Participants: Dwight K. Nelson
Series Code: NP
Program Code: NP101511
|
00:06 From the campus of Andrews University
00:08 this is New Perceptions with Dr. Dwight K. Nelson. 00:20 Everyone needs compassion 00:23 A Love that's never failing 00:27 Let mercy fall on me 00:32 Everyone needs forgiveness 00:35 The kindness of a Savior 00:39 The hope of nations 00:48 Savior, He can move the mountains 00:54 My God is mighty to save 00:57 He is mighty to save 01:00 Forever, Author of Salvation 01:06 He rose and conquered the grave 01:09 Jesus conquered the grave 01:14 So, take me as you find me 01:18 All my fears and failures 01:22 Fill my life again 01:27 I give my life to follow 01:30 Everything I believe in, 01:34 Now I surrender 01:39 I surrender 01:43 Savior, He can move the mountains 01:48 My God is mighty to save 01:51 He is mighty to save 01:55 Forever, Author of Salvation 02:00 He rose and conquered the grave 02:04 Jesus conquered the grave 02:08 Shine your light and let the whole world see 02:13 We're singing for the glory of the risen King Jesus 02:19 Shine your light and let the whole world see 02:24 We're singing for the glory of the risen King 02:31 Savior, He can move the mountains 02:37 My God is mighty to save 02:40 He is mighty to save 02:44 Forever, Author of Salvation 02:49 He rose and conquered the grave 02:53 Jesus conquered the grave 03:01 Life is fragile. 03:05 Every movement shall not be taken for granted. 03:10 Who you are and who you choose to be in, 03:14 who you choose to follow 03:18 is crucial to your salvation. 03:23 Well, today be the day 03:26 when you choose to follow God. 03:29 When you choose so put Him first, 03:36 wherever He leads, 03:40 whenever He calls what ever the task. 03:53 Sing with me. 03:55 Where You go, I'll go Where You stay, I'll stay 04:01 When You move, I'll move 04:04 I will follow You 04:09 I will follow You 04:16 All your ways are good 04:19 All your ways are sure 04:23 I will trust in You alone 04:27 Higher than my sight High above my life 04:34 I will trust in You alone 04:38 In You alone 04:43 Where You go, I'll go Where You stay, I'll stay 04:48 When You move, I'll move 04:51 I will follow You Whom You love, I'll love 04:56 How You serve, I'll serve 04:59 If this life I lose, 05:01 I will follow You 05:07 I will follow You 05:15 Light into the world 05:18 Light into my life 05:22 I will live for You alone 05:26 You're the One I seek Knowing I will find 05:32 All I need in You alone 05:37 In You alone 05:42 Where You go, I'll go Where You stay, I'll stay 05:47 When You move, I'll move 05:50 I will follow You 05:53 Whom You love, I'll love How You serve, I'll serve 05:58 If this life I lose, 06:01 I will follow You 06:06 I will follow You 06:14 In You there's life everlasting 06:20 In You there's freedom for my soul 06:25 In You there's joy unending, joy 06:33 And I will follow You 06:36 Where You go, I'll go Where You stay, I'll stay 06:42 When You move, I'll move 06:45 I will follow You 06:48 Whom You love, I'll love How You serve, I'll serve 06:54 If this life I lose, I will follow You 06:59 Where You go, I'll go Where You stay, I'll stay 07:05 When You move, I'll move 07:08 I will follow you 07:10 Whom You love, I'll love How You serve, I'll serve 07:16 If this life I lose, 07:19 I will follow You 07:25 I will follow You 07:56 There's a land 07:58 That is fairer than day 08:05 And by faith 08:07 We can see it afar 08:14 For the Father waits over the way 08:23 To prepare us 08:25 A dwelling place there 08:32 In the sweet 08:36 By and by 08:41 We shall meet 08:43 On that beautiful shore 08:50 In the sweet 08:54 By and by 08:58 We shall meet 09:01 On that beautiful shore 09:08 We shall sing 09:11 On that beautiful shore 09:16 The melodious songs of the blessed 09:24 And our spirits Shall sorrow no more 09:32 Not a sigh for the blessing 09:37 Not a sigh for the blessing 09:40 Not a sigh for the blessing of rest 09:48 To our bountiful Father above 09:56 We will offer 09:58 Our tribute of praise 10:04 For the glorious gift of His love 10:13 And the blessings 10:18 That hallow our days 10:26 We shall sing 10:34 We shall sing 10:37 On that beautiful shore 10:43 We shall sing 10:45 We shall sing 10:47 On that beautiful shore 10:51 On that beautiful shore 10:56 On that beautiful shore 10:59 On that beautiful shore 11:04 On that beautiful shore 11:07 On that beautiful shore 11:08 On that beautiful shore 11:12 On that beautiful shore 11:14 On that beautiful shore 11:16 On that beautiful shore 11:19 On that beautiful shore 11:23 On that beautiful shore 11:27 On that beautiful shore 11:52 In the sweet by and by, 11:54 we shall, that' His promise, 11:57 we shall meet on that beautiful shore. 12:03 You will meet Dean Esperanza. 12:07 It just occurred to me a few moments ago, 12:09 her name means hope. 12:13 She died with that hope 12:15 we must live with it as her legacy to us 12:21 and we will meet on that beautiful, 12:26 beautiful shore with Christ Jesus. 12:33 How can I know that I will be on that beautiful shore? 12:35 Listen carefully to this mornings teaching 12:38 it has the how too embedded in it. 12:41 Let us pray. 12:43 Oh, God, our hearts for reasons tender and painful, 12:50 are pinned on that beautiful shore 12:52 now more than ever before in Christ. 12:59 How can we be assured 13:02 that voyage one day to that beautiful shore, 13:06 teach us as it would occur and happen today, 13:13 through the life of a woman? 