You know I want you to
know that I only ask to do
00:01:02.10\00:01:06.47
one thing up on
stage this whole weekend
00:01:06.48\00:01:10.28
and this is what I wanted to do.
00:01:10.29\00:01:12.67
I'm going to introduce
our speaker for tonight.
00:01:12.68\00:01:16.26
But before I do that I
just wanna let you know that
00:01:16.27\00:01:21.14
my husband and I were discussing
00:01:21.15\00:01:22.90
how many years we
have been coming to ASI
00:01:22.91\00:01:26.30
and this is our 22nd year.
00:01:26.31\00:01:29.91
And you know what
we haven't missed once
00:01:29.92\00:01:32.50
since we started in
Glorieta, New Mexico.
00:01:32.51\00:01:36.02
Now that means that
if you do a little math
00:01:36.03\00:01:39.60
because I know a lot of
the people here enjoy math
00:01:39.61\00:01:42.80
and if we've been
coming for 22 years
00:01:42.81\00:01:45.60
I happen to know the
age of our speaker tonight.
00:01:45.61\00:01:49.85
He's 25 years old so that means
00:01:49.86\00:01:52.46
when we became ASI
members he was 3 years old.
00:01:52.47\00:01:56.77
I think I can safely say
that I've known him longer
00:01:56.78\00:01:59.91
than anybody in this room
and it's been a privilege.
00:01:59.92\00:02:05.17
He is my son, better
give my husband credit, too.
00:02:05.18\00:02:09.47
He is our son.
00:02:09.48\00:02:11.85
Justin has been a true
delight to have in our family.
00:02:11.86\00:02:16.34
He is the son that
loves Jesus passionately.
00:02:16.35\00:02:20.96
He is a brother
to his two sisters
00:02:20.97\00:02:23.77
and it's been a privilege
to have them as our family
00:02:23.78\00:02:26.90
as I would say again.
00:02:26.91\00:02:29.52
He's a husband to our beautiful
00:02:29.53\00:02:31.82
daughter-in-law Stephanie.
00:02:31.83\00:02:34.20
They've been
married three years.
00:02:34.21\00:02:36.28
It's been exciting to see
how God is growing their family.
00:02:36.29\00:02:41.20
Justin graduated from
Southern Adventist University
00:02:41.21\00:02:45.17
with a business
administration degree
00:02:45.18\00:02:47.82
and a minor in religion
and he's been using both.
00:02:47.83\00:02:52.35
He is vice president
of Sterling State Bank,
00:02:52.36\00:02:56.10
our family business
and we couldn't be happier
00:02:56.11\00:02:59.54
than to have Justin as a
part of our family business.
00:02:59.55\00:03:03.46
He is the president of GYC,
Generation Youth for Christ.
00:03:03.47\00:03:10.26
But above all that he
is a servant for Jesus.
00:03:10.27\00:03:14.59
And tonight as he
speaks to us it's his prayer
00:03:14.60\00:03:19.74
and his mother's prayer
that you will be blessed.
00:03:19.75\00:03:24.21
And that you will hear
Jesus' words spoken through him.
00:03:24.22\00:03:28.87
I just ask that God
will bless abundantly.
00:03:28.88\00:03:33.71
Good evening.
00:03:36.82\00:03:39.04
I'm particularly
excited about this message
00:03:39.05\00:03:43.09
and I'll tell you why.
00:03:43.10\00:03:44.49
Few sermons I've preached have
convicted me personally more.
00:03:44.50\00:03:51.97
Few sermons I've preached have
convicted me personally more.
00:03:51.98\00:03:56.73
My wife and I even
adjusted some of the priorities
00:03:56.74\00:04:00.52
in our life
because of this sermon,
00:04:00.53\00:04:02.72
because of this message.
00:04:02.73\00:04:05.20
So tonight's not a
message you would get
00:04:05.21\00:04:07.37
probably from a
pastor with a three points.
00:04:07.38\00:04:10.21
We're gonna take a look at
a story in the book of John
00:04:10.22\00:04:13.50
and it's gonna be
like a worship talk tonight
00:04:13.51\00:04:16.72
that I believe has some
convicting points from God.
00:04:16.73\00:04:20.91
Before we do that
you'll bow your heads with me
00:04:20.92\00:04:23.19
and we'll pray.
00:04:23.20\00:04:25.29
Our precious, heavenly
father, Lord, you see me here
00:04:27.05\00:04:32.40
as a young
person, a servant of you.
00:04:32.41\00:04:37.30
You know my deficiencies.
You know my selfish desires.
00:04:37.31\00:04:42.51
You know me better than
anyone and yet you selected me
00:04:42.52\00:04:46.62
this evening to
preach to your people.
00:04:46.63\00:04:50.59
I pray that as you--
as we invite your spirit
00:04:50.60\00:04:55.72
into this auditorium may
all distractions be taken away.
00:04:55.73\00:05:00.73
May angels fill the
empty seats and may you speak
00:05:00.74\00:05:06.19
through me tonight, Lord,
like you never have before.
00:05:06.20\00:05:10.80
Not so people can leave
here tonight and say Justin
00:05:10.81\00:05:13.97
preached a powerful sermon,
but so that they can leave
00:05:13.98\00:05:18.03
here tonight and
say they saw Jesus
00:05:18.04\00:05:22.79
and they learn
more about your love.
00:05:22.80\00:05:26.54
Lord, be with us as we
dive into your scriptures
00:05:26.55\00:05:29.49
and may you give us a new
look at the life tomorrow.
00:05:29.50\00:05:35.68
I humbly pray these things
in your precious name, amen.
00:05:35.69\00:05:40.68
It was not that long
ago that I was at ASI,
00:05:40.69\00:05:44.84
Youth for Jesus
in Columbus, Ohio.
00:05:44.85\00:05:48.14
We're going out door-to-door.
00:05:48.15\00:05:49.54
We are simply
inviting people to the meetings
00:05:49.55\00:05:52.53
that we're having.
00:05:52.54\00:05:53.57
I was teamed up with one
of the younger youth for Jesus
00:05:53.58\00:05:57.20
and I was considered, I
guess, a senior youth for Jesus,
00:05:57.21\00:06:00.78
if there is such hierarchy
in youth for Jesus terms.
00:06:00.79\00:06:04.15
We're going out door-to-door.
00:06:04.16\00:06:05.62
We are knocking on
doors and to be honest
00:06:05.63\00:06:07.71
it wasn't going that well.
00:06:07.72\00:06:09.95
People were
meeting us with rejection.
00:06:09.96\00:06:12.18
They were slamming
the door on our face
00:06:12.19\00:06:14.14
and then it was
getting a little discouraging.
00:06:14.15\00:06:18.99
And I was speaking that
night so I honestly thought
00:06:19.00\00:06:22.43
to myself a couple of times.
00:06:22.44\00:06:24.20
You know what, my time
is-- might even be better
00:06:24.21\00:06:27.78
to spent
preparing for my sermon.
00:06:27.79\00:06:31.18
I was about
ready to give a quit.
00:06:31.19\00:06:33.02
We came to the last cul-de-sac.
00:06:33.03\00:06:35.26
We went through the houses.
00:06:35.27\00:06:37.33
We knocked on the
doors not that many people
00:06:37.34\00:06:39.78
came to the door
and when they did
00:06:39.79\00:06:41.17
they pretty much
slammed it in our face
00:06:41.18\00:06:43.10
and we got to the
end of the cul-de-sac
00:06:43.11\00:06:46.06
and the young lady
I was with suggesting
00:06:46.07\00:06:49.02
we need to go
back to that one house.
00:06:49.03\00:06:53.79
I was thinking to
myself we went there once.
00:06:53.80\00:06:56.60
She or he didn't
come to the door,
00:06:56.61\00:06:59.50
why on earth do we
need to go there again.
00:06:59.51\00:07:02.70
But I was the senior youth
so I couldn't say that out loud.
00:07:02.71\00:07:06.98
We went back to the door
because of her persistence.
00:07:06.99\00:07:10.83
We knocked on the door
and a young middle aged...
00:07:10.84\00:07:14.79
I'd say a lady came to the
door by the name of Cathleen.
