1 00:00:00,078 --> 00:00:06,069 Take your Bibles, if you will, and open them to the very last chapter in the book of Luke. 2 00:00:06,592 --> 00:00:08,256 Luke chapter 24. 3 00:00:14,315 --> 00:00:16,146 Luke chapter 24. 4 00:00:19,810 --> 00:00:22,330 We read in verse 44. 5 00:00:50,504 --> 00:01:08,370 reminds them this is post crucifixion post resurrection preparing to ascend back to the Father and Jesus tells his disciples this is what I was telling you all along 6 00:01:10,110 --> 00:01:22,417 all throughout the Gospels we find Jesus telling the disciples, reminding the disciples, and revealing to disciples that he had to go to Jerusalem to die. 7 00:01:23,230 --> 00:01:24,798 And they didn't understand. 8 00:01:26,670 --> 00:01:43,610 after it's over, he now says, this is what I was telling you, that all things that were written concerning me in the prophets and in the law and in the Psalms, encompassing all 9 00:01:43,610 --> 00:01:48,090 the Old Testament scriptures, had to be fulfilled. 10 00:01:48,890 --> 00:01:52,990 And verse 45 says, and he opened their understanding. 11 00:01:53,355 --> 00:01:57,607 that they might comprehend the Scriptures. 12 00:01:59,428 --> 00:02:14,694 You have here a moment, a glimpse into the fact that here were these disciples, here were these eleven men who for their lives, leading up to this point, being taught the 13 00:02:14,694 --> 00:02:22,857 Scriptures from the time that they were children as Jews, still didn't understand the Scriptures. 14 00:02:23,745 --> 00:02:31,450 They didn't understand what they meant in regard to the Messiah having to come and having to die. 15 00:02:32,512 --> 00:02:42,278 But then notice what Jesus points out, because Jesus did not go to the cross because it was convenient. 16 00:02:43,119 --> 00:02:50,805 Jesus did not go to the cross because it was easy. 17 00:02:51,565 --> 00:03:00,045 Jesus did not go to the cross because it was something that was expected by people. 18 00:03:01,963 --> 00:03:10,556 Jesus went to the cross because it was the only way to complete the mission He had been sent here to do. 19 00:03:11,597 --> 00:03:29,985 So Jesus says in verse 46, thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ, the Messiah, to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day. 20 00:03:33,779 --> 00:03:49,109 Many in the religious world will be sitting in pews this morning, sitting in church buildings this morning, because it's Easter, because they want to honor the resurrection 21 00:03:49,109 --> 00:03:52,172 or because someone in their family said you want to be here. 22 00:03:56,577 --> 00:04:01,356 But we in our society have a really bad tendency. 23 00:04:03,421 --> 00:04:08,684 of focusing on events instead of priorities. 24 00:04:10,409 --> 00:04:15,812 focusing on celebrations and memorials instead of missions. 25 00:04:16,634 --> 00:04:17,314 Why? 26 00:04:17,314 --> 00:04:19,035 Because it's easier. 27 00:04:19,856 --> 00:04:21,917 It requires less of us. 28 00:04:23,947 --> 00:04:32,803 Yet Jesus didn't say it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and arise from the dead the third day and stop. 29 00:04:36,937 --> 00:04:54,779 Jesus said it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and arise from the dead the third day and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations 30 00:04:54,779 --> 00:04:56,441 beginning at Jerusalem. 31 00:04:59,059 --> 00:05:02,451 Jesus came to complete a mission. 32 00:05:03,092 --> 00:05:08,916 Jesus came to fulfill a work that God had given him to do. 33 00:05:10,269 --> 00:05:13,560 And it involved going to the cross, yes. 34 00:05:13,560 --> 00:05:16,622 And it involved going to the grave, yes. 35 00:05:16,622 --> 00:05:20,724 And it involved being resurrected on the third day, yes. 36 00:05:23,533 --> 00:05:30,993 But all of that was done so that the real work could begin. 37 00:05:32,733 --> 00:05:35,073 That was the commencement. 38 00:05:35,173 --> 00:05:40,412 That was the necessary step for everything that came after it. 39 00:05:41,753 --> 00:05:45,533 And Jesus told those disciples, those 11 men, 40 00:05:47,341 --> 00:05:56,161 that that had to occur so that repentance and remission of sins could be preached to all nations. 