WEBVTT 00:00:00.680 --> 00:00:08.740 Good morning, everyone. It's nice to see you this morning. Kids, there are coloring packs. 00:00:08.900 --> 00:00:14.880 Come down and get those. Parents, come bring your kids down. There's pencils and packs to come and get. 00:00:15.359 --> 00:00:20.740 I have had the wonderful privilege this week of being at summer camp. 00:00:21.980 --> 00:00:25.699 Put your hand up. Give me a shout out if you've ever been to summer camp. 00:00:25.699 --> 00:00:31.119 I see a couple of wonderful people here. Thank you for shouting at me. 00:00:32.899 --> 00:00:41.019 This week, the youth of our church have been looking at the start of John, the first couple of chapters of John. 00:00:41.519 --> 00:00:48.620 We've seen that John shows us that Jesus is the Word of God, that He is God Himself. 00:00:49.579 --> 00:00:54.239 How John the Baptist came to prepare people for Jesus. 00:00:54.240 --> 00:01:00.600 And last night, we looked at the most famous verse in the Bible, John 3.16. 00:01:01.620 --> 00:01:05.680 And we were all challenged to commit our lives to Jesus. 00:01:06.260 --> 00:01:11.439 And for the first time, there were three young people who did commit their lives to Jesus. 00:01:12.379 --> 00:01:14.159 And that's it. Come on, let's cheer that. 00:01:14.159 --> 00:01:25.479 It's wonderful news that that verse gives us that there is eternal life and that by believing, we will not perish. 00:01:26.099 --> 00:01:29.719 And so it was a great joy that some of our young people committed for the first time. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:32.420 Another young guy, just so excited. 00:01:32.500 --> 00:01:37.259 He became a Christian last year and he was just so thankful for what God had done. 00:01:37.359 --> 00:01:39.140 He was just like, I just want to recommit. 00:01:39.140 --> 00:01:41.019 I just want to pray again. I'm just so thankful. 00:01:41.799 --> 00:01:45.159 And so it's a really wonderful week that our youth have had. 00:01:45.519 --> 00:01:54.939 And they will be all kinds of tired and excited and hyped up and probably a little bit sunburnt when they get back this afternoon for church. 00:01:55.760 --> 00:02:00.060 So I have the privilege of bringing you the final talk for summer camp. 00:02:00.060 --> 00:02:08.520 We're going to just dip in to one part of John this morning as we look at what God's word brings to us today. 00:02:08.740 --> 00:02:13.759 And even though you haven't had the lead up to it, God will still speak to us today. 00:02:13.900 --> 00:02:16.780 So let me pray that God will indeed do that. 00:02:17.860 --> 00:02:22.719 Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for the week that the youth have had away. 00:02:23.439 --> 00:02:29.180 God, thank you so much for those three young people who have committed their lives to you. 00:02:29.180 --> 00:02:33.060 And for the other guy who has recommitted his life. 00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:42.180 God, we thank you that it is only through you and through your spirit that we can have life because of what Jesus has done. 00:02:42.840 --> 00:02:45.560 Be with us this morning as we look at this part of the Bible. 00:02:46.580 --> 00:02:53.000 Give us open ears and open hearts to listen well, to be shaped to be more like you, Lord. 00:02:53.360 --> 00:02:53.780 Amen. 00:02:53.780 --> 00:02:58.719 Have you ever been really embarrassed? 00:02:59.360 --> 00:03:00.599 Really ashamed? 00:03:02.099 --> 00:03:06.639 Imagine you're at work and your boss is the worst. 00:03:07.460 --> 00:03:08.879 Might not be that hard to imagine. 00:03:09.039 --> 00:03:10.280 I'm not sure why Nick's laughing. 00:03:10.360 --> 00:03:11.159 His boss isn't here. 00:03:11.659 --> 00:03:17.680 And your colleagues, you and your colleagues were always whinging about how bad your boss is. 00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:25.520 And you've just come back from another meeting with your boss and you've been reminded about how incompetent this boss really is. 00:03:25.939 --> 00:03:33.500 And so you just send your mate, your colleague a quick email on the latest update of the saga of the incompetent boss. 00:03:34.680 --> 00:03:37.400 And then you get a call from your boss to come back into the office. 00:03:37.960 --> 00:03:39.319 And you wonder what it's about. 00:03:39.319 --> 00:03:45.680 But then as you're walking back in, you realize you didn't send that email to your colleague. 00:03:45.919 --> 00:03:47.139 You sent it to your boss. 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:49.680 I don't know why Rach is nodding. 00:03:49.739 --> 00:03:50.939 I hope that's never happened to her. 00:03:51.379 --> 00:03:55.459 And as you walk in, the blood just starts to creep up your face. 00:03:55.620 --> 00:03:56.259 Oh, no. 00:03:57.620 --> 00:03:59.199 What is my boss going to do? 00:03:59.979 --> 00:04:05.099 Am I going to be publicly shamed, embarrassed in front of everyone? 00:04:05.519 --> 00:04:06.900 Am I going to be fired? 00:04:06.900 --> 00:04:11.580 Have you ever been in that kind of position before? 00:04:12.680 --> 00:04:19.100 Shamed, embarrassed, and you feel like your life has been placed into somebody else's hands? 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:29.560 Can you imagine what it would be like to stand not just before someone who knew one embarrassing or shameful act, 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:32.379 but the God who knows them all? 00:04:33.340 --> 00:04:36.079 Every shameful and hidden thing we've done. 00:04:36.899 --> 00:04:40.819 Today, we're going to meet a woman who had been deeply ashamed. 