WEBVTT 00:00:00.760 --> 00:00:04.339 All right, well, thank you, choir, adult choir, teen choir. 00:00:04.459 --> 00:00:05.799 They did an amazing job, didn't they? 00:00:06.200 --> 00:00:08.939 Love it when they get together and sing for us on Sundays. 00:00:09.140 --> 00:00:12.700 We are blessed to have my older brother, Andrew Bunnell, with us this morning. 00:00:13.200 --> 00:00:15.419 He's got a long record in ministry. 00:00:15.660 --> 00:00:20.400 God's used him in mission work in Russia and Eastern Europe, 00:00:20.400 --> 00:00:23.620 and he pastored in London, England for about a decade. 00:00:24.260 --> 00:00:29.120 And currently, he is the executive director of Biblical Ministries Worldwide 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:33.299 in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and God is using him well there. 00:00:34.100 --> 00:00:34.820 That's fun. 00:00:37.079 --> 00:00:38.140 Sorry about that, y'all. 00:00:40.039 --> 00:00:44.880 Anyway, God allowed this workout for us, for him to be with us this Sunday morning. 00:00:45.519 --> 00:00:52.439 So Andrew, he's a native Texan and got most recently his Ph.D. from University of Washington, 00:00:52.679 --> 00:00:56.219 but he's gotten a host of degrees, and God's used him all around this world. 00:00:56.340 --> 00:00:58.020 So we're blessed to have him with us this morning. 00:00:58.020 --> 00:00:59.200 Andrew, come on up. 00:01:18.620 --> 00:01:21.120 It's wonderful to be here with you today. 00:01:21.120 --> 00:01:34.240 I don't know how to respond to everything my brother said, but I will say I drove from DFW to Henry 00:01:34.240 --> 00:01:41.700 out of Texas at midnight last night so I could see my nephews. 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:42.159 Okay? 00:01:42.520 --> 00:01:43.120 So let's... 00:01:43.120 --> 00:01:47.420 No, it's great to be here. 00:01:47.420 --> 00:01:52.019 I have to remark, I had no idea what a wonderful surprise it would be to be here today. 00:01:55.680 --> 00:01:59.680 That was a very emotional, extraordinary letter. 00:02:00.299 --> 00:02:01.140 I just... 00:02:01.140 --> 00:02:07.960 I have no context, you know, certainly being not from Henrietta, but just the idea that 50 years ago, 00:02:08.539 --> 00:02:13.259 someone thought to do that and to happen to be here on a Sunday that that was... 00:02:14.259 --> 00:02:15.580 that that was opened. 00:02:15.900 --> 00:02:18.960 What a remarkable thing and what a remarkable legacy. 00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:25.099 And to think that the church was 90 years old at that time and now 140 years. 00:02:25.099 --> 00:02:25.500 It's... 00:02:25.500 --> 00:02:26.000 It's... 00:02:26.000 --> 00:02:28.400 What a legacy of ministry you have here. 00:02:31.359 --> 00:02:36.680 And I guess the savings account, I was thinking about that. 00:02:36.840 --> 00:02:39.219 100 something to 650. 00:02:39.500 --> 00:02:42.240 That just bit by bit over time. 00:02:42.479 --> 00:02:43.199 That's... 00:02:43.199 --> 00:02:43.939 It's still there. 00:02:44.199 --> 00:02:46.039 You know, still going to be used for God's work. 00:02:46.039 --> 00:02:48.759 So this is a blessing to me. 00:02:49.319 --> 00:02:54.199 And I'm going to be selfish in that and just say I really, really enjoyed hearing that. 00:02:54.340 --> 00:02:55.439 And thank you, choir. 00:02:55.599 --> 00:02:57.879 Thank you for everything this morning. 00:02:59.519 --> 00:03:02.139 I'll take just two minutes by way of introduction. 00:03:04.239 --> 00:03:07.899 My wife, Sarah, and I have been married since the year 2000. 00:03:08.079 --> 00:03:14.579 We have a 17-year-old boy, Joey, a 14-year-old, Jackson, and a little girl named Lizzie, who is seven. 00:03:14.580 --> 00:03:16.580 And pray for us about... 00:03:17.320 --> 00:03:20.120 By the age of three, she figured out she was in charge of the family. 00:03:22.360 --> 00:03:24.400 So that's a tough one. 00:03:25.240 --> 00:03:27.200 No, she's got all of everything. 00:03:27.460 --> 00:03:28.240 So she's adorable. 00:03:28.439 --> 00:03:29.920 Hopefully you'll get to meet her someday. 00:03:32.100 --> 00:03:33.439 As well as the others, too. 00:03:34.620 --> 00:03:36.180 She's got her daddy around her little finger. 00:03:36.439 --> 00:03:36.960 So... 00:03:36.960 --> 00:03:39.820 I missed them this morning. 00:03:39.939 --> 00:03:44.480 They're back in Athens, Georgia area where we are members of Prince Avenue Baptist. 00:03:44.580 --> 00:03:45.219 And I'm going to be a part of this church there. 00:03:48.219 --> 00:03:55.660 For 10 years, we spent working in Russian Eastern Europe as well as the Middle East and did a lot of work in that part of the world. 00:03:55.780 --> 00:03:57.980 And then we spent another 10 years in London, England. 00:03:57.980 --> 00:04:06.939 I pastored there the Southside Baptist Church, which is about six miles south of Big Bend. 00:04:06.939 --> 00:04:12.000 If you put a dot on Big Bend and go straight six miles south, that's where our church was. 00:04:13.280 --> 00:04:20.139 And saw that church, which had not had a baptism since the 1940s, really come back to life. 00:04:20.220 --> 00:04:26.420 It had dwindled down to four folks, four dear ladies who continued to pray that God would turn the church around. 00:04:26.420 --> 00:04:28.460 And he saw fit to do that. 00:04:28.520 --> 00:04:30.319 And we had a wonderful time in those years there. 00:04:30.460 --> 00:04:38.540 And then was asked to consider the role in Georgia, the executive director there at Biblical Ministries Worldwide. 