WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.900 Please do grab your Bibles again and turn to John chapter 4. 00:00:06.280 --> 00:00:10.320 John chapter 4, we'll be looking at the first 26 verses, that's on page 888. 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:15.040 John chapter 4, that's on page 888. 00:00:16.039 --> 00:00:19.460 If you need a church Bible, there are some just outside the front door. 00:00:22.320 --> 00:00:27.240 When you really know who Jesus is, when you really know who Jesus is, 00:00:27.239 --> 00:00:30.219 your life will never be the same again. 00:00:31.299 --> 00:00:36.599 If you are here today and you don't know who Jesus is, then you're in good company here, 00:00:37.039 --> 00:00:41.119 because this woman, this Samaritan woman, she didn't know who Jesus was either. 00:00:42.259 --> 00:00:50.640 So Jesus, when he meets this woman, Jesus step by step leads this woman to show her who he is. 00:00:50.640 --> 00:00:57.340 She gradually sees who Jesus is over this passage. 00:00:58.320 --> 00:01:02.960 And when you come to know who he is, her life is changed forever. 00:01:04.019 --> 00:01:09.040 When you really know who Jesus is, your life will never be the same again. 00:01:10.500 --> 00:01:12.980 But Jesus doesn't just alter your life. 00:01:12.980 --> 00:01:16.780 He doesn't just add something a little extra to it. 00:01:17.740 --> 00:01:22.579 No, Jesus changes your life by giving you true life. 00:01:23.620 --> 00:01:28.140 He changes your life entirely by giving you life itself. 00:01:29.659 --> 00:01:33.520 Jesus says today, you think you had a life before? 00:01:34.620 --> 00:01:38.920 Well, come and know me and you will have true life. 00:01:39.640 --> 00:01:42.100 Your life will never be the same again. 00:01:42.099 --> 00:01:48.219 Jesus has come to change lives, to bring life into this world. 00:01:49.379 --> 00:01:51.560 And this happens when you know him. 00:01:53.060 --> 00:01:56.780 By really knowing who he is, and not just reading about him in a textbook, 00:01:57.239 --> 00:02:01.280 but you need to truly grasp and see in your heart who he is. 00:02:02.139 --> 00:02:05.959 So if you don't know who Jesus is today, it's great that you're here. 00:02:05.959 --> 00:02:13.479 And if you're here today and you do know Jesus, you've known him for many years and he has changed your life forever. 00:02:13.479 --> 00:02:19.340 Well, today he wants you to feel even more the gravity of who he is. 00:02:20.620 --> 00:02:23.879 Our hearts can so easily forget who Jesus is. 00:02:24.679 --> 00:02:27.039 Our hearts can think he's not enough. 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:32.419 Our hearts can think he's not all that you need. 00:02:32.419 --> 00:02:36.859 Well, Jesus says today, come know him more. 00:02:38.959 --> 00:02:42.919 Jesus has the life that everyone in this world needs. 00:02:43.939 --> 00:02:47.299 Jesus is what the world has been longing for. 00:02:48.159 --> 00:02:49.759 Which brings us to our first point. 00:02:50.219 --> 00:02:50.659 It's this. 00:02:50.759 --> 00:02:52.939 Jesus satisfies a thirsty world. 00:02:53.539 --> 00:02:55.199 Jesus satisfies a thirsty world. 00:02:55.199 --> 00:02:59.679 So let's set the scene of what's been going on here in John chapter 4. 00:03:00.219 --> 00:03:04.899 In verses 3 and 4, Jesus goes from the south of Israel up to the north. 00:03:05.259 --> 00:03:09.299 And he passes through an area called Samaria to get to the north. 00:03:10.179 --> 00:03:12.219 And Samaria is in the middle. 00:03:12.539 --> 00:03:14.439 And it used to be a part of the whole land of Israel. 00:03:15.019 --> 00:03:20.459 But back in the Old Testament, a foreign nation called Assyria came in and destroyed the region. 00:03:20.899 --> 00:03:22.759 Took over Samaria. 00:03:22.979 --> 00:03:24.939 Took some Israelites out of it. 00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:28.039 Brought other nationalities in and brought other religions in. 00:03:28.799 --> 00:03:31.780 And so Samaria stopped being an Israelite region. 00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:33.739 But kind of a mixed region. 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:40.239 And from that, a new mixed hodgepodge religion was created. 00:03:41.419 --> 00:03:44.839 And this religion, in this religion, they held to some of the Old Testament. 00:03:45.019 --> 00:03:45.939 But not all of it. 00:03:46.539 --> 00:03:48.120 They formed a different God. 00:03:48.120 --> 00:03:51.419 And importantly, they worshipped in a different way. 00:03:51.419 --> 00:03:56.539 Jews worshipped in Jerusalem in the south at the true temple. 00:03:56.639 --> 00:04:04.000 But Samaritans worshipped on another mountain, Mount Gerizim, which is right by where this well is in this chapter. 00:04:05.459 --> 00:04:08.839 And so tensions are high between Jews and Samaritans. 00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:09.840 They didn't talk. 00:04:09.840 --> 00:04:10.780 They didn't hang out. 00:04:11.620 --> 00:04:14.719 Which is why this whole meeting by the well is quite surprising. 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:18.160 Jesus comes to a drinking well in Samaria. 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:19.139 Stops for a drink. 00:04:19.220 --> 00:04:20.519 It's the sixth hour, midday. 00:04:20.879 --> 00:04:21.519 It's hot. 00:04:21.959 --> 00:04:22.879 It's time for a drink. 00:04:22.980 --> 00:04:23.839 And then verse 7. 00:04:24.980 --> 00:04:27.120 A woman from Samaria came to draw water. 