Bible Study - Life After Failure - From Faliure to Salvation - John 4 - October 7, 2012

Bible Study – Life After Failure – From Failure to Salvation – October 7, 2012

This begins a new series of study entitled “Is There Life After Failure?”

Our scripture for this lesson is John 4:7-18, 25-26, 39.

We will study four (4) lessons during the month of October:

October 7 – From Failure to Salvation – John 4:7-18. 25-26, 39

October 14 – From Failure to Direction – Genesis 15:4-6; 16:1-5; 17:3-6, 15-19.

October 21 – From Failure to Correction – Exodus 15:19-21; Numbers 12:1-3, 8-13, 15.

October 28 – From Failure to Action – John 18:15-18, 25b-27; 21:15-19; Acts 4:13, 18-20.

I dislike the word “failure” but it happens to the best of us. The question becomes, “How do we handle failure?” Do we let it defeat us or do we rise above failure. When we do not learn from our failures, it is truly sad. I have had my share of failures over my lifetime of almost 75 years. Most were self inflicted failures from just being plain stubborn.

The key is once we recognize our failure, we need to access, critique and learn from it. Our time upon earth is a time of training for our eternal life yet to be realized. When we believe that this terra-firma is all there is, we are in deep trouble. Do you believe in God? I know I spelled it different than the way I usually do, GOD. In my mind they are the same. I just do not want there to be any misunderstanding about Who I am talking about.

The greatest failure is rejecting CHRIST as your Savior. HE is the only way to GOD because HE died in your place for your sins if you will accept that. By accepting CHRIST as your Savior, you receive forgiveness for your sins, eternal life and GOD’S grace. That is eternal security because that makes you a born-again child of GOD – Sons or Daughters.

Often GOD allows us to fail in an effort to get our attention. When we are down the only way is up. HE knows what HE has planned for each of HIS children if we yield our lives to HIM. Let’s explore!

Let’s read John 4:1-6:

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

1 When Jesusa Other mss read the Lord knew that the •Phariseesb Mk 7:3 heard He was makingc Mt 28:19-20 and baptizing more disciples than Johnd Mk 1:4
2 (though Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were),
3 He left Judeae Lk 1:5 and went again to Galilee.f Mt 17:22
4 He had to travel through Samaria,g Ac 1:8
5 so He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar near the propertyh Lit piece of land that Jacobi Ps 22:23; Mt 1:2; Lk 1:33 had given his son Joseph.j Gn 30:24; 33:19; 48:22; 49:22
6 Jacob’s wellk Jms 3:11 was there, and Jesus, worn out from His journey, sat down at the well. It was about six in the evening.l  

 

JESUS had been teaching and HIS disciples were baptizing new believers as followers of JESUS in Judea. Judea was predominantly Jewish. When HE knew that the Pharisees heard that HIS disciples were baptizing more disciples than John the Baptist HE left Judea. HIS destination was Galilee which was also predominantly Jewish.

The short cut from Judea to Galilee was through Samaria. The Jews hated the Samaritans because they were considered half breeds or mixed race. The Jews considered themselves a pure race. Most Jews would go miles out of their way to avoid going through Samaria. But the scripture reveals that JESUS was compelled to go through Samaria. We know why.  When Christians are led by the Holy Spirit, they are led to travel to certain places or take certain routes because GOD knows of a need that needs to be met to glorify HIM. This is a classic example of GOD leading JESUS to a certain place at a certain time to accomplish HIS purpose. It is an example for every Christian. GOD still leads HIS children today as HE did JESUS.

Notice in verses 6 and 7 that JESUS got tired, thirsty and hungry. Yes, HE was GOD’S Son but HE was 100% human and subject to all that humans are subjected.

Jacob’s well was the focal point. The Samaritan woman needed to draw water from the well and JESUS needed a drink of water but HE did not have anything to draw the water from the well. Common needs often produce opportunity. GOD had a plan but a rapport needed to be established between JESUS and the Samaritan woman because religious society and society in general had built barriers between men and women, as well as, races.

Christians need to be open to the opportunities that GOD provides.

Let’s read John 4:7-14:

7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. “Give Me a drink,” Jesus said to her, 8 for His disciples had gone into town to buy food. 9 “How is it that You, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a •Samaritan woman?” she asked Him. For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would ask Him, and He would give you living water.” 11 “Sir,” said the woman, “You don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do You get this ‘living water’? 12 You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are You? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock.” 13 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again—ever! In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up within him for eternal life.”

The Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans or with women in public. JESUS is about to break many cultural barriers and notice that HE spoke first.  HE broke the wall of silence.

The woman questioned why JESUS would ask her, (1) a Samaritan, because Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans, and (2) a woman, because the Jewish custom was that a woman was not allowed to speak to a Jewish man in public. Not only did HE speak to her but if she gave HIM a drink, HE would have to drink from the same cup that she drank from. And (3) later we will see that she was a woman that lived an immoral life which would have prevented a Jewish rabbi or Pharisee from associating with her. JESUS met the needs of people and that is exactly HIS expectations for Christians today. But Christians must be careful not to put themselves in certain situations which may cause them to compromise their witness especially if they are prone toward certain weaknesses in their lives.

The Samaritan woman recognized and acknowledged JESUS as a Jew. Notice that JESUS got the conversation going between HIM and her. When we witness to others, there needs to be dialogue. There needs to be conversation to establish common ground. This may take time but in this account, things moved quickly.

She mentioned the barriers between the Jews and the Samaritans. I think it was her way of giving JESUS the opportunity to stop speaking to her. But notice that JESUS gave her something to ponder when HE referred to “living water.” She came to the well to draw water, which was a difficult chore.

HE told her that HE would give her living water. Living water was water that flowed. A well could be a fountain or a pit or a cistern. Jacob’s well was a cistern that held water but the water flowed from a spring which kept it fresh. JESUS’ mentioning “living water” got her attention. She was curious because JESUS had just asked her for a drink of water and it was obvious that HE had nothing to get this “living water.” But the idea of “living water” got her attention and broke barriers for JESUS to get her to open up her heart.

She asked JESUS, “Where do You get this living water? You aren’t greater than our father Jacob, are You? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock.” She focused on the physical needs that water provided. She posed a very important question, “Are You greater than our physical heritage through Jacob, who has met our physical needs for water over these many years?” JESUS begins to change her thinking from meeting physical needs to Spiritual needs by telling her:

“Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again—ever! In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up within him for eternal life.”

JESUS is the “Living Water” Who satisfies our Spiritual thirst. Notice, JESUS stated “will become a well of water springing up within him/her for eternal life.” JESUS had not yet given HIS life to pay, in full, the debt for sin. The debt for sin had to be paid before there is remission for sins through CHRIST. JESUS’ resurrection is proof that HE paid in full the debt. HE ascended into heaven and sat at the right-hand of GOD, HIS Father, which established that HE accomplished HIS purpose and established HIS authority over all things. The Holy Spirit could not come to indwell every Christian until CHRIST returned to heaven. Once all of this was accomplished, the Father could send the Holy Spirit to indwell every Christian. JESUS was referring to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as the “living water” springing up from within for all Christians. Living water is invigorating, dynamic, energizing, satisfying and quenches our Spiritual thirst.

Have you experienced the “Living water” bubbling up in your life? If not, you are missing out on the abundant life that JESUS came to earth to give to all who believe in HIM.

The thought of this “living water” intrigued this lady. To me, it is obvious that she had given Spiritual matters some serious thought.

Let’s read John 4:15-18:

15 “Sir,” the woman said to Him, “give me this water so I won’t get thirsty and come here to draw water.”16 “Go call your husband,” He told her, “and come back here.” 17 “I don’t have a husband,” she answered. “You have correctly said, ‘I don’t have a husband,’” Jesus said. 18 “For you’ve had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.”

We notice something in verse 15. She wanted this “living water” to quench her thirst so she would not have to come to the well and draw water for herself. JESUS picked up on her statement. It was like, “Don’t you have someone else in your life that would need water as well?” JESUS drew her attention to that fact by asking her, “Go call your husband,” He told her, “and come back here.” She responded to HIS request, which JESUS revealed that HE knew more about her than she ever dreamed possible.

That is a message to every person on earth. GOD has known us from before HE formed the world. Consider Ephesians 1:3-4 - 3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.f Eph 1:20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12
4 For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.g Vv. 3-14 are 1 sentence in Gk.h Jd 24 In lovei

JESUS’ remarks got her attention. She knew that HE knew about her life and yet this obvious man of GOD broke all the barriers to speak to her and meet her needs. She immediately knew that HE was far different from all the religious people she had ever encountered. She concluded this man is truly different and is interested in me.