00:07:14.80\00:07:19.06
Cathleen opened the
door, let us come in
00:07:19.07\00:07:21.16
and she began to say
with tears in her eyes,
00:07:21.17\00:07:24.89
I'm so happy you came.
00:07:24.90\00:07:28.54
I'm so happy you stopped
by my house this afternoon.
00:07:28.55\00:07:34.32
You see what I've
been in and out of jail.
00:07:34.33\00:07:39.23
I'm a terrible mother.
00:07:39.24\00:07:40.50
I have three kids and I
couldn't be any worst to them.
00:07:40.51\00:07:45.65
I'm addicted to
cocaine. I'm addicted to heroin.
00:07:45.66\00:07:48.88
To be honest I've been
ready to call it a quit on life.
00:07:48.89\00:07:55.48
And Cathleen said with
tears welling up in her eyes.
00:07:55.49\00:07:59.86
This morning I
got out of my bed.
00:07:59.87\00:08:02.97
And as if one last
time I cried out to God.
00:08:02.98\00:08:08.00
God send someone to my door
00:08:08.01\00:08:10.95
today to tell me
the good news about you.
00:08:10.96\00:08:16.11
We entered that home
we had a Bible study.
00:08:16.12\00:08:20.23
We invited her to the meetings
00:08:20.24\00:08:21.44
and Cathleen came
night after night.
00:08:21.45\00:08:25.64
She made
decision after decision.
00:08:25.65\00:08:29.80
I shudder to think
what would have happened,
00:08:29.81\00:08:32.13
if that un-senior youth
wouldn't have been with us.
00:08:32.14\00:08:38.03
If we hadn't have
gone back to that door
00:08:38.04\00:08:40.15
to meet with Cathleen I
believe her eternal destiny
00:08:40.16\00:08:44.27
would have been much different.
00:08:44.28\00:08:47.74
Turn with me to
the book of John.
00:08:47.75\00:08:51.00
You've got Matthew,
Mark, Luke and then John.
00:08:51.01\00:08:54.41
We will spend the majority.
00:08:54.42\00:08:55.98
We will spend probably
the balance of our evening
00:08:55.99\00:08:59.04
inside the book of John.
00:08:59.05\00:09:01.12
I like John because
John I believe sized up
00:09:01.13\00:09:04.87
Matthew, sized up
Mark, sized up Luke,
00:09:04.88\00:09:07.70
read through them and put things
00:09:07.71\00:09:10.05
in his account of Jesus that
he believe had the capacity,
00:09:10.06\00:09:14.00
ability, had the
capability to change the world.
00:09:14.01\00:09:18.37
So we find things
in the book of John
00:09:18.38\00:09:20.22
that we don't find in
Matthew, Mark or Luke.
00:09:20.23\00:09:23.85
We're gonna study one of
those unique stories tonight.
00:09:23.86\00:09:26.91
John 4 and verse 4.
00:09:26.92\00:09:30.42
John 4 and verse
4. Are you with me?
00:09:30.43\00:09:34.89
John 4 and verse 4.
00:09:34.90\00:09:38.82
And he had to
pass through Samaria.
00:09:38.83\00:09:42.83
Now if you read
this text quickly enough
00:09:42.84\00:09:45.27
you could miss
a valuable lesson.
00:09:45.28\00:09:48.08
I would submit to
you what in the world
00:09:48.09\00:09:50.52
was Jesus doing
going through Samaria.
00:09:50.53\00:09:54.71
You see at the time of
Jesus a bitter hatred existed
00:09:54.72\00:09:58.81
between the Jews
and the Samaritans.
00:09:58.82\00:10:03.50
You will
remember that in this time
00:10:03.51\00:10:06.25
if a Jew wanted go to
the other side of Samaria
00:10:06.26\00:10:09.67
it was common for them to take
the long route around the city
00:10:09.68\00:10:14.37
so that they wouldn't
have to associate themselves
00:10:14.38\00:10:16.83
any with the Samaritans.
00:10:16.84\00:10:20.13
So why was Jesus going
through the city of Samaria.
00:10:20.14\00:10:25.02
Some could speculate Jesus was
on some sort of a time crunch.
00:10:25.03\00:10:28.99
He needed to get
to the other side
00:10:29.00\00:10:30.88
and thus He was going straight
00:10:30.89\00:10:33.23
through His
shortest route possible.
00:10:33.24\00:10:37.25
That might be possible.
00:10:37.26\00:10:39.61
Some may say that
Jesus wanted to prove a point
00:10:39.62\00:10:43.53
that He wanted to rise
00:10:43.54\00:10:44.95
above these
ridiculous racial traditions
00:10:44.96\00:10:48.08
and associate
himself with the Samaritans.
00:10:48.09\00:10:52.15
I would argue that's even
more possible but in my minds
00:10:52.16\00:10:55.52
I picture it a
little differently.
00:10:55.53\00:10:59.85
In my minds I picture a
woman waking up that morning.
00:10:59.86\00:11:04.27
That same morning Jesus
was walking through the desert.
00:11:04.28\00:11:08.75
I picture this unnamed
woman almost unable to rise
00:11:08.76\00:11:12.66
out of her bed.
00:11:12.67\00:11:14.47
Society has deemed
her a social outcast.
00:11:14.48\00:11:18.58
Her sinful ways
are unsurpassable.
00:11:18.59\00:11:21.71
Nothing good can
ever come up for her life.
00:11:21.72\00:11:25.43
She lays there in her
bed hopeless, meaningless,
00:11:25.44\00:11:29.95
empty and hollow inside.
00:11:29.96\00:11:33.81
And is if to risk it all
I picture in my minds--I--
00:11:33.82\00:11:38.74
her risking it
all one last time.
00:11:38.75\00:11:43.76
I see an unnamed woman
kneeling beside her bed
00:11:43.77\00:11:46.63
that morning as she awakes.
00:11:46.64\00:11:49.23
Tears streaming down her
face, she cries out for God
00:11:49.24\00:11:53.55
to reveal himself to her.
00:11:53.56\00:11:56.21
She cries out for
God to give her hope.
00:11:56.22\00:11:58.91
To give her a purpose. To
give her a sense of destiny.
00:11:58.92\00:12:03.56
And as she rises that
morning she rises with a smile.
00:12:03.57\00:12:08.87
With that blessed
assurance because Jesus is hers.
00:12:08.88\00:12:14.82
See, friends, the God I
serve is not a God of accidents
00:12:14.83\00:12:18.06
and coincidental encounters.
00:12:18.07\00:12:21.15
Jesus was at that
well for a reason.
00:12:21.16\00:12:23.61
He was there to answer a prayer
00:12:23.62\00:12:26.21
and aid in a heavenly objective.
00:12:26.22\00:12:31.06
So my question I
would propose tonight
00:12:31.07\00:12:34.35
to us is simplistic in nature.
00:12:34.36\00:12:39.05
How many people
have crossed our path
00:12:40.91\00:12:43.45
who woke up in the
morning crying out for God?
00:12:43.46\00:12:47.64
How many people
have walked by us
00:12:49.47\00:12:51.23
when all heaven
was waiting for us
00:12:51.24\00:12:53.29
to rise to our true progress?
00:12:53.30\00:12:58.82
How many people has God
orchestrated for you to meet
00:12:58.83\00:13:02.61
so you could
share the gospel with?
00:13:02.62\00:13:06.77
God is not a God of accidents
and coincidental encounters.
00:13:06.78\00:13:11.90
He's placed you here on
this earth for a reason,
00:13:11.91\00:13:16.99
for a specific purpose.
00:13:17.00\00:13:20.56
John 4 and verse 5.
00:13:20.57\00:13:23.40
"So He came to a town
of Samaria called Sychar,
00:13:23.41\00:13:25.99
near the field the Jacob
had given to his son Joseph."
00:13:26.00\00:13:29.65
Jacob's well was there.
00:13:29.66\00:13:31.40
So Jesus wearied as
He was from His journey
00:13:31.41\00:13:34.24
was sitting beside the well
it was about the sixth hour.
00:13:34.25\00:13:37.81
The sun was high up in the sky
00:13:39.33\00:13:41.80
making the heat
almost unbearable.
