JESUS TEACHES A LESSON ON PERSON EVANGELISM

John 4:1-42

Introduction:

          1.       Jesus a qualified teacher – he won souls – John 4:1

          2.       The working servant can expect opposition – John 4:1-3

1.      CONTACT PEOPLE SOCIALLY – John 4:4-7 a

          1.       Text:

                    1)      Unusual to talk with a woman in public

                    2)      Especially unusual to talk with a Samaritan woman

                    3)      And especially with a woman of her moral reputation

          2.       Realize that every non-Christian is a prospect for receiving Christ.

                    1)      Wherever you find yourself, tell the “good news.”

          3.       Jesus never met a person he was not interested in – John 4:7 a

                    1)      Zaccahaeus, Simon the Pharisee, Matthew the publican

2.      ESTABLISH A COMMON INTEREST – John 4:7-8

          1.       Illustration: How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie.

Making friends – Prov. 18:24

          2.       Illustration: A Christian showed interest in a neighbor’s flowers.

          3.       Jesus and the woman both needed water – John 4:7-9.

Jews often spoke of the thirst of the soul for God.

3.      AROUSE INTEREST – John 4:9-15

          1.       Jesus interested the woman in living water – John 4:10-15

                    1)      Rev. 7:17 Lamb to lead to fountains of living water.

                    2)      Rev. 22:17 - Let him that is a thirst come.

                    3)      Traveling bands (groups) usually had leather buckets with them.

          2.       Jesus teased her into asking a question – John 4:11

                    1)      He aroused her interest by his comments on the living water he had. It was worded in a way that was relevant to her physical needs.

          3.       He captured her interest with his knowledge of her previous life – John 4:16-18.

4.      DON’T GO TOO FAST – John 4:14-19

          1.       Jesus didn’t give the whole story at once. (He didn’t start out saying, “I am the Messiah!”)

                    1)      The woman said, “I perceive you are a prophet.”

          2.       Jesus kept her curious and gave her information she was ready for.

                    1)      After convinced that he was perhaps a prophet– he revealed the whole truth. No need to teach the meat when a person needs milk.

5.      DON’T CONDEMN – John 4:14-19

          1.       Jesus didn’t condemn her – he answered her.

                    1)      She already knew she was a sinner (that is probably the reason why she was at the well at this time of day, avoiding the other women.)

          2.       Her sins itself condemned her.

                    1)      Jesus has compassion on sinners. But he expects sinners to make things right.

                    2)      His words to the woman taken in adultery, “Go and sin no more.”

6.      STICK WITH THE MAIN ISSUES – John 4:20-26

          1.       The Lord didn’t let secondary issues side track him.

                    1)      She wanted to argue over the place of worship. His answer was brief.

                    2)      The subject was important but he spent just enough time to correct her misunderstanding – John 4:23-24.

          2.       Jesus steered the discussion back to Himself (the Messiah) – John 4:24-26.

                    1)      We believe that only the skeleton of the discussion is preserved.

7.      CONFRONT THE PROSPECT – John 4:26

          1.       Now, what is your reaction?

          2.       We must be either for or against Him – Matthew 12:30

                    a)       A person may be un-informed

                    b)      A person may be informed but not obeyed yet–

          3.       Lost out of Christ

Conclusion:

          1.       She brought others to Christ – John 4:28-30 .

                    1)      One soul won and now winning another!

                    2)      She was excited– forgot her water pot at the well – John 4:28-29.

          2.       Those brought were converted to Christ – John 4:39-42.