00:04:41.739 --> 00:04:48.359 We're going to see what happens when this deeply ashamed woman meets Jesus himself. 00:04:48.579 --> 00:04:50.000 And we're going to see what happens. 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:52.839 Is Jesus going to shame her further? 00:04:53.179 --> 00:04:54.979 What happens in this situation? 00:04:56.259 --> 00:04:59.139 We're going to be looking from John chapter 4, verse 1. 00:04:59.139 --> 00:05:02.819 Please have your Bibles open in front of me, or the verses will be on the screen. 00:05:03.139 --> 00:05:03.959 From verse 1. 00:05:03.959 --> 00:05:12.699 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John. 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:16.919 Although, in fact, it was not Jesus who'd baptized, but his disciples. 00:05:17.639 --> 00:05:20.240 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. 00:05:20.879 --> 00:05:22.819 Now he had to go through Samaria. 00:05:22.819 --> 00:05:30.620 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given his son, Joseph. 00:05:31.579 --> 00:05:38.600 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from his journey, sat down by the well. 00:05:39.180 --> 00:05:40.240 It was about noon. 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:44.939 So Jesus had been on a long journey, and he's in a place called Samaria. 00:05:45.379 --> 00:05:50.939 Samaria is part of what formerly was Israel, God's nation. 00:05:51.800 --> 00:05:57.259 But it split, after Solomon's time, into the northern and southern kingdoms. 00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:02.340 The northern kingdom was formerly known as Israel, but that becomes Samaria. 00:06:03.280 --> 00:06:06.400 And they are taken into captivity by Assyria. 00:06:06.399 --> 00:06:13.799 And over time, people from other nations, other religions come in, and it becomes a melting pot of people. 00:06:14.279 --> 00:06:16.919 A melting pot of people and a melting pot of religions. 00:06:18.099 --> 00:06:20.919 And they were like the black sheep of the family. 00:06:21.679 --> 00:06:25.539 They disagreed with the Jews on how they should be worshipping God. 00:06:26.179 --> 00:06:31.879 And so there was always conflict between the Samaritans and the Jewish people. 00:06:31.879 --> 00:06:40.920 And this is why the story of the good Samaritan is so amazing, because we don't expect Samaritans to be good, because they were just the enemies. 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:44.319 And so Jesus is in enemy territory. 00:06:44.480 --> 00:06:45.300 He's in Samaria. 00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:47.939 Tired from a long journey. 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:52.480 He sits down, noon, the sixth hour, the middle of the day. 00:06:53.000 --> 00:06:54.060 And he's thirsty. 00:06:54.920 --> 00:06:56.159 And he's tired. 00:06:56.939 --> 00:06:58.480 And so he's sitting at the well. 00:06:58.480 --> 00:07:00.800 The second half of verse 6. 00:07:01.780 --> 00:07:05.120 Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. 00:07:05.780 --> 00:07:06.780 It was about noon. 00:07:07.700 --> 00:07:10.560 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, 00:07:11.220 --> 00:07:12.259 Will you give me a drink? 00:07:12.939 --> 00:07:15.580 His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. 00:07:16.080 --> 00:07:17.620 And so we're introduced to this woman. 00:07:18.520 --> 00:07:19.759 She'd come to draw water. 00:07:20.600 --> 00:07:21.920 We don't know her name. 00:07:22.420 --> 00:07:25.379 She's just referred to as a Samaritan woman. 00:07:25.379 --> 00:07:30.100 But now imagine for a moment what it was like at this time. 00:07:30.199 --> 00:07:32.000 You don't have running water in your house. 00:07:33.079 --> 00:07:35.040 Toilets, they weren't full of water. 00:07:35.459 --> 00:07:40.100 You had no showers, just like some of the campers have been pretending this week. 00:07:40.860 --> 00:07:47.579 But instead, maybe you had to walk a kilometer to get water every day. 00:07:47.579 --> 00:07:53.459 If you lived in a hot place like Judah, and you had to go and get water, when would you go? 00:07:55.259 --> 00:07:55.659 Anyone? 00:07:55.800 --> 00:07:57.959 When would you go and get water if you lived in a hot place? 00:07:59.979 --> 00:08:00.740 In the morning. 00:08:00.939 --> 00:08:03.360 In the morning, in the evening, when it was cool. 00:08:04.299 --> 00:08:08.620 Most women would have gone first thing in the morning when it was cool, first thing in the evening. 00:08:09.399 --> 00:08:16.319 But this Samaritan woman comes out in the middle of the day, the worst possible time to get water. 00:08:16.319 --> 00:08:22.279 Maybe she's coming out in the middle of the day to avoid seeing the other women of the town. 00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:26.060 To avoid scorn and shame and embarrassment. 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:31.579 Just this one line about this woman makes us think, well, what is she hiding? 00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:34.159 Why is she so embarrassed? 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:37.679 Is there something that is causing her to feel shame? 