00:13:41.81\00:13:45.07
And we find the savior of
the world fairly exhausted.
00:13:45.08\00:13:50.45
He's just returned from
Judea where his own people
00:13:50.46\00:13:54.22
rejected Him.
00:13:54.23\00:13:56.07
It's been a while
since He and His disciples
00:13:56.08\00:13:58.13
have had any food so hunger
is setting in His stomach.
00:13:58.14\00:14:01.97
The trip here to
the well was dusty.
00:14:01.98\00:14:04.47
He is sweaty. He's
dirty. He is physically tired.
00:14:04.48\00:14:10.17
You can kind of feel
that dry moist, not moist
00:14:10.18\00:14:15.00
the dry feeling
you get in your mouth
00:14:15.01\00:14:16.68
when it's been a while
since you've had water.
00:14:16.69\00:14:19.43
The wind has saturated Him.
00:14:19.44\00:14:23.19
I'm not gonna point any
fingers tonight but most of us
00:14:23.20\00:14:26.42
in this room if were
in the sandals of Jesus
00:14:26.43\00:14:29.36
would be rather grumpy.
00:14:29.37\00:14:31.99
But our savior of the
world was there waiting
00:14:32.00\00:14:36.61
with open arms for His children.
00:14:36.62\00:14:40.55
Verse 7, "A woman from
Samaria came to draw water,"
00:14:40.56\00:14:44.66
an unnamed woman in
the Bible enters the scene.
00:14:44.67\00:14:48.55
An unnamed woman
who through the ages
00:14:48.56\00:14:51.33
has changed countless lives.
00:14:51.34\00:14:53.79
An unnamed woman who was taken,
00:14:53.80\00:14:55.85
life lived for the enemy
and turn them to their creator.
00:14:55.86\00:14:59.23
An unnamed woman who has
taken lives out of darkness
00:14:59.24\00:15:02.35
and turn them in
the path of light.
00:15:02.36\00:15:04.39
An unnamed
woman enters the scene
00:15:04.40\00:15:08.04
and without a doubt this woman's
life has changed many people.
00:15:08.05\00:15:16.37
We don't a lot of this woman,
but here is what we can glean
00:15:16.38\00:15:19.20
from this passage.
00:15:19.21\00:15:20.70
She has come to the well alone.
00:15:20.71\00:15:23.44
It's entirely possible
that she is just a loner.
00:15:23.45\00:15:26.70
She likes to be alone
nothing wrong with that.
00:15:26.71\00:15:29.38
It's possible that
she is a social outcast.
00:15:29.39\00:15:32.49
As we find out later
about her personal life
00:15:32.50\00:15:34.73
it might not be up to par
with the rest of the Samaritans
00:15:34.74\00:15:38.40
so may be society has
somewhat cast her out.
00:15:38.41\00:15:43.55
And we can also conclude
that she is a poor person.
00:15:43.56\00:15:46.88
She doesn't have
someone go to the well for her
00:15:46.89\00:15:49.61
so she is not
someone with worthy wealth.
00:15:49.62\00:15:52.71
And the final thing we
can glean from this passage
00:15:52.72\00:15:55.83
is that she is of
Samaritan descent.
00:15:55.84\00:16:00.02
Four in verse
7, the second part,
00:16:00.03\00:16:03.27
Jesus said to her,
give me a drink of what?
00:16:03.28\00:16:09.64
About 8% of you
are with me tonight.
00:16:09.65\00:16:13.59
Jesus said give
me a drink of what?
00:16:13.60\00:16:17.90
Water.
00:16:17.91\00:16:19.00
Jesus asked the
woman for a drink of water.
00:16:19.01\00:16:21.72
Four short words
Jesus is able to transcend
00:16:21.73\00:16:25.42
traditional
culture and put ridiculous
00:16:25.43\00:16:29.31
racial traditions to the side.
00:16:29.32\00:16:31.42
We already talked
about the intense hatred
00:16:31.43\00:16:33.79
between the Jews
and the Samaritans
00:16:33.80\00:16:35.60
but also it was
uncommon for a man to talk
00:16:35.61\00:16:39.81
to women without
their husbands present.
00:16:39.82\00:16:45.10
Clearly Jesus did not subscribe
to the theory that one race
00:16:45.11\00:16:49.29
or one sex was
better than another.
00:16:49.30\00:16:54.48
The woman
questioned why Jesus as Jew
00:16:54.49\00:16:57.06
would ask her for a drink.
00:16:57.07\00:16:59.29
And we find Jesus'
response in verse 10.
00:16:59.30\00:17:04.26
Jesus answered to her,
"if you knew the gift of God,
00:17:04.27\00:17:08.83
and who it is that is
saying to you, give me a drink,
00:17:08.84\00:17:11.95
you would have asked Him,
00:17:11.96\00:17:13.46
and He would have
given you living water."
00:17:13.47\00:17:19.17
The creator of the universe
takes an average conversation.
00:17:19.18\00:17:22.76
One in which physical
needs are being addressed
00:17:22.77\00:17:25.61
and appeals to
her spiritual need.
00:17:25.62\00:17:29.64
Verse 11 the woman said to him,
00:17:29.65\00:17:31.10
"Sir, you have
nothing to draw the water
00:17:31.11\00:17:33.54
with and the well is deep,
00:17:33.55\00:17:35.23
where do you get
the living water?"
00:17:35.24\00:17:37.62
The woman completely
misses the real appeal.
00:17:37.63\00:17:41.19
You can picture her face, kind
of puzzled, almost impatient.
00:17:41.20\00:17:45.79
Obviously, sir, I'm
here. I love some water.
00:17:45.80\00:17:49.02
It's hot and
frankly that's the reason
00:17:49.03\00:17:51.68
I came to the well this evening.
00:17:51.69\00:17:53.68
But you've got
nothing to draw at well.
00:17:53.69\00:17:58.96
How can you get
me this living water.
00:17:58.97\00:18:01.94
On top of that, sir, we
can find out in verse 12.
00:18:01.95\00:18:05.22
Do you think you are
better than the Jacob
00:18:05.23\00:18:09.45
who God gave us this well.
00:18:09.46\00:18:12.67
The woman tries to
reflect on her past experiences
00:18:12.68\00:18:16.62
on her
ancestor's past experiences
00:18:16.63\00:18:20.68
and she tries to
draw from the relationship
00:18:20.69\00:18:23.89
Jacob had with Christ.
00:18:23.90\00:18:27.59
She says Jesus,
00:18:27.60\00:18:28.62
actually she didn't know
it was Jesus at this point.
00:18:28.63\00:18:30.54
She said, sir, you're
probably just not good enough
00:18:30.55\00:18:34.62
to get me the water.
00:18:34.63\00:18:36.81
But what a
blessed savior we serve.
00:18:36.82\00:18:39.73
He does not give up
on us after one attempt.
00:18:39.74\00:18:42.58
He wasn't even
willing that one could perish.
00:18:42.59\00:18:47.29
He felt the holy
purpose bestowed on him.
00:18:47.30\00:18:50.07
He sensed the woman woke
up ready to call it quits
00:18:50.08\00:18:53.43
on the human race and He
knew exactly what she needed.
00:18:53.44\00:18:59.07
You will remember
the relevant question
00:18:59.08\00:19:01.55
for us to ponder tonight.
00:19:01.56\00:19:05.02
Who has God put in your
life who is facing the same
00:19:05.03\00:19:08.54
struggles as this
woman at the well?
00:19:08.55\00:19:13.68
Who has God entrusted
your abilities with to bestow
00:19:13.69\00:19:17.44
true hope, true change inside?
00:19:17.45\00:19:23.28
Jesus appeals to
her again in verse 13.
00:19:23.29\00:19:27.56
Jesus said to her,
"Everyone who drinks
00:19:27.57\00:19:29.77
of this water
will be thirsty again.
00:19:29.78\00:19:32.93
But whoever drinks of the water
00:19:32.94\00:19:34.40
that I will give him,
he'll never be thirsty again.
00:19:34.41\00:19:38.88
The water that I will
give him will become in him
00:19:38.89\00:19:40.94
a spring of water
welling up to eternal life."