41 00:05:57,801 --> 00:06:03,401 This morning, we're going to discuss Jesus the master evangelist. 42 00:06:04,301 --> 00:06:07,101 We're going to begin a series of lessons. 43 00:06:07,101 --> 00:06:14,441 It's going to go from this Sunday till two Sundays from now, three lessons about Jesus. 44 00:06:15,221 --> 00:06:26,304 and the fact that he did not come to this earth just to die, just to be the sacrifice, just to make it possible for us to have the remission of sins, though he did that. 45 00:06:28,897 --> 00:06:32,139 He came for a very, very specific purpose. 46 00:06:32,139 --> 00:06:35,557 Before we get to John 4, turn to Luke chapter 19. 47 00:06:35,901 --> 00:06:51,549 In Luke chapter 19, Jesus, as He stands there with Zacchaeus in Zacchaeus' house, will say to Zacchaeus in verse 9 of Luke chapter 19, today salvation has come to this house. 48 00:06:51,797 --> 00:06:54,600 because he also is the son of Abraham. 49 00:06:54,600 --> 00:07:10,506 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Jesus said while he was alive before he went to the cross that his mission was to come and to seek and to save 50 00:07:10,506 --> 00:07:12,107 that which was lost. 51 00:07:12,205 --> 00:07:22,555 Jesus said after he went to the cross and after he was resurrected that his mission was to send out those who would preach to those who were lost. 52 00:07:23,376 --> 00:07:25,448 And what would he have them preach? 53 00:07:25,448 --> 00:07:29,161 Repentance and remission of sins. 54 00:07:30,123 --> 00:07:32,724 See, the message never changed for Jesus. 55 00:07:33,206 --> 00:07:36,989 His message was always the saving 56 00:07:36,989 --> 00:07:38,691 of those who were lost. 57 00:07:38,691 --> 00:07:48,314 So John chapter 4, we find an example, we see an example of Jesus reaching those who were lost. 58 00:07:48,314 --> 00:07:55,152 And we're going to learn some things about how we are to reach the lost from this passage. 59 00:07:55,649 --> 00:07:58,210 In John chapter 4 we begin reading, 60 00:08:25,803 --> 00:08:29,105 numbers are diminishing in this country. 61 00:08:29,745 --> 00:08:39,830 That churches are closing across the country because there's no one left in those churches to fulfill the mission. 62 00:08:40,491 --> 00:08:50,676 We are reaching a point where if we do not change we will lose the church in this country. 63 00:08:51,777 --> 00:08:52,937 And yet 64 00:08:53,085 --> 00:08:57,668 Jesus shows us exactly how to change. 65 00:08:57,668 --> 00:09:00,129 Because Jesus was revolutionary. 66 00:09:00,190 --> 00:09:05,493 Jesus was a revolutionary individual who did not believe in keeping the status quo. 67 00:09:05,493 --> 00:09:11,016 Jesus didn't believe that just because that's what we've always done, that's what we should always do. 68 00:09:11,117 --> 00:09:18,080 Jesus believed firmly that we ought to be about the Father's business. 69 00:09:21,473 --> 00:09:37,266 I've observed as I've interacted with families that have owned family businesses that what tends to happen with family owned businesses is there's an individual who is quite aware 70 00:09:37,266 --> 00:09:45,513 of the current state of things around him and realizes there's a hole in the economy around him. 71 00:09:45,513 --> 00:09:48,655 There's a need and no one's fulfilling it. 72 00:09:49,076 --> 00:09:50,777 So he starts a business. 73 00:09:51,645 --> 00:10:03,821 and he grows that business and he becomes successful in that business and as sometimes happens in those family businesses, the next generation comes along and the need still 74 00:10:03,821 --> 00:10:09,413 exists because the need was bigger than maybe one company could supply or it's just a persistent need. 75 00:10:09,413 --> 00:10:20,158 And so that child comes along, son or daughter, and eventually they express interest in running the business and the business gets handed off to the next generation and they see 76 00:10:20,158 --> 00:10:21,939 the need and they understand 77 00:10:21,939 --> 00:10:26,161 Matter of fact, they have a slight advantage over the first generation because they were raised in it. 78 00:10:26,161 --> 00:10:28,583 They saw it from the time they were growing up. 79 00:10:28,583 --> 00:10:32,945 They know exactly what they're supposed to do and so they do it. 80 00:10:37,291 --> 00:10:46,739 And if that business has become successful one generation into the second generation, usually by the second generation, that family's pretty well off. 81 00:10:47,963 --> 00:10:49,505 They're doing quite well. 82 00:10:52,245 --> 00:10:55,738 And you know the cycle generally tends to break about generation three. 