00:08:37.679 --> 00:08:47.219 Because shame has plagued us as humans since Adam and Eve first bit the fruit and hid from God. 00:08:48.120 --> 00:08:53.879 We live in a dangerous world and we have the same instinct to hide our failures. 00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:57.079 We run away so that we are not damaged. 00:08:58.019 --> 00:09:01.459 So that our families are not damaged and our reputations are not damaged. 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:06.720 Shame is a combination of failure and pride. 00:09:07.400 --> 00:09:15.220 We fail due to our weakness and we fail to live up to the expectations that we have and of other people's expectations. 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:22.740 And so we can go to almost any length to cover up our shame before other people. 00:09:23.720 --> 00:09:28.600 Pride-fueled shame can have great control over our lives. 00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:35.340 I'm sure we've all felt this desire to just put our head under a rock and hide somewhere. 00:09:36.180 --> 00:09:40.680 Maybe we're hiding our failures and our shame right now from the people we love. 00:09:41.360 --> 00:09:44.840 Not wanting to let them down and not wanting to lose face. 00:09:46.220 --> 00:09:50.500 And so it seems that this woman is hiding something deeply shameful. 00:09:50.860 --> 00:09:55.379 So shameful that she would rather make her life much more difficult. 00:09:55.379 --> 00:10:01.620 Going out in the worst possible time to get water and face the consequences. 00:10:03.179 --> 00:10:06.759 And so what does Jesus do to this woman who appears to want to hide? 00:10:07.740 --> 00:10:11.279 What does Jesus who knows all about this Samaritan woman do? 00:10:12.220 --> 00:10:12.759 Verse 7. 00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:17.939 Jesus said to her, will you give me a drink? 00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:21.300 He asks to, he talks to her. 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:23.860 He asks for a drink. 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:33.680 To us it doesn't seem like that big, you know, you're going to any coffee shop and I as a male could ask a female, 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:35.420 can I please have a drink? 00:10:35.660 --> 00:10:39.040 And they will gladly give me a drink as long as they also get my money. 00:10:39.280 --> 00:10:41.240 But this is a totally different situation. 00:10:41.800 --> 00:10:43.260 The woman is shocked. 00:10:43.900 --> 00:10:44.560 Verse 9. 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:50.419 The Samaritan woman said to him, you are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:52.659 How can you ask me for a drink? 00:10:53.619 --> 00:10:55.979 For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. 00:10:56.879 --> 00:11:01.679 The woman is shocked because there are so many counters going on here. 00:11:02.059 --> 00:11:04.479 Not kitchen counters, but as in the word against. 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:06.799 So it's counter-cultural. 00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:09.379 It's counter-religion. 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:10.799 It's counter-gender. 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:14.579 It is counter-everything going on. 00:11:16.079 --> 00:11:17.959 Samaritans did not talk to Jews. 00:11:18.139 --> 00:11:19.299 They were the enemies. 00:11:20.219 --> 00:11:22.019 They worshipped God in the wrong way. 00:11:22.599 --> 00:11:23.759 They were of a different religion. 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:24.919 They did not talk. 00:11:25.919 --> 00:11:31.259 Men and women, if they weren't of the same family, if they didn't know each other, they did not talk. 00:11:31.939 --> 00:11:33.539 It was counter-cultural. 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:34.839 It was counter-religious. 00:11:35.219 --> 00:11:38.339 It was counter-gender in every situation. 00:11:38.340 --> 00:11:41.700 But Jesus doesn't shame her. 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:48.340 Knowing her life, he extends an olive branch of peace and speaks to her. 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:50.460 And she asks, you're a Jew. 00:11:50.720 --> 00:11:51.720 I'm a Samaritan woman. 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:53.780 How can you ask me for a drink? 00:11:53.840 --> 00:11:54.700 This is just crazy. 00:11:55.899 --> 00:11:57.759 Jesus responds in verse 10. 00:11:57.759 --> 00:12:00.299 Jesus answered her, 00:12:00.299 --> 00:12:09.059 If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:10.360 Verse 14. 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:14.279 Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:22.120 Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water, welling up to eternal life. 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:27.120 Jesus said, if only you knew who I was, I would give you life. 00:12:28.060 --> 00:12:34.139 Water welling up in you, life welling up in you like living water that would give you eternal life. 00:12:34.299 --> 00:12:36.500 And only I can give you that. 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:41.379 Now this woman hears this and she's only thinking about her direct needs. 00:12:41.600 --> 00:12:44.700 Her need for water every day, not having to walk a cave. 00:12:44.700 --> 00:12:46.700 And so verse 15, the woman said, 00:12:47.340 --> 00:12:52.360 Sir, give me this water so I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water. 