Living Water and the Woman at the Well: A Sermon Outline by Keith Badowski

Living Water and the Woman at the Well
Sermon outline by Keith Badowski

1. Samaria—located between Galilee and Judea. Place to be avoided. Jewish origins, intermarried. Jews felt Samarians distorted Jewish faith. Samaritans believed Jews had compromised truth while in exile in Babylon. Jesus came for purpose, instead of going around. Messiah to the WHOLE world. ANOINTED one, sent by God—to the whole world.

2. Jesus’ method of conveying his message to be understood by ALL used objects at hand. Object lesson to reveal Spiritual Truth. Used Metaphor. Water = salvation, washed clean of sin. Thirst = yearning for connection with God. Sin breaks connection with God.

3. Deep down we all know Right vs. Wrong. We’re hardwired by the creator. C.S. Lewis quote from Mere Christianity, see Book One “Right and Wrong As A Clue to the Meaning of the Universe”.

4. Doing wrong, sin, breaks relationship with God and others. Notice that the woman comes to the well during the day to avoid others. Jesus knows she is lonely, i.e. thirsty for connection. Living water offer gets her attention.

5. Metaphor of Living Water is appropriate. Arid climate, daily need to draw water, worse task in daytime. Jesus tied his spiritual message to her actual physical needs and experience. She understood, paid attention.

6. Still had to overcome obstacles, but Jesus let nothing stop him.
a. the Jewish vs. Samaritan barrier
b. gender
c. need for food
d. her efforts to hide her core problem
How willing are WE to traverse obstacles to share living water with others?

7. Are WE willing to go to those people and places others avoid?
When we represent Christ to others we need to take more time.
a. build trust
b. no judgment
c. meets needs
d. patience to develop intimacy, willingness to admit hurts, regrets, mistakes
e. Intro Jesus, forgiveness. Our opportunity to offer Living Water.

8. Jesus persisted despite her side-stepping. “I have no husband.” Temple worship controversy. Like so many, she dodged admission of wrong doing. Some lie, web of deception to cover up. The woman is ashamed but didn’t outright lie or flee. She perceived his connection to God and power. Jesus knew her whole life, so he might also satisfy her thirst for release, a new start, connection with God.

9. Jesus did not berate or ignore her. He welcomed the opportunity to teach truth. Neither Samaritan nor Jew has lock on Worship style (contemporary vs. traditional), the correct building (temple) to worship in, or location. None of those details matter. What matters to God is TRUTH and SPIRIT. Holy Spirit and Truth of God, Jesus is the source. Do WE worship in truth and spirit here?

10. Woman doesn’t understand all Jesus says, at least not fully. But she understands the Messiah is coming. He will reveal TRUTH, explain everything. Jesus knows she is ready for BIG TRUTH that He is the Messiah.

11. Her response is VERY BIG. She immediately tells others. Come hear! He told me everything I did. In her JOY she wants others to receive Living Water too! Freedom from the burden of sin, reunited connection to God. As a result, many Samaritans believed in Jesus.

12. What had been your response to Jesus’ Living Water? Nearly as Joyful? Inclusive of others? Nearly as effective as this woman at the well?

Confession: a Devotion from the Upper Room June 4, 2008

Confession

Read James 5:15-20

When you realize your guilt . . . you shall confess the sin that you have committed.
-Leviticus 5:5 (NRSV)

WE know we are supposed to confess our sins and seek forgiveness. But imagine finding not a forgiving God but a judge who is about to sentence us to life in prison. How would that change our outlook on confession?

The answer to the question is: it doesn't have to. Having accepted Christ into my life six days after my arrest, I stood before the judge knowing that I could not both stand for Christ and lie on the witness stand. So, I confessed and, according to the penalty prescribed by law, was given a life sentence. Confessing was one of the most difficult things I have ever done, but ironically it was also the most rewarding. God took the small faith I had when I told the truth in court and began a work that has sustained me for over 20 years in one of the world's toughest prisons. I do not think this would have been possible had I refused to confess my sin and to live for God.

By confessing our sins before God and people, we also confess our total reliance upon God's grace and mercy. The measure of mercy we receive depends on our willingness to admit our shortcomings. Our reward is a closer, more intimate relationship with the One who someday will judge the world.