83 00:10:55,738 --> 00:11:02,452 Because that generation grew up somewhat separated from the business. 84 00:11:03,013 --> 00:11:06,656 That generation grew up somewhat separated from need. 85 00:11:07,096 --> 00:11:18,204 That generation grew up somewhat separated from the realities of life and insulated from the realities of life and so they don't really appreciate the value of the business. 86 00:11:20,501 --> 00:11:31,009 And what often happens to family businesses is come generation three, it gets handed to a generation that will squander, destroy, and lose the business. 87 00:11:32,872 --> 00:11:33,872 Why? 88 00:11:34,773 --> 00:11:39,236 They became comfortable in their situation. 89 00:11:40,418 --> 00:11:46,723 They assumed that it was easy and they didn't have to work to create it. 90 00:11:46,984 --> 00:11:48,885 Therefore, they didn't value it. 91 00:11:49,835 --> 00:11:58,608 And too many congregations are in that state where those who are in the congregation didn't have to do anything to build it. 92 00:11:58,828 --> 00:12:01,349 They didn't have to do anything to create it. 93 00:12:01,829 --> 00:12:04,230 And as a result, they don't value it. 94 00:12:04,810 --> 00:12:08,031 And they're not ready to work to keep it. 95 00:12:08,772 --> 00:12:10,332 But Jesus was revolutionary. 96 00:12:10,332 --> 00:12:12,073 He didn't believe in status quo. 97 00:12:14,125 --> 00:12:24,165 As you go into John chapter 4, you'll also find that Jesus did not let culture close doors to souls. 98 00:12:25,425 --> 00:12:35,685 In John chapter 4 and in verse 4, we notice the text says, but he needed to go through Samaria. 99 00:12:36,073 --> 00:12:40,305 Jesus is going to leave Judea, he is going to depart to Galilee. 100 00:12:40,305 --> 00:12:50,730 If you were to look at a map of the land of Israel in the first century, you would notice that Judea is down in the southern part of the country and Galilee is in the northern part 101 00:12:50,730 --> 00:12:51,190 of the country. 102 00:12:51,190 --> 00:12:53,111 So Jesus has to go from the southern to the northern. 103 00:12:53,111 --> 00:12:54,322 Well, of course, what would you do? 104 00:12:54,322 --> 00:12:56,822 Well, you'd just travel across the middle of the country. 105 00:12:57,023 --> 00:13:06,017 You'd go from the south of the If you want to go from the coast of Mississippi to the top edge of Michigan, you don't 106 00:13:06,017 --> 00:13:10,178 go, unless you're flying, you don't go by way of Nevada. 107 00:13:10,178 --> 00:13:11,789 Okay? 108 00:13:11,789 --> 00:13:13,529 You don't need to. 109 00:13:13,530 --> 00:13:18,191 You just hop on the interstate, head straight north, you're gonna end up there. 110 00:13:19,072 --> 00:13:21,872 The problem is that's not what Jesus does. 111 00:13:21,993 --> 00:13:24,173 Or sorry, that's not what their culture did. 112 00:13:24,173 --> 00:13:26,234 Jesus was in Judea. 113 00:13:26,234 --> 00:13:28,185 Jesus wanted to go to Galilee. 114 00:13:28,185 --> 00:13:29,965 It was straight south to north. 115 00:13:29,965 --> 00:13:33,496 All he had to do was go straight through Samaria. 116 00:13:35,711 --> 00:13:45,772 Except the problem was in the first century for the Jews that the Samaritans, those who dwelled in the region of Samaria, they were considered outcasts. 117 00:13:46,517 --> 00:13:57,332 They were considered unacceptable individuals because Samaria was filled with those families and those people who had been left in the land when the northern kingdom was 118 00:13:57,332 --> 00:14:00,083 taken away into Assyrian captivity. 119 00:14:00,143 --> 00:14:04,566 But the Assyrians, as they took that northern kingdom away, had a practice. 