Sermon Cloud

TELLING OTHERS ABOUT YOURSELF

Introduction:  Let me begin this morning by asking you a question.  How do people know who you are?  People often base their beliefs about a person upon what they observe a person saying about themselves and by their actions.  For example, most of you here this morning don’t know much about me.  Unless I was to tell you, you wouldn’t know that I served in the Marines.  Some of you may think that because I have come from the South, with somewhat of a southern accent, that I was born and raised in the South.  However, I am actually a northerner, born and raised in upstate New York.  The key point is that some things people can’t know about you unless you tell them.  In many respects, people won’t know that you are a believer in Christ unless you show them and tell them you are.  You may be asking the question to yourself, “What difference would it make to tell someone else about my faith in Jesus?”  Our message today provides a solid answer to this question.  If you have your Bible with you today, please open it with me to the Gospel of John, Chapter 4.

Background thought:  As we enter into our text today, we see that Jesus has just finished a discussion with a Samaritan woman.  Verses 28 through 30 reveal to us the results of her encounter with Christ.  She left her source of physical water, the clay pot, and ran into town to tell the “men” about her meeting with who she believed may be the Christ.  The response of the men was to come and see this Jesus she spoke of.  In the meantime, Jesus was instructing His disciples about the greater importance over having food to eat, reaping lost souls ready for harvest into the kingdom of Heaven.  The conclusion of Jesus assertion leads us to the title of our message for today, “Telling Others About Yourself.”  Let’s look at our text for today.

Reading of the text:  John 4:39-42

CTS:  Today I want to share with you two results of your telling others about yourself being a believer in Christ.  The first result is that God will use you to draw others to Christ. 

GOD WILL USE YOU TO DRAW OTHERS TO CHRIST

            Look with me at verse 39.  This verse seems to clarify what the effect of the woman’s testimony had on the men in verse 29.  Verse 30 tells us that the men went out of the city to see Jesus.  Verse 39 clarifies that they came because of their belief in what the woman had told them earlier.  Let’s stop and think about this for a moment.  These men were in town, totally unaware of what was going on at the well between the woman and Jesus.  Then, this woman comes into their presence, telling them that she may have met the Messiah and telling them to come and see Him.  According to the cultural standards, the woman’s testimony did not carry much credibility.  Consider also her reputation.  She had been married five times, probably to some in the crowd, and was living in fornication at the time.  In spite of her cultural standards or her reputation, she testified about her new found faith anyway.  The men took her at her word, and, as verse 39 identifies, they believed on Jesus.  Additionally, they not only believed, but they were moved to action.  Verse 40 identifies what the men did once they came to Jesus. They asked for Him to come and stay with them.  They wanted to hear the Words of life.  The script highlights that Jesus stayed with them two days.  It is amazing that Jesus, a Jew, the Messiah, would not only entertain talking to but also staying with those who were outcasts in the eyes of the Jewish nation.

Application – It is easy for us to slip into a “cocoon” mode, as believers in Christ.  We can very easily become encased in the business of everyday life, forgetting our obligation to live for Christ, showing His light into a dark world.  We can also become preferential as to who we think God is calling to His kingdom.  The ultimate thought is how will our testimony be received in light of how we behave before others.  I believe that just as God gave the Samaritan woman an opportunity to share her faith, resulting in many being drawn to Christ, God will do the same with you and me.  I believe God’s challenge for us is to be intentional in sharing His living water with others, allowing Him to draw people to His gospel.  Not only will God use us to draw others to Christ, but He will use His word to secure their salvation.

GOD WILL USE HIS WORD TO SAVE THEM

            Look with me at verse 41.  As we can see, not only were those who heard the woman persuaded to believe in Jesus, but the text states that many more believed because of His Word.  Isn’t it great to see that when the Samaritan woman, without being told, went back and began telling others about Jesus, God began harvesting many social outcasts into His kingdom!  The important factor here is that God used His Word to secure the Samaritans’ belief in Christ.  The testimony of the woman was critical in capturing the attention of the men, and, in some respects, a heart commitment, but the Words of Christ were critical for salvation.  Just how critical were they?  Look with me at verse 42.

            There are two significant events taking place in this verse.  First, the men tell the woman that they no longer have to cling to the testimony of the woman in regards to their belief in Christ, for they have heard His Words.  Not only did the men adjust the foundation of their belief, but they also made a profound assertion or proclamation.  He is not just the Savior of the Jews, but the Savior of the World (kosmos).  The Word of Jesus enabled these men to see and acknowledge Him to be the Savior of the world!!

Illustration: The encounter of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-31, where upon Philip asking the question “Do you understand what you are reading?,” the Eunuch responds “How can I unless someone guides me?”  The result is the Eunuch’s confession and salvation. 

Application:  Our responsibility, as believers, is to persuade believers to come to Christ through the use of scripture.  However, if we are not disciple enough to do so, we are to do as the Samaritan woman did, give testimony about what God has done for you.  Yes, God knows everything you and I have done, and as believers in Christ, ALL of our sin has been forgiven.  However, in spite of our sinful nature, God will use you and me to draw others to His Word.  So, if you are unable or unsure about sharing scripture, invite them to come and hear the Word of God and people who have been changed by God’s Word.  In doing so, God will use His people to enable the lost to see that Jesus is not just a savior of a certain people group, but the Savior of the world.

Conclusion:

            Let’s return to the beginning of our message for just a moment.  How many people in your sphere of influence know that you are a worshipper of the One true God, and that you worship at New Hope Christian Fellowship?  Are you concerned that they may reject your testimony?  I often don’t feel worthy and don’t share Christ with others because of my failures or fear.  However, there have been other moments where I have shared my faith in spite of my feelings, and have found God to honor my efforts.  God specializes in using those who were worthless to reach those who are worthless without God.  The reality is that every human being is of great value to God.  His proof is the giving of His Son that we might have life in Him.