00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:55.280 Give me that bucket of water that never runs out. 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:56.560 That would be really convenient. 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:57.800 I could pour it out. 00:12:57.960 --> 00:12:58.780 I could bathe in it. 00:12:58.920 --> 00:13:00.500 I won't have to come out here every day. 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:03.900 And so Jesus gets to the point. 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:05.800 He gets to the heart of the matter. 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:08.720 He said, go call your husband. 00:13:10.040 --> 00:13:10.980 Verse 17. 00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:14.180 I have no husband, she replied. 00:13:15.280 --> 00:13:18.259 Jesus said to her, you are right when you say you have no husband. 00:13:18.780 --> 00:13:21.220 The fact is you have had five husbands. 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:24.460 And the man you now have is not your husband. 00:13:25.280 --> 00:13:27.440 What you have just said is quite true. 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:34.440 The woman had been trying to hide, it turns out, because she had had five husbands. 00:13:34.800 --> 00:13:37.060 And she was now with a man who was not her husband. 00:13:37.900 --> 00:13:40.780 This would have been absolutely shocking. 00:13:40.780 --> 00:13:42.140 This would have been shameful. 00:13:42.139 --> 00:13:51.159 And even thousands of years later, to have had five marriages and five divorces. 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:53.779 This would have been shocking. 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:56.600 This would have certainly set tongues wagging. 00:13:56.600 --> 00:14:00.800 It would have likely caused great shame on her family. 00:14:01.960 --> 00:14:09.080 Just think about the pain and divorce, the pain and grief that one divorce causes a family. 00:14:09.820 --> 00:14:11.340 Let alone five. 00:14:11.340 --> 00:14:14.800 No wonder she doesn't want to see the other women. 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:21.540 She would have been embarrassed and ashamed, even thinking about what the other women would have said to her. 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:24.759 Maybe you felt this low. 00:14:25.679 --> 00:14:28.919 That feeling of, I've ruined everything in life. 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:31.459 There's nothing I can do to fix it. 00:14:32.159 --> 00:14:33.860 It's just easier to hide. 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:34.719 Move house. 00:14:34.839 --> 00:14:35.379 Move school. 00:14:36.039 --> 00:14:37.019 Change friends. 00:14:37.819 --> 00:14:39.759 Because I'm never going to live this down. 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:42.139 People don't look at me the same anymore. 00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:45.639 And yet, what was Jesus' response? 00:14:46.659 --> 00:14:50.960 Jesus, the one who knew her deep shame and depravity. 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:53.460 Deeper than even she would admit. 00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:57.720 Jesus crossed cultural barriers to her. 00:14:58.759 --> 00:15:00.559 He offered her living water. 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:03.179 He offered her everlasting life. 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:08.779 Jesus offered her something that she tried to get, but she couldn't get anywhere. 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:10.419 He offered her family. 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:14.319 He offered her adoption into God's family. 00:15:15.819 --> 00:15:19.379 And this is one of my favorite things about our Savior Jesus. 00:15:20.039 --> 00:15:22.799 He doesn't come blind to earth. 00:15:23.339 --> 00:15:26.959 He's not surprised that we sin. 00:15:27.079 --> 00:15:29.279 He's not surprised by our depravity. 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:33.159 It's not like he meets this woman and Jesus is shocked. 00:15:33.819 --> 00:15:35.559 He knows what people are like. 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:36.959 He knows us. 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:38.819 He knows what it's like to be human. 00:15:39.319 --> 00:15:40.419 To be frail. 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:42.019 He's not like us. 00:15:42.059 --> 00:15:47.600 He doesn't turn a critical eye to this Samaritan woman and say, you know, fix yourself up. 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.240 Come on. 00:15:48.699 --> 00:15:50.620 Get better before I can even talk to you. 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:54.860 He knows and loves us. 00:15:54.860 --> 00:16:02.300 He loves us as we are so we can become like him through his death and resurrection. 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:09.519 In our lives, there are often times to dwell on the love we have from other people. 00:16:10.300 --> 00:16:12.100 There's Mother's Day and Father's Day. 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:17.820 We get cards from our kids and they've done some masterpiece work of art in them. 