120 00:14:04,566 --> 00:14:07,407 They would not leave a land empty. 121 00:14:07,467 --> 00:14:16,431 So they would take other people they had conquered throughout time and they would transport them into a new place and they'd take the people from that place, they'd 122 00:14:16,431 --> 00:14:18,212 and them into somewhere else. 123 00:14:18,592 --> 00:14:23,996 They take them out of the place where they grew up, but invariably there were some who were left behind. 124 00:14:23,996 --> 00:14:33,401 So these individuals who were left behind began to intermarry with those nations who had been brought down into Samaria by the Assyrians. 125 00:14:34,303 --> 00:14:43,529 And so for the Jews in the first century, they considered these individuals in Samaria, those who were Samaritans to be half-breeds. 126 00:14:44,203 --> 00:14:51,291 They considered them to be those who were worse even than the Gentiles, for they had intermarried with the Gentiles. 127 00:14:52,201 --> 00:15:02,449 And so as Jesus prepares to go to Galilee, the text says that he needed to go through Samaria. 128 00:15:02,770 --> 00:15:05,702 He didn't need to go through Samaria because it was the only path. 129 00:15:05,702 --> 00:15:12,317 As a matter of fact, the culture in that time, the Jews would actually cross the Jordan River in Judea. 130 00:15:12,338 --> 00:15:20,864 They'd go up the other side of the Jordan River, then they'd cross back over the Jordan River just to avoid going through Samaria. 131 00:15:23,339 --> 00:15:29,713 That's how badly those Jews despised the Samaritans. 132 00:15:31,034 --> 00:15:36,258 And yet Jesus did not let culture close doors. 133 00:15:37,739 --> 00:15:46,485 Jesus saw closed doors by culture as opportunities to reach the lost. 134 00:15:50,729 --> 00:16:00,708 In the world we live in, you might have noticed that this country is not quite as unified as it once was. 135 00:16:03,911 --> 00:16:15,784 over the last few years, you might realize if you've traveled around that you go from one place to another place and it's like you're in a different country. 136 00:16:18,195 --> 00:16:29,113 Go travel into big metropolitan city that's well maintained and well off and then go drive an hour or two outside of that city. 137 00:16:30,715 --> 00:16:43,585 One of the most stark contrasts that I have ever seen in my life and I've been a few places is driving down through Louisiana, down near New Orleans. 138 00:16:44,619 --> 00:16:50,092 and then driving to some of the more wealthy areas around New Orleans. 139 00:16:51,293 --> 00:16:54,295 You want to talk about two different worlds. 140 00:16:55,376 --> 00:17:01,679 Try driving through rural Texas and then go drive through a part of Texas where there's oil money. 141 00:17:02,549 --> 00:17:04,121 It's two different worlds. 142 00:17:05,162 --> 00:17:10,485 And sometimes the culture says, you know what, we just don't need those people. 143 00:17:11,583 --> 00:17:15,835 And it's the culture in the small towns that we don't need those people in the city. 144 00:17:16,255 --> 00:17:18,636 We don't need those people with all their money. 145 00:17:18,656 --> 00:17:20,197 We don't need them. 146 00:17:20,197 --> 00:17:21,458 And we don't like them. 147 00:17:21,458 --> 00:17:22,898 And we don't want them. 148 00:17:23,679 --> 00:17:28,241 And then you have the ones in the city going, we don't need those poor people. 149 00:17:28,701 --> 00:17:33,443 We don't need those people who still live out in the boonies. 150 00:17:34,044 --> 00:17:37,465 You know, they're three hours from Walmart. 151 00:17:39,563 --> 00:17:41,435 They must be outside their mind. 152 00:17:42,478 --> 00:17:45,882 Let alone a good hotel and a great restaurant. 153 00:17:46,784 --> 00:17:48,306 We don't need those people. 154 00:17:49,829 --> 00:17:51,751 but then we take it another level. 155 00:17:52,213 --> 00:17:53,334 You know what? 156 00:17:53,635 --> 00:17:55,197 They voted Democrat. 157 00:17:58,347 --> 00:17:59,863 You know, they voted for Trump. 158 00:18:02,094 --> 00:18:04,387 Can you believe it they voted for Trump? 