S) "42 and they were saying to the woman, 'It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world.'"
John 4:42 (NASB)
O) I identify with John chapter 4. These Samaritans were always on the outside. Not quite Jews, but they wanted to serve God. They had some of the story, but not the whole thing. I feel like a lot of Americans that call themselves Christians must be a little like the Samaritans of this time. They'd heard of the promises of God and they believe, even if their life doesn't quite line up with Scripture. Here, we see that the witnessing of this Samaritan woman would only go so far. It was effective for some, but the real fruit for them, the real impact came, when she lead them to Jesus, in a much more literal way.
A) I can present a pretty good argument for things. I'm also blessed as a pretty effective teacher. If some one has questions, I'm pretty good at answering them. With God, though, words will only go so far. If I really want people to have change in their lives, if I really want people to serve God, chase holiness, and have blessings, then I need to be leading them to Jesus in the most literal way possible. I can't simply present facts to people, I need to show them the love, power, and reality of Jesus Christ. Through worship, God's presence manifests (again, earlier in John 4). Through God's presence, people will see miracles and see the manifest power of the Almighty God. THAT is how they will see who Jesus is. Like the Samaritan woman, they will see that God is, in fact, fully aware of their past and mistakes, but His love is not diminished. In fact, it is the power of His abundant love that overcomes their sins, and the greatness of our sins (all of us) only proves the surpassing greatness of His love.
P) Father, I want to walk in Your presence continually because I want people to see Your goodness through me. I want to be a living billboard, a walking advertisement to Your grace, favor, goodness, victory and love. Holy Spirit, lead me so that I can lead them and they can see the Son, in all His glory. Open their eyes to see and their ears to hear, so they do not miss Him. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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