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:19.940 I'm just speaking for my kids here. 00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:24.460 And at the bottom of these kind of cards, it'll say, with love. 00:16:24.820 --> 00:16:26.400 You know, Valentine's Day rolls around. 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:29.940 Alyssa and I don't do anything for Valentine's Day because it's Isaac's birthday. 00:16:30.640 --> 00:16:33.540 But our wedding anniversary is just a couple of days before it. 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:35.680 And so, you know, we'll give each other cards. 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:41.200 And on the bottom, it says, you know, with love or I love you so much or, you know, hugs and kisses. 00:16:41.440 --> 00:16:42.540 Those kinds of things. 00:16:42.539 --> 00:16:49.620 We mark special occasions and we tell people how much we love them. 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:54.959 And we think about and we dwell on the love we have for people. 00:16:56.139 --> 00:17:03.799 When was the last time that you stopped and read the card from Jesus that is God's word that says, 00:17:03.799 --> 00:17:05.399 I love you. 00:17:06.419 --> 00:17:08.139 I want you in my family. 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:12.940 I want you to have a life from this living water. 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:18.700 Maybe, you know, together we could make a whole new line of greeting cards. 00:17:19.879 --> 00:17:22.819 Because it's important in our relationships to remember, 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:27.180 it's important to remember that people love us and that we love other people. 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:33.120 But it is so much more important that we remember God's love for us. 00:17:34.340 --> 00:17:36.720 Regardless of our shame. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:39.519 Regardless of how depraved we are. 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:45.200 The Samaritan woman meets Jesus, speaks with him briefly, 00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:47.560 and then she rushes back into town. 00:17:48.360 --> 00:17:50.500 She leaves her water jar behind. 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:52.320 She is in so much haste. 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:55.120 And the disciples come back to town with food. 00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:57.160 Come back from town with food. 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:59.680 And it appears that Jesus sent them, 00:18:00.060 --> 00:18:02.240 not just with the task of food, 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:04.660 but of harvesting people. 00:18:05.320 --> 00:18:06.560 Not just to buy food, 00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:08.500 but to share the news of Jesus 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:11.940 and to see this town come to know and love him. 00:18:12.840 --> 00:18:13.900 But they haven't done that. 00:18:15.100 --> 00:18:17.940 But this is exactly what the Samaritan woman does. 00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:18.700 Verse 28. 00:18:20.080 --> 00:18:21.880 Then leaving her water jar, 00:18:22.620 --> 00:18:24.960 the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:29.360 Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:31.779 Could this be the Messiah? 00:18:32.860 --> 00:18:35.720 They came out of the town and made their way toward him. 00:18:35.880 --> 00:18:37.299 Then down in verse 39. 00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:41.799 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him 00:18:41.799 --> 00:18:43.119 because of the woman's testimony. 00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:46.019 He told me everything I ever did. 00:18:46.659 --> 00:18:48.759 So when the Samaritans came to him, 00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:51.039 they urged him to stay with them. 00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.839 And he stayed two days. 00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:54.779 And because of his words, 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:56.659 many more became believers. 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:59.779 The Samaritans believed 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:01.720 because of the witness of this woman. 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:04.960 Meeting Jesus had been so radical, 00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:07.240 so life-changing, 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:08.899 it caused her to do something 00:19:08.899 --> 00:19:11.139 that she may not have done for years. 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:13.920 To go and talk to other people of the town. 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:16.899 She'd been trying to hide 00:19:16.899 --> 00:19:18.779 by getting water in the middle of the day. 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:20.099 She meets Jesus 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:22.819 and she rushes back to talk to these people. 