13:15 Teach as we pray. 13:17 In Jesus name, amen. 13:21 Her life was a soap opera. 13:24 She lived and moved with a young and the restless. 13:29 She was both young and restless. 13:32 You know, the type fidgety, pretty face woman 13:35 who can't bite her shiny manicured nails, 13:38 so she taps well healed high healed toe nervously. 13:44 And how you woman stand on those heals 13:46 that high is absolutely beyond me. 13:50 Unbelievable, but you do it, you go girl. 13:57 So she stands there tapping her toe nervously, 14:00 she is scanning the makeup counter 14:03 not that she really needs any more 14:04 that pricey make up magic 14:07 but there are always those driven soles 14:09 who keep trying to make a good thing better 14:12 until they finally make it worse. 14:17 But as you stare into those haunted dark eyes 14:19 and hers you could swear 14:21 that you have seen her face 14:23 before picture-perfect, pretty oval face. 14:27 Isn't that the face 14:29 that waltzes across another one 14:30 of Hollywood's chick-flicks sets? 14:35 You have seen her face 14:38 only this woman can't make believe 14:43 that her life is make-believe any longer. 14:47 I'm sure she's got a cover girl face 14:48 but she has a covered up life 14:51 and all the neon eyeliner in the world 14:54 will not be able to hide it. 14:57 Truth is this woman with the pretty face 15:02 has a burning heart burned out into a smoldering heap 15:07 of ashes from a sooty string of failed romances. 15:12 It doesn't take a psychologist too quickly figure out 15:17 that what you see here is the lifecycle up the young 15:21 and the restless turned on then burned out, 15:28 used up then tossed out, 15:33 hollowed out until there's nothing left 15:36 by that accept that 15:39 wispy trail of ash. 15:44 Cover girl face, 15:46 with the covered up life young restless and hopeless. 15:51 But today, life that is about 15:55 to become uncovered for ever and ever, amen. 16:00 Though she's not praying yet at all unless perhaps 16:04 she prays one prayer 16:07 and that's a prayer for a friend 16:11 because if you noticed the prettier--the prettier 16:13 your face the fewer your friends. 16:16 How does it work that way, 16:20 unless you want to call a friend the man 16:25 she is living with now, 16:29 the last word we come again to it the fourth gospel. 16:33 Today's teaching putting on the screen for you 16:36 "Just Another Pretty Face?" 16:40 There is a study guide today nothing to fill in. 16:42 Hang on to that study guide 16:43 every quotation you will hear here. 16:45 Little series of teaching points all there 16:47 so those are you watching on television 16:49 we're delighted to have you go to that 16:50 website www.pmchurch.tv 16:53 you're looking for the series the last word 16:55 this is part seven "Just Another Pretty Face?" 17:00 Click on there you will see study guide 17:02 it's a keeper for you as well. 17:03 Let's go we got to go, the gospel of John Chapter four, 17:07 the fourth gospel the fourth chapter today. 17:10 John Chapter 4, I'm in the New King James Version 17:12 whatever translation you have 17:14 I'm just glad you have a translation. 17:15 Didn't bring a translation pull the one 17:17 in front of you its in the pew rack, 17:18 it's the New King James as well. 17:20 Well, pickup the story you not a stranger to the story, 17:23 so let's pick it up in verse 5. 17:25 John 4:5 "So He" Jesus "came to a city of Samaria 17:31 which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground 17:34 that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 17:36 Now Jacob's well was there. 17:38 Jesus therefore, being wearied 17:40 from His journey, sat thus by the well. 17:44 It was about the sixth hour." 17:45 John's method of keeping time 17:48 probably this means this is noon. 17:51 Isn't that amazing? 17:53 The creator of the universe 17:55 incarnated into our human flesh 17:57 sits on the massy lip of an ancient well 18:00 and there is no way Hosea he can get down 100 feet 18:07 for just one sip of quenching water. 18:14 So bound up with us he is. 18:19 Verse 7, "A woman of Samaria came to draw water." 18:24 Hit the pause button right there. 18:25 What do you think she is coming at noon 18:28 because there will be nobody here to ignore her. 18:30 There will be nobody here to shame her. 18:33 There will be nobody here at all. 18:35 The blazing noonday Sun that's why she comes, 18:38 she may be the envy of every women in the village 18:40 and the desire for every man in town 18:42 but she's also the but up every gossip as well. 18:47 So there's a method to her madness 18:49 coming to the well in the blaze in the noon times, 18:51 tights she risks meeting nobody which is why 18:55 she catches her breath as she around the corner 18:58 and there's a man sitting 19:00 on the edge that well, a stranger. 19:06 And the man is a Jew, double trouble for a Samaritan woman. 19:13 Jesus never says a word he just watches her 19:17 smiling eyes perhaps gracious eyes I'm sure. 19:21 He watches the now nervous cover girl 19:23 whose eyes-- whose eyes refuse to meet His. 19:26 Quietly she lowers her empty jar on the end 19:28 of the goat hair rope down one hundred feet, 19:31 the well still exist, down one hundred feet 19:34 she lowers her jar until both the stranger 19:38 and she here a distance splash 19:43 indicating the jars found its mark. 19:45 When the line is touched 19:47 and the jar is full hand over hand 19:49 without a single word she draws that jar. 19:53 Now it's rim glistening in the glory of the noonday Sun. 19:57 She draws it to the surface 20:01 unlatch is a row picks up the jar 20:04 and is about to quietly walk away 20:07 when the strangers speaks. 