July 17, 2005 Summit PM

Jesus Receives Sinners

Introduction

A. Text – Lk.15:1-7

B. Ran into something unusual (for me) on trip

1. Family gathered & discussion lives

2. One spoke of son having a “person of interest"

3. After a while – had to ask – what mean? (Fancy way of saying same sex?)

4. Told – politically correct way of speaking

C. Jesus wasn’t politically correct

1. Religious environment totally upset

2. Went against the accepted norm – received sinners

D. Pray

I. Jesus Received Sinners

A. Passages

1. Mk.2:13-17 – calling of Matthew

a. Tax collector

b. Religious saw this as something terrible, loathsome

2. Lk.15:1,2 – tax collectors are eager to listen

a. Religious see this as awful

b. How could He welcome such people?

3. Jn.4 – Jesus & the Samaritan woman

B. God’s intention from beginning of time

1. Eph.1:3,4 – chosen from foundation of world

2. Jn.4:4 – Jesus had to go through Samaria

a. Why?

1) To retrieve this wretched woman

2) Lifestyle so awful would never seek Him

(Adultery & broken marriages – who accept her?)

3) Even own society spurned her – draw water at noon

b. Fact – God is no respecter of persons

1) Jesus would go out of His way to save her

2) Everyone else ignore her – not Jesus

c. Jesus not ashamed to drink from her container

1) No one was beyond His reach

2) Not a Samaritan, a leper, not anyone

II. Good News – All Who Thirst May Come

A. Jesus asks for a drink

1. She is shocked – a Jew asking her for a drink

2. Immediately Jesus turns the tables on her

a. If knew who I was ask Me for drink

b. No longer subject of His physical thirst – her spiritual need

3. Offers her living water

a. She unable to comprehend – have nothing to draw with

b. Blinded to spiritual reality

B. Two things needed be dealt with

1. Her sin

a. Jesus never offers cheap grace

b. Sin has to be dealt with – total commitment

1) Lk.14 – count the cost (renounce everything)

2) Rich young man – lifestyle change (Jesus is # 1)

c. Mt.1:21 – came to save His people from their sin

1) Not offer eternal life to people in bondage

2) Eph.4:17-19,22,25; 5:3-7

3) Col.3:5-8

2. Jesus made her face her sin – call your husband

a. She wants this living water – not ready

b. Many are reluctant to make others face their sin

1) Do something wrong – never challenge

2) Fearful to make them face truth – not like me

3) Intimidated – what others think of me

4) Is a way – go to them alone (not publicly)

5) Not doing them a favor ignoring sin

c. Jesus wants her to face her sin – call husband

1) Right – one with not husband – had 5

2) She shocked again – tries change subject

3. Another need – know that He is the Messiah

a. Her question about where to worship

b. Jews right – God seeks true worshipers

c. When Messiah comes – He tell us – I am He

C. Even her – in her depravity being offered living water

1. Isa.55:1-13

2. Living water promised is being offered to a depraved woman

III. Contrast The Responses

A. Disciples

1. Jn.4:27 – at that moment come back

2. Shocked at what saying to woman – He Messiah

3. Bad enough talking to woman – Samaritan one at that

4. Never confessed He Messiah to anyone yet

B. Pharisees

1. All religious leaders are appalled - disgusted

2. Wanted a Messiah who take up their cause – destroy sinners

C. Samaritans

1. Gladly receive - believe

2. Saw Messiah as a savior not a judge

D. What is our reaction?

1. Jn.3:17-21 – are we coming into the light?

2. Willing to acknowledge sin & renounce it

3. God seeks true worshipers – impossible as long as harbor sin