WEBVTT 00:00:00.440 --> 00:00:10.599 Morning everyone. Morning Jess. Good morning Clive. I love this reading. There are so many 00:00:10.599 --> 00:00:17.760 layers to it and it's really relatable and I'm going to explain why. So we hear that 00:00:17.760 --> 00:00:26.140 Jesus had just left Judea and returned to Galilee. But why? As it happens, the disciples, 00:00:26.140 --> 00:00:34.159 disciples, John, Jesus, they were baptizing people. But the Pharisees did not like it one bit. 00:00:34.700 --> 00:00:40.359 They were getting their knickers right in a tits. And they were being, they were trying to really 00:00:40.359 --> 00:00:45.960 disrupt what was happening. They were trying to put a dampener on it. In fact, it got to the point 00:00:45.960 --> 00:00:52.040 when they said, hey guys, to the town, you know Jesus and his disciples have baptized more than 00:00:52.039 --> 00:00:56.859 John, right? Oh, it's not good. It's not good what's happening. He was trying to create his harmony. 00:00:57.740 --> 00:01:03.119 So that's why Jesus said, come on guys, let's leave John to his ministry and let's go. 00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:11.519 So why is this relatable? Well, let me ask you, have you ever tried to do something good 00:01:11.519 --> 00:01:19.799 and someone just has to find fault in it? Steal your joy, your thunder. Can anyone relate to that? 00:01:19.799 --> 00:01:27.799 Or have you ever been so distracted, so tired, you just need a jolly good sit down? 00:01:28.759 --> 00:01:36.319 Well, because that's certainly me. And how about when you least expect it, one door closes 00:01:36.319 --> 00:01:38.039 and another door opens? 00:01:38.040 --> 00:01:49.520 So we hear Jesus has gone on his journey. He gets tired. He needs to rest. I can relate 00:01:49.520 --> 00:01:58.600 to that. Then he meets the woman at the well. And out of a very ordinary situation, an opportunity 00:01:58.600 --> 00:02:07.080 to rest, to take a break, a new opportunity arises. An opportunity for Jesus to love his neighbor. 00:02:08.039 --> 00:02:14.639 It wasn't pre-planned. It wasn't premeditated, rehearsed. In fact, they had nothing in common. 00:02:15.419 --> 00:02:21.379 But there was no distraction that stopped their conversation either. She was a woman, he a man. 00:02:21.519 --> 00:02:30.419 She a Samaritan, a sinner, sinning. No, at that time, simply just neighbors. So as we heard, 00:02:30.419 --> 00:02:43.739 he asked her for a drink. In my own words, excuse me, you're talking to me. You're talking to me. 00:02:44.500 --> 00:02:51.039 You realize who you're talking to? I'm a Samaritan. You're not. We don't mix. 00:02:51.039 --> 00:03:00.959 So he replies, woman, you are focusing on the wrong thing. Do you realize that? That you are 00:03:00.959 --> 00:03:07.500 being so distracted right now. Can you not see what is more important? If you knew the gift of 00:03:07.500 --> 00:03:13.780 grace, the gift of God, and who it is who asks you for a drink, you would have given it to him. And he 00:03:13.780 --> 00:03:19.759 would have given you in return to living water. Basically, stop getting so distracted. Get your 00:03:19.759 --> 00:03:27.360 priorities right. And she still doesn't really understand him. But Jesus explains who he is and 00:03:27.360 --> 00:03:35.860 why she needs to know. Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks the 00:03:35.860 --> 00:03:43.660 water, I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become a spring welling up 00:03:43.660 --> 00:03:52.600 inside them to eternal life. So in turn, the woman realizes what Jesus is saying. And she acknowledges 00:03:52.600 --> 00:04:03.080 she needs that in her life. And just as she says that, what happens? Hang on a minute. Jesus stops her 00:04:03.080 --> 00:04:08.160 in his tracks and said, okay, that's great. In fact, it's better than great. It is fantastic. 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:13.920 But before you're going to move on, before you're going to have that living water in your life, 00:04:14.520 --> 00:04:20.280 we need to talk about something. We need to talk about the five husbands and the guy who's not your 00:04:20.280 --> 00:04:28.300 husband right now. How does he know that? He's Jesus. He knows everything. But you know what? 00:04:28.300 --> 00:04:33.819 Although he confronted her about that, he comforted her after. 00:04:36.579 --> 00:04:42.900 He told her the truth of the gospel about who he is so that she could move on in good stead. 00:04:44.180 --> 00:04:53.000 So there's my recap. You know the story. But what is our story today? Can you relate to anyone in 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:58.779 that story? You know, are you, say, a disciple doing as the Lord calls, but it's not always easy? 00:05:00.019 --> 00:05:05.379 Are you a bit miffed off, a bit disenfranchised with life? Are you just keeping your head down? 00:05:06.199 --> 00:05:09.420 Or are you thirsty? Are you searching for more? Are you hoping? 