20:10 Could I have a drink of water please? 20:16 And with that favor 20:20 there is birthed a brand new story 20:24 for the young and the restles 20:25 and not so young and restless today. 20:29 Verse 7, "A woman of Samaria came to draw water. 20:35 Jesus said to her, 'Give Me a drink.' 20:39 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food." 20:43 Then verse 9 "The woman of Samaria said to Him, 20:45 'How is it that You, being a Jew, 20:47 ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?' 20:50 For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans." 20:55 You are asking me for a drink? 20:59 The woman knows that in the mind of this Jew 21:02 there are already two strikes against her, 21:04 three really but fortunately 21:06 the stranger doesn't know the third strike. 21:08 Strike number one, she's a woman. 21:12 Have not the rabbis intoned and I quote. 21:15 "One should not talk with a woman on the street 21:17 nor even with his own wife 21:19 and certainly not what someone else's wife 21:21 because of the gossip of a man." 21:24 And it was written somewhere else 21:25 "It is forbidden to give a woman a greeting." 21:29 Strike one, she's a woman. 21:31 Strike two, she's a Samaritan 21:33 the animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans 21:35 was notoriously deep rooted 21:38 festering back to the origins 21:39 of when this Samaritans were a half cast breed rejected 21:43 during the days of the Assyrian Empire. 21:46 The Jews had a proverb 21:47 "The only good Samaritan is a dead one." 21:50 Strike three, fortunately the stranger doesn't know. 21:57 But she is a woman with a string of failed romances 22:01 and the one she shacks up with now is not her husband. 22:06 What if He had known strike three 22:10 He never would-- excuse me, 22:13 He never would have broached the conversation. 22:16 I can't believe you're even talking to me. 22:21 We're reading Jesus answer. 22:24 Verse 10, "Jesus answered and said to her, 22:29 'If you knew the gift of God'" 22:31 last Sabbath we were in John 3 with proud Pharisees Nicodemus. 22:36 Remember John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, 22:38 that He gave His only begotten Son, 22:41 that whoever believes in Him shall not perish" 22:43 if you knew the gift of God, He is speaking of himself. 22:49 "Jesus answered and said to her," 22:50 verse 10, "If you knew the gift of God, 22:54 and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' 22:57 you would have asked Him, 22:58 and He would have given you living water. 23:00 The woman said to Him, 23:01 'Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. 23:05 Where then do You get that living water?'" 23:08 Verse 12 "'Are You greater than our father Jacob, 23:10 who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, 23:12 as well as his sons and his livestock?' 23:16 Jesus answered and said to her, 23:18 'Whoever drinks'" and He points down 23:20 the shadowed neck of that ancient well. 23:23 "'Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 23:27 but whoever drinks of the water 23:28 that I shall give her will never thirst. 23:31 But the water that I shall give her will become in her 23:34 a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.'" 23:39 There's no mistaking Him now. 23:41 It may sound it 23:42 when He first started talking about this water metaphor 23:45 that he was referring to flowing water 23:47 but now in this rapid fire sequence 23:48 Jesus pointed spirit symbols compounding, 23:51 unmistakably on that lintel over our heart 23:55 do you understand what I'm offering you 23:57 and she gets the faint over overtures 24:02 of something she is desperately thirsty for. 24:09 But right now her sexuality, her sociality, her spirituality 24:16 are so twisted and tangled together 24:22 there's no way she's going to get 24:25 when He wishes to offer, 24:27 I mean socially please you have water that would-- 24:30 that would preclude my ever having 24:32 to return to this place and the neighborhood bides 24:34 with their gossip give me that water, 24:36 oh and sexually I can't find a man who will keep me. 24:41 You have something that will go forever and ever 24:44 give me that water 24:45 and spiritually oh, God 24:48 I am thirsty, give me that water. 24:54 And so the cover girl face exclaims to Jesus 24:57 verse 15 "The woman said to Him, 24:59 'Sir, give me this water, 25:01 that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw.'" 25:05 Jesus stairs into that pretty face 25:08 and He knows that behind a masked pain there is a woman 25:12 who will never grasp the offer of eternal life 25:14 until she desperately confronts her name. 25:18 And need so He hold her gaze, 25:21 pretty eyes, He holds them. 25:26 He says, I want to give you that water. 25:28 I want you to go home and get your husband. 25:31 Bring him back with you 25:32 I will give the both of you the water I've promised. 25:37 And in that split second 25:39 like she's done a thousand times before 25:42 those massacred eyes drop instantly to the ground. 25:49 She collects herself, she's quick witted 25:53 and she shouts it back. 25:56 You had a luck, I don't have a husband. 