00:19:23.899 --> 00:19:26.759 She'd been impacted by Jesus so much 00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:28.759 that instead of hiding, 00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:32.859 worried about her own shame and embarrassment, 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:35.119 she charges into town 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:37.039 and starts telling everyone. 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:40.019 Jesus knew everything about my sordid past. 00:19:41.519 --> 00:19:42.240 And she says that 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:44.400 like everyone would have known 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:45.940 about everything she'd done. 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:48.599 But it's like a positive thing. 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:51.319 Jesus knew everything 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:53.019 and he offered me life. 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:56.700 I know, I'm surprised too, everybody. 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:57.400 It's okay. 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:59.660 But is he the Messiah? 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:00.720 Is he the Christ? 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:02.619 Come and see. 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:05.519 That old cliche, 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:07.039 love conquers all, 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:08.440 really is true here. 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:10.579 It's the theme of so many movies. 00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.059 But it's true. 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:14.000 Particularly when we see 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:15.160 the love from God. 00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:17.500 You know, the one who invented love. 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:21.339 This love changed lives. 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.940 And this one woman who met Jesus, 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:25.779 she was not put down 00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:26.620 or abused 00:20:26.620 --> 00:20:27.920 or shamed further. 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:30.140 But this one woman 00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:31.940 saw her whole town 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:33.160 get converted 00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:34.840 because of her ministry. 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:37.519 How are we going, 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:38.500 brothers and sisters, 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:40.900 responding to God's 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:43.220 counter-cultural love for us? 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:45.460 That even though God knows 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.519 all of our 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.580 dirty 00:20:47.580 --> 00:20:48.799 and depraved 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:50.639 and shameful secrets, 00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.799 he still loves us. 00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:55.379 He still wants us 00:20:55.379 --> 00:20:56.319 in his family. 00:20:57.899 --> 00:20:58.819 Have you ever responded 00:20:58.819 --> 00:20:59.879 like the Samaritan woman? 00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:03.220 So aware of what you have gained 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:04.099 in Christ, 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:06.139 so aware of the contrast 00:21:06.139 --> 00:21:07.480 between your sin 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.859 and the love 00:21:08.859 --> 00:21:10.299 that you would, 00:21:10.879 --> 00:21:12.500 it would cause you 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.440 to do something 00:21:13.440 --> 00:21:15.160 for Jesus like this. 00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:16.900 To say to people, 00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.259 Jesus knows 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:18.820 everything 00:21:18.820 --> 00:21:20.180 I have ever done 00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:21.539 and yet he loves me. 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.140 Come, 00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:24.019 come and see this Jesus. 00:21:24.180 --> 00:21:25.220 He is great 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:27.860 and he loves you. 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.680 Or would this be 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:32.100 a little bit too embarrassing? 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:34.799 You know, 00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:35.519 to think maybe, 00:21:35.600 --> 00:21:35.720 you know, 00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.720 I've got good friends. 00:21:37.360 --> 00:21:38.200 The people at work 00:21:38.200 --> 00:21:39.279 think I'm a normal person. 