00:04:28.339 --> 00:04:29.620 And Jesus asked her for a drink. 00:04:29.620 --> 00:04:32.480 And unsurprisingly, she asked in verse 9. 00:04:33.340 --> 00:04:38.879 How is it that you, a Jew, asks for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria? 00:04:39.579 --> 00:04:41.680 For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. 00:04:42.860 --> 00:04:47.259 This woman met Jesus and has no clue who he is. 00:04:48.120 --> 00:04:51.519 She thinks he's a bloke that she shouldn't even be speaking to. 00:04:53.220 --> 00:04:55.319 But Jesus doesn't leave it there. 00:04:55.319 --> 00:04:59.899 He doesn't let the conversation end there. 00:05:01.439 --> 00:05:03.800 She needs to know who he is. 00:05:04.540 --> 00:05:06.639 And Jesus has come to show her. 00:05:07.519 --> 00:05:09.379 He's come to change her life. 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:11.779 So look what he says in verse 10. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:13.860 Jesus answered her, 00:05:14.920 --> 00:05:19.920 If you knew the gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, give me a drink, 00:05:20.719 --> 00:05:24.079 you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. 00:05:25.319 --> 00:05:27.040 Jesus says it, 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:31.439 If you really knew who I was, you wouldn't dismiss me. 00:05:31.659 --> 00:05:32.680 You wouldn't be surprised. 00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:36.399 You would actually be asking me for something. 00:05:37.199 --> 00:05:38.120 Living water. 00:05:39.959 --> 00:05:45.939 And now the woman is a bit confused by this response because living water could mean running water in her language. 00:05:45.939 --> 00:05:52.060 And so when Jesus says that, she thinks he's offering her just another source of water, 00:05:52.620 --> 00:05:55.519 another well to drink from, as if Jesus is saying, 00:05:55.839 --> 00:06:00.500 Well, yeah, you have that well, but I have a tap over there if you want to try some different water. 00:06:01.699 --> 00:06:03.540 But no, that's not what he's saying. 00:06:04.360 --> 00:06:06.500 He's not talking about H2O here. 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:11.279 In fact, he's not talking about anything of this world. 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:13.379 Look at verse 13. 00:06:15.220 --> 00:06:16.160 Jesus said to her, 00:06:17.259 --> 00:06:21.019 Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again. 00:06:22.100 --> 00:06:27.000 But everyone who drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:34.199 The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:37.899 You see what Jesus is offering here. 00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:42.019 Jesus is offering something greater than water. 00:06:43.220 --> 00:06:46.279 Greater than anything in this world can give you. 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:49.500 So think about water for a second. 00:06:50.279 --> 00:06:52.060 We all need water to live, don't we? 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:56.319 Apparently, humans can only last about three days without water. 00:06:57.160 --> 00:07:00.439 So water, it gives us life, doesn't it? 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:03.120 Well, Jesus is saying, 00:07:03.860 --> 00:07:05.699 You think water gives you life? 00:07:06.699 --> 00:07:09.259 I can give you something greater than water. 00:07:09.920 --> 00:07:12.819 If you drink water, you're going to be thirsty again. 00:07:13.439 --> 00:07:15.660 It won't fully satisfy you. 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:17.620 But Jesus says, 00:07:18.399 --> 00:07:20.660 I can give you living water. 00:07:20.660 --> 00:07:24.020 Water of life itself. 00:07:25.580 --> 00:07:28.000 Water gives you life for three days. 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:30.700 Jesus gives you life forever. 00:07:32.740 --> 00:07:40.980 Jesus offers to the world something that will satisfy your deepest needs and desires. 00:07:43.340 --> 00:07:46.680 Throughout the ages, in every country of the whole world, 00:07:47.080 --> 00:07:49.500 in every single person, including you here today, 00:07:49.500 --> 00:07:52.540 there has been a great thirst. 00:07:53.819 --> 00:07:56.560 The world has been parched and dying. 00:07:57.699 --> 00:08:03.939 The world has a need and a longing in our hearts that everyone has been trying to satisfy. 00:08:03.939 --> 00:08:07.399 The world has a thirst for life. 00:08:07.399 --> 00:08:15.860 A thirst for meaning, for direction, for peace, for security, for hope in life, for hope after death. 00:08:15.860 --> 00:08:21.020 There has been a thirst to quench our unsettled hearts. 00:08:21.020 --> 00:08:26.400 Hearts dealing with guilt and suffering and pain and loss. 00:08:26.399 --> 00:08:28.399 The world is thirsty. 00:08:28.399 --> 00:08:29.459 The world is thirsty. 00:08:29.459 --> 00:08:35.919 And it's looking for water, for satisfaction, for true life in any way it can. 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:38.659 And it's looking in all the wrong places. 00:08:40.259 --> 00:08:42.579 And we can see that all around us, can't we? 00:08:43.459 --> 00:08:45.459 We can see that in our own lives. 00:08:47.079 --> 00:08:50.639 Kids in the room today, do you know when you really want that toy? 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:55.439 You see that amazing toy on the adverts or in the Argos catalog? 