Let’s read John 4:19-26, 39:

19 “Sir,” the woman replied, “I see that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, yet you Jews say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.” 21 Jesus told her, “Believe Me, •woman, an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews. 23 But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to Him, “I know that •Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will explain everything to us.” 26 “I am He,” Jesus told her, “the One speaking to you.”

The woman recognized JESUS as a prophet and addressed HIM as “Sir.” She immediately changed the conversation to Spiritual matters. It was like she was thinking, “Now is my opportunity to ask the questions that have been on my mind and have been afraid to ask.” It revealed her interest in Spiritual matters, which is the first step toward having an intimate relationship with GOD through CHRIST.

She revealed that she had a Spiritual knowledge base. She told JESUS that “Our fathers worshipped on this mountain.” She was referring to Mount Gerazim where the Samaritans worshipped. In fact, Jacob’s well was located at the foot of Mount Gerazim where this encounter was taking place. She knew that the Jews worshipped in Jerusalem. The Samaritans worshipped on this mountain. Two different locations yet they worshipped the same GOD. Great question and what a fitting place to have this discussions! GOD is a Master designer of what we call circumstances. Nothing is by chance but by design when we serve our LORD and it is exciting to see HIS hands at work. It is perfect.

She wanted to know, “Where the proper place was to worship GOD?” It is important for those seeking truth to ask questions. JESUS tells us to ask, seek and knock but when we do, to focus on GOD to provide the answers.

JESUS told her that salvation would come from the Jews. She knew that HE was referring to the coming Messiah. HE told her that when the Messiah comes, the place of worship would be immaterial. When CHRIST is in you, you can worship 24/7.

The importance of worship is not the place where one worships but as JESUS said, “But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” GOD knows our hearts and HIS desire is for HIS children to worship HIM in “Spirit and Truth.”

This woman had Spiritual insight because HIS comments triggered a probing question, “The woman said to Him, “I know that •Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will explain everything to us.” 26 “I am He,” Jesus told her, “the One speaking to you.”  WOW!!! What a thrill that must have been for her to hear those words “I AM HE.” What did she do when she heard those words? Quickly - Let’s read John 4:28-30, 39:

28 Then the woman left her water jar, went into town, and told the men, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could this be the Messiah?” 30 They left the town and made their way to Him.

The Savior of the World

39 Now many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 Therefore, when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of what He said. 42 And they told the woman, “We no longer believe because of what you said, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world.”

She was so excited that she had found the Messiah that she left her water jar and went to town to tell others about JESUS. That is a natural response when we discover truth, we want to share it with others.

She went to the men of her town and told them. It is interesting that they listened to her and responded. She must have had such an excitement and possibly a glow about her that she got their attention. They wanted to see what on earth she had encountered.

Unlikely converts to Christianity. They recognized and acknowledged JESUS as the Messiah, the Savior of the world. GOD knows the hearts of people and HE knows those ready to receive salvation. Christians need to trust GOD to lead them to those who are ready to receive salvation as the Holy Spirit leads and guides them.

I recall a story I read about a pastor and his wife who had been in a revival in another town. They had finished the revival and were returning home on the train. The train stopped at a town before the station where they were to get off. The pastor told his wife that he felt led to get off the train. His wife said, she didn’t. She went on home. The pastor got off and told the LORD in essence here I am, now what am I supposed to do? The LORD led him down this street and that street until he arrived on a dark street because night had fallen. He said now what? The LORD asked, “Do you see the light under the door ahead of you?” Yes, he replied. Walk to it and go in. He did and there were people on their knees praying and a man in front of the store looked up and said, “Folks you can stop praying our preacher has arrived.” WOW!!!. Obedient service will blow our earthly mind. Serve GOD by accepting CHRIST as your Savior and yield your life to HIM. HE will lead and guide you by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The Samaritan woman went to the well to draw water but found salvation because CHRIST was willing to break barriers and reach out to her. Have you let failures in your live keep you from becoming a Christian? If so, today salvation through CHRIST can come to you. Ask HIM to forgive you of your sins and to come into your life. Salvation triumphs over any earthly failure. Blessings and welcome to the family of GOD by accepting CHRIST as your Savior.