00:04:38.620 --> 00:04:41.680 And what we focus on, we work in 60 countries. 00:04:42.500 --> 00:04:44.259 And we focus on one very specific thing. 00:04:44.340 --> 00:04:46.840 It's called Healthy Churches Everywhere. 00:04:46.839 --> 00:04:52.839 So we want to equip and build up strong churches all over the world. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:05:03.459 So we partner with a lot of other organizations and a lot of other groups, especially national groups on the ground, to help them build up their leaders and their churches to be strong. 00:05:03.939 --> 00:05:10.459 And one of the ways we do that is specifically working in countries where it's not legal to be a public Christian. 00:05:10.459 --> 00:05:23.919 And you might find yourself in jail or worse, certainly in radical Islamic places where the church is very weak above ground, but perhaps has very deep roots below ground. 00:05:24.379 --> 00:05:29.639 Certainly in places like China and other places where it's just not that simple. 00:05:29.939 --> 00:05:33.039 Like we can come to First Baptist Church this morning and worship. 00:05:33.379 --> 00:05:35.819 So many places around the world we don't have that privilege. 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:48.000 And so we really, in the words of a famous Dutch missionary named Brother Andrew, if you've ever heard of him, he started a group called Open Doors and wrote a famous book called God's Smuggler. 00:05:48.860 --> 00:05:58.379 In one of the verses that spoke to him when he started that ministry shortly after the Second World War to go into the Soviet Union and help the persecuted church there. 00:05:58.379 --> 00:06:03.639 He said, like in the book of Revelation where it says to strengthen what remains. 00:06:03.639 --> 00:06:09.199 We don't know how long we have in this life and our time is short. 00:06:09.860 --> 00:06:14.459 And so part of our job as the body of Christ is to strengthen what remains. 00:06:15.300 --> 00:06:27.800 And to that end, maybe just a little more why that letter was so special for me and the work I do this morning is 50 years later to hear that letter being read in a church that is filled with people this morning. 00:06:27.800 --> 00:06:39.240 And that's sadly far too far too rare that that that we see a half century go by and a church still be standing and doing what it ought to be doing. 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:42.540 So you've been an encouragement to me without even realizing it. 00:06:42.620 --> 00:06:45.160 And so I hope to be a bit of a blessing to you. 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:46.319 Pray for us. 00:06:46.439 --> 00:06:48.160 And I'll certainly be praying for you. 00:06:48.240 --> 00:06:52.120 And thank you for for bringing my little brother here. 00:06:52.620 --> 00:06:53.900 He loves you very much. 00:06:53.899 --> 00:06:54.839 All right. 00:06:55.560 --> 00:07:05.879 John chapter four is is the verse that I want to start with in specifically John chapter four in verse 24. 00:07:06.719 --> 00:07:10.159 One of the more famous verses we see in John's gospel. 00:07:12.659 --> 00:07:15.079 John chapter four, verse 24. 00:07:15.079 --> 00:07:27.300 God is spirit and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. 00:07:30.599 --> 00:07:35.620 I was born in Fort Worth, but I grew up in Mahea, Texas and Corsicana. 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:42.419 And left there when I was about 14 years of age, our family moved. 00:07:42.420 --> 00:07:50.220 And, but it's quite a journey from growing up the first few years of your life in a town like Mahea. 00:07:51.199 --> 00:07:52.860 Those of you who know, know. 00:07:55.819 --> 00:07:57.480 To London, England. 00:07:59.259 --> 00:08:02.259 You couldn't be in a more different place. 00:08:04.960 --> 00:08:08.020 Unsophisticated to the home of the royal family. 00:08:08.019 --> 00:08:12.599 A cowboy town. 00:08:14.799 --> 00:08:16.599 To English saddle riding. 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:19.939 Very, very different. 00:08:21.079 --> 00:08:25.959 A town of six, seven thousand people to a city of 15, 16 million. 00:08:28.099 --> 00:08:32.879 How in the world do you connect to people culturally? 00:08:32.879 --> 00:08:38.059 A church that was pretty much filled with the same kind of folks. 00:08:38.559 --> 00:08:45.659 To a church where we had backgrounds from people who had grown up speaking 32 different languages. 00:08:48.059 --> 00:08:52.639 How can you connect the dots in a world like that? 00:08:54.519 --> 00:08:57.600 Well, it turns out it's easier than it sounds. 00:08:57.600 --> 00:09:03.019 First we get past the part where everybody loves Texas. 00:09:03.180 --> 00:09:04.960 Because they think we're all cowboys. 00:09:05.460 --> 00:09:08.000 And not all of us are. 00:09:11.060 --> 00:09:12.820 Less and less these days, sadly. 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:19.800 But most of us, if we were a few generations back, at least had a father or a grandfather or a great grandfather. 00:09:19.800 --> 00:09:21.120 Who was something like that. 00:09:21.220 --> 00:09:22.620 So we can connect on some level. 00:09:22.620 --> 00:09:26.860 So, okay, there's a little bit of Texas cool which translates. 00:09:27.080 --> 00:09:30.259 But outside of that, what do you have to connect the dots with people? 00:09:32.940 --> 00:09:37.500 Well, it turns out we don't really have to connect dots. 00:09:38.639 --> 00:09:41.279 Because God is spirit. 