00:08:55.659 --> 00:08:56.939 If they still print that, I'm not sure. 00:08:57.500 --> 00:09:02.860 And you see that toy and you think, if I just have that, everything's going to be amazing. 00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:05.080 I won't need any other toys. 00:09:05.460 --> 00:09:06.580 My life will be complete. 00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:10.879 Well, that is the thirst Jesus is talking about. 00:09:12.179 --> 00:09:14.220 And us adults do it all the time. 00:09:14.220 --> 00:09:18.740 We try to settle that thirst with relationships. 00:09:20.019 --> 00:09:23.860 We think, that boy or that girl, that's going to solve it. 00:09:24.820 --> 00:09:30.320 We think, if I just get married, that will end the unease in my heart. 00:09:31.320 --> 00:09:33.340 Or if I finally have children. 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:36.980 Or if my children just start behaving in the right way. 00:09:37.800 --> 00:09:39.460 Or if I just get into the best uni. 00:09:39.580 --> 00:09:40.759 Or just get the right job. 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:42.779 Or buy the ideal house. 00:09:42.779 --> 00:09:44.919 Or if I just make six figures. 00:09:45.720 --> 00:09:47.480 Then this thirst will go. 00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:49.939 Then I'll be satisfied, we think. 00:09:51.319 --> 00:09:54.319 That is the thirst the whole world feels. 00:09:56.039 --> 00:09:57.419 And do you know what that thirst is? 00:09:58.459 --> 00:10:00.759 That is a thirst for true life. 00:10:01.799 --> 00:10:03.799 That is a thirst for God. 00:10:06.079 --> 00:10:09.279 And we look to find water out there in the world. 00:10:10.039 --> 00:10:12.179 We look in all the wrong places. 00:10:12.779 --> 00:10:16.019 And it only makes us more thirsty, doesn't it? 00:10:17.179 --> 00:10:18.819 Our hearts are never content. 00:10:19.439 --> 00:10:21.839 You get the toy and you want another one. 00:10:22.459 --> 00:10:25.240 You get the relationship and it disappoints. 00:10:25.819 --> 00:10:27.759 You get married and it's hard. 00:10:27.860 --> 00:10:29.639 You have children and it's harder. 00:10:30.319 --> 00:10:32.179 You get the house, you want an extension. 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:35.299 You get six figures, you want seven. 00:10:35.299 --> 00:10:40.579 The world is thirsty and nothing in this world satisfies. 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:44.379 But look what Jesus says, verse 14. 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:52.319 Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. 00:10:52.320 --> 00:11:00.560 Jesus has come to give a parched, dying world the life that it's been longing for. 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:05.220 The longing in your heart that every human being feels. 00:11:05.680 --> 00:11:07.900 Jesus has come to answer that. 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:13.040 To finally bring the living water that mankind has been dying for. 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:18.559 And he's the only thing that will satisfy the deepest longings of your heart. 00:11:20.079 --> 00:11:29.159 So Jesus, he's not just another option, another well in the world where you can find some sort of life and meaning. 00:11:30.299 --> 00:11:37.439 Jesus is not just one among many other good options for finding, for living a fulfilling life. 00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:41.500 No, Jesus is the source of life. 00:11:43.040 --> 00:11:45.960 He's the only hope to end this thirst. 00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:56.340 Jesus has come to save us lost sinners and take us out of the depths of our sin and to give us life. 00:11:57.500 --> 00:12:02.800 To forgive your sins, to bring a final end to the misery of this world. 00:12:03.460 --> 00:12:06.560 To bring you back to the God you were created for. 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:14.140 To bring light into the darkness of your life and give you God-given purpose and direction and meaning. 00:12:15.280 --> 00:12:18.900 To bring hope into a confused and lost world. 00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:24.900 He's come to rescue you from death and to give you life forever. 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:30.100 Jesus is the only answer to the thirst of this world. 00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:37.480 And if you're here today and you don't know Jesus, but you feel that thirst. 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:41.300 And your heart just isn't content in this world. 00:12:41.299 --> 00:12:46.039 And the things you've gone after, they're just not satisfied. 00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:50.959 Jesus is the one that you've needed your whole life. 00:12:52.519 --> 00:12:53.679 Come to him. 00:12:54.719 --> 00:12:57.919 Believe in him and you will receive living water. 00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:00.979 Your life will never be the same again. 00:13:00.980 --> 00:13:06.740 And if you do know Jesus here, please know this. 00:13:07.560 --> 00:13:09.860 Jesus is all that you need. 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:15.720 Don't go looking out there into the world for more happiness. 00:13:16.399 --> 00:13:22.659 Thinking that the world, a relationship or a house will solve the longings of your heart. 