Gospel Meeting 17/03/2019

John’s Gospel ch4 vs1 – 42

In this passage of scripture, the Samaritan woman went about her usual daily business but ended up having an encounter with a Man that would change her and her life forever.

When God is involved, nothing happens by chance!...

(vs4) – The Lord Jesus Christ “must needs go through Samaria".

The Lord found the woman without any problem, and He knows all about each of our own situations and circumstances today.

The Samaritan woman was amazed that a Jew should be engaging with her.

The Jewish people had wrongly become very proud of themselves, and thoroughly despised the Samaritans.

We can also think of Jonah, who hated the idea of having to testify to the Gentile city of Ninevah and was angry that God had spared it.

However, Jesus Christ came into the world to show love and care for all needy people…

“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance"

- Luke’s Gospel ch5 vs32

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost"   

- Luke’s Gospel ch19 vs10

Personal challenge – do we ever wrongly look down on any certain groups of people…?

The Samaritan woman came to the well at an unusual time of day. Very likely to avoid meeting other people from her city, having achieved a certain reputation.

But God in His infinite power and wisdom, can readily use anyone to bring further glory and honour to His name.

“Brothers and sisters think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him”

- 1^st Corinthians ch1 vs26 – 29

So, as the conversation continued, The Lord offered the woman a lot more than she was thinking – not just a drink of water!

The Lord was offering her the true living water –  the Holy Spirit indwelling and eternal life!

The woman had come to the well with a physical thirst, but Christ had much more for her - a fully satisfying water for a spiritual thirst!

Today, there are so many people thirsting for things in the world that can never ever satisfy.

 Only The Lord Jesus Christ can fulfil our needs.

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labour for what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare”

- Isaiah ch55 vs1 – 2

           

We were created to have a relationship with God, and only He can satisfy the emptiness that exists in our lives without Him.

The woman here tried to find her happiness through men, but ever failed

The Lord Jesus Christ - despite knowing all about her sinful life -  in His love and compassion still freely offered her forgiveness and Salvation.

Nobody is too sinful to be saved!

Dear reader, if you are feeling ashamed and beating yourself up over things you may have done, remember – The Cross was for you too! Jesus Christ willingly took your sins upon Himself and took your punishment for them.

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”

-  Jesus Christ speaking from Matthew’s Gospel ch26 vs28

Jesus Christ died and was resurrected that you personally can have full forgiveness and eternal life!

The offer of Salvation from The Lord Jesus Christ requires a personal response.

The Samaritan woman responded by leaving behind her much needed waterpot to run back into the city and tell the happy news to others.

 She had met and accepted The Saviour of sinners!

A new changed woman, full of joy!

Now, a city of people was changing too upon hearing the woman’s testimony about Jesus Christ!

It is not about ideology or teaching – it is all about A Man!

The woman said (vs29) “Come see a man…”

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”

- 1^st Timothy ch2 vs5

Like the Samaritan woman, we too should be filled with gratitude to tell others about this most wonderful and loving Man, who is the only Saviour of sinners.

Dear reader, would you take this opportunity tonight, to come with a genuine heart of repentance to Jesus Christ? Ask His forgiveness, putting your faith and trust in Him as your own Lord and Saviour.

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”

- Jesus Christ speaking from Matthew’s Gospel ch26 vs28

He is not a disappointment! Jesus is far more to me
Than in all my glowing day-dreams I had fancied He could be;
And the more I get to know Him, so the more I find Him true,
And the more I long that others should be led to know Him too.

He is not a disappointment! He has saved my soul from sin;
All the guilt and all the anguish, which oppressed my heart within.
He has banished by His presence and His blessed kiss of peace,
Has assured my heart forever that His love will never cease.

He is not a disappointment! He is coming by and by.
In my heart I have the witness that His coming draweth nigh.
All the scoffers may despise me, and no change around may see,
But He tells me He is coming, and that’s quite enough for me.

He is not a disappointment! He is all in all to me –
Blessed Saviour, Sanctifier, the unchanging Christ is He!
He has won my heart’s affections, and He meets my every need;
He is not a disappointment, for He satisfies indeed.

                                                                    (Anon)