00:09:42.659 --> 00:09:46.960 And if you want to worship God, you have to worship in spirit and truth. 00:09:46.960 --> 00:10:00.680 And our entire human idea is to build up physical walls that break things apart. 00:10:01.400 --> 00:10:06.200 When the gospel is about bringing people together in the spirit. 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:11.300 And what I would tell the church in London week in and week out. 00:10:11.299 --> 00:10:15.740 Was that if you want to know God. 00:10:16.939 --> 00:10:20.379 The first thing you have to do is be honest with yourself. 00:10:23.019 --> 00:10:25.779 And then honest with God. 00:10:27.459 --> 00:10:32.819 But you can't be honest with God until you've been honest with yourself. 00:10:33.979 --> 00:10:38.120 To look in the mirror and recognize what's looking back at you. 00:10:38.120 --> 00:10:44.379 To bear your soul and accept all that you are. 00:10:45.519 --> 00:10:50.539 And at that point, God makes all the sense in the world. 00:10:52.419 --> 00:10:55.399 Because we really need a savior. 00:10:56.759 --> 00:10:59.179 Every last one of us. 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:03.419 And that's how you can get 32 nationalities to come together. 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:06.320 Not because they like each other. 00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:10.100 Not because they share the similar backgrounds. 00:11:10.280 --> 00:11:15.780 Not because they like the same food. 00:11:17.520 --> 00:11:20.180 One of the strangest things for us in London was. 00:11:21.260 --> 00:11:22.740 You know, we think about. 00:11:22.900 --> 00:11:26.480 You probably understand that the English and French don't get along. 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:28.280 You know, always making jokes. 00:11:28.360 --> 00:11:29.140 English and French. 00:11:29.280 --> 00:11:31.580 Well, we were way past that. 00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:33.940 We had people from Ghana and Nigeria. 00:11:34.800 --> 00:11:35.460 West Africa. 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:40.320 Turns out Ghanaians and Nigerians don't like each other at all. 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:41.940 At all. 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:44.200 And it's not a joke. 00:11:47.780 --> 00:11:49.600 But they had to be in church together. 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:56.100 It turns out that no matter how much we are like one another. 00:11:56.379 --> 00:11:58.340 We'll still find things to fight over. 00:12:00.820 --> 00:12:06.920 How many lines do we build in this state alone? 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:08.860 You know, I'm in Georgia. 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:12.219 You know, and they talk a lot about how important football is in Georgia. 00:12:12.620 --> 00:12:16.479 And, you know, of course now there's all this SEC movement and things going on. 00:12:16.659 --> 00:12:19.299 And they'll talk, well, you know, Georgia high school football. 00:12:19.579 --> 00:12:27.000 And I'm like, you have no idea what every small town invests in this state in its high school football. 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:34.440 And then we flip right out of that and we wake up on Saturday morning and we draw a whole new set of battle lines. 00:12:35.179 --> 00:12:38.740 And fight over, you know, six, seven different schools all over this state. 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:40.879 And then, you know, and then God bless us. 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:42.480 There's a few folks who like the Texans. 00:12:42.580 --> 00:12:44.740 But then we, you know, cry over the Cowboys the next day. 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:47.440 You know, it's day after day after day. 00:12:47.559 --> 00:12:49.480 And that's just sports. 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:54.440 Which really doesn't matter that much in the big scheme of life and eternity. 00:12:57.000 --> 00:13:00.000 We will fight, we will scrap, we will claw. 00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:06.019 And then when you add a language barrier and a cultural barrier and a way of thinking barrier and political barriers. 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:10.019 How does anybody get to know Jesus? 00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:17.179 Well, it turns out that heaven is filled with people from every tribe, every nation, every tongue. 00:13:19.460 --> 00:13:22.419 So there's something that's going to draw us together. 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:25.159 John chapter 4 is an example of that. 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:26.759 I want you to back up to the very beginning. 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:28.440 And look at it with me. 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:32.100 Because Jesus is on a journey. 00:13:32.879 --> 00:13:34.019 He's on a journey. 00:13:36.399 --> 00:13:39.419 And he's gotten himself in a bit of trouble. 00:13:40.100 --> 00:13:42.860 Now you know John chapter 3 probably very well. 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:46.399 John 3.16 is the most famous verse in all the Bible. 00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:49.799 That God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. 