HOW TO CHANGE A WATER POT TO A WELL
 

JOHN:4:13-14

INTRO: The salvation of this outcast daughter of Samaria must surely rank as one of the most remarkable conversions of the new Testament, remarkable if for no other reason than the amazing contrast if affords with that of Nicodemus, the man in the previous chapter (who discovered that salvation came only through Christ and His shed blood).

HE had risen to the very highest standards of achievement and was held in great esteem by his fellows for the moral splendor of his character.

SHE, as we judge from the few details that are here recorded of her, had descended to lowest depths of shame and was looked at as a low moral person by the townsfolk.

SHE had sunk as low as HE had risen high; yet Christ saw the same need in the heart and life of each, the need of His salvation and told them how they could receive it on the ground of simple faith in Him.

As we look at this story let us see how to change a water pot to a well.

I: MUST SEE THE PRICELESS VALUE OF A SOUL:

John 4:4 And he must needs go through Samaria.

Christ had been teaching and healing in Judea and great numbers were swept into the kingdom of God. Yet we see Him leaving this thriving work

of grace, moving on into Galilee, "And He must need go through Samaria" V:4. Now Samaria was the shortest way to Galilee, but it was the costume of the Jews to make a wide detour and avoid entering the district. It was no accidental meeting between Jesus and this woman, but a part of the great purpose or grace for her eternal salvation. There at the well He waits for her approach. She came to fill her pitcher at any earthly well and discovered the deep and satisfying Stream of eternal life.

(She changed her water pot which could only contain, at best, limited supplies of refreshment, for a well from which the refreshment of joy

and peace would never run out.) His path cross her path... How many times has He cross your path wanting to take your waterpot and give you a well of living water. (Have you heard his voice in sickness, or bereavement, maybe through the words of a rugged preacher or the eloquence of a evangelist.... Well He is standing at your path one more time tonight... He went out His way for her, and He went to Calvary for you.

II: THE PERFECT HUMANITY OF GOD'S DEAR SON:

John 4:6 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

The one who hung the stars, scoops the oceans and cut the rivers... He felt exhaustion in the same manner as ourselves. So perfect is His humanity that He makes Himself subject to our infirmities, and was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Heb:4:15).

When this woman arrived at the well, she saw a despised Jewish traveler and knew not that, when He came into the world the Lord of Hosts had said, "Let all the angels of God worship him (Heb:1:6). She saw only a man in humble garb and asked in amazement, "Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well?" LET ME SHOUT... "O woman of Samaria with sin-blinded eyes, The One whom you thus address in wonderment is the One whom generations have worshipped as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob... Yes He is greater... He is God.

III: THE PATIENT REMOVAL OF SATANIC BARRIERS:

John 4:7-9 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. 8(For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) 9Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans.

A Jewish man or woman would hesitate to accept food from a Samaritan, a Samaritan would rather not accept drink from a Jew. She came at 12:00 to escape the eyes of the townspeople, but she did not escape the eyes of the Lord. He said give me to drink... Now we see her prejudice being overcome, and she said why would you a Jew ask me a Samaritan to give you drank. As with the Samaritan woman, you may have closed your heart against Him a thousand times, put up barrier to prevent His entering your life, but He still stands there waiting to gain an entrance and to impart the water of life to your needy soul....REV:3:30--Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

 Have you been bitten by the fiery serpent of sin? Then come to the living water.

Have you been polluted by the disease of spiritual leprosy? Then come to the living water.

Have you been blinded by the god of this world? Then come to the living water.

IV: THE PENETRATING SHAFT OF DIVINE CONVICTION:

John 4:16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

These words were like a surgeon's knife thrust into the heart of a cancer.

She started in amazement, she winced under the penetrating probe; but the arrow of conviction had done its work. She said I have no husband V:17.

He knew ALL the ugly facts of her life, past and present, yet He had traveled those dusty miles to save her... And He knows all about each of us and in spite of our sin, He loves us with an everlasting love. Flee not the words of this preacher tonight... Faithful are the wounds of a friend.... May these words penetrate your conscience and lead you to see your desperate need of a Saviour.

V: THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING ETERNALLY LOST:

It is sadly possible that this woman, once active in sin will be eternally blest, whilst some who here my words tonight will be lost, forever, unless they turn to Jesus..... LOOK AT JOHN 3:36--- He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

WILL YOU BRING YOUR WATER POT TO HIM TONIGHT AND CHANGE IT FOR A WELL OF

LIVING WATER......