“Did You Know?”
That God desires our worship?
How would you like for our God, who is All-knowing, All-powerful, Ever-present and Unchanging to sit down with you and share with you the story of your life — right down to the smallest detail?
We have such an account in John 4:1-26
Jesus was leaving Judea and returning to Galilee. On His way, he needed to pass through Samara. In time, He came to the village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and being tired from the trip, He sat wearily by the well at noontime.
In time, a Samaritan woman came to draw water and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because His disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
This may seem like no big deal to us, but we would be wrong.
· First, it would be unusual that a Jewish man would even be in Samaria.
· Jews tried to avoid contact with Samaritans because they were considered to be mongrels or half-breeds rather than pure Jews.
· It would also be very unusual for a Jewish man to strike up a conversation with an unknown Samaritan woman. (There is a lesson we can learn here from our LORD. He knew that one of the quickest ways to break down that strange, distant feeling that you experience when you meet a stranger, is to ask them a favor. That was Jesus’ approach…”Please give me a drink.”)
He was sitting there by the well, tired and thirsty, and along comes this woman and He asks her for a drink. She can tell He is a Jew and she is surprised that He even speaks to her, let alone ask her for a favor.
In 4:9 she said to Him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
In 4:10 Jesus said to her, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me and I would give you living water.”
He now has her interest and the two of them strike up a conversation. She sees He doesn’t even have a rope or bucket, yet He is offering her living water. “Sir …. This well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?” (Now, she is thirsty.)
Please note — there wasn’t anything wrong with Jacob’s well or the water in it. The problem was it didn’t permanently quench a person’s thirst. They had to keep coming back for more water. Jesus offered this lady, and us, a water that really satisfies the deepest thirst we have — that of the heart and soul.
The woman said to Jesus, “Please sir, give me water. Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” (4:15) There are different kinds of thirsts. There is a physical thirst. There is also a spiritual thirst. This is when the Holy Spirit begins to stir our hearts and we realize we are not right with God. Something is missing. The things of the world don’t satisfy. We long for more. What a great time to begin to seek the LORD to satisfy the thirst we are experiencing.
At this point, Jesus tells her to go get her husband, and she replies she doesn’t have one. The LORD already knew that. In fact, he reminds her that she has already had five and that the man she is living with isn’t her husband. I don’t know about you, but about now, I’d be feeling a bit queasy. (How does He know all this about me?) She tries to change the subject and she wants to know why the Jews say Jerusalem is the only place to worship God, while the Samaritans claim that the right place is actually Mt. Gerizim, which stood right before them.
Folks, don’t miss what comes next. In 4:21 Jesus said to her “Believe me dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.” He goes even further in 4:23 and says, “But the time is coming” indeed it is here now ¾ when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way.”
In 4:24 He really clarifies that it is not the place ¾ you can worship God wherever you are ¾ it’s the person coming openly and honestly, not trying to hide anything from God who sees all and knows all. Jesus told her, “For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Don’t miss a simple statement Jesus made in verse 23: “The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way.”
GOD DESIRES OUR WORSHIP!
What is worship? It is recognizing the presence of God and entering into that presence, giving honor and glory to Him, who alone is worthy
I love what Chuck Swindoll wrote —
“Worship is attributing supreme worth to God, who alone is worthy of it.” He continues, “The purpose of the church is to cultivate worshipers. It’s a place to learn about our God so that our worship and understanding of Him becomes increasingly deeper and more meaningful. It’s a place where we give Him our praise and our gratitude.”
God desires our worship.
God deserves our worship.
He is worthy of our worship.
I love what Jesus said to His disciples in 4:34 —
“My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent Me, and from finishing His work.”
I pray that each of us will be a true worshiper of God because He is worthy.
Many thanks to all of you who have blessed us with your prayers, cards and special gifts, this Christmas. Please know that Joyce and I are very grateful with all the love and kindness you have shown us. We love you, Pastor Leonard and Joyce