00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:54.859 That whoever believes in him will not perish but will have eternal life. 00:13:55.859 --> 00:13:58.159 And then at the very end of John chapter 3. 00:13:58.639 --> 00:14:00.399 Another very famous verse. 00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:03.059 That whoever believes in the son has eternal life. 00:14:03.159 --> 00:14:05.679 And whoever does not obey the son shall not see life. 00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:07.919 But the wrath of God remains on him. 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:09.319 This commentary. 00:14:09.319 --> 00:14:12.199 You hear John speaking. 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:13.819 You hear John the Baptist speaking. 00:14:13.959 --> 00:14:16.259 And you hear Jesus speaking to Nicodemus. 00:14:16.319 --> 00:14:18.939 All in the verses just before John 4. 00:14:18.940 --> 00:14:22.040 Then you get to John 4. 00:14:23.280 --> 00:14:25.880 And Jesus is in hot water. 00:14:27.300 --> 00:14:30.400 He's in trouble with the Pharisees. 00:14:30.940 --> 00:14:33.720 One thing I've learned about religion all over the world. 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:37.520 Is there's always in a religious mindset. 00:14:37.800 --> 00:14:40.360 A grave danger of being a Pharisee. 00:14:40.600 --> 00:14:42.720 And that applies to every one of us. 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:47.420 There's a famous Christian author who wrote a book. 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:49.019 And in that book. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:51.420 He describes two kinds of Christians. 00:14:51.600 --> 00:14:52.759 And we're all one of them. 00:14:52.800 --> 00:14:54.580 And he uses the idea. 00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:56.259 The parable of the prodigal son. 00:14:56.639 --> 00:14:59.779 And he says all of us are either older brothers or younger brothers. 00:15:00.980 --> 00:15:02.060 I'm an older brother. 00:15:04.580 --> 00:15:05.820 As an older brother. 00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:10.040 Has the tendency in the church to lean towards Phariseeism. 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.040 Hypocrisy. 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:15.279 Keeping the rules as a way to get the father's love. 00:15:16.059 --> 00:15:18.299 Younger brother feels distant from the father. 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:22.019 And goes on a wild journey of wild living. 00:15:22.199 --> 00:15:27.019 Again to try to get something that is missing to fill a void. 00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:30.620 And then comes back to the father. 00:15:30.719 --> 00:15:32.819 Just asking to be a slave. 00:15:33.719 --> 00:15:34.959 If he can just get a meal. 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:37.259 His father welcomes him with open arms. 00:15:37.339 --> 00:15:38.699 The older brother gets very angry. 00:15:38.700 --> 00:15:41.360 And says I've been here keeping the rules. 00:15:41.520 --> 00:15:44.800 Because he thinks the rules are what gets him to the father. 00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.580 To impress the father. 00:15:46.800 --> 00:15:49.440 And the father is pointing out. 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:51.720 I just wanted you at the party. 00:15:52.560 --> 00:15:55.140 I just wanted you at home with the family. 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:57.799 I just wanted you here happy. 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:02.179 So Jesus. 00:16:03.699 --> 00:16:04.779 Believe it or not. 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:06.960 Is in trouble with the Pharisees. 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:08.559 The older brothers. 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:13.100 Because they have found out he's doing something he's not supposed to do. 00:16:13.100 --> 00:16:15.240 He's baptizing. 00:16:16.040 --> 00:16:19.519 He's immersing people to a new life. 00:16:19.920 --> 00:16:21.139 And this is happening. 00:16:21.540 --> 00:16:23.080 His disciples are doing this. 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:27.659 And it's more than John the Baptist who they were already quite upset about. 00:16:28.060 --> 00:16:32.680 So now we've got this second upstart who's breaking everything apart. 00:16:32.920 --> 00:16:34.340 What are we going to do with this? 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:34.500 Jesus. 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.519 So Jesus. 00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:40.980 His time was not yet come to go to the cross. 00:16:41.180 --> 00:16:44.899 And so discretion is the better part of valor at times isn't it? 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:46.600 And he departs. 00:16:47.800 --> 00:16:50.480 And I don't know if any of you have ever been to the Holy Land. 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:53.040 But if you ever take a tour there. 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:54.280 If you've been on a tour there. 00:16:55.440 --> 00:17:00.120 The shortest distance from Judea where Jerusalem is. 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:04.299 And that whole region to the Galilee which is up in the north. 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:05.859 And you go over these mountains. 