00:19:40.95\00:19:44.89
The wheels are kind of
clicking inside of her head.
00:19:44.90\00:19:47.64
She is contemplating this.
00:19:47.65\00:19:49.42
Thinking only of her
physical needs she gives in.
00:19:49.43\00:19:53.34
All right, sir, if it is water
00:19:53.35\00:19:55.62
and if I will never be
thirsty again hand it over.
00:19:55.63\00:19:59.76
I hate to walk to the well.
00:19:59.77\00:20:01.38
I hate the dry
feeling I get in my mouth.
00:20:01.39\00:20:03.68
I don't even like
the taste of water.
00:20:03.69\00:20:06.43
I'll take it.
00:20:08.06\00:20:09.16
Give me some of
this special sauce
00:20:09.17\00:20:11.73
that I'll never
get thirsty again.
00:20:11.74\00:20:15.48
And as Jesus takes
inventory the situation
00:20:15.49\00:20:18.32
I'm sure He could
perceive this woman
00:20:18.33\00:20:21.52
was in desperate
need of a savior.
00:20:21.53\00:20:25.89
He knew she was
longing for hope,
00:20:25.90\00:20:27.82
longing for a better tomorrow,
00:20:27.83\00:20:29.62
waiting for
something to live for.
00:20:29.63\00:20:31.78
So Jesus leaves the analogies
and moves in to doctrine.
00:20:31.79\00:20:37.94
John 4 and verse 16,
"Jesus said to her go
00:20:37.95\00:20:41.94
call your husband and come here.
00:20:41.95\00:20:43.56
The woman answered
Him I have no husband.
00:20:43.57\00:20:46.20
Jesus said to her,
you are right in saying,
00:20:46.21\00:20:48.13
I have no husband for
you have had," how many?
00:20:48.14\00:20:51.21
12% with me tonight.
00:20:52.97\00:20:54.48
You have had how many?
00:20:54.49\00:20:56.68
"Five husbands and
the one you are with now
00:20:56.69\00:20:58.68
is not your husband,
what you have said is true."
00:20:58.69\00:21:02.75
I want to analyze
these three verses
00:21:02.76\00:21:05.79
but before we do that before
we go there a parenthesis.
00:21:05.80\00:21:12.72
There seems to exist
inside of mainstream--
00:21:16.25\00:21:21.58
mainstream
Christianity a fallacy.
00:21:21.59\00:21:26.48
A misleading notion that
doctrine won't change lives.
00:21:26.49\00:21:35.93
Mainstream Christianity
feels it is their job
00:21:35.94\00:21:39.36
almost their entitlement
to soften the message.
00:21:39.37\00:21:47.49
A myth that their sole
purpose is to apologize
00:21:47.50\00:21:50.84
for what is in the
Bible and what it teaches.
00:21:50.85\00:21:55.54
And the edges
of this foolishness
00:21:55.55\00:21:58.62
is moving
inside the sacred walls
00:21:58.63\00:22:01.84
of our
Seventh-day Adventist Church.
00:22:01.85\00:22:05.83
I believe Jesus
understood a key point.
00:22:05.84\00:22:09.62
The Holy Spirit's inspiration
into holy men and women
00:22:09.63\00:22:13.39
was relevant in
the time of Jesus.
00:22:13.40\00:22:16.87
But guess what,
that same Holy Spirit
00:22:16.88\00:22:20.41
had you and me in mind
when the Bible was penned.
00:22:20.42\00:22:24.71
The Bible was
relevant a thousand years ago.
00:22:24.72\00:22:27.39
The Bible is relevant today
and if God chooses not to come
00:22:27.40\00:22:31.30
for another thousand years
the Bible will be relevant then.
00:22:31.31\00:22:36.69
God knew what He was doing
when He wrote His love letter
00:22:36.70\00:22:39.73
to His fallen race.
00:22:39.74\00:22:41.76
And I would even
go so far as to say
00:22:41.77\00:22:44.13
that the same
critics that are around today
00:22:44.14\00:22:47.15
were just as vocal
as there at Jesus' time.
00:22:47.16\00:22:51.33
Jesus, you don't
understand except the woman
00:22:51.34\00:22:54.71
for who she is. Love her.
00:22:54.72\00:22:57.33
Don't use any type of
convicting material with her.
00:22:57.34\00:23:01.55
Jesus, your approach
is too old fashioned,
00:23:01.56\00:23:05.52
too traditional.
00:23:05.53\00:23:08.40
It may have worked
for Moses maybe for Joshua
00:23:08.41\00:23:11.01
may be for Ezra
00:23:11.02\00:23:13.64
but that type of approach isn't
gonna work for A.D. Christians.
00:23:13.65\00:23:19.67
But Jesus knew better.
00:23:19.68\00:23:21.89
He knew the Bible was relevant.
00:23:21.90\00:23:25.30
As Christians, as
Seventh-day Adventist
00:23:25.31\00:23:28.59
it is time for us to take a
bold biblical refresh stand.
00:23:28.60\00:23:34.39
The Bible is
just as relevant today
00:23:34.40\00:23:36.91
and is as it has ever been.
00:23:36.92\00:23:40.81
There is nothing,
absolutely nothing in the Bible
00:23:40.82\00:23:44.17
that we should apologize for.
00:23:44.18\00:23:46.40
It's so arrogant.
00:23:49.65\00:23:51.62
So absolutely
ridiculous for us as Christians
00:23:51.63\00:23:55.05
to state we have
more insight than God.
00:23:55.06\00:23:59.00
To say that the
Bible is irrelevant
00:23:59.01\00:24:01.06
for the postmodern
mind or whatever term
00:24:01.07\00:24:03.56
you wanna give to people
00:24:03.57\00:24:04.81
that you don't think
are ready for the Bible.
00:24:04.82\00:24:09.53
Instead of the
Bible take our feelings,
00:24:09.54\00:24:12.46
take our
experiences, take our love.
00:24:12.47\00:24:14.77
As if our feelings and
love have more changing power
00:24:14.78\00:24:18.68
than God and His inspired word.
00:24:18.69\00:24:23.50
But rest assured,
liberal bloggers will continue
00:24:23.51\00:24:25.88
to argue why the
Bible is irrelevant.
00:24:25.89\00:24:28.81
"Adventist
publications will write"
00:24:28.82\00:24:31.36
"Articles arguing the
faults and cracks inside
00:24:31.37\00:24:34.62
our holy scriptures."
00:24:34.63\00:24:36.29
And until Jesus
comes again men and women,
00:24:36.30\00:24:39.06
sincere and insincere will
attack the fundamental beliefs
00:24:39.07\00:24:43.22
of our church one by one.
00:24:43.23\00:24:45.72
Now more than ever God
is calling for a group.
00:24:47.17\00:24:50.64
An army of young and
old, black and white,
00:24:50.65\00:24:53.64
educated and uneducated who
will stand for the doctrines.
00:24:53.65\00:24:58.82
Who will stand for
the doctrines in the Bible
00:24:58.83\00:25:01.07
who will unapologetically teach
00:25:01.08\00:25:03.17
these beautiful
principles to others.
00:25:03.18\00:25:09.03
Understand I'm not discounting
00:25:12.82\00:25:14.59
the need for us
to act with love.
00:25:14.60\00:25:17.51
Our love and respect
combined with the changing power
00:25:17.52\00:25:20.77
of our living God is dynamic.
00:25:20.78\00:25:24.47
You will remember
1st Peter 3 and verse 15,
00:25:24.48\00:25:27.84
"Be prepared to give an account,
00:25:27.85\00:25:29.71
a defense for
everything you believe."
00:25:29.72\00:25:32.34
If you're a Seventh-day
Adventist just be ready
00:25:32.35\00:25:34.23
to defend it from the Bible
but do so in love and respect.
00:25:34.24\00:25:41.74
I think we
belabored this point enough
00:25:45.46\00:25:47.17
but I think it's important.
00:25:47.18\00:25:49.74
I'm not even talking
about necessarily debate
00:25:49.75\00:25:52.61
between creation and evolution
00:25:52.62\00:25:55.70
because as soon as
we're past that the devil
00:25:55.71\00:25:57.56
will bring something
else into our existence.