26:00 But as she raises her eyes back now 26:02 Jesus holds the gaze 26:05 and raising His voice to the volume of one 26:08 who would be a profit 26:09 He looks into those eyes and He says, 26:12 you are absolutely right. 26:15 You don't have a husband you had five husbands 26:19 and the man you sleeping with now is not your husband. 26:23 You have said correctly. 26:26 And in that instant, the sudden scarlet blush turned ashen. 26:32 Now, I tell you what 26:33 you can say this to the credit of that woman 26:35 no denial, no him on or around. 26:38 No, no way you got me mixed up with somebody else. 26:40 Do you know what she says? 26:42 She says you're absolutely right 26:43 and she does it by saying to Him 26:46 I perceive your profit You just nailed me. 26:52 But she will not linger for a split second longer, 26:55 she can help it so she pivots on that high heeled footers 27:02 and dives into a distal theological debate 27:07 that is as old as the heals 27:08 and the one who has been 27:10 chasing her all her life gently tracks her now. 27:15 Read it verse 19, "The woman said to Him, 27:19 'Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.'" 27:23 Well, since you have always want to meet a man with the cloth, 27:25 verse 20, "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain" 27:27 she point right mountain Gerizim the holy mountain for Samaria. 27:30 "Our fathers worshiped on this mountain 27:31 and you Jews say that in Jerusalem 27:33 is the place where one ought to worship." 27:36 So what you say? 27:37 Jesus follows the trail verse 21, 27:40 "He says to her, 'Woman, believe Me'" 27:43 and by the way the Greek-- 27:44 the two words in the Greek are only used here 27:46 in the entire New Testament in an emphatic position. 27:48 Believe me, I mean it says, 27:50 believe me, "Woman believe Me, 27:54 the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, 27:56 nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father." 27:58 Verse 22, "You worship what you do not know, 28:00 we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews." 28:03 You know what-- that begging 28:05 for a whole sermon on its own, 28:07 we can't-- we can chase down that path 28:09 but I want to remind you that there are times 28:11 when you can look into somebody's face 28:13 in you can say to him, I have the truth. 28:17 That's exactly what Jesus is saying. 28:19 You don't have it you Samaritans 28:21 we have it, Salvation is from us. 28:24 I have the truth. 28:25 You don't have to be hardy about it, 28:26 you don't have to be snotty about it. 28:28 You just say, you hold your ground, 28:29 you hold your ground. 28:31 No, I'm not I'm not changing. 28:32 I know the true, I have a true its right here. 28:40 So, He says to her, 28:41 "We know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews." 28:44 Verse 23, "But the hour is coming, and now is, 28:46 when the true worshipers 28:47 will worship the Father in spirit and truth, 28:50 for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." 28:52 I tell you I love that, 28:54 I never saw that before this last week 28:55 in brooding over the story. 28:57 The Father is seeking. 28:58 Don't you love that picture God? 29:00 He's looking for people. 29:01 The Father is out seeking for men, women and children. 29:05 He's working hoping to find 29:07 another to draw into His kingdom of worship. 29:10 The Father is seeking and seeking-- 29:13 He have been looking for, He is been looking for me. 29:15 Have you said yes to the Father? 29:17 Has He found you yet? 29:19 The Father is seeking such to worship Him. 29:22 Verse 24, you see, "God is Spirit, 29:25 and those who worship Him 29:26 must worship in spirit and truth." 29:29 And I tell you what something is happening now 29:32 and in that cover girl covered up wife, 29:36 that's never happened before. 29:38 Something is awakening deep 29:40 in the heart of the Samaritan woman, 29:41 something deep is stirring inside over 29:45 a longing, a thirsting, a hungering, a hoping, 29:48 daring to hope and it bursts out 29:53 when she responds. 29:54 Verse 25 and "The woman said to Him," 29:57 Look "'I know, I know that Messiah is coming' 30:01 who is called Christ.'" 30:03 John inserts that. 30:04 And "'When He comes'" the woman goes on 30:06 "'He will tell us all things.'" 30:08 We are waiting for the Messiah. 30:09 I believe He is coming, 30:11 I know that when He comes 30:12 my life answers have been found, 30:15 we hope in Jesus. 30:21 Amazing, amazing. 30:23 This is the clearest statement anywhere 30:25 in all gospels of His admission 30:29 that He is the Messiah. 30:32 Never again will He be this explicit. 30:35 And by the way get this He does it to a woman 30:38 who has three strikes against her. 30:41 He saves it for her and He looks into her face, 30:46 you're looking for the Messiah are you? 30:48 Watch this, verse 25, "I who speak to you, 30:51 and then there are two words in the Greek. 30:52 That translated to two words in the English. 30:54 "I who speak to you I am" 30:58 that's the word it is in the Greek 31:00 and that's what it is in English. 