159 00:18:06,323 --> 00:18:28,123 and we'll divide ourselves and we have divided ourselves and culture is promoted dividing our country and you know what for Christians that is a golden opportunity because you know 160 00:18:28,123 --> 00:18:33,247 why we know the value of a soul 161 00:18:33,973 --> 00:18:38,275 And we know the value of a soul surpasses who they voted for. 162 00:18:38,435 --> 00:18:42,977 We know the value of a soul surpasses what they have by way of possessions. 163 00:18:42,977 --> 00:18:48,599 We know the value of a soul matters way more than what zip code they live in. 164 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:52,961 But the world doesn't. 165 00:18:55,125 --> 00:18:58,207 So Jesus needed to go through Samaria. 166 00:18:58,568 --> 00:19:08,637 But then consider as well, if you go down to verse five, so he came to the city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob gave to his son 167 00:19:08,637 --> 00:19:09,498 Joseph. 168 00:19:09,498 --> 00:19:11,740 Now Jacob's well was there. 169 00:19:11,740 --> 00:19:16,023 Jesus therefore being wearied from his journey, sat thus by the well. 170 00:19:16,023 --> 00:19:18,225 It was about the sixth hour. 171 00:19:18,493 --> 00:19:27,812 Jesus comes to this city of Sychar, and Jesus comes to this well, and Jesus, the text says, was wearied. 172 00:19:31,297 --> 00:19:35,960 Raise your hand if you've ever traveled all day long. 173 00:19:37,995 --> 00:19:45,215 When you get wherever you're going, are you nice and refreshed and ready to know? 174 00:19:45,477 --> 00:19:47,059 You just want to get out of car? 175 00:19:47,059 --> 00:19:48,481 Just want to get off the road? 176 00:19:48,481 --> 00:19:49,884 Just want to get off the plane? 177 00:19:49,884 --> 00:19:53,488 Whatever way you traveled, you're ready to be done. 178 00:19:56,107 --> 00:19:58,218 Here Jesus has been traveling. 179 00:19:59,380 --> 00:20:12,472 And Jesus given his situation financially in life, as Jesus told individuals who decided they would follow him and be his disciples, he said, foxes have holes, birds of the air 180 00:20:12,472 --> 00:20:15,355 have nests, but the son of man has nowhere to lay his head. 181 00:20:15,355 --> 00:20:22,321 Jesus wasn't traveling on a nice, elegant horse or donkey, Jesus traveled by foot. 182 00:20:24,749 --> 00:20:29,474 So after walking all day, Jesus was weary. 183 00:20:30,455 --> 00:20:32,437 Jesus sat by the well. 184 00:20:33,599 --> 00:20:43,149 But you notice in the text, and you notice as we think about the text, that Jesus overcame fatigue to reach souls. 185 00:20:45,503 --> 00:20:59,227 As this congregation begins thinking about evangelism, there are going to be times, and I guarantee it, because I've lived it, there are going to be times your phone is going to 186 00:20:59,227 --> 00:21:11,460 ring or you're going to get a message via text message and you're going to look at that and you're gonna go, there's that person who's a contact of mine and they want something 187 00:21:11,460 --> 00:21:14,354 right now and it has been. 188 00:21:14,354 --> 00:21:15,598 a day. 189 00:21:20,437 --> 00:21:37,088 you're gonna think back to John chapter four and Jesus being wearied and stopping at a well because Jesus overcame fatigue to teach lost souls. 190 00:21:38,149 --> 00:21:45,203 There are a lot of things in life that you will not overcome fatigue to do because you don't enjoy them and they don't have a whole lot of value. 191 00:21:47,393 --> 00:21:48,773 But this one does. 192 00:21:49,873 --> 00:21:57,718 But then consider as well that Jesus began as he reached and sought lost souls. 193 00:21:58,019 --> 00:22:00,860 He began in friendly conversation. 194 00:22:01,221 --> 00:22:06,243 In John chapter four we read, a woman of Samaria came to draw water. 195 00:22:06,403 --> 00:22:09,185 Jesus said to her, give me a drink. 196 00:22:10,726 --> 00:22:16,008 This interaction is not, open the scriptures with me. 197 00:22:17,517 --> 00:22:21,820 and tell you why the Jews are right and the Samaritans are wrong. 198 00:22:22,021 --> 00:22:23,622 It's not how he began. 199 00:22:24,623 --> 00:22:33,850 Jesus interacted with individuals on a very normal level, in a friendly way. 200 00:22:34,351 --> 00:22:37,993 But Jesus speaks to this woman, he says, give me a drink. 