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:25.719 It will only make you more thirsty. 00:13:27.259 --> 00:13:28.279 But know this. 00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:31.199 Know that you have Jesus right now. 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:34.379 He's living water for your life. 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:36.480 He's all that you need. 00:13:38.459 --> 00:13:39.639 And I encourage you. 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:44.600 Go speak to an older Christian here at church and ask him this. 00:13:45.439 --> 00:13:51.360 Is Jesus like a toy that after you get him, you lose satisfaction? 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:53.480 You want to move on to something else. 00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:57.500 If you ask an older Christian here, do you know what they'll say? 00:13:57.639 --> 00:14:00.159 I guarantee they will say, absolutely not. 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:03.700 Jesus becomes more satisfying. 00:14:04.480 --> 00:14:07.879 You enjoy him more and more as you walk this Christian life. 00:14:09.180 --> 00:14:11.379 You will never be thirsty again. 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:15.220 And this is what Jesus offers this woman. 00:14:16.779 --> 00:14:20.620 And she begins to get who he is, but only slightly. 00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:23.580 She likes the sound of this water. 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:26.480 And so she asks, well, how do I get this? 00:14:26.539 --> 00:14:27.139 Verse 15. 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:32.379 Sir, give me this water so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water. 00:14:32.379 --> 00:14:47.659 And we're going to see that if you want this water, you need for Jesus to open up the secrets of your heart and show you just how thirsty you really are. 00:14:48.620 --> 00:14:50.439 Which brings me on to my second point. 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:54.039 Jesus brings life to those who know that they're thirsty. 00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:57.639 Jesus brings life to those who know that they're thirsty. 00:14:59.319 --> 00:15:01.759 So what comes next is a bit of an odd response. 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:06.379 But what Jesus is doing here, he's giving this woman living water. 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:08.219 He's leading her to living water. 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:12.100 And he says to her, okay, bring me your husband. 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:14.740 She says, I don't have a husband. 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:19.820 And then Jesus reveals he knows everything about her life. 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:21.240 Verse 17. 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:24.440 You are right in saying I have no husband. 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:28.740 You have had five husbands and the one you now have is not your husband. 00:15:29.580 --> 00:15:30.860 What you have said is true. 00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:36.340 In this moment, Jesus speaks to her the story of her life. 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:43.399 He opens up her life and reveals things that no stranger, no bloke at a well could ever know. 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:47.699 And this is how Jesus leads her to living water. 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:54.819 He speaks to her and reveals her life, who she truly is, the secrets of our hearts. 00:15:56.159 --> 00:16:04.980 If you want living water, you must come to Jesus knowing who you truly are and how desperately you need this water. 00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:09.000 Because what does he reveal about this woman? 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:14.279 He reveals a messy past and a life of sin. 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:19.519 This woman has had five husbands, which wasn't common in those days. 00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:22.960 She's had a messy, broken past. 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:26.440 And she's currently sleeping with a man who's not her husband. 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:30.759 She's living in sin, that there's sexual sin in her life. 00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:36.639 She's been looking for life, for water in all the wrong places. 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:40.199 But why is Jesus bringing this up? 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:43.100 Well, this is how he brings true life. 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:52.080 Jesus first opens up our hearts and our lives to show us, to make us see how thirsty we are. 00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:54.559 How sinful we truly are. 00:16:54.819 --> 00:16:56.600 How messed up our lives are. 00:16:56.939 --> 00:16:58.960 And just how much we need Jesus. 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:05.579 He shows that to us and he answers it with living water. 00:17:07.120 --> 00:17:11.420 You won't come to Jesus for living water if you don't even realize you're thirsty. 