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:09.680 And you can go around the mountains. 00:17:10.079 --> 00:17:11.440 But the shortest track. 00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:13.119 The most direct path. 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:15.380 Is right through Samaria. 00:17:16.900 --> 00:17:18.539 So he has to go through Samaria. 00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:21.259 The problem is in Samaria. 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:26.039 He has to go through an ethnic group of people. 00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:31.000 Who did not like the Jews. 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:32.639 Jesus was a Jew. 00:17:33.659 --> 00:17:35.159 His disciples were Jews. 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:38.500 And the Jews didn't like the Samaritans. 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:40.940 Mutual conflict. 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:42.180 They didn't get along. 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:45.240 They go through Samaria. 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:50.279 And they come to this moment where it's time to stop. 00:17:50.899 --> 00:17:51.779 They're hungry. 00:17:52.619 --> 00:17:54.500 Seems to be about midday. 00:17:54.500 --> 00:17:55.700 Our best guess. 00:17:56.500 --> 00:17:58.220 It's time to get a bit of food. 00:17:58.339 --> 00:18:00.940 And a woman comes to draw water. 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:03.359 You've heard of the woman at the well. 00:18:03.700 --> 00:18:04.880 She comes to draw water. 00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:07.460 And in that place. 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:10.960 This story begins to unfold. 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:15.500 The disciples have gone into town to procure some things. 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:19.220 I don't even think they had a Whataburger. 00:18:19.380 --> 00:18:20.259 Or a Dairy Queen. 00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:23.380 We just got a Whataburger in Athens, Georgia. 00:18:23.380 --> 00:18:25.740 It's like an outpost of Texas. 00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:26.420 It's wonderful. 00:18:27.040 --> 00:18:28.220 Georgians don't know what hit them. 00:18:29.540 --> 00:18:31.700 Found out that hamburgers are made with mustard. 00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:32.540 They didn't know that. 00:18:33.380 --> 00:18:33.920 It's good. 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:36.220 Just ate there yesterday. 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:39.940 They're going to get food. 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:41.539 They're bringing the food back out. 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:45.279 In the meantime, this woman comes to the well. 00:18:47.880 --> 00:18:49.480 And Jesus says this. 00:18:49.480 --> 00:18:53.720 If you'll listen to me. 00:18:53.720 --> 00:19:01.940 I will give you an extraordinary amount of religious wisdom and advice that will totally change your life. 00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:11.140 If you were to die today, do you know if heaven would be your home? 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:15.520 In fact, he says no such thing. 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:21.940 He says the most mundane, unremarkable statement. 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:27.540 He says, may I have something to drink? 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:31.379 May I have a glass of water? 00:19:33.500 --> 00:19:34.839 He addresses her. 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:41.599 He says to this woman, give me a drink. 00:19:42.619 --> 00:19:44.519 John chapter 4 verse 7. 00:19:44.519 --> 00:19:57.279 And in that one brief moment, he breaks an entire set of rules. 00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:04.240 It's unremarkable, but it's actually life-changing if you can grasp that one moment. 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:06.839 Because it unpacks everything else that happens. 00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:11.639 And by the way, everything else that happens is one of the greatest sermons that Jesus ever preached. 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:13.400 It's the living water. 00:20:13.400 --> 00:20:18.740 It's springs of water that just open up life eternal. 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:22.800 It's a woman saying, you've taught me everything about myself. 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:27.080 You've discovered and completely unpacked everything that's holding me back. 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:29.340 And every hard moment in my life. 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:30.940 And you've just exposed all of that. 00:20:31.120 --> 00:20:32.220 And given me freedom. 00:20:32.560 --> 00:20:34.259 And I'm going to go back into the city. 00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:38.100 Where I have a reputation and a difficulty. 00:20:38.320 --> 00:20:43.180 And I'm going to go and I'm going to tell everyone how great this man is. 00:20:43.180 --> 00:20:46.480 And an entire city is going to come out to meet you. 00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:48.920 All of that is going to come out of this one moment. 