201 00:22:38,254 --> 00:22:43,778 Verse eight, for his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 202 00:22:44,759 --> 00:22:46,945 And then the woman of Samaria said to him, 203 00:22:46,945 --> 00:22:53,588 How is it that you, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman? 204 00:22:54,428 --> 00:22:58,980 Jesus begins by engaging in friendly conversation. 205 00:22:58,980 --> 00:23:05,913 Jesus speaks to her, she speaks to him, and yet Jesus utilizes this as an opportunity. 206 00:23:07,154 --> 00:23:15,007 But Jesus is not of the observation that you convert souls by having friendly conversations. 207 00:23:17,323 --> 00:23:22,078 Now Jesus is going to move past the friendly conversation to the heart of the matter. 208 00:23:22,679 --> 00:23:27,343 Jesus is going to move past the casual to the serious. 209 00:23:28,485 --> 00:23:36,113 Yet Jesus is not going to do this at a time when there's a bunch of other people around. 210 00:23:37,729 --> 00:23:41,678 The disciples have gone into the city to buy food. 211 00:23:42,302 --> 00:23:45,669 It's just Jesus and the woman. 212 00:23:47,405 --> 00:23:55,125 The things that Jesus needs to talk to this woman about are things that she might not be willing to talk about with others around. 213 00:23:56,165 --> 00:24:07,485 The situation of this woman's life may not be something that she's willing to discuss amongst 12 or 13 Jews. 214 00:24:09,759 --> 00:24:18,178 Jesus finds an opportunity when others aren't around to take matters into a serious discussion. 215 00:24:18,339 --> 00:24:30,363 And one of the easiest ways to derail a good opportunity to reach the lost is by getting a lot of other people to have a comment and a say and an opinion on the matter. 216 00:24:33,101 --> 00:24:34,743 And Jesus doesn't do that. 217 00:24:35,605 --> 00:24:38,589 Jesus goes to her privately. 218 00:24:38,930 --> 00:24:43,697 You'll notice there's going to be a difference before we get to the end of John chapter 4 in these lessons. 219 00:24:43,697 --> 00:24:49,035 There's going to be a difference between how He interacts with the woman and how he interacts with the city. 220 00:24:50,605 --> 00:24:54,345 But Jesus chose a time when others weren't around. 221 00:24:54,345 --> 00:25:00,005 Furthermore, Jesus was not put off by potentially offensive statements. 222 00:25:01,265 --> 00:25:16,485 Notice back in the text, she replied to him, how is it that you, being a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman? 223 00:25:17,405 --> 00:25:19,589 This woman was not. 224 00:25:19,911 --> 00:25:24,664 unaware of the Jews' perspective concerning Samaritans. 225 00:25:24,905 --> 00:25:38,554 This woman was not confused about the Jewish rabbis' method of ignoring women in public, because that's what the Jewish rabbis would do. 226 00:25:38,815 --> 00:25:42,857 They wouldn't speak to a Jewish woman in public, let alone a Samaritan. 227 00:25:43,401 --> 00:25:51,188 And she points this out, she makes a statement that could have been something that would have offended Jesus. 228 00:25:51,188 --> 00:25:53,749 And I think maybe she meant for it to. 229 00:25:54,671 --> 00:25:57,833 It certainly would have offended most Jews. 230 00:25:59,881 --> 00:26:06,385 And yet Jesus doesn't allow things that are offensive to offend. 231 00:26:06,965 --> 00:26:17,431 In other words, Jesus doesn't allow the things that individuals say that are ignorant to keep Him from focusing on what is eternally important. 232 00:26:19,293 --> 00:26:26,437 As you talk with those in the world around you, as you spend time with those who are not Christians, 233 00:26:26,729 --> 00:26:36,348 as you speak to those who are spiritually ignorant, they will say things that are offensive. 234 00:26:38,101 --> 00:26:41,023 They will say things that are wrong. 235 00:26:41,244 --> 00:26:44,167 They will say things that are ignorant. 236 00:26:45,609 --> 00:26:53,757 Do not feel as though you need to correct everything that you hear that is wrong. 237 00:26:55,627 --> 00:27:01,439 because you will lose focus on the important things. 