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Sermon Introduction

When the woman of Samaria asked for living water, the Lord instructed her to call her husband. She admitted she didn't have one, and the Lord confirmed that she was telling the truth. During their discussion, the woman brought up a major point regarding the appropriate location of worship, specifically whether it should be in Jerusalem or on that mountain. The Lord's reply highlighted that true worship is centered on worshipping in spirit and truth and transcends geographical locations. The author of the Gospel of John consistently portrays Jesus as the Messiah, highlighting that He is not just another regular man. The way to worship God is another critical issue that John discusses, stressing the right way of doing so in spirit and truth.

Dr. Steve Bonilla
Elder

John 4:16-26

16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth”. 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he”.

Notes

When the woman of Samaria asked for living water, the Lord instructed her to call her husband. She admitted she didn't have one, and the Lord confirmed that she was telling the truth. During their discussion, the woman brought up a major point regarding the appropriate location of worship, specifically whether it should be in Jerusalem or on that mountain. The Lord's reply highlighted that true worship is centered on worshipping in spirit and truth and transcends geographical locations. The author of the Gospel of John consistently portrays Jesus as the Messiah, highlighting that He is not just another regular man. The way to worship God is another critical issue that John discusses, stressing the right way of doing so in spirit and truth.

1. Jesus knew her

   The Lord demonstrated that He knew who the woman was by asking her to call her husband. Some of her former husbands died, or she was probably a victim of an abusive system of shallow reasons for divorce. But the present partner showed she was in sin.

   
   16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet (John 4:16-19).
   
   
   
   

2. In spirit and truth

   The woman moved to a topic that divided the Jews and Samaritans on where to worship. Was it Jerusalem or Mt. Gerizim? But the Lord answered that these arguments do not matter because true worshipers must now worship in spirit and truth.
   
   20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:20-24).
   
   
   
   
   

3. I am the Messiah

   The woman did not respond to the reply of Jesus to her question. But she expressed her belief in the prophecy that the Messiah will come. And that the Messiah will explain the truth. Then the Lord revealed Himself as the Messiah.

   
   25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he” (John 4:25-26).
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Application

1. Believe, not merely perceive

   The woman perceived Christ to be a prophet. However, we know that He is much more than a prophet. Her believing was progressive, but she eventually learned that Christ was the Messiah. Therefore, we must believe who Christ is as the Scriptures reveal Him to us.

   
   
   
   

2. Worship in spirit and truth

   No one can worship Him in spirit and truth unless they are born of the Spirit and believe in the truth. The truth is Christ Himself, all that He claims to be, and all He taught. Thus, true worship is led by the Spirit of God, which comes from deep within our spirits.
   
   
   

3. Proclaim the gospel

   Jesus said that He was the Messiah, but He spoke it in such a way that resembles the OT name of God, I am. Therefore, we must proclaim the gospel, and part of that gospel is letting people understand that Christ is God.
   
   
   

Reflection & Discussion

1. How did the woman perceive that Jesus was a prophet?

2. What was the issue she raised? What was the Lord’s reply?

3. What was John revealing about Christ in the text?