BREAKING BARRIERS 2 LIVING WATER

TEXT JOHN 4:4-42 http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=John4&niv=yes

BREAKING BARRIERS 2 LIVING WATER

PARAPHRASE JOHN 4:4-42

In traveling from Judea to Galilee, Jesus went through Samaria an area Jews usually avoided. Coming to the town of Sychar, he walked near a plot of land Jacob had given his son Joseph and had dug a well. Tired from his journey, Jesus sat down by the well while his disciples went into town to buy food. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus asked her for a drink which shocked her because Jews believe they will become defiled if they come into contact with Samaritans. He tells her that if she knew of God’s gift of grace and who he really was, if instead she were to ask him, she would receive living water - eternal life.

Misunderstanding Jesus, she asks him where living water comes from and how he could be greater than Jacob who dug the well for them. He tells her that drinking from Jacob’s well only temporarily satisfies one’s thirst, while drinking his water satisfies one’s thirst forever - leading to eternal life. She then asks Jesus to give her some of his water so she will never be thirsty again and have to return to Jacob’s well.

Jesus then tells her to go and get her husband because it is improper for him to be talking to her alone, at which point she tells him she has no husband. Knowing this, Jesus tells her that she has had five husbands and that she is telling the truth when she says she is not married to the man she is now with. Recognizing Jesus knowledge of her personal life is a sign that he is a prophet, she diverts the discussion away from herself to a religious conflict between the Samaritans and Jews about where the proper place to worship God is - Mount Gerazim vs the Jerusalem Temple. Jesus tells her that a time is coming when the God will be worshipped in neither place because the Samaritans worship what they don’t know and the Jews worship what they do. He tells her that salvation comes from the Jews and that the time has come when true worshippers won’t worship God in a place but in spirit and truth - something God desires. He tells her that because God is spirit his worshippers must worship Him in spirit and truth. The woman responds that when the Messiah comes he will explain everything to them at which point Jesus reveals to her that he is the Messiah.

When the disciples return from town they are surprised to find Jesus talking to a woman because of the customs of the day. Simultaneously, the woman leaves her water jar and goes back to town and tells everyone to come with her to see a man who could be the Messiah because he knew everything about her. As the town’s people come out to see Jesus, the disciples urged Jesus to eat, but he tells them his food is to do the will of God. He also quotes to them the proverb, “Four months more and then the harvest”, telling them in so many words to open up their eyes so they can participate in harvesting the crop of souls who are coming their way. He reminds them of the truth of another saying, “One sows and another reaps” telling them they have been sent to reap what they have not sowed. Others such as the prophets and him had done the hard work of sowing with the town’s people of Sechar, while they (the disciples) will reap the benefits of their labor as the town’s people come out to see him (the Messiah) for themselves.

Many of the town’s people believed because the Samaritan woman testified that “He told me everything I ever did.” When the Samaritans came out to see Jesus they asked him to stay with them and so he did for two days. As a result of his words many more believed and they told the woman that they no longer believed solely because of her testimony, now that they had heard Jesus for themselves and knew he was the Savior of the world.


PRINCIPLES JOHN 4:4-42

CIT = Central Idea of the Text, INT = Interrogatory, ANS = Answer)

JOHN 4:4-42

A. First Century Readers

CIT: John tells his first century readers that Jesus was God’s gift of living water leading to eternal life.

INT: How does John tell his first century readers that Jesus was God’s gift of living water leading to eternal life.

ANS: John told his first century readers this by Jesus breaking down barriers:

I. He Went through Samaria

II. He Talked to a Woman

a. He Asked Her for a Drink

b. He Offered Her Living Water

c. He Told Her about Her Life

d. He Told Her about True Worship

e. He Told Her He was the Messiah

III. He Stayed with Her People


B. Readers Today

CIT: John tells us today that Jesus is God’s gift of living water leading to eternal life.

INT: How does John tell us today that Jesus is God’s gift of living water leading to eternal life.

ANS: John tells us this today by our breaking down barriers:

I. We Go to Forsaken Places

II. We Talk to Forsaken People

a. We Ask Them for a Drink

b. We Offer Them Living Water

c. We Tell Them about Their Lives

d. We Tell Them about True Worship

e. We Tell Them about the Messiah

III. We Stay with Them


PRAYER

Our Father, we give You praise for Your gift of Living Water, of Eternal Life, in Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Our Father, we thank You that Your Son, the Messiah, broke down the barriers that existed in this world, offering His Living Water to all.

Our Father, we thank You that we also can break down barriers in proclaiming Your Son's Living Water to the world.

Our Father, embolden us to go wherever and to whomever You desire us to go with Your gift.