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.380 Really? 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:55.799 If you just ask somebody for a drink of water? 00:20:57.600 --> 00:20:58.759 All of that will happen? 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:02.960 Not necessarily, but if you ask the right person, it just might. 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:05.100 Here's what he did. 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:20.160 The Samaritan woman was the lowest person in standing to Jesus Christ that was available to him to converse with. 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:23.100 Jews and Samaritans don't get along. 00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:27.099 They looked down their nose at Samaritans. 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:34.619 Women were basically seen in that day and age, in that time, as essentially property. 00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:46.239 And he addresses her in a voice that puts her on an equal standing with him. 00:21:48.619 --> 00:21:53.079 By asking for a drink of water from her hand, he's saying, 00:21:53.079 --> 00:22:03.480 Not only do I not see you as less than me, but I see you as someone fit to give me something that I need. 00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:05.059 I don't think you're dirty. 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:07.359 I don't think you're unhygienic. 00:22:07.899 --> 00:22:09.799 I don't think you're less than me. 00:22:10.460 --> 00:22:15.220 I am willing to take something for my nourishment from your hand. 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:18.400 I am a Jewish man. 00:22:18.940 --> 00:22:20.160 You're a Samaritan woman. 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:23.279 May I have something to drink? 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:31.039 It's not supposed to be like that. 00:22:31.640 --> 00:22:34.480 And we know it's that way because of her reaction. 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:38.980 How could you do this? 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.920 You're a Jewish man. 00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:43.559 I'm a Samaritan woman. 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:45.619 We don't have dealings. 00:22:46.419 --> 00:22:48.119 We don't talk to one another. 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:50.639 We don't get along. 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:53.039 You don't think much of me. 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:59.899 Jesus is all about turning worlds upside down. 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:10.779 But before he can turn worlds upside down, 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:14.119 he has to turn my world upside down. 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:17.579 He has to turn your world upside down. 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:20.059 And if you'll let him, 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:21.799 he will. 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:25.399 This text, 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:27.940 we could preach eight sermons on it 00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:29.539 and still not scratch the surface. 00:23:29.539 --> 00:23:32.559 But in that moment, 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:34.879 Jesus changes everything. 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:38.480 I don't know where you sit today. 00:23:39.360 --> 00:23:45.020 I don't know what crisis is unfolding in your heart or in your life. 00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:49.560 I don't know what doubts or fears that you have in this room this morning. 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:50.919 I know I have some 00:23:50.919 --> 00:23:52.940 because I'm a human being. 00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:55.919 I know I'm struggling with some things. 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:57.819 I'm sure many of you are. 00:23:58.159 --> 00:24:00.019 And I'm here to tell you today 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:02.299 that Jesus 00:24:02.299 --> 00:24:07.740 will change things 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:12.240 if you will let him open up 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.659 what's inside 00:24:13.659 --> 00:24:15.359 and speak truth into it. 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:20.139 Here's what it looks like. 00:24:23.199 --> 00:24:24.779 Here's what it looks like in practice. 00:24:28.139 --> 00:24:29.659 In September 11th, 00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:31.419 2001, 00:24:31.659 --> 00:24:32.579 the World Trade Center 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:33.819 was hit. 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:34.919 The Pentagon was hit 00:24:34.919 --> 00:24:35.539 and a plane 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:37.240 went down in Pennsylvania. 00:24:38.899 --> 00:24:40.359 Those of us who remember that day 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.679 remember exactly where we are 00:24:41.679 --> 00:24:42.399 and what we were doing. 