John Chapter 4:8-14

You asked Jesus you believe Jesus you receive your forgiveness and from that you turn to.

I don't think I don't think you have the power for your sake, you do not have the power to turn from your sin again. Sometimes that's what we don't. We just got turn from your sins and the like. What say I have no idea what you're talking about and then they think why can't do that as it will not come to God. Well first you gotta quit doing this with doing that you quit doing this with doing that you start doing this that the other and they go.

Can't do it before but we put their hand in the hand of Jesus. You know what happened. Life is change. The hardest change also know want to read the Bible. They want to go to church. They want to pray the Lord they want to quit doing this that the other welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. David is a senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina today after David continues teaching through John chapter 4 with the message. Give me a drink were also excited to have the studio with this DA Brown, one of David's associate pastors welcome brother Bob. Jesus was to be a fulfillment in the world is offering so many substitute today. Just take a minute and listen to the offer that Jesus is extending to us.

It might change everything about her future. Let some good news, so let's listen as David McGee continues teaching give me a drink. John chapter 4 verse woman of Samaria came to draw water and Jesus said to her, give me a drink. That sounds a little abrupt to our English ears, but noted that in our modern verbiage. It would probably be please give me a drink. Don't miss this lookout exchange starts. This is intriguing to me. Jesus ask her to do something sis.

Please give me drink water who ends up getting blessed woman at the well here something that so important as I believe that we are all called to serve were all called to minister. I don't believe that only those who you know are salaried are paid to be in the ministry for the ones that are supposed to minister. That's the way that it looks like. In some churches it it has a you know you've got the lead pastor who is a professional Christian in her and then everybody else's spectators. I don't know where we got that's completely on biblical were all supposed to be serving were all supposed to be serving God in there are things that Jesus will ask you to do. And obviously this lady is going to get a little uncomfortable with what Jesus is asking to do verse eight first disciples and gone away into the city to buy food. Interesting note. First of all, they there always. They seem like they're always listening here that you know something's going on ministry opportunity that going to go buy food but also notice this with about two that tells me, Jesus and the disciples completely rejected this prejudice thing against the Samaritans, they went into Samaritan village device American food which they were going to eat also in on the practical sense to buy food. You gotta have what you have money where they get money they didn't always just pull it out of mouth of fishes. Scripture tells us, cool trick, but Scripture tells us that there were certain people that help support the work of the ministry there would Jesus do purchase practical things like food and whatnot. And that's the way that it works now where the Lord lay some people's heart to give and an end to help with the practical expenses because reality is if we don't keep we didn't keep the power on the AC wouldn't be only ultimately would have a building. These are very practical things, but they enable us to minister in the spiritual realm.

We certainly praise God for those who faithfully verse not been the woman of Samaria said to him, how is it that you being a Jew, ask a drink of me, a Samaritan woman for Jews have no dealings with Samaritans and notice what got her attention is lack of prejudice. The lack of being weird about this Jewish-American thing. Seat with Jesus is not a case of a lot of heat and a little bit of light. Be careful that describes you as a believer. Be careful with the you know what, keep your finger) John four and go to the book of Revelation.

Some of you are going old no Revelation.

Don't let it freak you out if in a Revelation is not a hard book to understand yet understand the Hebrew Scriptures are going to Revelation chapter 2.

You need to understand the Hebrew Scriptures of the Old Testament to really understand the book of Revelation.

Incidentally, do you hear that I'm saying that singular is Revelation that revelations, not plural Revelation is the revelation of Jesus Christ. So be sure that say that the singular form chapter 2. These first seven verses real quick jeopardy to the end of the church at Ephesus write these things says he who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands. I know your works, you labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil and you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and I found them liars understand this church from an apologetic standpoint of theological standpoint, this church was was on time.

There were defenders of the faith that you will verse three and you persevered and have patience and of labor for my namesake and not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love actually can stop what's the problem they became. I think so busy defending their faith. They forgot it was about love and the Lord they forgot it was about Jesus and you know as Outlook and we flip back to John for as I look at some of the ministries that are engaged in what we term apologetics are defending the faith understand these are necessary ministry.

