John 4:1-42 (Please Read First -Click here)
When Jesus left Judea on his way back to Galilee, he passed through Samaria. Near the city of Sychar is a plot of ground where Jacob's Well is located. Jesus decided to take a rest in this place. While his disciples went into town to purchase food, a Samaritan woman approached the well. As the woman was drawing water, Jesus asked her to give Him a drink of water. Startled by His request, the woman asked Jesus, "are You, a Jew asking me, a Samaritan, to use my cup?" Jesus revealed all things to this woman at the well, and she believed in Him, so much so that she ran into the city and called out to the men of the city, to come hear a man, that is wise beyond reason, who certainly must be the Christ (Messiah) that we've awaited. When the men of the city heard this woman's testimony, many believed and many went to see for themselves. Jesus preached for two days to the Samaritans, and they believed, and testified that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the World.
Jesus holds a two day revival on the spot, because of one woman's testimony. What about our testimony? When was the last time any of us told someone about Jesus in a way that would make them want to come and meet this man name Jesus? If one woman's testimony can change the lives of an entire city, then why are our modern day revivals lacking the the same drawing power for this generation. Jesus is the same today as He was yesterday. Certainly, it is not that Jesus has changed, but that most of us are not going into the world with enthusiasm and relevance in our testimony. Moreover, our testimony is diluted, because of our lack of Faith. We praise and shout in the church, we share Christ within the body of Christ, but we keep our religion private from a public world. Outside of church, too many of us have another life (Christian-Schizophrenia).
Jesus admonishes his disciples, to see the obvious, to see the multitude waiting to hear the Word. Jesus declares: "Lift up your eyes" the world is ripe, wanting and waiting for the Word. Jesus has sent us to reap the harvest that He has prepared. We are his witnesses. Go and tell someone that Jesus is the Christ, The World's only Savior, He is the great deliverer, the redeemer, and He's coming back again. When He comes all mankind shall be judged, and those whose names are not found in the Book of Life, shall be condemned to the eternal death, and those whose names are found in the Book shall receive eternal life. Go and Tell That!
J.W.O.S.
Spread the Word!
Rev. Brian K. Shobe
About Me
- Pastor Brian Shobe
- Pastor, Serving at Shiloh MBC, Indianapolis, IN beginning in December 2012. Pastor Shobe is married with 5 children and 4 grandchildren. The mission of this blog is to reflect upon the Word and how it has touched my Life. To create a forum for comment, and communication about how the Word impacts our daily lives.Finally, to offer an opportunity to view the Word in depth and search for spiritual meaning and enlightenment. This site is open for your comments and input. This is a Bible Study Forum, but it takes you to participate and express your inspirations as well.
7 comments:
I thought it was very interesting that the Disciples came back from the city with only food, and when the woman went to town, many men came to hear Jesus.
That is an excellent observation. It gives more clarity and meaning to what Jesus says in the text.
He said I have food to eat that you know nothing about... My food is to do the will of My Father...others have done the hard work... now you shall reap the benefits. One woman went to town with a testimony and a purpose, she stired up a 2 day revival, the disciples went to town and brought back meat that would spoil.
You mentioned that today we don't have the same enthusiasum in telling the good news in our revivals. I also think that our ears have been desensetized to the fact that the world no longer is acceptible to the same ol' words. But the bible says if just one is saved by what we say then our preaching/teaching is not in vain.
My question is why
Have you ever wondered why the Samaritan woman left her water pot behind? I will share with you are mere speculation,
1. She was made to feel ashamed of it.
When the disciples returned from their trip into town to buy dinner, they noticed that Jesus was talking to this “woman of Samaria.” No one said a thing.
I wonder how many members leave the church in fear. Because they do not use their water pot (gifts) in our Church because they are made to feel inferior to others. We are never made to feel welcome in their presence. Many leave their water pots behind.
Titles becomes idols (I can testify to that)
2. She no longer needed it.
Christ had promised to give her water that would never make her thirst again. Her water pot could not be used for this purpose. It was no longer needed.
When a person comes to Christ, they no longer need the things that they once thought were essential to them in life.
3. She forgot it.
When the Samaritan women left, she had only one thing on her mind, Christ!
4. She was in a hurry.
She felt compelled to tell everyone in the City that she had come to know Christ. She invited them to come to him know him as well.
We need to be willing to lay aside the things in our lives that would weigh us down in our "race" to win others to Christ.
5. Maybe the Lord needed it.
Remember the woman had noted that Christ had nothing to draw water with.