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.199 It was the 00:24:43.199 --> 00:24:45.039 JFK assassination moment 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:46.000 of another generation 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:47.779 will never be forgotten. 00:24:50.159 --> 00:24:51.460 A few months after that, 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.440 I was living in Russia 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:53.940 with my wife 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:55.619 and we were there working 00:24:55.619 --> 00:24:56.920 with Russian Baptist churches 00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:58.399 and I was coaching basketball 00:24:58.399 --> 00:24:59.940 in an international school 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:02.359 and on a mission project 00:25:02.359 --> 00:25:03.859 with our church. 00:25:04.879 --> 00:25:06.659 And we were living there 00:25:06.659 --> 00:25:08.579 studying Russian at the school. 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.899 My wife was studying piano. 00:25:11.119 --> 00:25:13.180 She's a classically trained pianist. 00:25:13.180 --> 00:25:15.299 We were starting to live our life. 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.759 Had just been married a short time. 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:18.980 I got a call at 10 o'clock at night 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:21.380 from Moscow 00:25:21.380 --> 00:25:22.600 from an American 00:25:22.600 --> 00:25:24.360 single woman missionary. 00:25:24.960 --> 00:25:25.940 I was working with the, 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.640 some folks working with 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.779 the International Mission Board 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:30.060 and they had called me 00:25:30.060 --> 00:25:32.720 because we had common work. 00:25:33.060 --> 00:25:34.420 Somebody had given them my number 00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:34.720 and said, 00:25:34.820 --> 00:25:35.640 look, there are some people 00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.360 from Afghanistan 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:39.119 who have fled the Taliban, 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:40.240 the first Taliban, 00:25:40.459 --> 00:25:41.719 the Al-Qaeda Taliban 00:25:41.719 --> 00:25:43.599 time in Afghanistan. 00:25:44.139 --> 00:25:45.759 They're Red Cross refugees. 00:25:46.240 --> 00:25:47.299 They're living in Moscow. 00:25:47.299 --> 00:25:48.539 We've given them copies 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.379 of God's word. 00:25:49.639 --> 00:25:50.659 Now they're being moved 00:25:50.659 --> 00:25:51.699 to a new lodging 00:25:51.699 --> 00:25:53.179 in St. Petersburg. 00:25:54.139 --> 00:25:55.919 Would you help them? 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.899 I didn't want to. 00:25:57.900 --> 00:26:00.400 I was scared. 00:26:00.780 --> 00:26:01.720 I'd never worked with 00:26:01.720 --> 00:26:03.740 folks like that before. 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:08.900 And she could hear my reluctance 00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:09.920 and she began to cry. 00:26:11.600 --> 00:26:12.620 And she said, 00:26:13.019 --> 00:26:13.820 you're the seventh 00:26:13.820 --> 00:26:17.259 Christian mission worker 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:18.440 in St. Petersburg 00:26:18.440 --> 00:26:19.460 I've called tonight 00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:21.180 and they just keep passing me 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:22.019 to somebody else. 00:26:23.580 --> 00:26:24.900 Would you just meet with them? 00:26:24.900 --> 00:26:27.740 So, 00:26:28.060 --> 00:26:29.580 I guess I have to. 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:31.400 Yes, I have to. 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:33.740 So I did. 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:41.640 Six months later 00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:42.900 or so, 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.160 baptized them. 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:48.380 Eight years later, 00:26:48.940 --> 00:26:49.840 one of those two men 00:26:49.840 --> 00:26:50.420 was ordained 00:26:50.420 --> 00:26:51.500 as a Baptist minister 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.000 and went back 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:52.600 to Afghanistan 00:26:52.600 --> 00:26:53.240 undercover. 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:55.220 The other man 00:26:55.220 --> 00:26:56.480 moved to the United States. 00:26:56.599 --> 00:26:57.180 John Cornyn 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:57.980 helped him get here. 00:26:58.980 --> 00:27:00.019 Started an outreach 00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:01.299 to Afghans 00:27:01.299 --> 00:27:02.079 from Virginia. 