Life-Changing Love (Part 2) -- 02.03.08 Bulletin Article

Last week, we looked at three of six aspects of the love Jesus shared with the Samaritan woman at the well, as recorded in John 4. This is an important study because of how the woman responded to Jesus’ love: she changed her life and then went and brought others to Jesus. This week, we’ll notice the final three aspects of Jesus’ life-changing love.

Love teaches the truth (John 4:17-24). Teaching the truth about adultery to an adulterous woman was not easy. As a Jew, teaching the truth about worship to a Samaritan was not easy. Jesus was not argumentative in his approach, but he made sure to address the truth that needed to be addressed. We should be willing to courageously discuss people’s relationship to sin (Acts 8:18-24). We must also teach the truth in doctrinal matters (1 Tim. 1:3-7).

It’s all too common to hear people say that we need to water down the truth (or discover “new” truth) in order to reach people with the gospel. However, we can’t reach people with Christ if we don’t teach what Christ taught, endorsed, and inspired. True love teaches the truth, no matter how “offensive” some find it.

Love reflects its source (John 4:19-20, 25). After their discussion about her marriages, she clearly knew he was more than “just another Jew”—telling people their secrets can do that. Their discussion about worship caused her to think about the coming Messiah. Through their conversation, she knew Jesus was special. Even though he had to specifically tell her he was the Christ, her mind was turned toward God and she knew this man was like Him. Through interaction with us, the world should know to whom we belong (Acts 4:13). Our lives and our compassion should display to others where (more correctly “from whom”) our love originates (1 Jn. 4:7-8).

Love introduces people to Christ (John 4:26). She set him up with an opportunity to tell exactly who he was by mentioning the Messiah (Christ). Our love for souls should be looking toward the goal of introducing others to the Savior. Our mission is to bring souls to Him (2 Cor. 4:5-7). It is not about us, but about the power Christ can have in the lives of people.

Our love for others is not fully expressed until we give others the opportunity to know Christ as their Savior.

May we have a great week sharing Jesus’ love with those around us!

Life-Changing Love (Part 1) -- 01.27.08 Bulletin Article

One of the most inspirational accounts in the New Testament involves a sinful woman who goes into a nearby town telling everyone about Jesus (John 4:28). Those townspeople follow her to meet Jesus and then become believers in Christ themselves (John 4:42). We should follow in her example on a daily basis. Why was she so successful? She changed her life. Why did she change her life? She met Jesus at a well. Jesus shows in one afternoon conversation how love is indeed life-changing. Let’s notice some important aspects of his life-changing love:

Love is obligated to act (John 4:4). The statement in vs. 4 is true geographically, but it is also interesting to consider “conscientiously.” Could Jesus have had to pass through Samaria because the Samaritans needed to know the Messiah (Christ) was here? It is certainly possible. If truly love others around us, we should feel the inward obligation and burden to share the love of Christ with them. Peter and John told the Jewish council, “we cannot but speak of what we’ve seen and heard.”

A Mercedes-Benz executive was once asked why they chose not to patent their new safety system. In response, he said, “Some things in life are too important not to share.” Do we feel with same burden with the gospel and the love of Christ today?

Love sees potential in everyone (John 4:7, 28-30, 39-41). On a very simple level, Jesus saw potential in the woman to provide him with water. On a much more powerful level, he could see her potential as a messenger to the Samaritans. (Remember, there are at least three reasons his discussion would have been looked down upon: talking to a woman, talking to a Samaritan, and talking to an adulterer.) There were plenty of reasons that could have kept Jesus from sharing his message with her. Yet, He didn’t let first-century barriers keep Him from believing in her.

Today, God sees unimaginable potential in each of us (Rom. 5:8). We know that He gave His most (Jesus on the cross) while we were at our least (still sinners). We must see everyone with the eyes of Jesus: knowing that everyone has value in Christ.

Love views physical opportunities as spiritual opportunities (John 4:10, 13-14). Both needed physical water, but Jesus also knew she needed spiritual water. He taught her that spiritual life is more important than water—one of the most vital substances in the physical world. Valuable spiritual doors may first appear as physical opportunities (1 Cor. 16:8-9). We should be aware of our surroundings so that we can use our everyday conversations to God’s glory. Every opportunity throughout the day is an opportunity to reach people with Christ.

Hope you have a great week in His service...let’s share the life-changing love of Christ with the world!