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:18.319 If we don't know about our sin, we would keep on looking for life out there in the world. 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:23.819 But Jesus convicts us of our sin to bring us to living water. 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:28.399 Jesus brings life to those who know that they're thirsty. 00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:33.220 And this is what happens when you encounter the Bible. 00:17:34.359 --> 00:17:40.179 The more you read on what the Bible says about sin, the more you read the Bible, the more you learn about yourself. 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:44.920 The Bible, it's the ultimate insight into the human heart. 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:51.220 You will learn more in the Bible about yourself than any psychology textbook could ever teach you. 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:59.980 Jesus, the Bible just shows us how thirsty we really are. 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:03.200 But it does that. 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:05.360 Jesus exposes our sin like that. 00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:07.740 Not to throw you into despair. 00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:12.240 But to bring you free life. 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:19.140 When Jesus convicts of sin, we need to realize that is for our good. 00:18:20.480 --> 00:18:27.059 For us Christians, when we know that there's sin in our lives, and it's just really eating at us, 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:32.339 and you don't feel right, that is a good response. 00:18:33.419 --> 00:18:36.119 That is Jesus leading you to living water. 00:18:37.299 --> 00:18:41.599 That is Jesus saying, don't go out there for life. 00:18:42.139 --> 00:18:43.220 Come to me. 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:46.740 Life is not out there. 00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:48.220 Life is in me. 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:56.639 Which means, Jesus offers true life, not to the good people, but to sinners. 00:18:57.059 --> 00:19:03.359 For all sorts of sinners, including sinners just like this woman. 00:19:04.740 --> 00:19:11.879 Sinners with messy pasts, with broken marriages, with sexual sin ruining their lives. 00:19:13.159 --> 00:19:17.279 And if that is you, Jesus offers life to you. 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:25.139 If you are coming here today with a messy past, or something in your life that you are ashamed of, 00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:28.680 don't ever think that you can't come to Jesus. 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:32.200 No, you are exactly who Jesus wants. 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:36.099 Your sin doesn't disqualify you from living water. 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.980 No, it means you need him. 00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:44.900 Jesus knows everything about your life, and he wants you to come with all your messy past, 00:19:45.360 --> 00:19:48.599 lay it all open, and find life in him. 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:53.559 Jesus brings life to those who know that they're thirsty. 00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:58.679 But the Samaritan woman still isn't quite there. 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:02.099 She's still after who Jesus is. 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:04.139 She's after this living water. 00:20:04.639 --> 00:20:05.940 And so Jesus says to her, 00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:08.859 if you want true life, 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:11.879 true life comes through worship. 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:15.079 Which brings me to my third point today. 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:16.980 Jesus brings life through worship. 00:20:16.980 --> 00:20:20.259 Jesus brings life through worship. 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:27.079 So this woman recognizes that Jesus is at least a prophet from Israel, 00:20:27.519 --> 00:20:29.779 that he's speaking the words of God. 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:33.240 And so the next big question to ask Jesus is, 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:36.039 okay, well then what about worship? 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:37.819 Look at verse 20. 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:39.440 She says to him, 00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:42.279 our fathers worshipped on this mountain, 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:46.380 but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship. 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:51.180 Remember, Samaritans have been engaged in false worship. 00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:52.579 They're not worshipping at Jerusalem. 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.160 And so she says, 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:56.759 well if you're offering true life, 00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:59.000 well then tell me how to worship. 