31:01 "I am" you want everlasting life, 31:04 I am, you want water that will never run dry, 31:07 I am, you are looking for the Messiah, I am He, I am. 31:13 Nine times in the gospel of John radical fourth gospel 31:16 comes this unpredicted claim I am. 31:21 I am the wine, I am the good shepherd, 31:23 I am the way in the truth, 31:24 I am the resurrection in the life, 31:26 I am the water of life, I am girl, 31:30 I am what you are looking for, I am. 31:36 Wow. 31:41 If only the young and the restless 31:42 at the third millennium and the not so young 31:46 and restless at the same millennium 31:47 if only we knew the healing truth of Jesus quite offer 31:54 I am the water of life come to Me and drink. 32:01 And we shall meet on that beautiful, beautiful shore. 32:07 I am the Almighty, I am, the I am. 32:15 Isn't it something by the way ladies and gentlemen, 32:18 no lecture to the women 32:21 about her previous five husbands, 32:23 not a word to her about the man 32:26 you're shacking up with now not a single word. 32:29 Jesus just says, hey come, come on, 32:33 I am what you're thirsty for, 32:36 come to me and drink in My water I am. 32:41 So-- so the woman bless her heart 32:43 she is so flustered down and she is so excited 32:48 that she forgets that this whole conversation began 32:50 because a thirsty man is longing for a drink of water 32:53 and she just turned tail and runs 32:55 and fortunately she leaves the jar there. 33:00 She races back into town and the record is very clear 33:03 she goes to the men of the city 33:06 and she says to the man 33:08 come and meet a man who was told me everything 33:10 I've ever done and the record and the man followed her 33:14 because they're not sure what she told him 33:15 and they're not sure what he knows. 33:19 That's exactly right John purposely said 33:22 she went to the man and they came. 33:25 We got to check this out, 33:28 what's heard on the street isn't that amazing. 33:33 Philip Yancey in his latest book 33:35 "What Good Is God? 33:36 In Search of a Faith That Matters" 33:38 describes a sex workers conference in Green Lake, 33:42 Wisconsin that he was invited to address. 33:44 They are all Christian workers 33:46 who have dedicated their lives 33:48 to bringing healing to women and children, 33:50 as you well know are so into the sex traffic 33:54 and the sex trade of this planet. 33:55 It's a tragic chapter that we all choose to ignore. 34:00 But there are men and woman Christians 34:01 who say we will minister to those 34:04 wretched human beings by the way, 34:06 who yet long for cleansing and freedom. 34:08 So, Yancey before he addresses 34:10 the entire conference has some time 34:12 alone with just the women. 34:14 I'm gonna to read what he writes. 34:16 "I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. 34:18 The only man in a roomful of women, 34:21 I was hearing horrifying stories 34:22 of male cruelty and exploitation. 34:24 Before today I had never met a prostitute 34:27 and now dozens surrounded me some were gorgeous, 34:30 the kind you see glamorized 34:31 on television shows set in Las Vegas, 34:33 some were plain-looking, 34:35 and some shown signs of a rough life on the streets, 34:37 missing teeth, scars, bad complexion. 34:40 They talked about sex acts matter-of-factly, 34:42 as a car salesman might talk about tires or sunroofs. 34:45 What had I got myself into?" 34:49 Later that evening, in his address 34:51 to an auditorium of prostitutes 34:52 and Christian workers Yancey makes a single point 34:56 and I want you to get this point. 34:57 It's just-- may it stay with you and me forever. 35:02 He opens his address by telling 35:03 about a friend of his name George. 35:07 The man lives in Chicago. 35:09 George was reared a Mennonite. 35:10 We have Mennonite community not far from us 35:14 who also by the way suffered a tragic death 35:17 just this week with their biology professor. 35:26 So if he tells about this, 35:27 this-- this friend of his name George 35:29 living in Chicago was reared Mennonite and a pacifist 35:32 but who in is rebellious to his child 35:33 and his parents enlisted in the army 35:36 and fought in the Vietnam War. 35:38 Then after the war he settled in the Windy City. 35:40 He ran a rather small book store, 35:42 he chain smoked, 35:43 became an alcoholic was a bisexual, 35:45 who liaisons on both males and females. 35:48 One night, George is channel surfing on television 35:52 when he comes across a choir singing 35:55 "Just as I Am, Without One Plea" 36:00 and something about that moment draws Georgian 36:05 and he stays glued to this 36:07 to the television screen staring as-- 36:09 as men and women are coming forward 36:12 until film of tears soon covers his eyes. 36:15 George tells, Yancey the story, 36:18 and I'm gonna put George's words on the screen now, 36:20 because I need you to catch this watch this. 36:23 Philip Yancey writing, "George said, to Yancey, 36:26 'That night I fathomed for the first time the truth 36:30 that God loves me just as I am. 36:34 Everybody else loves me with strings attached. 36:36 I disappoint my family 36:38 because I have never realized 36:39 my potential in school, in career, whatever. 36:42 I disappoint my church in my decision 36:44 to fight in a war and in my personal behavior. 36:46 I disappoint my friends and doctors in the way 36:48 I treat my health, with cigarettes 36:50 and drinking and poor diet. 36:52 I'm poor, fat, ugly, and soon old. 36:55 Only God loves me just as I am." 37:01 Isn't that something, only God loves me just as I'm 37:05 and then Yancey makes the point that I hope Dwight, 37:08 don't you ever forget this as long as you live. 37:12 From my friend George, 37:14 I learned that grace like water flows downward. 