I am glad that they are in place, but what I noticed sometimes is they almost get hateful in their approach. I think we gotta be careful because in that passage of Scripture Revelation and sene you know be careful and don't lose your first love. You know there's been times when I've been in danger. This just to be honest and that have gotten so concerned about what's wrong with other people focus begin to get on them when you're not worthy of my focus my focus should be on Jesus understand what I'm saying.

All he's going to candy coat everything from now on I doubt it. But I want to make sure Jesus is the focus here and got as if it were running around trying to fix everybody that's wrong, but when are we going to get finished with that so I think there's a balance and we need to be careful with this lady is interested because Jesus is not being prejudiced is not being weird. Verse 10 Jesus answered and said there if you knew the gift of God and who it is who it is who says that you give me a drink, you would have asked him and he would've given you living water. Here Jesus introduces salvation. He uses the known to introduce the unknown. He uses the water to introduce a living water, and this is awesome opportunity guys talking about evangelism on Sunday night. We'll talk about it again tonight, but this is a front seat right here to the master evangelist, the way Jesus interacts with this lady is incredible and he uses the known to introduce the unknown and you know what you can do that in conversations whether it's about the weather with hurricanes or what's going on in the Middle East or what's going on with the separation of church and say all the thing. These are opportunities for us to make a segue from the known to the unknown make about the newest bestseller or something you can make that segue go hey when you think about this when you think about that really what the Bible says or you know I've learned from Jesus or my relationship with my Jesus or whatever can be a time in to what involves the salvation of somebody so what is the gift that Jesus is speaking of you, so people say is the gift of living water on things because just in the last chapter were told what God gave God gave what his only begotten son when he's offering to this woman is himself.

He's offering himself to this woman and he makes it personal made salvation personal because he said you would have asked him and he would've given you living water, so he's making salvation personal. It's important when you're talking to somebody that you keep it on their salvation because if you don't, you're going to end up in all kinds of tangents in trouble. You know what I found is when you start talking to some people about what you going to do about forgiveness. What are you going to do about sending and all of a sudden they want to talk about everything else they want to talk about the pygmies in Africa. They want to talk about the antichrist.

They want to talk about this.

They want to talk about that and I'll never forget.

I was up in Pennsylvania and it was a probably 18 Street witnessing. Talk to this guy and and and he said yeah I'm a sinner and you what you can do about this thing I know how you can be forgiven and we are right on the verge and then he asked me about prophecy. Well, you know, I spent the next 10 minutes telling them about the antichrist and end times and how I thought it was all going to come down and then after that he walked off and there was a brother more mature odor in the Lord, standing there in.

He nodded his head when I walked up and went what figures you had, you had the user to pray with you but you went off on this prophecy thing. Pastor Chuck Smith has a saying keep the main thing the main thing the main thing is Jesus when you're talking to somebody about the condition of their soul. Make sure you keep the main thing be in Jesus. Jesus want to show this lady.

Three things she didn't know who he was going to show her what he had to offer and how she could receive what he had to offer who he was, what he had offer and how we she could receive what he had offer now look at this in verse 10 it says only be read now, the same version 1st instance Jesus answered and said to her, if you knew the gift of God, who it is who says to you, give me a drink, you would have joined the church been baptized got on the rolls cut your hair, dressed differently, and then he would've given you living water is you don't have the same version I got okay it and say that doesn't again. What we do we put obstacles in the way of people getting the God he says if you support on the give it to Sivan right now. Probably some people in Uruguay. It's just not right. Jesus said Jesus said if you if your problem with that is it's not with me. It's what Jesus Jesus is passport.

I'll give it to. Is it just that easy, you betcha will, don't you have to do this that and the other apparently not you asked Jesus you believe Jesus you receive your forgiveness and from that you turn to. I don't think I don't think you have the power before your saved you do not have the power to turn from your sent. Sometimes that's what we don't yet turn from your sins and the like. What I have no I didn't what you're talking about and then they think why can't do this it will come to God will first gotta quit doing this with doing that you quit doing this with doing that you start doing this that the other and they go.

