“Waterfall,” John 4:28-42

Introduction:  What is an evangelist?  Which is more loving, to share your faith or to remain silent?  Who is qualified for the job?

I.        The Samaritan Woman as Evangelist

A.     What the woman left behind

1.      (v28) “So the woman left her water jar and went away into town.”

2.      If she was at the well because of shame or something similar, going into town risked…

B.     Her message was neither refined nor deep, though an improvement over Jonah’s message

1.      (v29) “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did.”  An invitation.

2.      Translation:  Meet a man (she had man problems) who saw inside me without flinching.

3.      “Can this be the Messiah?”

II.       The Disciples as Evangelists

A.     They also had been in town, buying food.

1.      How many people had the disciples spoken to?

2.      How many townsfolk did they bring to Jesus?

B.     (v34) “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”

1.      Kreeft’s take on sloth and boredom

2.      Why do we have so little passion about our faith?  That is why we remain mum.

3.      (v35) “Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes and see that the fields are white for harvest.”

III.      Results

A.     (v39) “Many Samaritans believed in him because of the woman’s testimony.”

1.      (v40) The Samaritans asked Jesus to stay two additional days and more came to believe.

2.      What did the Samaritans leave behind in listening to Jesus?

B.     (v42) “We know that this is the Savior of the world.”

1.      Romans 10:20, “I have been found by those who did not seek me.”  [Isaiah 65:1]

2.      Romans 10:21, “But of Israel he says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a…’”

Conclusion:   Communion