37:21 That line is so significant 37:22 I want to lock in front of your eyes for a moment. 37:24 We put it on the screen please. 37:25 "Grace like water flows downward." 37:32 The father down you are the father down grace goes. 37:38 Until a woman with three strikes her gender, 37:42 her race, her fellness stands before Jesus 37:47 and He offers her the water of life that lasts forever. 37:50 How did George put it I'm poor, fat, ugly 37:53 and soon old only God loves me just as I am. 38:01 Even so Jesus loved that Samaritan woman just as she was. 38:08 Grace like water flows downward. 38:13 Now, look guys, look, look 38:14 I understand Jesus loved her just as she was 38:18 He didn't leave her just as she was. 38:22 Pick up the ending to the story verse 39 38:24 "And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him 38:27 because of the word of the woman who testified, 38:30 'He told me all that I ever did.'" 38:31 So, verse 40 38:32 "When the Samaritans had come to Jesus, 38:34 they urged Him to stay with them 38:35 and He stayed there for two days." 38:38 He slept under their roofs, He ate at their tables 38:41 there is a whole another sermon there that we will bypass. 38:44 With the hated Samaritans He was one with them. 38:51 He stayed there for two days, verse 41 38:52 "And many more believed because of His own word. 38:56 Then they said to the woman, 38:57 'Now we believe, not because of what you said, 39:00 for we ourselves have heard Him 39:02 and we know that this is indeed the Christ, 39:05 the Savior of the world.'" 39:07 The end. 39:09 Isn't that amazing? 39:11 From them the confession 39:14 He is you are the Savior of the world. 39:21 Now, look right here, right here the road forks. 39:24 I debated about doing one fork 39:26 and one service and one fork 39:28 one side of the fork in the other service, 39:29 but you know what I'm gonna-- 39:30 I decided to do them both. 39:32 The road forks right here, 39:34 because if you look at Jesus there's a compelling-- 39:37 there's a compelling truth we must not miss. 39:40 Let's just look at Jesus for a moment. 39:41 When you look at Jesus did you catch that a moment ago 39:44 that when He is alone with that woman 39:48 He says not a single word about her five failed marriages? 39:54 Not a single word about her sleeping 39:57 with a man who doesn't even belonged to her. 39:58 Not a single word. 40:02 Isn't that amazing about Jesus? 40:05 When He has time alone with you 40:08 He doesn't bring up your past. 40:11 He doesn't rub it in your face. 40:13 He doesn't even bring it up. 40:17 Instead He says, 40:19 I know you're thirsty I can tell. 40:22 Come to Me, I'll slake that thirst 40:25 and I'll fill you what you are long for. 40:28 Isn't that beautiful about Jesus? 40:30 I mean, do you find that beautiful? 40:32 Let me get an, amen if you find it beautiful. 40:34 I mean, come on guys, there it is not a word. 40:36 Can you find a word? Not a word. 40:40 I want those of you that feel that when you meet a sinner 40:43 it is a part of your Holy Spirit duty 40:45 to remind that sinner where the sinner is fallen. 40:49 I want you to notice the example of Jesus please, 40:52 because sometimes we think 40:53 that we're doing God a great service 40:55 when we say okay, now 40:57 I don't know if he know this is wrong 40:59 so I'm gonna say it in just the right way, 41:01 so that before this visit is over 41:03 and he gets off the plane he knows 41:05 that's not the way to live. 41:07 And we think that we become ambassadors to the Holy Spirit 41:11 and we do the convicting ourselves. 41:14 When the God of the universe is along, the woman 41:16 who has five reasons plus one 41:18 to spend some time talking about her past 41:21 not a single wisp, not a word. 41:26 My friend, listen, when you meet a sinner 41:30 don't focus on the sins point the sinner to the Savior. 41:37 That's the point. It's not rocket science. 41:40 That's what you do. Jesus did it. 41:42 He could have gone the other way says, no. 41:45 You say, Dwight, I can't do that. 41:46 I can't offer anybody water and they will not thirsty again. 41:48 Oh, yes you can. 41:49 It's not you anyway it's never been about you and me. 41:52 What you say is, hey listen girl, 41:54 hey listen boy, I have that same struggle, 41:57 I have that same thirst. 42:00 And one day I met Jesus 42:02 and I'm telling you the gospel truth He has-- 42:05 He has quenched my thirst again and again. 42:10 You're not calling people to believe in you, 42:12 you're simply pointing them to the one 42:13 who is I am the water of life. 42:16 Point them to Jesus. 42:18 Point them to the Savior, don't point them to their sins 42:20 point them to their Savior. 42:22 Be just like Jesus. 42:24 And you get it right, 42:26 by the way you say what can I show anything? Sure. 42:29 What's your model is a life 42:31 that's slakes its thirst in Christ. 42:34 You just model a life that drinks in Jesus every day. 42:36 When you model that people get it just like, 42:40 ah, that's a way I want to live. 42:42 And you have to be preaching about it. 42:43 Just say hey, here's what I go to Jesus every day. 42:48 So that for fork one, if we-- 42:49 if we focus on Jesus that's fork one, 42:52 but if we focus on the woman here's the other fork. 42:58 Whenever we talk about our sexuality 43:02 isn't this true feelings of guilt are prone to arise 43:07 whether we're single or married, 43:09 whether we are young or old, 43:11 whether we're religious or secular, 43:13 the moment somebody starts 43:14 talking about sexual purity boom, there it comes again. 