Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 23 May 2021

Text: John 4

Subject: Evangelism

Focus: Special Challenges II

INTRODUCTION

1. Dealing with delicate issues

a) Family issues

b) Death

c) Divorce

d) Multiple Marriages

e) Living together (unmarried)

2. The Family Concept in the 1^st Century

a) The Legally Married State

b) The problem of living together though unmarried

THE INVITATION OF THE LORD JESUS

1. Calling the husband

a) Natural to share “the good news” (The Gospel)

b) Invitation given

2. Unearthing latent/ deep problems

a) Admission of the Samaritan woman

“I have no husband” John 4:17a

b) Candid response of the Lord Jesus

i) “You have well said” (no husband) John 4:17b

ii) “You have had 5 husbands” John 4:18a

iii) “The one whom you now have is not your husband” John 4:18b

c) There was no condemnation!

THE RESPONSE OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN

1. She was not ready/ not willing to speak about her marital affairs

2. She commented

“Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet” John 4:19

a) She was impressed

b) How could the Lord Jesus have known about her life?

4. She added

a) Samaritan Worship

i) Worshipping in Mt. Gerizim 

ii) For centuries (John 4:20a)

b) Jewish Worship

i) Worshipping in Jerusalem

ii) The only place to worship (John 4:20b)

c) Another delicate issue

i) Religion

ii) Worship

iii) Traditional practices

iv) Centuries old practices

THE RESPONSE OF THE LORD JESUS

1. Typical

a) Candid

b) Clear

c) Non-condemnatory

d) No compromise either

2. Worship as God desires it

a) Worship 

i) Not confined to Mt. Gerizim

ii) Nor Jerusalem

b) New understanding/ practice of worship

i) The hour is coming

ii) Now is (the hour) (John 4:21a)

c) True worship 

i) Began with Jerusalem

ii) Established by the Lord

iii) Worship by the Jews is correct (John 4:22a)

iv) Salvation is of the Jews (John 4:22b)

d) Emphasis of New understanding/practice of worship

i) The hour is coming

ii) And now is (John 4:23a)

e) True worshippers

i) Will worship the Father

ii) In spirit

iii) In truth (John 4:23b)

f) Emphasis again

i) Worship in spirit

ii) In truth (John 4:24)

THE RESPONSE OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN

1. Faith in the Messiah to come (John 4:25a)

2. He will tell us all things (John 4:25b)

THE FINAL WORD OF REVELATION 

The Lord declares that He is the Messiah (John 4:26)

EVALUATION OF “SPECIAL CHALLENGES” EVANGELISM

1. Free and open Discussion

a) Free exchange of words/thoughts allowed for

b) Steady focus of the Lord Jesus 

i) The Gospel (in particular)

ii) Biblical truth (in general)

iii) Worship (New and enlightening)

2. The Lord Jesus did not press the Samaritan woman to make a decision

a) Concerning sin

b) Concerning lifestyle

c) Concerning religion 

d) Patience was obvious

3. The Part of the Samaritan woman

a) Many things to think through

b) Personal life issues to be dealt with

c) Faith in the Lord Jesus as the Messiah