Come and See: Embracing Transformative Encounters with Christ
Summary
In today's message, we explored the theme "Come and See," focusing on the transformative encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, as described in John 4:27-42. This passage illustrates the breaking of societal barriers and the urgency of sharing the gospel. Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman demonstrates His mission to reach out to those marginalized by society, emphasizing that no one is beyond the reach of God's love and grace. The woman's response to her encounter with Jesus was immediate and profound; she left her water pot behind and ran to the city to share her testimony, inviting others to "come and see" the Messiah.
This narrative challenges us to examine our own lives and the "water pots" we may be holding onto—those things that hinder us from fully embracing and sharing our faith. The urgency of evangelism is highlighted, reminding us that the fields are ripe for harvest, and we are called to be active participants in God's mission. Jesus' focus on spiritual nourishment over physical needs serves as a powerful reminder of the eternal significance of our calling. We are encouraged to remain steadfast and focused on our divine purpose, understanding that our true fulfillment comes from doing the will of God.
The message also underscores the importance of personal testimony in evangelism. The Samaritan woman's simple yet powerful testimony led many to believe in Jesus. This teaches us that we don't need to have all the answers or a deep theological understanding to share our faith; our personal experiences with Christ are enough to draw others to Him. As we move forward in this year of harvest, let us be bold in proclaiming the good news, inviting others to experience the transformative power of Jesus in their lives.
Key Takeaways:
1. Breaking Barriers for the Gospel: Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman shows that the gospel transcends cultural and social barriers. We are called to reach out to those who are marginalized or different from us, demonstrating God's inclusive love. This requires us to step out of our comfort zones and engage with people from all walks of life. [28:46]
2. Urgency in Evangelism: The Samaritan woman's immediate response to share her encounter with Jesus highlights the urgency of evangelism. We are reminded that the fields are ripe for harvest, and we must seize every opportunity to share the gospel. Our personal testimonies can be powerful tools in leading others to Christ. [36:29]
3. Focus on Spiritual Nourishment: Jesus prioritized spiritual nourishment over physical needs, teaching us the importance of focusing on eternal values. Our true fulfillment comes from doing the will of God, and we must remain steadfast in our divine purpose, even when faced with distractions. [49:02]
4. The Power of Personal Testimony: The Samaritan woman's testimony led many to believe in Jesus, illustrating the power of personal stories in evangelism. We don't need to have all the answers; our experiences with Christ are enough to draw others to Him. Let us be bold in sharing our faith. [39:51]
5. God's Call to Action: We are reminded that God uses us to build His church and bring others to Him. Our devotion to God should be evident in our willingness to share the gospel and invite others to "come and see" what Jesus can do in their lives. This is our year of harvest, and we must act on it. [01:05:10]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [25:46] - Introduction to John 4:27-42
- [27:44] - The Well-Signed Encounter
- [28:46] - Breaking Barriers
- [29:36] - Revelation and Insight
- [30:49] - Disciples' Surprise
- [32:11] - Misunderstandings and Focus
- [33:19] - The Woman's Testimony
- [34:32] - Leaving the Water Pot
- [36:29] - Urgency of Evangelism
- [38:48] - Knowing Jesus
- [39:51] - Power of Testimony
- [41:51] - Opportunities for Harvest
- [49:02] - Spiritual Nourishment
- [01:05:10] - God's Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Come and See"
Bible Reading:
- John 4:27-42
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Observation Questions:
1. What societal barriers did Jesus break during His conversation with the Samaritan woman, and why was this significant? [28:46]
2. How did the Samaritan woman respond after her encounter with Jesus, and what did she do immediately afterward? [34:32]
3. What was the reaction of the disciples when they saw Jesus speaking with the Samaritan woman, and how did Jesus address their concerns? [30:49]
4. What was the impact of the Samaritan woman's testimony on the people of her city? [39:51]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman illustrate the inclusivity of the gospel message? What does this teach us about reaching out to those who are different from us? [28:46]
2. In what ways does the urgency of the Samaritan woman's evangelism challenge our own approach to sharing the gospel? [36:29]
3. How does Jesus' focus on spiritual nourishment over physical needs serve as a reminder of our priorities in life? [49:02]
4. What role does personal testimony play in evangelism, as demonstrated by the Samaritan woman, and how can this be applied in our own lives? [39:51]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a "water pot" in your life that might be hindering you from fully embracing and sharing your faith. What steps can you take to leave it behind and focus on your spiritual calling? [34:32]
2. Consider a time when you felt hesitant to share your faith due to societal or cultural barriers. How can Jesus' example with the Samaritan woman encourage you to overcome these barriers? [28:46]
3. Identify a person in your life who is marginalized or different from you. How can you reach out to them with the love and message of the gospel this week? [28:46]
4. Think about your personal testimony. How can you share your experiences with Christ in a way that is authentic and inviting to others? [39:51]
5. Evaluate your current priorities. Are there areas where you are focusing more on physical needs than spiritual nourishment? How can you realign your priorities to reflect eternal values? [49:02]
6. What specific actions can you take this week to be an active participant in God's mission, especially in this "year of harvest"? [01:05:10]
7. How can you create opportunities in your daily life to invite others to "come and see" what Jesus can do in their lives? [41:51]
Devotional
Day 1: Breaking Barriers with God's Inclusive Love
In John 4:27-42, Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well exemplifies the breaking of societal and cultural barriers. This encounter highlights the gospel's power to transcend divisions and reach those marginalized by society. Jesus' willingness to engage with the Samaritan woman, despite cultural norms, demonstrates God's inclusive love and the call for believers to step out of their comfort zones. We are encouraged to engage with people from all walks of life, showing them the love and grace of God. This requires courage and a willingness to embrace diversity, understanding that the gospel is for everyone, regardless of their background or status. [28:46]
"For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life might you be avoiding due to cultural or social differences? How can you reach out to them this week to demonstrate God's inclusive love?
