TEXT:  John 4:1-26

INTRODUCTION:

A.      JACOB’S WELL IN SAMARIA.

          1.       Must travel through Samaria from Galilee to Judah or cross Jordan twice.

          2.       Jews usually crossed the Jordan twice ... mutual hatred.

B.      JACOB’S OTHER NAME - ‘ISRAEL’ - FATHER OF THE NATION.

C.      MANY LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED FROM THIS VISIT AT THE WELL.

I.      THE HUMANITY OF JESUS.

A.  THIRSTY AND TIRED.

B.  A MAN - FLESH (1 Tim. 2:5;  Heb. 2:9, 14-15, 17-18;  4:15).

C.  COMPASSION AND FORGIVENESS.

II.     BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS.

A.  GENDER BARRIER (Gal. 3:28).

          1.  Jesus talked to a woman.  Rabbis and priests would not in public.

          2.  Women have an honored place in Scripture - Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Rahab, Deborah, Esther.

          3.  Talents honored (1 Tim. 2:9-10;  Acts 9:36;  Rom. 16:1-2).

          4.  Their lights must shine (2 Tim. 1:5;  1 Pet. 3:1).  Every creature (Mark 16:15).

B.  RACIAL PREJUDICE.

          1.  Jesus came to save all (Acts 10:34-35).

          2.  One blood (Acts 17:26).

          3.  A case of a racially mixed marriage (Num. 12:1-10).

C.  MORAL BARRIERS.

          1.  She was an immoral woman.  5 husbands and a live in.

          2.  Jesus and sinners (Luke 15:1-2).

          3.  His compassion (Matt. 9:36)

          4.  His purpose (Luke 5:29-32;  19:10).

III.    NO AUDIENCE IS TOO SMALL.

A.  JESUS EMPHASIZED INDIVIDUAL SALVATION (Luke 15:7).  ONE AT A TIME.

B.  WE SHOULD NOT PRE-JUDGE OUR AUDIENCE (John 7:24).

IV.   HE ADDRESSED HER ISSUES.

A.  HE USES NATURAL OBJECTS TO TEACH SPIRITUAL LESSONS.

          1.  Matt. 5:6.  Earthly food can’t satisfy.

          2.  There is another food (John 6:27;  John 4:34).

B.  “OUR FATHERS WORSHIPPED.” (vs. 20).  Her parents were wrong (Gal. 1:13-14).

C.  THE PLACE OF WORSHIP (John 4:20-23).

          1.  God can be worshipped anywhere.

          2.  Not permission to forsake the assembly (Heb. 10:25).

D.  THE ATTITUDE IS EMPHASIZED OVER PLACE (John 4:23-24;  Mat. 15:7-9).

          1.  In spirit, with the inner man (1 Cor. 14:15).

          2.  According to the pattern (2 John 9).

V.    "I THAT SPEAK UNTO THEE AM HE" (vs. 25-26).

A.  EVOLUTION OF REALIZATION.

          1.  vs. 19.  "I perceive that thou art a prophet."

          2.  vs. 25.  "I know the Messiah cometh …"

          3.  vs. 29.  "Can this be the Christ?"

          4.  vs. 39.  "… because of the word of the woman."

                   a.  Rejoiced – left her water pot (vs. 28).

                   b.  Found a treasure she must share (John 1:40-46)

B.  I AM HE.  (John 8:58;  Col. 2:9-10).  The Messiah, Immanuel à God with us.

C.  John 4:13-14.  THE WATER OF LIFE (John 7:37;  Rev. 22:17)

CONCLUSION:  WILL YOU COME AND DRINK?