Following Jesus’ Example: Sharing the Living Water Gospel

This morning, we began by honoring those who have served our country, recognizing the courage and sacrifice of our veterans. We prayed for them, acknowledging not only the physical but also the unseen wounds many carry, and asked God’s blessing and comfort for them and their families.

Turning to John 4, we reflected on Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. In a world of billions, with so many yet to hear the gospel, the urgency and responsibility of personal evangelism became clear. Jesus’ conversation with the woman is a model for us: he was intentional, meeting her at a divinely appointed moment, setting aside his own needs, breaking through cultural and social barriers, and using the physical need for water to reveal her deeper spiritual thirst. He addressed her sin with both honesty and grace, never condemning but inviting her to receive living water.

We considered the motivation behind Jesus’ actions. His “food” was to do the will of the Father—to accomplish the work he was sent to do. This is not just a task for the Son of God, but a pattern for all who follow him. The disciples, arriving at the end of Jesus’ conversation, were invited to see the world differently: to lift their eyes and recognize that the fields are white for harvest. The need is great, but the opportunity is greater. Jesus calls us to join in the work—not as isolated individuals, but as part of a long chain of faithful witnesses, each playing a role in sowing and reaping.

The Samaritan woman, transformed by her encounter with Jesus, left her water jar and ran to tell those who had rejected her about the Messiah. Her testimony, though simple and honest, led many to believe. Yet, as the Samaritans came to Jesus themselves, they discovered firsthand that he truly is the Savior of the world. Our stories matter, but it is the word of Christ that brings true faith.

We are reminded that God does not call us to evangelize in our own strength or wisdom. He provides the opportunities, sustains us in the work, and brings the growth. Our part is to be faithful—to go, to invite, to share, and to trust that God will use our obedience for his glory and the good of the world. The harvest is ready. Who will go?

Key Takeaways

• 1. Jesus Models Intentional, Barrier-Breaking Love Jesus’ approach to the Samaritan woman was marked by intentionality and a willingness to cross social, cultural, and personal boundaries. He sought her out, met her in her need, and engaged her with compassion and truth. This challenges us to examine our own willingness to reach those who are different, marginalized, or overlooked, trusting that God’s appointments often lie outside our comfort zones. [41:19]
• 2. The Father’s Will Is Our True Nourishment Jesus declared that his sustenance was to do the will of the Father. When we prioritize God’s mission above our own comfort or needs, we discover a deeper satisfaction and purpose. Obedience to God’s call may require sacrifice, but it also brings spiritual nourishment that cannot be found elsewhere. [59:29]
• 3. The Harvest Is Ready—Faithfulness Is Required Jesus urged his disciples to “lift up your eyes” and see that the fields are white for harvest. The need for the gospel is urgent, and God has prepared hearts to receive it. Our role is not to measure results, but to be faithful in sowing and reaping, trusting that God brings the growth in his time and way. [64:17]
• 4. Your Testimony Matters, But Jesus’ Word Transforms The Samaritan woman’s testimony opened the door for many to believe, but it was hearing Jesus himself that brought deeper faith. Our stories of transformation are powerful tools, but we must also point people to the living word of Christ, allowing him to speak and reveal himself to others. [73:08]
• 5. God Uses Ordinary People in Extraordinary Ways The story reminds us that God delights to use those with a past, those who feel unqualified or rejected, to bring others to himself. No one is beyond the reach of grace, and no testimony is too broken to be used for God’s glory. Our willingness to go and share is what God asks; he will do the rest. [73:37]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [28:33] - Honoring Our Veterans
• [31:26] - Introduction to John 4
• [33:08] - The Global Need for the Gospel
• [35:13] - The Urgency of Evangelism
• [37:17] - The Great Commission Is Personal
• [39:32] - Jesus’ Model of Evangelism
• [41:19] - Breaking Barriers for the Gospel
• [43:14] - Addressing Sin with Grace
• [46:22] - What Motivated Jesus?
• [49:31] - The Disciples’ Lesson: The Harvest
• [53:24] - The Woman’s Response and Testimony
• [59:29] - The Father’s Will as True Food
• [62:48] - The Fields Are White for Harvest
• [73:08] - The Power of Testimony and the Word
• [77:35] - The Call to Go and Trust God

Bible Reading

John 4:27-42 (ESV) —
> 27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?”
> 28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people,
> 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”
> 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him.
> 31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”
> 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.”
> 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?”
> 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
> 35 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.
> 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together.
> 37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’
> 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”
> 39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.”
> 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days.
> 41 And many more believed because of his word.
> 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

Observation Questions

1. What are some of the barriers—cultural, social, or personal—that Jesus crosses in his conversation with the Samaritan woman? ([41:19])
2. How does the woman respond after her encounter with Jesus, and what does she do with her experience? ([53:24])
3. What does Jesus say is his “food,” and how does this relate to his motivation for ministry? ([49:31])
4. According to the passage, what is the result of the woman’s testimony and what happens when the Samaritans meet Jesus themselves? ([50:40])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why might Jesus have chosen to reveal his identity as the Messiah so clearly to this particular woman, given her background and social standing? ([45:30])
2. What does it mean that Jesus’ “food” is to do the will of the Father? How does this shape the way his followers should view their own priorities? ([59:29])
3. The disciples are told to “lift up your eyes and look on the fields.” What is Jesus trying to get them (and us) to see about the world around them? ([01:02:48])
4. The Samaritans first believe because of the woman’s testimony, but then believe more deeply after hearing Jesus. What does this say about the role of personal testimony versus the direct word of Christ? ([01:13:08])

Application Questions

1. Jesus intentionally sought out someone who was marginalized and crossed social boundaries to reach her. Are there people in your life or community that you tend to overlook or avoid? What would it look like to reach out to them with the love of Christ? ([41:19])
2. The woman left her water jar and ran to tell others about Jesus, even those who had rejected her. Is there something you might need to “leave behind” in order to share your faith more freely? What holds you back from sharing your story? ([53:24])
3. Jesus says his nourishment comes from doing the Father’s will. When have you experienced a sense of purpose or satisfaction from obeying God, even when it required sacrifice? ([59:29])
4. Jesus tells his disciples that the fields are “white for harvest.” Where do you see spiritual need or openness around you right now? How can you be more attentive to opportunities God is placing in your path? ([01:04:17])
5. The woman’s testimony was simple and honest, yet God used it to bring many to faith. What is your story of encountering Jesus? How could you share it in a way that invites curiosity rather than pressure? ([01:13:08])
6. The sermon reminded us that God uses ordinary people, even those with a difficult past, to do extraordinary things. Do you ever feel unqualified to share your faith? How does this story encourage you? ([01:13:37])
7. We are not called to evangelize in our own strength, but to trust God to provide the opportunities and bring the growth. What would it look like for you to step out in faith this week, trusting God to use your obedience? ([01:17:35])