43:21 I got a letter from a student 43:22 in this university an anonymous letter. 43:25 Let me read a few lines to you. 43:29 Dear Pastor, I wish I could shout it out 43:34 so many the fellow students on campus could hear. 43:38 Please, stay away from sex 43:41 until you are within the protective 43:42 loving boundaries of marriage. 43:45 It hurts so much to realize 43:47 that everything you could experience with your wife 43:50 I would add or husband in every God inspired 43:53 imaginable way you have already done with someone else 43:57 or a variety of people for that matter. 43:59 Well we watch on the screen for example teaches us 44:02 that sex is fun and promiscuity is acceptable 44:05 and can be a happy occasion, wrong. 44:08 All caps by the way in his letter, wrong. 44:12 I found and firmly believe 44:14 that God implanted a law in every human heart 44:17 that we violate every time we enter 44:19 from the gates of life prematurely. 44:20 I have yet to meet the person 44:22 who can tell me that having had sex with a person 44:24 he or she is not wedded to was an enriching experience. 44:31 Wow, and where this anonymous letter 44:38 to end right here 44:40 it would remain a bleak commentary on all 44:43 the all too familiar life for this planet. 44:46 Who here is a stranger to such shone hopes 44:50 and broken dreams. 44:54 But the unknown student ends his letter 44:56 with the blush of new hope and I want to read this. 44:59 "God forgives" he goes on, 45:01 "And I can now forgive myself 45:05 however the scars are still there 45:07 and it will take time to heal. 45:09 The scar stay and a barren empty well of God given sensuality, 45:14 don't you love that metaphor 45:16 he didn't know but it fits perfectly hear 45:18 the barren empty well of God given sensuality 45:22 takes time to fill back up. 45:25 I would urge all to thank and go 45:28 for the unparalleled long-term reward 45:30 that is awaiting them." 45:35 An anonymous letter about our anonymous struggle 45:43 with the thrust embedded in our sexuality. 45:49 Where do we turn to get that thirst quenched? 45:53 Where shall we turn? Scholars tell us, 45:58 that embedded in this narrative is a story of Calvary. 46:01 Let me prove it to you, 46:02 let me just run this by real quick. 46:03 Clue number, Calvary is here, 46:05 clue number one, notice verse 6, look at verse 6. 46:08 It says, "It was the sixth hour" 46:10 do you know that the only other place 46:11 in the gospel of John where those words 46:13 the sixth hour are recorded 46:15 is the time of Christ's crucifixion. 46:17 That's clue number one. 46:18 Clue number two, notice verse 7. 46:19 What does Jesus say to the woman, 46:21 give Me a drink? 46:22 The only other time in this gospel 46:24 Jesus will speak those words from the cross 46:26 when He says I thirst. 46:29 Clue number three, notice verse 21, 46:31 Jesus uses the strange vocative woman. 46:37 Why would He say, woman. 46:39 He speaks that word from Calvary 46:43 when He addresses His mother. 46:44 And finally clue number four, notice verse 14. 46:48 Jesus speaks about a fountain of water 46:50 springing up into everlasting life. 46:52 This is the same Jesus who from his side 46:54 their flowed a fountain of water and blood 46:59 for the Salvation of the human race. 47:02 Embedded in this story the woman of Samaria 47:05 is the narrative of Calgary itself. 47:09 How do I get my thirst slaked? 47:11 You go there. 47:13 You go there fountain to cleanse our souls 47:20 and water to quench our thirst. 47:24 It's all wrapped up in the Savior of the world 47:28 whose grace like water always flows downward 47:32 to where you and I are waiting. 47:37 How do I accept His offer and drink deeply? 47:38 Let me end with this quotation I put it on the screen for you. 47:40 You have it in your study guide, keep your study guide today. 47:43 Jesus did not-- 47:44 this is Desire of Ages a classic on His life. 47:46 "Jesus did not convey the idea, 47:48 that merely one draft of the water of life 47:50 would suffice" would be sufficient for the receiver. 47:52 No, no, no, he who tasted the love Christ 47:55 will continually long for more but he seeks for nothing else 48:00 the riches, the honors, the pleasures of the world 48:02 do not attract Him now. 48:04 "The constant cry of His heart is, more of you" 48:06 please more of you. 48:08 "And He who reveals to the soul its necessity is waiting 48:12 to satisfy its hunger and thirst. 48:14 Every human resource," trust me girl, trust me boy 48:18 "every human resource and dependence will fail. 48:21 The cisterns" or wells "will be emptied, 48:24 the pools will become dry, 48:26 but our Redeemer is an inexhaustible fountain." 48:30 Hallelujah. 48:32 Our redeemer is an inexhaustible fountain. 48:35 "We may drink, and drink again, 48:37 and ever find a fresh supply. 48:40 He in whom Christ dwells has within himself 48:42 the fountain of blessing 48:44 'a well of water springing up into everlasting life.' 48:47 And from this source we may draw strength 48:50 and grace sufficient for all our needs. 48:54 Amen. 48:56 Isn't that great promise? 48:57 That's your promise. That's my promise. 48:59 All we need to do now is conduct a prayer with the promise 49:02 and here is the prayer. 