00:25:57.57\00:26:01.62
We need to root
ourselves in the scriptures.
00:26:01.63\00:26:08.06
If you are
building your house on love
00:26:08.07\00:26:12.03
and experiences of other people,
00:26:12.04\00:26:15.35
you're building your
house in a sand--in the sand.
00:26:15.36\00:26:20.01
God needs us to root
ourselves in the scriptures.
00:26:20.02\00:26:25.33
Incidentally, if I can
just make a little commercial.
00:26:25.34\00:26:30.73
My father-in-law Rick Yeagar
00:26:30.74\00:26:32.40
is doing a seminar
tomorrow at 2 o'clock.
00:26:32.41\00:26:34.91
He's gonna go over some
more of these things in detail.
00:26:34.92\00:26:38.02
I would urge you, if you
are a leader of our church,
00:26:38.03\00:26:42.47
if you're an active member
of our church please be there.
00:26:42.48\00:26:46.22
If you can't be
there you can get it online
00:26:46.23\00:26:48.16
after it
happens but God needs us
00:26:48.17\00:26:51.81
to be
biblically rooted, friends.
00:26:51.82\00:26:54.93
It's not that the
thesis of my message
00:26:54.94\00:26:57.46
by any means but it's important
00:26:57.47\00:26:59.70
and I think it's
particularly interesting
00:26:59.71\00:27:01.68
that Jesus injects a
little bit of doctrine,
00:27:01.69\00:27:04.35
a little bit of
conviction into the life
00:27:04.36\00:27:07.82
of the woman at the well.
00:27:07.83\00:27:09.78
Jesus said to her,
00:27:09.79\00:27:11.13
"it may be legally
you don't have a husband,
00:27:11.14\00:27:13.79
but actually biblically
speaking you have five."
00:27:13.80\00:27:18.72
And the woman sighs
accepts the conviction
00:27:18.73\00:27:20.64
putting the
question back on Jesus.
00:27:20.65\00:27:24.03
"Sir, I perceive
you are a prophet."
00:27:24.04\00:27:28.39
The woman then goes on
to explain the difference
00:27:28.40\00:27:31.18
in worship style and
brings up an age old rub
00:27:31.19\00:27:37.07
between the
Samaritans and the Jews.
00:27:37.08\00:27:39.93
See you'll
remember during Ezra's time
00:27:39.94\00:27:41.76
when the temple
was being rebuilt
00:27:41.77\00:27:43.20
the Samaritans approached
the Jews and said, "We're here.
00:27:43.21\00:27:47.23
We love to help
rebuild this temple.
00:27:47.24\00:27:49.31
Can you use us?"
00:27:49.32\00:27:51.16
That privilege was
denied the Samaritans
00:27:51.17\00:27:54.18
and so the
Samaritans somewhat irritated
00:27:54.19\00:27:58.07
by the response
went back to their place
00:27:58.08\00:28:00.83
built a rival
temple at Mount Gerizim
00:28:00.84\00:28:04.70
and began to worship there.
00:28:04.71\00:28:06.62
So the woman
says, "listen, Jesus,
00:28:06.63\00:28:08.34
the Jews
worship in their temple.
00:28:08.35\00:28:10.46
They think it's right.
00:28:10.47\00:28:11.63
The Samaritans worship--"
excuse me, she didn't say
00:28:11.64\00:28:14.45
Jesus because she
didn't know His name yet.
00:28:14.46\00:28:16.47
She said, "Excuse me, Sir.
00:28:16.48\00:28:17.75
The Jews
worship in their temple,
00:28:17.76\00:28:19.70
they think it's right.
00:28:19.71\00:28:20.79
They think that's
what will save them.
00:28:20.80\00:28:22.40
The Samaritans
worship in their temple.
00:28:22.41\00:28:24.67
They think it's right.
They think that will save them.
00:28:24.68\00:28:27.18
So why don't you
weigh in on that?"
00:28:27.19\00:28:31.26
And it's interesting to
me because we find Jesus'
00:28:31.27\00:28:34.35
response to her is almost
identical to what He gives
00:28:34.36\00:28:38.96
to Nicodemus the chapter before.
00:28:38.97\00:28:42.26
Essentially His
response is this.
00:28:42.27\00:28:45.26
The temple will not save you.
00:28:45.27\00:28:48.64
The place of
worship will not save you.
00:28:48.65\00:28:51.99
The location of the
temple will not save you.
00:28:52.00\00:28:55.80
The style of
worship will not save you.
00:28:55.81\00:28:59.51
The religion that comes
from God is the only religion
00:28:59.52\00:29:05.75
that can lead to God.
00:29:05.76\00:29:08.04
It is the religion that
causes us to be born again.
00:29:08.05\00:29:13.28
The woman's sense
seemed she's out of what
00:29:13.29\00:29:15.78
she believes to
be legitimate excuses
00:29:15.79\00:29:20.24
tries to procrastinate.
00:29:20.25\00:29:23.00
Verse 25 the woman to Him,
00:29:23.01\00:29:26.49
"I know that the
messiah is coming.
00:29:26.50\00:29:28.73
I've read about
it in Deuteronomy
00:29:28.74\00:29:30.71
He who is called Christ.
00:29:30.72\00:29:32.87
When He comes He
will tell us all things."
00:29:32.88\00:29:37.31
I wanna interject just a
little footnote into our story.
00:29:37.32\00:29:41.15
When it comes to us
allowing God to use us
00:29:41.16\00:29:44.17
to our full
potential we serve the same God
00:29:44.18\00:29:48.22
as the woman at the well.
00:29:48.23\00:29:50.39
In verse 12 we
read about the woman
00:29:50.40\00:29:52.27
believed that God
did incredible things
00:29:52.28\00:29:54.96
in the past with Jacob and
God's relationship combined
00:29:54.97\00:29:58.65
pretty much the
whole countryside
00:29:58.66\00:30:00.38
was given to our people.
00:30:00.39\00:30:01.89
Oh, God, was incredible in the
past, you'll understand, sir.
00:30:01.90\00:30:05.21
And then she
projects into the future.
00:30:05.22\00:30:07.98
Listen, one day
the messiah will come
00:30:07.99\00:30:10.31
and it is going to be awesome.
00:30:10.32\00:30:12.39
I mean, oh, poof.
00:30:12.40\00:30:13.47
All answers to our
questions will be--
00:30:13.48\00:30:16.55
all questions to our
answers will come about.
00:30:16.56\00:30:18.90
The messiah will
come. It will be incredible.
00:30:18.91\00:30:23.57
And yet many of us
serve that same God.
00:30:23.58\00:30:27.07
You can read about
Jesus in the Bible.
00:30:27.08\00:30:29.69
Oh, it is awesome.
00:30:29.70\00:30:31.84
I tell you what
oceans were being parted.
00:30:31.85\00:30:34.18
Whales were swallowing humans.
00:30:34.19\00:30:36.24
Lame were
walking. Blind were seeing.
00:30:36.25\00:30:38.62
Lions were being shut up.
00:30:38.63\00:30:39.92
I mean God was
awesome in the past.
00:30:39.93\00:30:43.92
And, oh, boy, just you
wait and see He has some real
00:30:43.93\00:30:47.55
doozies in store for the future.
00:30:47.56\00:30:49.99
You better look
out, in the later reign
00:30:50.00\00:30:52.36
Jesus will come--
just before Jesus comes
00:30:52.37\00:30:55.23
again miracles
will start happening.
00:30:55.24\00:30:57.37
People will be joined
in the faith by the second.
00:30:57.38\00:31:00.95
God will be
awesome in the future
00:31:00.96\00:31:04.54
but we forget God wants
to use us in the present.
00:31:04.55\00:31:11.04
We forget He has an
awesome work for us to do now.
00:31:11.05\00:31:15.22
I don't wanna belabor this point
00:31:15.23\00:31:17.29
but I think it is very
important for our study tonight.
00:31:17.30\00:31:20.79
God is alive
today and He wants you
00:31:20.80\00:31:24.74
to start acting like it tonight.