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:40.900 I don't want to 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:41.779 spoil that 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:43.460 by talking about Jesus too much. 00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:45.920 I don't like talking about 00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:46.680 Jesus. 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:48.720 I actually prefer 00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:49.839 to hide away 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.399 what I do 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:51.119 on the weekends. 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.420 People know 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:54.259 I go to church 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:55.399 but I don't want to be 00:21:55.399 --> 00:21:56.460 forcing my beliefs 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.119 on them 00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:58.019 throughout the week. 00:21:59.119 --> 00:22:00.200 Brothers and sisters, 00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:02.379 if we know 00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:03.639 the vast gap 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:05.059 between what we are like 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:06.779 and what Jesus 00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:07.539 has done 00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.440 to make us new, 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:10.119 how can we pretend 00:22:10.119 --> 00:22:11.619 like nothing 00:22:11.619 --> 00:22:12.339 has happened. 00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:14.779 Jesus said 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:15.479 a little later 00:22:15.479 --> 00:22:16.079 in John, 00:22:16.179 --> 00:22:17.019 if you're ashamed 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:17.579 of me 00:22:17.579 --> 00:22:18.519 and my words, 00:22:18.939 --> 00:22:20.079 the Son of Man 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:20.919 will be ashamed 00:22:20.919 --> 00:22:21.519 of you. 00:22:22.719 --> 00:22:23.339 Now God 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:24.659 did something shameful. 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:27.099 He went 00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:27.899 from being 00:22:27.899 --> 00:22:28.899 divine 00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:30.459 and he put 00:22:30.459 --> 00:22:31.459 on flesh. 00:22:32.459 --> 00:22:33.059 Flesh 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:33.579 that was 00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:34.699 whipped, 00:22:35.699 --> 00:22:37.059 a crown of thorns 00:22:37.059 --> 00:22:38.719 placed on his head. 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:40.620 he was 00:22:40.620 --> 00:22:42.360 hung on a tree 00:22:42.360 --> 00:22:43.299 and killed. 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:46.180 Killed so that 00:22:46.180 --> 00:22:47.140 our shame 00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:48.440 could be killed. 00:22:50.440 --> 00:22:51.079 Know 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:51.880 that Jesus 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:52.660 loves you. 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:54.259 Know 00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:54.819 that Jesus 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.640 loves you 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:56.559 despite 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:57.559 you 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:59.220 and let me 00:22:59.220 --> 00:23:00.000 encourage you 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.960 to be just like 00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.839 this Samaritan woman 00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:02.960 to share 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:03.960 that love 00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:04.460 that Jesus 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:04.960 has 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.100 even 00:23:06.100 --> 00:23:06.940 when it 00:23:06.940 --> 00:23:07.319 might be 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:07.799 embarrassing. 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.079 Let me pray 00:23:09.079 --> 00:23:09.519 for us. 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.180 Dear Heavenly 00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.579 Father, 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:15.279 I thank you 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:15.799 so much 00:23:15.799 --> 00:23:16.420 to your word 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:16.799 to us 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.279 this morning. 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:18.920 Thank you 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:19.660 for Jesus' 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:20.579 love 00:23:20.579 --> 00:23:22.019 for all 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.480 of us 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:24.039 and 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:24.740 particularly 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.579 this Samaritan 00:23:25.579 --> 00:23:25.960 woman 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:28.259 who reminds 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:28.980 us so much 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:29.660 of ourselves. 