49:03 Pray it every day for the-- 49:04 for the rest of your journey this year. 49:06 Pray it every day. 49:07 These are the words of Richard Blanchard. 49:10 Here is your prayer I mean, it's on your study guide. 49:12 You can put it where you worship, 49:13 every day you may pray this prayer let me read-- 49:16 the prayer begins with these words. 49:18 Maybe you heard these words before. 49:20 Like the woman at the well, 49:24 I was seeking, for things that could not satisfy 49:27 And then I heard my Savior speaking 49:30 Draw from My well that never shall run dry 49:34 Come on say the words out loud to me, 49:35 if you know that chorus. 49:38 Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord 49:42 Come and quench this thirsting of my soul 49:46 Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more 49:51 Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole 49:56 Isn't that a beautiful prayer? 49:57 Keep that little study guide put where you-- 49:59 where you have your worship everyday. 50:01 Pray the prayer, Fill my cup to day Jesus, 50:04 feel it to the full. 50:06 Will You? 50:07 Let's stand and sing that, let's stand and sing it. 50:09 We put the words on the screen for you 50:11 against the panoply of Calvary 50:14 and let's sing "Like the woman at the well." 50:32 Like the woman at the well I was seeking 50:39 For things that could not satisfy 50:46 And then I heard my Savior speaking 50:53 "Draw from my well 50:56 that never shall run dry" 51:02 Fill my cup, Lord 51:05 I lift it up, Lord! 51:10 Come and quench this thirsting of my soul 51:18 Bread of heaven 51:21 Feed me till I want no more 51:28 Fill my cup, fill it up 51:31 and make me whole! 51:37 There are millions in this world who are craving 51:45 The pleasures earthly things afford 51:52 But none can match the wondrous treasure 52:00 That I find 52:02 in Jesus Christ my Lord 52:09 Fill my cup, Lord 52:13 I lift it up, Lord! 52:17 Come and quench this thirsting of my soul 52:25 Bread of heaven 52:29 Feed me till I want no more 52:36 Fill my cup, fill it up 52:40 and make me whole! 52:46 Now, let's sing it like a prayer. 52:51 So, my children, 52:54 if the things this world gave you 53:00 Leave hungers 53:03 that won't pass away 53:09 My blessed Lord 53:12 will come and save you 53:17 If you kneel 53:20 to Him and humbly pray 53:27 Fill my cup, Lord 53:31 I lift it up, Lord! 53:36 Come and quench 53:39 this thirsting of my soul 53:46 Bread of heaven 53:49 Feed me till I want no more 53:57 Fill my cup, fill it up 54:02 and make me whole! 54:07 One last moment, let's-- let's imagine 54:10 we are at your place of prayer tomorrow morning. 54:13 And you will only need this chorus to pray the prayer 54:16 and so we are gonna sing it acapella now. 54:18 Give us our note minister of music 54:20 and we are gonna pretend like we are singing right 54:22 where we have our worship morning after morning 54:27 Fill my cup, Lord 54:32 I lift it up, Lord! 54:38 Come and quench 54:41 This thirsting of my soul 54:48 Bread of heaven 54:53 Feed me till I want no more 55:02 Fill my cup, fill it up 55:08 And make me whole! 55:15 And God, we pray that prayer 55:20 by Your grace we will pray it tomorrow, 55:23 and the next day and the next. 55:26 Fill our hearts, fill our souls, 55:30 fill our lives with Him 55:34 who is the water of life. 55:36 Fill us to the full, quench our thirsty spirits 55:44 and with the water of Christ 55:46 send us for us day after day after day. 55:50 And we will pray this prayer today 55:53 and today and today until Jesus comes. 55:58 Thank you, Father. In His name, Amen. 56:18 It's been a pleasure to be able to worship with you today. 56:21 I hope that the Spirit of Jesus has blessed your time 56:24 with us right here in the Pioneer Memorial Church 56:26 on the campus of Andrews University. 56:28 Do you know that around the world 56:29 people join us every week for this hour of worship? 56:31 We're always looking as a consequence 56:33 for new ways to bridge, 56:34 somehow to connect with these people 56:37 who come here to worship via the telecast. 56:39 One of the areas that is quickly growing for us is our website. 56:43 We had more than a 140,000 visitors last year. 56:47 It's an incredible opportunity 56:49 that God has given us to expand His kingdom. 56:52 If you would like to help partner with us 56:53 as we seek to spread the everlasting gospel. 56:56 I'd love to have you call our toll free number. 56:59 We got very friendly operators standing by. 57:01 Here's the number, 877-His-Will. 57:04 877 and then the two words His Will. 57:07 One of the operators 57:08 will be happy to give you the details 57:10 of how you can partner with this global ministry. 57:13 If you prefer, listen, you can do it all online. 57:15 Go to our website, please. www.pmchurch.tv. 57:19 I'd be honored to have 57:21 the privilege of partnering with you 57:22 as we seek to spread the truth about God for this generation. 57:25 We are living in urgent times. 57:29 Now more than ever we've got to go to the world 57:32 with the good news entrusted to us. 57:34 So once again here's that toll free number, 877-His-Will. 57:38 Thank you in advance for your generosity. 57:41 That blesses me and you grow this ministry. 57:44 I pray that the Spirit of Christ 57:45 will abide with you every step of the way. 57:48 And I hope you come back again next time right here 57:51 as we continue our worship journey together. |
Revised 2014-12-17