00:31:24.75\00:31:27.81
God is alive today in
the present doing awesome
00:31:27.82\00:31:32.19
and incredible
things and He wants you
00:31:32.20\00:31:34.66
to start acting like it tonight.
00:31:34.67\00:31:39.55
The woman at the well woke up
that morning feeling hopeless.
00:31:39.56\00:31:44.97
Feeling like the world
had turned its back on her
00:31:44.98\00:31:48.43
when she was in
need of a savior.
00:31:48.44\00:31:51.79
Jesus was there
to answer the call.
00:31:51.80\00:31:57.27
There is a world full of
women and men just like her
00:31:57.28\00:32:00.56
who woke up this morning.
00:32:00.57\00:32:04.20
Will you be there
to answer the call?
00:32:04.21\00:32:07.44
Verse 26, Jesus said to her,
00:32:10.30\00:32:14.16
"I who speak to you am He."
00:32:14.17\00:32:17.84
She starts to
project in the future
00:32:17.85\00:32:19.35
the messiah will
come, it will be incredible.
00:32:19.36\00:32:21.29
Jesus says, "You
who you are speaking of,
00:32:21.30\00:32:24.56
the person you are
speaking of I am He."
00:32:24.57\00:32:30.25
Verse 27 then his
disciples came back.
00:32:30.26\00:32:34.22
They marveled that He
was talking with a woman
00:32:34.23\00:32:37.06
but no one
said, what do you seek
00:32:37.07\00:32:40.35
or why are you talking to her?
00:32:40.36\00:32:42.60
The disciples came back
food in hand only to find Jesus
00:32:42.61\00:32:46.97
talking to a woman
and not just any woman,
00:32:46.98\00:32:50.21
a Samaritan woman.
00:32:50.22\00:32:51.86
It was almost
appalling for the disciples.
00:32:51.87\00:32:55.28
You can kind of
picture them huddled together.
00:32:55.29\00:32:57.99
Dumb founded look on their face,
00:32:58.00\00:32:59.64
wondering why in the
world Jesus would talk
00:32:59.65\00:33:02.94
to a Samaritan woman.
00:33:02.95\00:33:05.59
But the Bible tells us
that the disciples said nothing.
00:33:05.60\00:33:11.71
Now when I first
read through this story
00:33:11.72\00:33:13.58
I always just
assumed the disciples
00:33:13.59\00:33:15.56
said nothing because
of the racial divide.
00:33:15.57\00:33:18.85
They were holding true
to their Jewish heritage
00:33:18.86\00:33:21.46
and way of life but as
I studied the story more
00:33:21.47\00:33:24.82
and reenacted the
moments in my mind
00:33:24.83\00:33:27.48
I began to
wonder about something.
00:33:27.49\00:33:31.49
Allow me to speculate with
you a little bit this evening
00:33:31.50\00:33:35.84
but understand
something before we do that.
00:33:35.85\00:33:39.70
My speculation is
not to reshape doctrine
00:33:39.71\00:33:42.60
or to add a 29
fundamental belief.
00:33:42.61\00:33:46.32
It's purely a question
that I think we can apply
00:33:46.33\00:33:48.92
to our lives as
Christians living today.
00:33:48.93\00:33:53.06
Amen.
00:33:54.29\00:33:56.27
The disciples were sent
off that afternoon to retrieve
00:33:56.28\00:33:58.97
food for their master.
00:33:58.98\00:34:01.66
It was okay for the Jews
to associate with Samaritans
00:34:01.67\00:34:05.52
if they were buying something.
00:34:05.53\00:34:07.42
If they were
seeking to gain something
00:34:07.43\00:34:09.91
certainly not for
any kind of friendship
00:34:09.92\00:34:11.60
but it would be okay
for the disciples to walk
00:34:11.61\00:34:14.85
into Samaria and buy
food for their master.
00:34:14.86\00:34:19.65
Now while it is
not true, I am educated
00:34:19.66\00:34:22.36
and all the streets and pathways
00:34:22.37\00:34:24.63
to and from
Samaria, I would assume
00:34:24.64\00:34:27.41
that there is only one
pathway that led from the well,
00:34:27.42\00:34:31.26
Jacob's well into
the city of Samaria.
00:34:31.27\00:34:35.80
You're following me so far?
00:34:35.81\00:34:38.11
If you can assume that
there was only one pathway
00:34:38.12\00:34:43.17
you can conclude
that the disciples passed
00:34:43.18\00:34:46.36
right by the same woman
into their trip in the city.
00:34:46.37\00:34:54.11
The same woman that woke up
00:34:54.12\00:34:55.51
that morning to
heartache and despair.
00:34:55.52\00:34:58.42
That same woman who
longed to hear something
00:34:58.43\00:35:00.57
in her life that
would give her purpose.
00:35:00.58\00:35:02.78
The disciples
knew the good news.
00:35:02.79\00:35:04.66
They would have had
the opportunity to change
00:35:04.67\00:35:06.90
her life but they missed it.
00:35:06.91\00:35:11.52
So in my
speculation I would ponder this.
00:35:11.53\00:35:16.58
Did the disciples miss her?
00:35:16.59\00:35:21.97
Did they miss her?
00:35:21.98\00:35:25.03
Was the God of divine
appointments trying to lead
00:35:25.04\00:35:27.99
the woman into the
pathway of the disciples?
00:35:28.00\00:35:31.89
You can kind of grapple
with how that somewhat awkward
00:35:31.90\00:35:34.72
meeting would went.
00:35:34.73\00:35:35.82
A woman comes into the sight.
00:35:35.83\00:35:37.20
She's not normal
based on their parameters.
00:35:37.21\00:35:40.31
She is a different race.
Society has cast her out.
00:35:40.32\00:35:43.85
It's completely
possible that she was dressed
00:35:43.86\00:35:45.98
a little bit more scantily.
00:35:45.99\00:35:47.87
Maybe her hair
was a different color
00:35:47.88\00:35:49.18
than they were used to.
00:35:49.19\00:35:50.81
Maybe piercings existed
where they shouldn't have.
00:35:50.82\00:35:53.15
And the justification
in their mind is this.
00:35:53.16\00:35:57.43
She would have
no interest in God.
00:35:57.44\00:36:00.76
No point even
telling her about Jesus.
00:36:00.77\00:36:05.41
Friends, if we label someone
as having no interest in God
00:36:05.42\00:36:08.22
we realistically
doubt the power of God
00:36:08.23\00:36:11.96
to change their life.
00:36:11.97\00:36:14.25
It's not about if they do
or do not have interest in God,
00:36:14.26\00:36:17.70
it's about if God has the
power to change their life.
00:36:17.71\00:36:22.69
Did the disciples miss
the woman at the well because
00:36:22.70\00:36:25.15
they doubted the power of God
00:36:25.16\00:36:30.21
and an even more important
and relevant question is this.
00:36:30.22\00:36:35.20
Who have we missed because
we doubted the power of God?
00:36:35.21\00:36:41.43
Who woke up this morning
met the day with an ugly outfit?
00:36:41.44\00:36:44.88
Combed their pink hair,
loaded their face with jewelry
00:36:44.89\00:36:48.27
and fell to their
knees crying out for God
00:36:48.28\00:36:51.40
to put someone in their life to
show them purpose and meaning?
00:36:51.41\00:36:56.88
Was that purpose-- and
person intended to show
00:36:56.89\00:36:59.43
the meaning, you or I?
00:36:59.44\00:37:03.64
Have you ever bypass
someone with the good news
00:37:03.65\00:37:06.36
because they probably
wouldn't have any interest?
00:37:06.37\00:37:11.84
Have you given up on a family
member, neighbor or co-worker
00:37:11.85\00:37:14.93
because they appear
to have no interest?
00:37:14.94\00:37:20.37
God is calling for us
to be messengers for Him.
00:37:20.38\00:37:24.44
Not to weed out whom we think
00:37:24.45\00:37:26.21
does or does not
have interest in God.
00:37:26.22\00:37:31.01
"Desires of Ages," page
194, "The gospel invitation is
00:37:31.02\00:37:35.52
not to be narrowed down and
presented only to a select few,
00:37:35.53\00:37:39.80
who we suppose will do
us honor if they accept it.