Can't do it try before we put their hand in the hand of Jesus. You know what happens there life is changed, the heart is changed. Also know want to read the Bible. They want to go to church.

They want to pray the Lord they want to quit doing this that and the other but we set that is the obstacle man doing the gospel of the service is not the good news anymore.

It's a version of hip hip hooray try a little harder, push a little harder, make more promises do this do that and then you know God may accept. That's not good news will be right back with more from David McGee on cross the bridge right now there's a word from associate pastor DA Brown hey Bob Lynn take a minute. Pray for a listening audience.

Those living in these cities in California. Orville Paso Robles Pine Grove courts Hill Red Bluff Reading and Ridgecrest God, we thank you for those listening in these cities and the surrounding areas. We pray that you would speak or write to them right where they're at today that they would be excited about following you, that they wouldn't fear that they're going to fall short because you're going to do the work in God. We pray that they will get plugged into a Bible teaching Bible believing church fathers did you give the pastors in those churches wisdom and how to encourage those whom God brings in Jesus name, amen, amen. Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse, verse 11. The woman said I am sorry you have nothing to draw with in the well is the where, then, do you get that living water, so she's wondering if he can give what he started about in verse 12 are you greater than our father Jacob who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as well as his sons and his livestock. She started start argument with Jesus.

She uses our father Jacob goes to a Jewish person pose a fight and works. She's claiming that she's a direct descendent of Jacob and she is to a degree, but you know again it's been mixed with the Assyrian so that be enough to you know mess something up and then she's talking about a disputed piece of real estate.

Jacob's well. She asked are you greater than Jacob was the answer you better tell her that no wants you in writing here and notice he's bringing her along slowly.

He could've answered yes as a matter fact on God that it all right but he doesn't do that right here. Is it so important because so many times work sharing the love of the Lord were sharing the gospel.

It's like we looked out this bazooka of truth.

You know they got you girls are in a… Another one for you God wipe that center out. Wait a minute that's what were supposed to do when you're in here. Do you see that you're supposed to go around with a bazooka from God, wipe and people out and say it.

Jesus is ruling or any swimming or notice verse 13 Jesus ignores a conference Jesus answered and said to her, who ever drinks of this water will thirst again. He makes a statement that pertains this one. What's your master passion right now in life with something that's driving you something that you think about when you wake up in the morning and might be some good. It might be working hard. It might be success of business or or or schooler or whatever may be popularity maybe this may be that you know what whatever your master passion is. If it's not Jesus is going to grow.

Thursday probably be hurt, drive, Jesus doesn't want you to be like, whatever your master passion of his money or success or fame or fortune. It's going to leave you dry and disillusioned. No, no real contentment. No real satisfaction. This offers temporary satisfaction does offer again offers temporary satisfaction but not for long. For long used amazed me back when I used to drink and drink a lot but always would amaze me. The next morning is your thing and drink so much last night. Why am I so thirsty this morning because my thirst wasn't clinched. It didn't do the deal.

It didn't quench my thirst and that's the way it is with the stuff of the world guys temporary satisfaction that leaves you thirsty. Verse 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into ever lasting life. See, there's a deep satisfaction that comes from walking with the Lord of being sold out for Jesus, that the world cannot compete with doesn't have any counterfeit that is of value there is a contentment that comes with love in the Lord and walking with the Lord and live in for the Lord, you may have moments where your restless, you may have moments when God's moving around and in your little anxious or restless or discontented.

But if you return to what got us to return to faith in God's word and you can rest and you can know that deep soul satisfaction. You can't find anywhere else to guess when I hear because were just really good people. This is what really good people do on Sunday mornings were here. Well, in the words of Peter in John six when Jesus said he believed to Peterson where we going to go, we don't have anywhere else to go to get this satisfaction for the sole that Jesus can give us is the only one that can offer us the alders counterfeits out there. You better there's distractions out there galore to really be heard relieve you thirsty not worthy of your focus your time. That's no way to live and it's certainly no way to die pressure this morning you you let the Lord slipped to number two or three year, maybe five or six maybe your miserable and maybe you realize even as I'm saying it work.

