
What if they ask a question and I don’t have an answer to it?
I’m no good at it, why should I bother?
The fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life VS 36 NLT
Don't you think there was great rejoicing
angels in heaven rejoice over just one who makes commitment
It makes all the difference in eternity that we share faith
Think about it this way
What brings you life and joy? What are you passionate about?
What do you enjoy doing, when do you feel most at ease
What makes time go by fast or say this is good day
This gives you a clue to how God wants to use you to change world
Think about this and hold on to it for a minute
Do we have the wrong idea about who we are called to reach?
Is it possible that we’ve been asking the wrong questions because
we too have the wrong idea about who it is we’re trying to reach?
60% of people in Lexington not in church why?
Tried what we have to offer and don’t like it no good not saying
Sell out the gospel but can we communicate more effectively
Are we involved in activities & ministries designed to reach people,
when people we’re trying to reach are different than we expected?
Disciples never thought about reaching woman at well
Jesus said lift up your eyes and see fields ripe unto harvest
I want you to do more than look at them, I want you to see them,
really see them: see them as Jesus sees them.
Have you ever (& I know you have) been in store thought to self • Why doesn’t he pull his pants up? I’d like to go over there and pull them up for him. • What is that music she’s listening to? • How in the world can they act like that? Don’t they know better? • It’s awfully easy to not go to church
There are a thousand ways we do it, but what we’re doing is assuming that everyone should think and act like we do. Do you know why they wear their pants like that? Because they think differently than you. Move outside these walls and build bridges with God’s help In most instances, the differences we have with other people have little to do with right or wrong. They are issues of personal preference, generational attitudes, and social upbringing, and until we come to the place where we are willing to admit that the people “out there” don’t think and act us but desire to reach them we will not reach them.
Jesus calls us to ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY
That’s what he did he hung out with sinners got in trouble for it
never compromised beliefs but went where people were
But said I’ve come not for the well but those spiritually sick
One sows and another reaps all are important
others have labored and you have entered in to their labor
question is how influential can you be, who can you influence
What SUSTAINS AND ENERGIZES YOU?
What brings you life and joy, what fires you up,
Could God use that to reach others
What are your passionate about what gives you joy
Do you like to sing can God use your singing to reach others
Do you enjoy young people or seniors use that to reach others
Motorcycles what if we had motorcycle small group
UK basketball what if you invited friends to watch game with you
Do you like to cook offer cooking classes or contest here
Do you like to dance? Why not go dancing for Jesus
Grandkids could you organize party on Sept 12 Grandparents Day
God has given you these passions and joy bringers to touch world
What part in God’s spiritual harvest of today are you playing?
What have you had to eat? How have you served God spiritually?
are you willing to sow spiritual seed?
willing to do your part in sowing? rejoicing is great
Tony Campolo in Hawaii time at Christian conference,
First night time change could not sleep 3 a.m. no sleep
Went looking for place to get food all open small coffee shop
Eating coffee donut 3:30 8 or 9 provocatively dressed boisterous
Prostitutes came in sat all around him were garrulous loud & crude.
I felt completely out of place. About to leave heard woman say
‘You know, tomorrow is my birthday. I’m going to be 39.’
Friend responded in a nasty tone, ‘So what do you want from me?
A birthday party? Want me to get a cake, & sing happy birthday?’
Lady said why to you have to be so mean I don’t hurt you
Never had B-day party in my whole life why should I have 1 now?’
After they left Campolo asked guy do they always come here
“Every night,” Well I’d like to throw birthday party for that one
Agnes? Man said that’s great idea. Campolo I’ll get cake decorate
Agnes is really nice and kind I’ll do the cake you decorate
2:30 a.m next day Campolo at coffee shop crepe paper big sign
‘Happy Birthday, Agnes!’ Word must have gotten out on street,
because by 3:15 a.m. every prostitute in Honolulu in that place. There was wall-to-wall prostitutes – and me.
3:30 on the dot, door of the diner swung open and in came Agnes
They came in we all jumped out, ‘Happy Birthday, Agnes!"
Then we sang to her. I’ve never seen a person so flabbergasted,
so stunned, so shaken. Her mouth fell open, knees buckled
She started to cry, Harry from counter said blow out candles
Then he handed her a knife and said, ‘Cut the cake, Agnes.’ Agnes looked down at that cake, & without taking her eyes off it,
she slowly and softly said, ‘Look, Harry, is it okay with you if I, is it okay if I keep the cake for a little while? Okay if don’t eat
it right away?’ Harry shrugged ‘Well, sure, Agnes, that’s fine.
You want to keep the cake, keep the cake. Take it home.’
‘Oh, could I?’ she asked. Looking at me, she said,
‘I just live down the street a couple of doors. I’ll be right back,
She got off her stool, picked up that cake, & she carried it out
of diner like it was the Holy Grail. Silent all just stood there,
Stunned silence did we make a huge mistake?
Not knowing what else to do, I broke the silence by saying, ‘What do you say we pray together?’
But I prayed. I prayed for Agnes. I prayed for her salvation.
I prayed that her life would be changed, and that God would be
good to her.
When I finished, Harry leaned over, and with a trace of hostility
in voice, said, ‘Hey, you never told me you were a preacher!
What kind of preacher are you anyway?
What church do you belong to?’
Perfect words came, answered him quietly, ‘I belong to church
that throws birthday parties for prostitutes at 3:30 in morning. Harry thought for a minute, then almost sneered answered,
‘No you don’t! There is no church like that.
In fact,’ he concluded, ‘if there was, I’d join it.’
What Do You Have to Eat?
March 21, 2010 Jay Davis Robison JOHN 4:31-38
Some memorable meals..
“I have food to eat that you know nothing about” Vs 32 TNIV
1. Jesus fed
"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him
who sent me and to finish his work Vs 34 TNIV
Who are those outside of Christ around us?
Over and over Jesus drew people
2. Be Aware of the
Do you not say, ‘There are still four months & then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! Vs 35 NKJV
Growing food takes
And let us not grow weary of doing good,
for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Gal 6:9 CEV
3. Raising Spiritual Food takes
The Sower is arm in arm with the Harvester, triumphant.
Vs 36 the Message
What does Trinity offer to our community?
4. There are Great
The fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life VS 36 NLT
What brings you life and joy? What are you passionate about?
Do we have the wrong idea about who we are called to reach?
Jesus calls us to
What
What part in God’s spiritual harvest of today are you playing?