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:01.140 Tell me about God. 00:21:01.360 --> 00:21:02.640 Tell me how to come to him. 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:06.640 Which is an excellent question to ask. 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:09.440 Something we all should be asking. 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:14.660 Because the whole world has been engaged in false worship. 00:21:14.660 --> 00:21:17.120 Well you may wonder, 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:20.080 well I haven't been engaged in false worship. 00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:22.200 I don't have a mountain like the Samaritans. 00:21:22.300 --> 00:21:23.920 I don't go to another temple. 00:21:25.360 --> 00:21:26.440 Well the truth is, 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:29.180 if you're not worshipping the Lord God, 00:21:30.340 --> 00:21:32.279 you are worshipping something else. 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:35.140 We all worship something. 00:21:36.080 --> 00:21:39.240 Something always drives us and defines us. 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:41.799 That there's always something that we live for. 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.980 And we don't always know it. 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:46.420 We don't always call it a God. 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:48.039 But we do worship it. 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:50.660 We've all looked for water, 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:53.279 for life from the world and not God. 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:56.039 And that is worship. 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:59.359 We worship what we drink. 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:04.460 So life comes through worship. 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:07.639 So do you want living water? 00:22:08.639 --> 00:22:10.240 Do you want true life? 00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:14.940 Then you need to worship the right God in the right way. 00:22:14.940 --> 00:22:17.420 And so this woman asks, 00:22:17.620 --> 00:22:19.279 well where do we do that? 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:21.480 Is it in Jerusalem then? 00:22:22.600 --> 00:22:24.340 And look how Jesus answers in verse 21. 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:27.180 Woman, believe me. 00:22:28.039 --> 00:22:30.259 The hour is coming when neither on this mountain 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:33.200 nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.900 Well how do we worship then? 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:37.220 Well verse 23. 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:41.400 But the hour is coming and is now here 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:44.980 when the true worshippers will worship the Father 00:22:44.980 --> 00:22:46.860 in spirit and truth. 00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:50.620 For the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 00:22:52.120 --> 00:22:54.660 Jesus is saying something huge here. 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:57.400 He's saying with his arrival, 00:22:58.420 --> 00:22:59.700 everything about worship, 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:02.240 everything about how we come to God 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:03.980 and how we find true life, 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:06.680 all of that has now changed. 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:09.259 Jesus says from now on, 00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:12.360 true worshippers won't worship at the temple. 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:15.339 They will worship in spirit and truth. 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:17.839 Now what does that mean? 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:19.160 Spirit and truth. 00:23:19.360 --> 00:23:20.980 Worshipping in spirit and truth. 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:23.160 Well it doesn't mean, 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:26.519 well before worship was in a physical temple 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:29.960 but now it's kind of spiritual and ethereal 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:31.420 and it's only in our minds. 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.900 No, that's not what he's saying. 00:23:33.900 --> 00:23:36.559 And it doesn't mean that worship used to be false 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:37.480 when it was in the temple 00:23:37.480 --> 00:23:39.079 but now it's going to be true. 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:41.419 No, Jesus cared about temple worship. 00:23:42.839 --> 00:23:45.139 No, to worship in spirit and truth 00:23:45.139 --> 00:23:49.399 means the reality of all that the temple was pointing to, 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:52.700 that the reality it was pointing to is now here. 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:55.240 So the temple, 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:58.160 it was kind of like a temporary lesson 00:23:58.160 --> 00:24:00.980 to show humanity what is needed 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:03.539 to truly come before the Lord. 00:24:04.059 --> 00:24:06.259 What's needed to truly get life. 