Our Father, forgive us in the past when we have not responded to Your call.

Our Father, may our worship be as You desire, in spirit and in truth and may we bring this worship with us wherever You might send us to do Your work.

Our Father, humble us to ask others for the drink that we need as we build the relationships necessary to talk with them about their lives and the Salvation the Messiah brings.

We ask all of this in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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GREATER & LESSER

TEXT: JOHN 3:22-36 http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=John3&niv=yes

PARAPHRASE – John 3:22-36

After talking with Nicodemus, Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside where his disciples began baptizing, as John the Baptist was doing. This led to an argument between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew about ceremonial washing. They went to John asking him why the one whom he had testified about was now baptizing and why everyone was going to him.

John answered by telling them a man can only receive what he is given from heaven, reminding them that he had testified he was not the Christ but had been sent ahead of him. He also told them while the bride belongs to the bridegroom, his role has been like that of the best man to the bridegroom, waiting and listening for him and being filled with joy when he hears his voice. He told them now that the Christ has come his joy is compete and that the Christ must become greater and he must become less important.

John goes on to tell them the one from above, from heaven, is the Christ who is above all, while he is from the earth, belongs to the earth and speaks as one from the earth. He tells them that even though the one from above testifies to what he has seen and heard, no one accepts his testimony, although those who do accept it certify God as truthful – having sent the one from above who speaks His words, He gives him the Spirit without limit. John ends by telling them the Father loves the Son and has placed all authority in his hands so that whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see eternal life because God’s wrath remains on him for his sin.

PRINCIPLES

CIT = Central Idea of the Text, INT = Interrogatory, ANS = Answer)

JOHN 3:22-36

A. First Century Readers

CIT: John told his first century readers that Jesus must become greater and John the Baptist less. vv 22-26

INT: Why did John tell his first century readers that Jesus must become greater and John the Baptist less?

ANS: John told his first century readers that Jesus must become greater and John the Baptist less because of:

I. Who John the Baptist was

A. A man who received only what he was given from heaven. v 27

B. A man who testified he was not the Christ v 28

C. A man who said he was like the friend of the bridegroom v 29

II. Who Jesus was

A. The One who was from above, from heaven v 31

B. The One who was above all v 31

C. The One who testified what he had seen and heard v 32

D. The One who spoke the words of God v 33

E. The One whom the Father loved and gave all authority to v 35

F. The One who brought eternal life v 36

B. Readers Today

CIT: John tells us today that Jesus had to become greater and John the Baptist less. vv 22-26

INT: Why does John tell us today that Jesus had to become greater and John the Baptist less?

ANS: John tells us today that Jesus had to become greater and John the Baptist less because of:

III. Who John the Baptist was

A. A man who received only what he was given from heaven. v 27

B. A man who testified he was not the Christ v 28

C. A man who said he was like the friend of the bridegroom v 29

IV. Who Jesus is

A. The One who is from above, from heaven v 31

B. The One who is above all v 31

C. The One who testifies what he has seen and heard v 32

D. The One who speaks the words of God v 33

E. The One whom the Father loves and has given all authority to v 35

F. The One who brings eternal life v 36

PRAYER

Our Father, we thank You for the friend of the bridegroom who waited for him and prepared his way.

Our Father, we praise You for the man from earth who testified he was not the Christ but was sent ahead of him.

Our Father, we thank You for the One from Heaven who testified about what he had seen and heard.

Our Father, we praise You for the One above all, who speaks Your words with the Spirit unlimited.

Our Father, we thank You for loving the Son and for giving him all authority.

Our Father, we give You praise for the eternal life He brings to all who believe in His Name.

Our Father, forgive us when we falter in our belief and for our failures in telling others the Good News of Your Son and what He has done on the Cross for the sake of all.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

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WATER & SPIRIT

THE WORD

WATER & SPIRIT

TEXT: JOHN 3: http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=John3&niv=yes


PARAPHRASE – John 3:1-21

Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling counsel, came to Jesus at night and calling him teacher, said that they knew he was from God because of the miraculous signs he was doing.

Jesus responded by saying, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again,” which confused Nicodemus who taking Jesus literally, asked him how this was physically possible.

Trying to move Nicodemus away from a literal understanding, Jesus told him that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and Spirit stating, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” He went on to tell him that he shouldn’t be surprised at being told “You must be born again.” Speaking of the wind, Jesus tells Nicodemus that it blows wherever it wants to and although he can’t see where it comes from or where it is going he can hear its sound - which is like those who are born of the Spirit.