Day 2: The Urgency of Sharing the Gospel
The Samaritan woman's immediate response to her encounter with Jesus underscores the urgency of evangelism. She left her water pot behind and ran to the city to share her testimony, inviting others to "come and see" the Messiah. This narrative reminds us that the fields are ripe for harvest, and we must seize every opportunity to share the gospel. Our personal testimonies, like the Samaritan woman's, can be powerful tools in leading others to Christ. We are called to be active participants in God's mission, understanding the eternal significance of our calling and the need to act swiftly in sharing the good news. [36:29]
"Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest." (John 4:35, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific opportunity you have this week to share your faith with someone? How can you prepare yourself to seize that opportunity?
Day 3: Prioritizing Spiritual Nourishment
Jesus' focus on spiritual nourishment over physical needs serves as a powerful reminder of the eternal values we are called to prioritize. In His conversation with the disciples, Jesus emphasized that His food was to do the will of God and accomplish His work. This teaches us that our true fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with God's purpose and remaining steadfast in our divine calling. Even when faced with distractions or physical needs, we are encouraged to focus on the spiritual nourishment that comes from a deep relationship with God and a commitment to His mission. [49:02]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection: What distractions are currently hindering you from focusing on your spiritual growth? How can you realign your priorities to seek spiritual nourishment first?
Day 4: The Power of Personal Testimony
The Samaritan woman's testimony led many to believe in Jesus, illustrating the power of personal stories in evangelism. Her simple yet profound testimony shows that we don't need to have all the answers or a deep theological understanding to share our faith. Our personal experiences with Christ are enough to draw others to Him. This encourages us to be bold in sharing our faith, trusting that God can use our stories to impact others' lives. As we share our testimonies, we invite others to experience the transformative power of Jesus in their own lives. [39:51]
"And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death." (Revelation 12:11, ESV)
Reflection: What is one personal experience with Christ that you can share with someone this week? How can you use your testimony to encourage and inspire others?
Day 5: Responding to God's Call to Action
We are reminded that God uses us to build His church and bring others to Him. Our devotion to God should be evident in our willingness to share the gospel and invite others to "come and see" what Jesus can do in their lives. This is our year of harvest, and we must act on it, understanding that God has called us to be active participants in His mission. As we respond to God's call, we are encouraged to be bold and intentional in our evangelism efforts, trusting that He will guide and empower us in this journey. [01:05:10]
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's mission this week? What steps can you take to share the gospel and invite others to experience Jesus' transformative power?
Quotes
Come and see. Look at somebody and tell them, come and see. Those who are watching us, tell somebody, come and see. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. This year, we are going to see, we're going to encounter the Lord. We're going to have our breakthroughs, and we'll invite others to come and see. [00:25:05] (27 seconds)
We have a charge to keep and we have a God to glorify. Amen. I have a charge to keep. You have a charge to keep and a God to glorify. And that is why we need to pay attention to what God really wants of us. [00:26:55] (19 seconds)
Sometimes, when you are doing something, you know, people may not necessarily understand what you are doing. And if they don't understand, they will draw their own conclusions, make their own inferences, create their own perceptions, and begin to talk behind you. [00:32:18] (19 seconds)
Millions of people may claim to be Christians, but they are not ready to leave their water port. Most of us are Christians, but our water port is still with us and it is holding us back from running to the city to proclaim the gospel. [00:36:10] (19 seconds)
Your port may be your job or your business that seems to occupy you. You're so busy with it. Your port could be maybe your family, whatever. Your port could be something that you think you have that you are not having. [00:37:43] (16 seconds)
Tell of God I want you to know. We serve a God. Who knows you inside out. Amen. He knows every area of your life. He knows the number of your hair. That's what the scripture says. He knows your name. He knows your every thought. [00:39:06] (24 seconds)
Just let your own testimonies. Your own experiences with the Lord. If you are genuinely saved. Be the starting point. Of your life. Of sharing Christ with others. [00:39:51] (14 seconds)
Church, this year, our goal is that of the years of experience we have with the Lord, we want to tell somebody, come and see. The psalmist said, come and taste and see that the Lord is good. Invite somebody to the Lord. [00:40:55] (21 seconds)
Wherever Jesus or wherever God brings somebody your way, it is an opportunity to sow some kingdom seeds in their life. This is our year of harvest. [00:42:01] (14 seconds)
Child of God, listen, if you don't go, nobody will come. If you don't tell somebody, come and see, nobody will come and see. It is very important. [00:43:24] (14 seconds)
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