238 00:27:02,159 --> 00:27:15,443 Matter of fact, when you think about our cultural divide in this country, one of the things that we have a problem with is that we have become a nation of people who insist on 239 00:27:15,443 --> 00:27:22,045 winning every argument and always being right. 240 00:27:26,785 --> 00:27:29,366 But are we always right in this country? 241 00:27:31,373 --> 00:27:34,733 Are we always the one who knows best? 242 00:27:36,093 --> 00:27:40,733 Are we perfectly perfect? 243 00:27:42,795 --> 00:27:45,852 then why do we interact with people the way as though we are? 244 00:27:47,741 --> 00:27:50,962 Jesus will hear this statement. 245 00:27:51,763 --> 00:27:59,747 Instead of being offended by it, He does what every good evangelist will learn to do. 246 00:28:01,288 --> 00:28:02,869 He asks questions. 247 00:28:04,971 --> 00:28:19,101 He says, if you knew the gift of God and who it is who says to you, me a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. 248 00:28:21,619 --> 00:28:25,991 Jesus offers her something that she didn't have. 249 00:28:27,291 --> 00:28:31,113 He offers her more than what she had. 250 00:28:32,173 --> 00:28:41,157 Jesus said, if you knew who was sitting in front of you, you wouldn't be worried about the fact that I'm a Jew or that you're a Samaritan. 251 00:28:43,765 --> 00:28:47,303 you would be asking for something of great value. 252 00:28:50,685 --> 00:29:05,849 Jesus will point out that the things that she cares so deeply about, the things that are her immediate reaction when she sees a Jew, when she has an interaction with a Jew, are 253 00:29:05,849 --> 00:29:08,801 barriers to what is really important. 254 00:29:14,399 --> 00:29:30,172 as we consider the lost, as we consider the mission of Christ, as we consider the thing that Jesus said it was necessary that He came, that He died, that He was buried, and that 255 00:29:30,172 --> 00:29:33,964 He was resurrected on the third day in order for this to occur. 256 00:29:37,077 --> 00:29:41,976 We must not lose sight of what is most important. 257 00:29:47,317 --> 00:29:59,249 As we move forward in this congregation, as we move forward in this mission, we're moving forward with a goal. 258 00:30:01,109 --> 00:30:03,892 And it would be nice if we blew the goal out of the water. 259 00:30:03,892 --> 00:30:05,193 Maybe we will. 260 00:30:06,515 --> 00:30:07,956 This is our goal. 261 00:30:09,398 --> 00:30:15,945 Six to ten lost souls brought to Christ this year. 262 00:30:17,567 --> 00:30:19,008 And then next year. 263 00:30:19,930 --> 00:30:21,430 And then next year. 264 00:30:22,152 --> 00:30:23,513 And then next year. 265 00:30:25,547 --> 00:30:32,460 because Jesus said, He came to seek and to save that which was lost. 266 00:30:33,981 --> 00:30:40,183 This woman at the well did not think she was lost. 267 00:30:41,784 --> 00:30:44,965 This woman at the well thought she worshiped God. 268 00:30:46,805 --> 00:30:52,528 this woman at the well had a life that declared otherwise. 269 00:30:54,593 --> 00:30:58,460 but she didn't know what she didn't know. 270 00:31:01,045 --> 00:31:11,936 This woman at the well didn't know that the man who was sitting at that well was the very Son of God. 271 00:31:13,438 --> 00:31:18,763 He was the Messiah that her people had been waiting on. 272 00:31:20,085 --> 00:31:23,889 He was the Messiah that they had been talking about. 273 00:31:26,647 --> 00:31:28,719 but she didn't know what she didn't know. 274 00:31:29,700 --> 00:31:37,007 And how is she going to learn unless someone taught her? 275 00:31:37,468 --> 00:31:39,180 Turn over to Acts chapter 8 as we close. 276 00:31:39,180 --> 00:31:42,373 In Acts chapter 8... 277 00:31:49,429 --> 00:31:51,790 Saul begins to persecute the church. 278 00:31:53,749 --> 00:31:58,991 and a man named Philip will end up going to Samaria. 279 00:31:59,892 --> 00:32:09,156 And we read in verse 26, now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. 280 00:32:09,597 --> 00:32:10,977 This is desert. 281 00:32:11,093 --> 00:32:21,279 So he arose and went, behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury and had come to Jerusalem 282 00:32:21,279 --> 00:32:23,180 to worship, was returning. 283 00:32:23,180 --> 00:32:26,582 And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. 