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.480 And the temple, 00:24:08.600 --> 00:24:11.600 it had a curtain separating sinners from God. 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:14.860 It involved sacrifices and priests 00:24:14.860 --> 00:24:16.440 just to approach God. 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:19.299 And all this was showing, 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.120 was teaching us 00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:22.660 what we need to approach God. 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:25.380 It's showing us that our sins 00:24:25.380 --> 00:24:27.700 need to be dealt with to get life. 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:30.400 Well Jesus is saying, 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:34.120 all that has come to an end with his arrival. 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:38.299 We don't worship through sacrifices anymore. 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:40.600 They were just pointing to the cross. 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:42.980 No, the hour has come 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:45.779 when the final sacrifice has been made. 00:24:46.659 --> 00:24:49.779 And now we worship through the true Lamb of God. 00:24:50.879 --> 00:24:52.219 The hour has come 00:24:52.219 --> 00:24:54.240 where we can come to God 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:55.740 through our great high priest 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:57.299 who sits in the heavens. 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.879 The hour has come 00:24:59.879 --> 00:25:01.959 when salvation is not just for the Jews, 00:25:02.439 --> 00:25:04.519 but now it's here for the Samaritans 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:06.519 and it's exploding over the world. 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:08.079 It's for the whole world. 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:11.819 And so we worship now across the planet, 00:25:12.519 --> 00:25:13.759 even here in Ealing. 00:25:15.179 --> 00:25:18.619 Jesus offers living water to the whole world 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:21.500 and it comes by worshiping God. 00:25:23.379 --> 00:25:25.259 And this is what's happening right now. 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:29.019 This is what this gathering is all about. 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:33.439 We are worshiping in the fullness of the Spirit 00:25:33.439 --> 00:25:35.099 who brings us salvation. 00:25:35.099 --> 00:25:39.319 We're worshiping in the truth of Jesus Christ, 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:42.099 crucified and raised and reigning. 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:45.099 The reality is here. 00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:49.319 The curtain is now torn in two. 00:25:49.639 --> 00:25:50.619 The temple's no more. 00:25:50.939 --> 00:25:53.439 We can all come to God in worship today 00:25:53.439 --> 00:25:56.019 and he gives us life through his Son. 00:25:57.299 --> 00:26:00.399 Living water is pouring out today. 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:04.360 So, do you want true life? 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:07.640 Come and worship God. 00:26:09.240 --> 00:26:11.240 Jesus is calling the world, 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:13.280 ruined sinners from every nation, 00:26:13.560 --> 00:26:15.660 to come and worship him 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:17.660 and receive true life. 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:22.360 The Father is seeking such a people to worship him. 00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:25.379 This room is really packed, isn't it? 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:27.319 We're running out of chairs. 00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:30.679 Well, that is exactly what God is seeking. 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:33.119 This is what God wants. 00:26:33.379 --> 00:26:37.039 Thirsty sinners are coming to Jesus for living water. 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:41.980 And this woman knows all this. 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:45.039 All this only comes with one man. 00:26:45.779 --> 00:26:47.379 The Messiah, the Christ. 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:50.379 And what does Jesus say in verse 26? 00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:53.859 I who speak to you am he. 00:26:55.639 --> 00:26:57.539 Jesus is the Messiah. 00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.779 He is the Christ. 00:26:59.879 --> 00:27:01.579 He is the source of true life. 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:04.139 He's the bringer of salvation to the world. 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:05.900 And he calls you today. 00:27:06.560 --> 00:27:07.300 Believe in him. 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:09.720 Come and worship him. 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:14.820 And come and get what you've been longing for your entire life. 00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:17.200 Amen. Let me pray.