True peace and contentment are but you are not experiencing those things well might I suggest that you've gotten your priorities out of whack. Maybe you've put the physical above spiritual you'll never be able to achieve spiritual status faction through physical things never God didn't wire us like that. Oh, I know we struggle with this and we need to be honest that there is a war going on.

Romans chapter 8 verse six and seven says if your sinful nature control your mind, there is death, but if the Holy Spirit controls your mind there is life and peace. For the sinful nature is all ways hostile to God.

It never did obey God's laws, and it never will see some people get told a you know when you get saved you quit want to do wrong thing really somewhat my Bible says about us is that Paul said you nothings want to do end up not doing things I don't want to do and doing those and at the end of 20 years plus of ministry said you know of of sinners, of whom I am the chief that tells me Paul was still struggling too often we put this bondage on people and say well your Christie should be struggling. Really since always here. It will always be hostile to God. So what we do we get that to the Lord just wants but over and over and we asked for his help and we surrender that part of this in order to live for God doesn't mean you go around beating yourself or having personal valves of poverty and starvation. All this weird stuff. It is a sacrifice of sorts, but it's well worth that you give your life for his for your confusion for your pain. He gives you joy.

He gives you peace for your hatefulness and bitterness. He gives you love and forgiveness.

Who wouldn't want that deal, but sometimes we stray. Sometimes we get off-track.

Sometimes we get caught up and stuff and we get thirsty we go looking for something that the Lord is already given us. We ask a question, how many people in here and just be honest how many people in here did not just describe in your will and and to admit to the Lord in the Lord.

This is he's talking to me he's talking about me. I thought it was this some thought it was that I've been focused on this person or not forgiven that person and drive them thirsty and impertinent. This describes you do me a favor right now to slip your hand up so yes, Pastor describes me on to pray for me.

Praise God praise God, thank you for your honesty.

Just raise your hand slip back down, Lord Caesar hand going up and wait a few more seconds. Is anybody else. Lord, you see hands going up all over the room, and Lord in the passage were reading you to solve the thirst of this woman in your offer, then, was to quench that thirst.

Lord, that's your offer this morning to see your people. Some of them have a relationship with you Dave ask you to forgive them of their sins, but they got distracted and got a little sidetracked.

Or maybe there's even some heroes put ministry in front of you in the draw on their thirsty and Lord just like you wanted to quench the thirst of this woman at the well this morning. You want to quench our thirst. Perhaps there's some here this morning who don't know you as their Savior. They've never ask you for the forgiveness of their sins, they assume that as long as they did okay and tried hard and did the best they could, that you would accept that and yet Lord, that's not the good news. That's not the gospel.

The gospel is that her best is not good enough for a holy and perfect God there thirsty as well. Some of you were bold enough to raise your hand. Some of you need to pray this prayer for the first time admitting that your center asking the Lord to forgive you of your sins believe, and he died for you and asking him to change your life and don't let people or voices or whatever distract you from what the Lord's will in your life.

This I invite you this morning to come and drink from the living water.

Friend, you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven.

You can know right now only Jenna short, simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him.

God wants you to pray this prayer so much that he died to give you the opportunity and the ability to ask him to forgive you. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I can have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things.

Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again.

Jesus said he would not turn anybody away who comes to him and he came for those people who knew they needed forgiveness. Those who were sick, not the righteous. So congratulations for you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ. Or you can write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life will DA before we go. What are some ways that we can bless our listeners each day. You can wake up with encouragement from Pastor David to the word of God with his email devotional life lessons to consider a daily reading plan and the thought to meditate on throughout your day.

From the heart of David McGee. That sounds good Pastor day and again. It's been great to have you with us on the program today but tell us what else can a listers find on cross the bridge.com. If you're not able to make it to your home church this Sunday. Why not join us for our lifestream at 10 AM Eastern time or on Thursday night at 7 PM Eastern time. This visit, cross the bridge.com and click on our lifestream link.

There you will experience a live service from David's home church. The bridge in North Carolina again. That website is cross the bridge.com. Thanks again for listening and join us next time. As David McGee continues teaching verse by verse in the gospel of God