00:37:39.81\00:37:44.02
The message is
to be given to all."
00:37:44.03\00:37:48.34
Not to be narrowed
down to who we think
00:37:48.35\00:37:50.12
does or does not have interest.
00:37:50.13\00:37:52.16
The message is
to be given to all.
00:37:52.17\00:37:56.95
But you say maybe
she was dressed normal.
00:37:56.96\00:37:59.90
What then would have caused
the disciples to miss her?
00:37:59.91\00:38:02.99
Speculate in
your mind's eye this.
00:38:03.00\00:38:06.09
They meet on the dusty road.
00:38:06.10\00:38:07.94
The disciples collaborate
together and it is determined
00:38:07.95\00:38:11.79
that the work they
are on is more important
00:38:11.80\00:38:15.87
than speaking with the woman.
00:38:15.88\00:38:20.31
It's a shame that all of Samaria
00:38:20.32\00:38:22.64
could have been lost
00:38:22.65\00:38:23.86
because of the
resumes of the disciples.
00:38:23.87\00:38:28.09
This perceived importance
they thought they were doing
00:38:28.10\00:38:30.84
we're getting food for Jesus.
00:38:30.85\00:38:32.63
Certainly that is more
important than speaking
00:38:32.64\00:38:35.06
with the woman,
could it have been
00:38:35.07\00:38:36.88
that the
disciples felt they were
00:38:36.89\00:38:38.78
above reaching
out to this woman?
00:38:38.79\00:38:43.46
So the question
begs to be asked.
00:38:43.47\00:38:47.15
Who of you and I
miss because we assume
00:38:47.16\00:38:49.63
our work is more important
than a lonely woman or man?
00:38:49.64\00:38:57.06
We're the president of GYC, ASI,
00:38:57.07\00:38:59.53
what difference will
it make if one boy or girl
00:38:59.54\00:39:02.94
we reach out to when
we're organizing such an army?
00:39:02.95\00:39:08.63
I'm a CEO, CFO, COO of a
multimillion dollar company
00:39:08.64\00:39:12.88
that donates
millions to the world.
00:39:12.89\00:39:14.85
Should I be seeking out a woman?
00:39:14.86\00:39:18.41
I'm a doctor on the
verge of solving cancer.
00:39:18.42\00:39:21.32
What's a woman to me?
00:39:21.33\00:39:23.77
You must understand
I'm the director of Arise,
00:39:23.78\00:39:26.14
Amazing Facts it is written,
00:39:26.15\00:39:27.82
my time is more
valuable than a woman.
00:39:27.83\00:39:31.92
I'm the
president of a conference,
00:39:31.93\00:39:34.03
a union, a
division or even the GC.
00:39:34.04\00:39:37.60
My work is too great.
00:39:37.61\00:39:40.20
The disciples could have
been willing that all of Samaria
00:39:40.21\00:39:43.01
would've perished
because they were on a mission
00:39:43.02\00:39:45.81
they thought was greater.
00:39:45.82\00:39:50.10
Have we created
such positions among us
00:39:50.11\00:39:52.80
that all of New York
City, Los Angeles, Seattle
00:39:52.81\00:39:57.96
or Phoenix could be lost?
00:39:57.97\00:40:04.09
Perhaps you've been on a
mission like the disciples
00:40:04.10\00:40:06.70
that you believed was a little
more important than a woman.
00:40:06.71\00:40:11.75
Perhaps tonight
God is calling you
00:40:11.76\00:40:13.53
to reach your full potential.
00:40:13.54\00:40:17.65
His full
potential He has for you.
00:40:17.66\00:40:25.14
Their thoughts Ellen
White speaking of the disciples.
00:40:25.15\00:40:28.69
Their thoughts were
fixed upon a great work
00:40:28.70\00:40:31.26
to be done in the future.
00:40:31.27\00:40:33.61
They did not see
that right around them
00:40:33.62\00:40:35.62
was a harvest to be gathered
00:40:35.63\00:40:37.80
but through the
woman who they despised
00:40:37.81\00:40:41.98
a whole city full was
brought to hear the savior.
00:40:41.99\00:40:46.63
Their thoughts were
fixed upon a great work
00:40:46.64\00:40:49.32
to be done in the future.
00:40:49.33\00:40:54.20
Again don't let my
speculation get in the way
00:40:54.21\00:40:57.04
of you missing the
point or the appeal.
00:40:57.05\00:41:00.54
I'm not pretending to have
extra insight into the Bible.
00:41:00.55\00:41:03.79
It is entirely possible
the disciples never even cross
00:41:03.80\00:41:07.91
past with this woman.
00:41:07.92\00:41:11.13
But I believe the questions
posed are still relevant
00:41:11.14\00:41:15.14
and I believe them to
be extremely convicting.
00:41:15.15\00:41:20.55
We must take a
stand on these points.
00:41:20.56\00:41:24.16
God needs a church that
will not doubt His power.
00:41:24.17\00:41:27.51
God needs you not to assume
00:41:27.52\00:41:29.21
who does or does not
need Him in their life
00:41:29.22\00:41:31.70
and without a doubt
God wants a generation
00:41:31.71\00:41:34.81
who is not concerned
with the hierarchy of life.
00:41:34.82\00:41:37.58
Presidents, directors
and all of God's people
00:41:37.59\00:41:40.08
need to start
concerning themselves
00:41:40.09\00:41:41.81
with God's true
purpose for their lives.
00:41:41.82\00:41:45.60
Reaching a starving nation.
00:41:45.61\00:41:47.47
Getting serious about
getting this gospel message
00:41:47.48\00:41:50.92
to the entire world.
00:41:50.93\00:41:53.59
See, friends, a day is
coming in the near future
00:41:53.60\00:41:56.99
when many Christians,
many Seventh-day Adventist
00:41:57.00\00:42:01.76
and possibly even ASI
members will be silent.
00:42:01.77\00:42:09.30
Jesus will come again.
00:42:09.31\00:42:12.81
A glorious day it will be.
00:42:12.82\00:42:15.28
Lightning will flash
from the east to the west.
00:42:15.29\00:42:18.10
A thousand times, ten thousand
angels will fill the sky.
00:42:18.11\00:42:22.32
Cripple men will
walk. The blind will see.
00:42:22.33\00:42:25.37
Our bodies will
become perfect again.
00:42:25.38\00:42:29.21
Families lonely because of death
00:42:29.22\00:42:30.84
will be reunited in the clouds.
00:42:30.85\00:42:32.85
Husbands and wives
separated by tragedy
00:42:32.86\00:42:35.34
will embrace midair.
It will be an incredible.
00:42:35.35\00:42:38.84
Un-describable a day for many
and yet a tragedy for others.
00:42:38.85\00:42:47.27
And they're Christians,
Seventh-day Adventist
00:42:47.28\00:42:49.77
and may be even ASI
members will face co-workers,
00:42:49.78\00:42:53.95
neighbors and
even family members.
00:42:53.96\00:42:59.25
As the saints are
taken in the cloud,
00:42:59.26\00:43:01.46
those who will
reign, those who will remain
00:43:01.47\00:43:05.22
will question our
priorities, our foolishness,
00:43:05.23\00:43:14.05
and stupidity will
plague our very existence.
00:43:14.06\00:43:20.53
And as if a
common thread of unity
00:43:20.54\00:43:23.10
those who remain will stand
gazing in disbelief and disgust.
00:43:23.11\00:43:31.07
They will wonder you
knew and you didn't tell us.
00:43:31.08\00:43:39.93
You knew He would come again
00:43:39.94\00:43:43.45
and you never
breathe a word to me.
00:43:43.46\00:43:49.61
Friends, our only
response will be silence.
00:43:49.62\00:43:54.94
Did the disciples
get that same look?
00:43:54.95\00:43:58.38
Maybe even that same
question at Jacob's well.
00:43:58.39\00:44:04.55
Perhaps the woman
sat stunned in disbelief
00:44:04.56\00:44:08.04
at the return of the disciples.
00:44:08.05\00:44:11.31
The very man who
knew Jesus the best
00:44:11.32\00:44:14.01
would walk by and say nothing.
00:44:14.02\00:44:18.76
How could it
happen? How could it be?