6. She knew she would be back.
The water pot would be in safe hands. He would not let it be taken. She knew that she could return and find Christ still there protecting her water pot. He will never leave you nor forsake you.
7. She wanted the Lord to fill it.
Christ had promised her “living water.”
We need to leave our empty water pots on the altar of prayer. Only God can fill us. Keep this in mind, before you can ask God to fill your life with the power of his Spirit, we need to become empty of self and of sin. God can only fill empty water pots.
Rochelle
I agree that our ears have been desensitized to the "same ol' message". Also it's true that preaching is never in vain, when it is true preaching from God. God told Ezekiel,(2:7-8),to go and preach to the people, whether they hear you or not. If even one person is brought to Christ, and is saved, then this is a visible and exciting testimony. God holds a Hallelujah party in heaven at the saving of each soul.
But because we don't see the great harvest, doesn't mean there isn't a harvest. God's holds the preacher accountable for how well he sticks to the message, that God gives him to preach, not whether anyone listens or responds. God has made it clear in His Word, that some plant and some water, but God Himself is responsible for the increase (I Corinthians 3:1-15). We should never let our egos get in the way of God; our preaching is an encouragement to mankind to seek God. That is to say we are to compel and persuade mankind to seek the truth.
Today's generations needs the Bible to be preached in a way that is "relevant" to this generation. This has been true of every generation. The same "ol' words", are falling on death ears.
Principles remain the same, but methods and styles are constantly improving to gain greater effectiveness. However, the message is eternal. The gospel is the same Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow and Forever.
Today's generations needs the Bible to be preached in a way that is "relevant" to this generation. This has been true of every generation. The same "ol' words", are falling on death ears.
Quoted - Min. Brian
God's Word is still the same but we can't preached/teach the way our grandmother's was taught. If that was the case then put down the computers. Tell the preachers stop purchasing their sermons. We can't totally based our teaching on yesterday's language. Our young folks need to know how to survive gangs. They need to know what to do when mom is on crack and dad is incarcerated. We have to speak the language they can relate too. When I mention the cotton field my grandson looks at me and go - what's that. To me that was a way of life that we had to endure.
But today: We have to preach/teach with applications.
We want to sing the song about how we made it over. But won't talk about the many snares and toil we experienced. Talk about the heart aches, tell us how many children you had out of wedlock. share with us what you had to go through.
This new generation is searching for answers. Why? Who? When? What happen? Teach the truth!
My grandma use to take her Bible and turn to a certain Scripture and tuck the Bible away.
We can't turn to a certain page in the Bible then put the Bible under our pillow at night and expect the Word to jump out. We have to study!
My grandmother always taught me that a woman's place was in the kitchen. I love cooking but ask Reb if I could quit my job and stay home and cook. Of course God's Word hasn't change but our understanding of his Word has.
In all thou getting get understanding.
Our people perrish for lack of knowledge. Grandma religion was good for her back in the day and we all should thank God for grandma. We no longer need the horse and buggy. Don't get me wrong - the grandma's of yesterday was and still to be respected unlike some of the grandma's of today.
But back to the basic - I've based my conclusion on one word and that word is 'iniquities'
Iniquity is when we practice the sins of our forefathers, and therefore we are suffering the same sins of our forefathers and the consequences. Iniquity is something that is done over and over again until it becomes a part of your character. it is iniquity that is passed down from one generation to another.
So what's wrong with the church?
I am not talking about the building because the building is a place where the church is suppose to come and worship. We're the church...But we are living in a time where we are so laid back and low keyed.
I guess I have a lot to say but after what I went through on yesterday in the building - my question is what's wrong with the church? Here we are the body of Christ and have to look at somebody else before we say amen.
It's time for the church to be supernaturally alive instead of un-naturally dead. Miracles should be part of our everyday experience instead of religious hypocrisy, hype, and pretense. The Bible talks about how the salt has lost it's power, it's good for nothing.
If we are that city that sit on a hill we shouldn't be hidding. Imagine Indy sitting on a mountain. We're the city (church) We should be getting the attention from other folks. A church is the body of Christ. if anybody should know something about God it should be the church. If anybody should go to sleep in the church it should be a sinner. We should never have to elbow a Christian, not the church we shouldn't have to wake the church up.
So when we hear the word of generational curses.....we might feel helpless, but we are not! We are only helpless when we are ignorant of what is taking place in our lives.
I have a lot to say
And there are those who want me to sit down and shut up but I am one of those folks that makes a joyful noise.
If God has ever done anything for you then you too ought to say so!
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