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:03.960 The other one 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:04.380 who went back 00:27:04.380 --> 00:27:05.000 to Afghanistan 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.819 started three churches 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:07.859 over 12 years 00:27:07.859 --> 00:27:09.319 working with the 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:10.059 Afghan government 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.779 and NATO. 00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:13.400 In August of 2021, 00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:15.079 after 11 years 00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:15.720 in Afghanistan, 00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:17.279 we worked with 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:17.980 British government 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:18.859 workers and others 00:27:18.859 --> 00:27:19.819 to rescue him 00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:21.220 when our government 00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:22.640 left those people. 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:23.880 alone there. 00:27:26.000 --> 00:27:26.440 Today, 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.319 he's in Syracuse, 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:27.900 New York 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:31.960 reaching people 00:27:31.960 --> 00:27:33.240 from Afghanistan 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:34.559 who are now 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:35.359 in the United States. 00:27:38.400 --> 00:27:39.200 You know how long 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.640 I could tell you 00:27:39.640 --> 00:27:40.120 that story? 00:27:40.900 --> 00:27:41.880 How many twists 00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:42.380 and turns 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:42.839 and people 00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.640 who we lost? 00:27:45.700 --> 00:27:46.099 Well, 00:27:46.579 --> 00:27:47.839 at the end 00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:48.400 of the day, 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.559 God is spirit 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:51.419 and if you want 00:27:51.419 --> 00:27:52.099 to worship him, 00:27:52.179 --> 00:27:53.039 you have to worship him 00:27:53.039 --> 00:27:53.919 in spirit and truth. 00:27:54.879 --> 00:27:55.740 You have to face 00:27:55.740 --> 00:27:56.359 your bias. 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.720 You have to face 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.379 your heartache. 00:27:58.899 --> 00:27:59.619 You have to face 00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:00.159 your prejudice 00:28:00.159 --> 00:28:01.720 and you have to let 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.559 God change you 00:28:02.559 --> 00:28:04.279 and see 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.500 what he will do 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:07.639 because the real message 00:28:07.639 --> 00:28:08.539 of John 4, 00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:10.220 the woman at the well 00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:11.159 and John 4, 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:11.579 24 00:28:11.579 --> 00:28:13.200 is the same message 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:13.779 of John 3, 00:28:13.839 --> 00:28:14.220 16. 00:28:14.599 --> 00:28:15.579 It's a simple one. 00:28:15.659 --> 00:28:16.379 You know it well 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:17.820 and evidently 00:28:17.820 --> 00:28:19.960 that's what that letter 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.900 from 50 years ago 00:28:20.900 --> 00:28:22.020 was about this morning 00:28:22.020 --> 00:28:23.100 at First Baptist Church 00:28:23.100 --> 00:28:23.660 of Henrietta. 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:24.940 Ladies and gentlemen, 00:28:25.280 --> 00:28:26.300 I'm proud to stand here 00:28:26.300 --> 00:28:27.080 before you today 00:28:27.080 --> 00:28:27.920 and affirm 00:28:27.920 --> 00:28:29.300 that Jesus 00:28:29.300 --> 00:28:30.760 still saves. 00:28:31.320 --> 00:28:31.980 God bless you. 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:32.720 Amen. 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:32.820 Amen. 00:28:32.820 --> 00:28:32.880 Amen. 00:28:33.400 --> 00:28:33.460 Amen. 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:34.080 Amen. 00:28:34.080 --> 00:28:34.500 Amen. 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:34.580 Amen. 00:28:34.580 --> 00:28:34.640 Amen. 00:28:34.640 --> 00:28:34.680 Amen. 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:34.780 Amen. 00:28:34.780 --> 00:28:34.800 Amen. 00:28:34.800 --> 00:28:34.820 Amen. 00:28:34.820 --> 00:28:34.920 Amen. 00:28:34.920 --> 00:28:35.160 Amen. 00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:35.500 Amen. 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:35.560 Amen. 00:28:35.560 --> 00:28:36.660 Amen. 00:28:36.660 --> 00:28:36.720 Amen. 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:36.740 Amen. 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:36.760 Amen. 00:28:36.760 --> 00:28:36.820 Amen. 00:28:36.820 --> 00:28:36.840 Amen. 00:28:36.840 --> 00:28:36.880 Amen. 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:37.420 Amen. 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:37.900 Amen. 00:28:37.900 --> 00:28:38.000 Amen. 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:38.480 Amen. 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:38.680 Amen. 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:38.800 Amen. 00:28:38.800 --> 00:28:38.900 Amen.