Still in the dark, Jesus tells Nicodemus that as one of Israel’s teachers he should already know the things he is being told, but the truth is although he and his disciples have been testifying to what they know and have seen – his people haven’t accepted their testimony. Jesus tells Nicodemus that since he has not believed him about earthly things it is unlikely he will believe him about heavenly things. He tells him that as the Son of Man he knows about heavenly things because having come from heaven he has been in heaven. And as Moses lifted up a snake on a pole in the desert so that whoever looked up at it would be saved from sin and death, he too will be lifted up on a cross so that whoever looks to him and believes in him will have eternal life.

He goes on to tell Nicodemus that God loves the world so much that he has given his only Son so that whoever believes in him will not perish apart from God but live eternally with Him. God didn’t send his Son into the world to condemn it but to save it through him, i.e. whoever believes in the Son is not condemned but whoever doesn’t believe is condemned because he doesn’t believe in God’s Son. And the verdict is: the Son is the Light that has come into the world, but men love darkness instead because what they do is evil and therefore they hate the light because they are fearful their evil actions will be exposed. However, those who live by the truth come into the light where it is clearly seen what they do has been done through God.

PRINCIPLES

(CIT = Central Idea of the Text, INT = Interrogatory, ANS = Answer)

JOHN 3:1-21

A. First Century Readers

CIT: John tells his first century readers that God sent His Son into the world to save it.

INT: How did John tell them God was going to save the world through His Son?

ANS: John told them that:

I. They must be born again. v 3,7

II. They must be born of water & the Spirit. v 5,6,8

III. They must believe in the Cross. v 14,15

IV. They must believe in God’s Son. v 10-13,16-18

V. They must come into his Light. v 19-21

B. Readers Today

CIT: John tells us today that God sent His Son into the world to save it.

INT: How does John tell us that God saves the world through His Son?

ANS: John tells us that:

I. We must be born again. v 3,7

II. We must be born of water & the Spirit. v 5,6,8

III. We must believe in the Cross. v 14,15

IV. We must believe in His Son. v 10-13,16-18

V. We must come into his Light. v 19-21

PRAYER

Our Father, we thank You for sending Your Son into the world to save us.

Our Father, we ask you to forgive us when we hide in our darkness.

Our Father, we praise You for bringing us into Your Light.

Our Father, glory to You for the Cross we look up to.

Our Father, we thank You for the water & Spirit.

Our Father, glory to You for the birth it brings.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

AUTHORITY TO CLEANSE

AUTHORITY TO CLEANSE

TEXT: JOHN 2:12-22 http://www.biblica.com/bible/verse/?q=John2&niv=yes

PARAPHRASE – John 2:12-22

After attending the wedding banquet Jesus went to Capernaum with his mother, brothers and disciples where they all stayed for a few days.

Then when it was getting close to the time of the Passover he went to Jerusalem where he found that cattle, sheep and doves were being sold and money was being exchanged in the temple courts. Making a whip out of chords he drove the sheep and cattle from the temple courts, scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables – shouting to those who were selling doves, “Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!

As he did this, his disciples remembered that in the Psalms it says “Zeal for your house will consume me.”

In contrast, the Jews were demanding that Jesus perform a miraculous sign to prove he had authority to do what he had done.

Jesus responded to them by saying “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days.”

Taking him literally, the Jews asked Jesus since it had taken 46 years to build the temple, how was he going to rebuilt it in three days – not realizing the temple he spoke of was his body. After the resurrection his disciples remembered what he had said to the Jews and they believed the Scripture and the words he had spoken.

PRINCIPLES – John 2:12-22

I. John told his first century readers that Jesus had authority to cleanse the Temple.

II. How does John tell his first century readers that Jesus had authority to cleanse the Temple?

III. John tells his first century readers that Jesus had authority to cleanse the Temple because:

A. It was His Father’s house v 13-16

B. Scripture foretold it v 17

C. His resurrected body was the new Temple v 18-22


IV. John tells us today that Jesus has authority to cleanse the Church.

V. How does John tell us today that Jesus has authority to cleanse the Church?

VI. John tells us today that Jesus has authority to cleanse the Church because:

A. It’s His Father’s house v 13-16

B. Scripture foretells it v 17

C. His resurrected body is the Church v 17-22

PRAYER

Our Father, we thank You for Your Son’s Resurrection, for His Body the Church.

Our Father, forgive us when we desecrate His Body with materialism and privilege.

Our Father, we praise You for Your Word foretelling of Your Son’s cleansing.

Our Father, we praise You for Your Son’s authority to do what he does.

Our Father, help our faith to grow strong in Your Son for what he has done.

Our Father, we pray all of this in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Amen.

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