284 00:32:26,582 --> 00:32:30,104 Then the Spirit said to Philip, Go near and overtake this chariot. 285 00:32:30,104 --> 00:32:36,517 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, Do you understand what you are reading? 286 00:32:36,517 --> 00:32:39,629 And he said, How can I? 287 00:32:39,949 --> 00:32:42,409 unless someone guides me. 288 00:32:42,409 --> 00:32:45,389 And he asked Philip to come up and to sit with him. 289 00:32:45,389 --> 00:32:53,969 And the place in the scripture which he read was this, he was led as a sheep to the slaughter and as a lamb before her sheers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 290 00:32:53,969 --> 00:32:58,669 In his humiliation his justice was taken away and who will declare his generation? 291 00:32:58,669 --> 00:33:05,489 For his life was taken from the earth." Notice the eunuch. 292 00:33:05,895 --> 00:33:11,052 is reading about a Messiah who had to die. 293 00:33:13,591 --> 00:33:21,187 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man? 294 00:33:21,889 --> 00:33:26,993 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this scripture preached Jesus to him. 295 00:33:27,053 --> 00:33:32,318 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, See, here is water. 296 00:33:32,318 --> 00:33:35,961 What hinders me from being baptized? 297 00:33:36,929 --> 00:33:44,812 Then Philip said, if you believe with all your heart you may, and he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 298 00:33:44,812 --> 00:33:54,196 So he commanded the chariot to stand still, both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he, Philip, baptized him the eunuch. 299 00:33:54,556 --> 00:34:05,601 Now when they came up out of the water, the spirit of the Lord caught Philip away so that the eunuch saw him no more, and he, the eunuch, went on his way rejoicing. 300 00:34:08,247 --> 00:34:31,353 Philip knew this, that his mission of his Lord was to preach repentance and remission of sins to every nation under heaven and even those who thought they were saved and weren't. 301 00:34:32,174 --> 00:34:41,552 even those who would travel from one country to another just to worship God and yet were lost. 302 00:34:43,519 --> 00:34:47,171 needed to be reached and needed to be saved. 303 00:34:47,952 --> 00:34:49,832 And so what did Philip preach? 304 00:34:50,433 --> 00:34:52,054 He preached Jesus. 305 00:34:52,675 --> 00:34:54,296 What did the eunuch learn? 306 00:34:54,296 --> 00:35:05,342 The eunuch learned that in order to receive salvation, he had to be baptized and he wanted to know what keeps me from doing this. 307 00:35:07,363 --> 00:35:10,635 And Philip said, you're the only one standing in the way. 308 00:35:13,377 --> 00:35:16,139 Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? 309 00:35:16,980 --> 00:35:22,864 Do you believe that He came here to die, to save mankind from their sins? 310 00:35:24,005 --> 00:35:31,590 Are you willing to repent of your sins because He came that repentance could be preached? 311 00:35:32,751 --> 00:35:37,234 But not just repentance, repentance and remission of sins. 312 00:35:38,256 --> 00:35:40,697 And so in Acts chapter two, 313 00:35:41,675 --> 00:35:44,818 when Peter was asked, men and brethren, what shall we do? 314 00:35:44,818 --> 00:35:48,369 Because they realized they had crucified the very Son of God. 315 00:35:49,943 --> 00:35:55,437 Peter said, and be baptized for the remission of your sins. 316 00:35:56,298 --> 00:36:11,208 If you're here this morning and you're outside the body of Christ, if you're lost and you do not have salvation and you don't know how to be saved, don't leave this morning not 317 00:36:11,208 --> 00:36:12,128 knowing. 318 00:36:12,689 --> 00:36:18,313 When the eunuch who didn't know realized he didn't know, he said, 319 00:36:18,509 --> 00:36:20,968 How am going to know unless somebody shows me? 320 00:36:23,213 --> 00:36:27,080 and you're surrounded by people who are more than willing to do that this morning. 321 00:36:27,080 --> 00:36:34,313 If you have need of the invitation of Jesus Christ for any reason, why not come forward now as we stand and as we sing.