Richard Ryan (Ohio, U.S.A.)

Prayer
Lord, help us to lay our sins at the foot of the cross and to humbly seek your face. Grant us your loving mercy. Amen.

Thought for the Day
Even when we fear our sins, we can confess them and find forgiveness

Prayer Focus
For courage to confess our sins

from The Upper Room, June 4, 2008

When the Church is a Good Example: A sermon outline by Keith Badowski

When the Church is a Good Example Sermon outline by Keith Badowski 

I. The church is an encouragement and a good example when . . . 

A. WE maintain the faith despite trials and attacks. 

B. WE share the gospel near and far. 

C. WE believe in Christ as the Center: results in Faith, Love, Hope. Faith in Christ leads to Good Works, Spread the Gospel, Expectation of Christ’s return. 

II. Persecution 

A. THEN: angry mobs. NOW: individual attacks & cultural attacks. 

B. Cynicism, criticism—examples 

C. Entertainment & Fantasy of pleasure in a godless world.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 Acts 17:5 persecution and affliction angry mobs—not the type of persecution we face today. Today’s attacks are individuals: “Christianity is a crutch.” “I’m too smart for that.” “Christianity is bigotry in disguise.” “Why should those religious people force their ideas on me or my children?” Culture of TV and movies—sexuality and violence Constructs in the mind a fantasy world where a godless world seems pleasurable and mostly harmless. The media assists in tempting us to turn away from God.

Barbara Mandrell sang to her son Nathan: Jesus Loves Me, This is the Day the Lord had Made, Jesus Loves the Little Children. Yet the first song he sang was All My Exes Live in Texas. 

In response to this attack, should WE become activists? Should we picket and boycott the studios, the networks? No. See 1 Thessalonians 4:11 WE are instructed to live a quite life. Simply turn off the TV when lies and temptations are being broadcast, avoid godless movies (which might mean avoiding quite a few movies these days). Don’t get steeped in politics and protests. That often turns into a quest for human-centric power. And it’s totally unnecessary. More importantly WE ought not to get distracted from our God-given main focus of winning others to Christ. 

“Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.” –Will Rodgers 

III. Characteristics of a Good Example (Paul & Thessalonians) 

A. Be an open book, sharing your life with others openly so they can see you God sees you—Accountability. 

B. Focused on Christ & Holy Spirit 

C. Allowing faith to translate into action. 

D. Abandoning idols, i.e. Materialism 

E. Demonstrating confidence & patience in the hope of Christ’s return. 

IV. A Good Example Sets Aside Phony Evangelism 

A. Overly simplified statements of belief 

B. Hypocritical 

C. People pleasing, ignoring the dangers of sin, candy-coating, could be false. (No talk of sin, judgment, repentance) 

D. Value on charm and charisma (in the worldly sense) 

E. Pressure of positions and authority 

V. Good Examples Practice True Evangelism 

A. Only the truth of God spoken, keeping to the central Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

B. God pleasing, God tests our hearts and witnesses all we say and do—broadcast on the “Big Transmitter” 

C. Out of centeredness in Christ, spread the Gospel beyond immediate surroundings. 

VI. Your Are Prepared to Evangelize Epworth! 

A. The Thessalonians had many fewer resources than we do today: 

1. Jewish scriptures not published, had to be taught and memorized, shared by voice alone. WE have multiple translations widely in print, easily accessed and accessible. 

2. The Apostle Paul only stayed a short time, 3 Sabbath’s of preaching. WE have heard numerous sermons in our lifetimes, Sunday school, and many testimonials. 

3. The Thessalonians had the Holy Spirit. Ditto US: Holy Spirit 

4. The Thessalonians had no written Gospel or letters in print, no New Testament at all. Paul’s letter was their first such material resource. WE have an extensive church history, a vast wealth of Christian literature, and a thriving Christian publishing industry. 

VII. Response to Persecution 

A. Then: the Thessalonians persisted in faith and spread the Gospel, did not focus on eliminating opposition. Now: WE should do the same. 

B. Attacking the opposition via politics and protest distracts from focus on Christ. 

C. Be teachers and examples, not of the world, but set apart.