00:44:18.77\00:44:21.75
You knew and you didn't tell me.
00:44:21.76\00:44:27.51
You knew about Jesus and
you never breathe a word to me?
00:44:27.52\00:44:32.91
Perhaps the woman
sat stunned in disbelief.
00:44:39.89\00:44:44.57
Maybe Jesus stopped at
that well that high noon not
00:44:44.58\00:44:47.95
only to save Samaria but to
teach the disciples a lesson.
00:44:47.96\00:44:53.72
Maybe God is so great that
He knew Jesus needed to stop
00:44:53.73\00:44:57.43
there to teach you
and I a lesson tonight.
00:44:57.44\00:45:01.95
Perhaps we find at the
well a small reenactment
00:45:01.96\00:45:05.62
of the Second Coming.
00:45:05.63\00:45:10.00
That moment and
time we're Christians,
00:45:10.01\00:45:13.26
we're Seventh-day
Adventists are held accountable
00:45:13.27\00:45:16.67
who they did and did
not tell the gospel to.
00:45:16.68\00:45:22.35
God is calling for a
generation of followers
00:45:22.36\00:45:25.13
who unashamedly
tell others about Christ.
00:45:25.14\00:45:29.49
That no matter the
cost no matter the sacrifice
00:45:29.50\00:45:32.73
no matter the,
excuse me, nothing in life
00:45:32.74\00:45:37.39
would stop us from
leaving any stone unturned.
00:45:37.40\00:45:41.36
No co-worker, no neighbor,
no family member is left untold.
00:45:41.37\00:45:46.21
A woman woke up that
morning full of doubt,
00:45:46.22\00:45:49.21
full of fear and Jesus
answered the holy calling
00:45:49.22\00:45:52.67
to tell her the good news.
00:45:52.68\00:45:56.23
Who has Jesus
placed in your life
00:45:56.24\00:45:58.82
to alter their eternal destiny?
00:45:58.83\00:46:02.75
What woman at the well is God
calling you to reach tonight?
00:46:02.76\00:46:10.36
The woman was
excited about what she learnt
00:46:10.37\00:46:12.63
at Jacob's well
that hot sunny day.
00:46:12.64\00:46:15.66
So excited in fact
that the Bible tells us
00:46:15.67\00:46:18.55
she left the
pitcher at the well.
00:46:18.56\00:46:21.53
She was filled with hope.
00:46:21.54\00:46:23.26
She was filled with
a sense of belonging.
00:46:23.27\00:46:26.07
She was filled with a
sense of purpose and destiny.
00:46:26.08\00:46:30.63
She ran off to
Samaria not knowing much.
00:46:30.64\00:46:34.26
Not knowing how to give
an eloquent Bible study.
00:46:34.27\00:46:37.68
Not knowing how to get up
in front of people and preach.
00:46:37.69\00:46:40.73
Not knowing how to
go through the Bible
00:46:40.74\00:46:42.77
and explain all 28
fundamental beliefs.
00:46:42.78\00:46:47.31
But the Bible
tells us in John verse 6.
00:46:47.32\00:46:50.88
excuse me, Chapter 6,
Chapter 4 and verse 39,
00:46:50.89\00:46:56.90
"Many Samaritans from
that town believed in Him
00:46:56.91\00:47:01.06
because of the
woman's testimony."
00:47:01.07\00:47:04.95
In order for Jesus to
reach the city of Samaria
00:47:04.96\00:47:08.59
He had to reach one.
00:47:08.60\00:47:12.29
The city was conquered for Jesus
00:47:12.30\00:47:16.25
because Jesus was
able to reach one.
00:47:16.47\00:47:21.10
It's a shame that
we come to a place
00:47:21.11\00:47:23.83
where it doesn't
seem exciting for us
00:47:23.84\00:47:25.59
to tell of just
one being reached.
00:47:25.60\00:47:28.66
You've heard the reports
before where someone says,
00:47:28.67\00:47:31.26
we went out door-to-door.
00:47:31.27\00:47:32.49
We went into the city and
we only had three baptisms.
00:47:32.50\00:47:37.11
We only had
one. We only had two.
00:47:37.12\00:47:40.60
One was enough for
the savior of the world.
00:47:40.61\00:47:43.69
I think it
should be enough for us.
00:47:43.70\00:47:48.66
The work for
Christ should not feel
00:47:48.67\00:47:50.80
that He cannot speak. excuse me.
00:47:50.81\00:47:52.57
The workers for
Christ should not feel
00:47:52.58\00:47:55.40
that He cannot speak
with the same earnestness
00:47:55.41\00:47:58.15
to a few hearers
as to a large company.
00:47:58.16\00:48:02.15
There may be only
one to hear the message
00:48:02.16\00:48:05.08
but who can tell how far
reaching its influence will be.
00:48:05.09\00:48:10.87
God is calling for us
to not weed out the people
00:48:14.97\00:48:20.16
who we think do and do
not want Jesus in their lives.
00:48:20.17\00:48:25.43
Pink hair, yellow hair,
jewelry, tattoos doesn't matter.
00:48:25.44\00:48:29.50
God has the power
to change their lives.
00:48:29.51\00:48:35.70
God is calling for a
generation not concerned
00:48:35.71\00:48:38.37
with the hierarchy of life.
00:48:38.38\00:48:40.42
Doesn't matter if you
are president of something.
00:48:40.43\00:48:42.91
Doesn't matter if you
are director of something
00:48:42.92\00:48:45.56
God is calling all
of us as a generation,
00:48:45.57\00:48:49.38
as an army, young and
old to reach the world
00:48:49.39\00:48:53.47
for Him one person at a time.
00:48:53.48\00:48:57.91
God is calling for us to
get our priority straight.
00:48:57.92\00:49:02.66
Did the disciples
miss her that hot sunny day
00:49:02.67\00:49:05.62
on their way to Samaria?
00:49:05.63\00:49:07.07
I don't know.
00:49:07.08\00:49:10.04
But a day is
coming when you and I
00:49:10.05\00:49:11.90
will be held accountable
who we did miss or did not miss.
00:49:11.91\00:49:19.78
A woman woke up that morning
ready to call a quits on life.
00:49:19.79\00:49:25.56
Crying out to meet a savior.
00:49:25.57\00:49:28.18
Jesus was there
to answer the call.
00:49:28.19\00:49:32.78
For the rest of
your life men and women
00:49:32.79\00:49:34.68
will wake up in the morning.
00:49:34.69\00:49:36.77
Tears will
stream down their face.
00:49:36.78\00:49:40.80
They will cry out for
God as if one last time.
00:49:40.81\00:49:45.45
Send me someone who
can share the hope with me.
00:49:45.46\00:49:48.29
Send me someone who will
give me the gospel message.
00:49:48.30\00:49:52.10
Send me someone who will
give me something to live for.
00:49:52.11\00:49:58.46
Friends, will you and I
be there to answer the call?
00:49:58.47\00:50:03.51
Shall we stand
for the benediction?
00:50:13.20\00:50:15.55
Our Father, this evening,
you've spoken to many hearts.
00:50:21.05\00:50:27.14
Lord, we can't do
much about the past.
00:50:27.15\00:50:30.69
We do pray that you will bless
00:50:30.70\00:50:33.38
that somehow those
that we haven't helped
00:50:33.39\00:50:36.75
will still have an opportunity.
00:50:36.76\00:50:39.62
But for the future
we ask for a special
00:50:39.63\00:50:43.41
outpouring of your spirit.
00:50:43.42\00:50:46.19
That first of all
we would recognize
00:50:46.20\00:50:49.34
that you want to
make a short work.
00:50:49.35\00:50:52.33
You want to finish this work.
00:50:52.34\00:50:54.86
And we thank you that
you are going to finish
00:50:54.87\00:50:58.28
it with those that
are open to your leading.
00:50:58.29\00:51:02.00
May we be blessed
as we go from here
00:51:02.01\00:51:05.99
to never neglect any opportunity
00:51:06.00\00:51:09.12
to share with
those that are hungry.
00:51:09.13\00:51:11.99
We thank you in
Jesus' name. Amen.
00:51:12.00\00:51:16.79