00:05:11.319 --> 00:05:17.079 Well, here's the thing. If you're A, B, C, D, or E, all of the above, then today it's for you. 00:05:17.079 --> 00:05:28.899 We can get so easily distracted in life. I should know. Some things we have control over, some things we don't. 00:05:31.180 --> 00:05:38.719 But I'll let you into a secret. It's not about A, B, C, D, E, or the above, getting distracted about what you've done, 00:05:38.720 --> 00:05:47.240 the choices you've made, the doubts you've had, the distraction. No matter that, what matters is who God is. 00:05:48.420 --> 00:05:50.540 And that's what Jesus was showing this lady at the well. 00:05:52.820 --> 00:05:55.140 So let's talk about that distraction. 00:05:56.380 --> 00:05:58.640 Being so distracted by thirst. 00:05:59.880 --> 00:06:05.420 And I don't mean the kind of, oh, I could really do with a coffee after the sermon kind of thirst. 00:06:05.420 --> 00:06:11.199 I can't think. No, no, what I mean is that I can't think, I can't talk, I can't walk. 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:22.520 I just, all I can see, all I need is that drink, that kind of release, that kind of, that rest. 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:26.800 Has anyone ever been that thirsty? 00:06:29.280 --> 00:06:31.720 Yeah, I didn't think so. Okay, Susie. 00:06:31.720 --> 00:06:35.680 But I guess you would be that thirsty depending on how long this sermon is, right? 00:06:37.960 --> 00:06:42.600 But what Jesus is talking about is not that thirst for the excellent coffee at the back. 00:06:43.900 --> 00:06:48.560 What he's talking about is that thirst for a very real, consuming hope. 00:06:49.940 --> 00:06:54.140 That thirst for purpose, that thirst for direction, that thirst for forgiveness. 00:06:54.139 --> 00:06:58.979 Or maybe that release from anger, from fear. 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:07.740 That kind of distraction, that distracts you to the point where you cannot talk, you cannot sleep, you cannot function in your normal day. 00:07:09.620 --> 00:07:11.680 But deep down, you know there must be a reason. 00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:13.459 You know there must be hope. 00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:14.539 There must be light. 00:07:14.540 --> 00:07:19.140 I know I've craved that in my life. 00:07:20.040 --> 00:07:22.160 I'm guessing quite a lot of you have too. 00:07:24.020 --> 00:07:31.460 So if only there was something that could give us that everlasting hope, that purpose, that direction, that forgiveness, that comfort, that fear. 00:07:31.820 --> 00:07:35.020 If only something could quench that thirst. 00:07:37.400 --> 00:07:41.080 Well, there's a lot, actually, that can meet that. 00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:46.500 Wherever we go, wherever we look, there are tons of answers. 00:07:46.659 --> 00:07:52.519 And I mean hundreds upon hundreds and hundreds of answers that will try to help with all of that. 00:07:53.779 --> 00:08:02.319 There are solutions, there are books, there are clubs, there are hobbies, there are relationships, there are shop windows, subscriptions, work gym, addictions, podcasts. 00:08:02.699 --> 00:08:06.479 You name it, something could be shiny and say, I'll help. 00:08:07.899 --> 00:08:09.919 I'll see if I can sort out that thirst for you. 00:08:09.920 --> 00:08:11.740 And you know what? 00:08:11.819 --> 00:08:16.040 They'll do the job for a while. 00:08:17.960 --> 00:08:19.280 They'll do the job for a while. 00:08:19.580 --> 00:08:23.000 They'll distract you for a while from whatever's causing you that pain. 00:08:24.580 --> 00:08:28.139 And don't get me wrong, somehow, excellent health benefits. 00:08:28.980 --> 00:08:30.460 Absolutely, you should be exercising. 00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:31.620 Absolutely, hobbies. 00:08:31.800 --> 00:08:33.539 Absolutely, go for a walk, see your friends. 00:08:33.920 --> 00:08:34.800 So important. 00:08:36.340 --> 00:08:38.159 But they will only ever take off the edge. 00:08:39.919 --> 00:08:48.139 That I believe, and we're here today and we've heard, there is only one option that will totally do the job. 00:08:48.379 --> 00:08:51.360 That will always lead you in the right direction. 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:55.479 That will always answer every question you have. 00:08:56.659 --> 00:09:00.379 There is one drink that will quench this thirst in life. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:06.240 I want to read to you from Matthew 11, 28. 00:09:07.019 --> 00:09:07.820 And it says, 00:09:07.820 --> 00:09:09.620 Are you tired? 00:09:12.200 --> 00:09:13.480 Are you worn out? 00:09:13.640 --> 00:09:14.860 Are you burned out on religion? 00:09:16.280 --> 00:09:17.220 Come to me. 00:09:18.220 --> 00:09:20.640 Get away with me and you'll recover your life. 00:09:21.520 --> 00:09:23.420 I'll show you how to take a real rest. 