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:32.240 Lord, 00:23:32.840 --> 00:23:33.500 you know 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:34.000 what each 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.320 of us 00:23:34.320 --> 00:23:34.880 is like. 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:36.019 We try 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.640 to hide 00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:37.640 and pretend 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:39.140 and mask 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:40.000 our shame 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:40.759 and our 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.400 embarrassment 00:23:41.400 --> 00:23:41.900 and the 00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:42.300 failures 00:23:42.300 --> 00:23:42.620 that we 00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:43.100 have done 00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:44.160 but Lord 00:23:44.160 --> 00:23:44.700 to you 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:45.220 we are 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:45.700 an open 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.080 book 00:23:46.080 --> 00:23:47.920 and yet 00:23:47.920 --> 00:23:48.380 Lord 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.720 you love 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.080 us. 00:23:51.080 --> 00:23:52.000 You sent 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.640 your son 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:54.320 so that 00:23:54.320 --> 00:23:54.759 we could 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.120 have 00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:55.620 eternal 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:55.980 life 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.320 so that 00:23:56.320 --> 00:23:56.660 we would 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:56.900 not 00:23:56.900 --> 00:23:57.440 perish 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:59.039 but could 00:23:59.039 --> 00:23:59.460 be brought 00:23:59.460 --> 00:23:59.940 into your 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:00.380 family. 00:24:01.539 --> 00:24:02.080 Father, 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:02.640 thank you 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:02.960 that you 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:04.200 take away 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:05.259 our shame 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:07.019 that you 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:08.039 take away 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:09.080 any 00:24:09.080 --> 00:24:09.900 embarrassment 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:11.220 that we 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:11.620 have 00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:13.519 and you 00:24:13.519 --> 00:24:13.940 nail it 00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:14.200 to the 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:14.539 cross. 00:24:15.360 --> 00:24:15.799 Father, 00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:16.220 help us 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:16.660 not to 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.160 dwell 00:24:17.160 --> 00:24:18.400 on the 00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:18.840 mistakes 00:24:18.840 --> 00:24:19.200 that we 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:19.680 have made 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.039 but to 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:20.680 dwell on 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.080 your love 00:24:21.080 --> 00:24:21.580 for us 00:24:21.580 --> 00:24:22.259 to remember 00:24:22.259 --> 00:24:23.340 your love 00:24:23.340 --> 00:24:24.100 for us 00:24:24.100 --> 00:24:26.120 and Lord 00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:27.659 make us 00:24:27.659 --> 00:24:29.379 passionate 00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:30.839 and fearless 00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:31.719 to share 00:24:31.719 --> 00:24:32.539 this love 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:32.779 that you 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.099 have given 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:33.459 us 00:24:33.459 --> 00:24:34.039 for the 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.299 people 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:34.759 around 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.139 us. 00:24:35.739 --> 00:24:36.159 We ask 00:24:36.159 --> 00:24:36.379 this in 00:24:36.379 --> 00:24:36.500 your 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:36.779 son's 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.019 name. 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:38.079 Amen.