John 4:1-16

God’s Answer for the Empty Life

When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)3 He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.4 And he must needs go through Samaria.

John 4:1-16

Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.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.

7 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.)

9 Then 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.10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.16 Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither.

•There is an emptiness of soul that reaches deeper than physical hunger. It can be present even when, from an outsider’s perspective, everything seems fine. •A person may sense that something is missing or realize that true peace and joy elude him.

I. Introduction

•The woman at the well is an example of someone who felt empty. She was searching for something or someone to complete her. •Jesus Christ gave her life meaning and significance, and He can do the same for you.

•A. Jesus’ conversation with a Samaritan—and a woman, no less—was unusual for the time • John 4:9 9 Then 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.

II. The Woman at the Well

•Samaritans were part Jew and part Gentile, and Israelites looked down on them for their mixed heritage. •Also, in Jesus’ day, men and women who were not related did not usually speak to each other in public.

•B. Our Savior got her attention by referring to Himself as “living water” • John 4:10 10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.• .

•“Living water” described a stream or brook as opposed to a well or cistern. Jesus was speaking metaphorically;• He could satisfy her heart’s need for love and acceptance in the same way living water would provide for her physical thirst

•C. The woman at the well had been divorced multiple times and was currently living with someone. • Imagine how exposed she must have felt when Jesus asked about her husband. •But instead of condemning her, Jesus offered to fill her emptiness by satisfying her with His life—the “living water.”

•Every person is created to have a personal relationship with God. •That means none of us can be truly satisfied unless the Lord is a primary part of our lives, but many people expect money, prestige, or accomplishments to satisfy them.

III. Drinking Out of the Lords Well

•Others turn to drugs, alcohol, or sex. Some people go into debt trying to buy enough things to fill the void within. •Even otherwise innocent pastimes such as hobbies, sports, or other entertainment can become problematic if they take up too much time and energy.

• If you felt thirsty, would you drink ocean water? Probably not. • It would only leave you thirstier than before. That’s what pursuing the world’s pleasures is like. • It will never bring lasting satisfaction. •True contentment is found in Christ alone.

•A. In the midst of her conversation with Jesus, the woman at the well suddenly realized that Jesus was the Messiah. •As a result of her testimony, the entire town believed

IV. Finding the Living Water

• John 4:42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.•They came to meet Christ because they could see a change in her.

•B. God can also transform your life. •Even if pursuing material or worldly pleasure has left you devastated, you can experience the one thing that satisfies—trusting in Jesus Christ.

•C. You must begin by admitting your need for Him. Are you lonely? Do you feel rejected? Are you angry with God or resentful of others? Do you often feel insecure or dissatisfied?

•D. Jesus came that believers might have life abundantly • John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

•Gal. 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.• In other words, He came to earth not only to forgive our sins but also to grant us peace, contentment, and security regardless of our circumstances.

•E. Even believers can start to feel empty. •When Christians experience insecurity, dissatisfaction, or disappointment, it is often a result of seeking joy and fulfillment through the world’s system. •Let emptiness remind you that true joy is found only through intimate relationship with Christ.

•Are you drinking of the Living Water, or are you dipping into the well that won’t satisfy? •One thing is certain—the world’s pleasures will only leave you craving more. But there is no disappointment in Jesus

V. CONCLUSION

•He keeps His promises. Even if nothing changes on the outside, everything can be different on the inside.•When you begin to drink of the living water Jesus offers, your attitude, direction, purpose, and security will all be renewed. •Allow Him to fill you up, and you will never thirst again.