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:26.460 Walk with me and work with me. 00:09:26.600 --> 00:09:27.480 Watch how I do it. 00:09:27.640 --> 00:09:30.020 Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. 00:09:30.019 --> 00:09:34.220 I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 00:09:35.240 --> 00:09:39.720 Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. 00:09:41.179 --> 00:09:44.559 See, this is what Jesus meant when he said he was the living water. 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:48.419 Not the stagnant water, but fresh living water. 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:50.259 When Jesus says, 00:09:50.259 --> 00:10:00.319 That's what he meant. 00:10:03.100 --> 00:10:04.580 So let me ask you again. 00:10:06.139 --> 00:10:08.179 Who can you relate to in today's reading? 00:10:09.720 --> 00:10:15.899 Are you a disciple doing as the Lord calls, but it's not always easy and maybe you thirst for strength? 00:10:17.580 --> 00:10:19.100 Are you a bit miffed off? 00:10:19.100 --> 00:10:21.460 Are you pretty disenfranchised with life? 00:10:22.860 --> 00:10:24.420 Are you thirsty for hope? 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:28.040 Or are you just keeping your head down? 00:10:28.200 --> 00:10:29.360 You know, you're doing you. 00:10:30.480 --> 00:10:33.220 But really deep down, you're thirsty for direction. 00:10:35.080 --> 00:10:38.180 Are you distracted, lacking, searching, hoping? 00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:42.980 When I tell you the answer, the thirst, quench, relieving answer. 00:10:43.440 --> 00:10:45.040 Relieving is not a word, but you know what I mean. 00:10:45.500 --> 00:10:45.840 Jesus. 00:10:46.759 --> 00:10:47.519 Honestly, guys. 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:48.160 Jesus. 00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:50.180 He says, 00:10:50.560 --> 00:10:52.600 I am the way, the truth, the life. 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:55.740 No one comes to the Father except through me. 00:10:55.740 --> 00:11:02.100 So if you can relate today to A, B, C, D, E, or of the above. 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:04.960 Do you know, let's not get distracted by that. 00:11:06.039 --> 00:11:08.100 But let's get our priorities right. 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:12.840 Let's open our hearts and embrace God and receive that living water. 00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:17.139 Let's pray that we would not get distracted by thirst. 00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:23.300 Let's pray that we would not get distracted by thirst, but actually have that thirst quenched by the living water. 00:11:23.299 --> 00:11:29.519 I pray today that we will continue to be changed people. 00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:30.599 I pray that we will continue to be changed people. 00:11:30.599 --> 00:11:33.439 Refined disciples of God, wholly focused on him. 00:11:33.440 --> 00:11:34.440 His calling for our lives. 00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:39.080 His calling for our lives and live each day filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:50.740 And so wherever we go, whatever we do, even the most simple of tasks, like resting and getting a drink of water. 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:54.159 Let's seek God in all of it. 00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:55.779 Let's pray. 00:11:58.500 --> 00:12:03.240 Heavenly Father, loving God, living water. 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:13.659 We thank you and praise you for your mercy, for your forgiveness, for your hope in our lives. 00:12:15.180 --> 00:12:20.039 We acknowledge that we far too often get distracted and we lose sight. 00:12:20.740 --> 00:12:25.039 That we do not seek you in the quiet parts of our lives. 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:28.500 And in the busy, we get too distracted. 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:35.340 Heavenly Father, we pray that you would fill up our cup. 00:12:37.580 --> 00:12:42.220 And that everything that isn't you would be emptied. 00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:47.320 Help us, we pray, to seek you first. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:50.060 To welcome you into every part of our lives. 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:57.539 In the silence now, we ask us to show you where change is needed. 00:12:58.919 --> 00:13:03.019 And we also lift up those situations where we know we need you more. 00:13:03.019 --> 00:13:23.500 Thank you, Lord, that you call us and you comfort us. 00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:31.539 Please then challenge us and change us so that we might become ever more pleasing to you. 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:33.039 Amen.