Emmaus City Church | United with Jesus in what He is doing in, with, and for Worcester, MA: Jesus' Living Water for Today | John 4:1-41: How does His Truth meet us? Where does His Truth take us?

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Jesus' Living Water for Today | John 4:1-41: How does His Truth meet us? Where does His Truth take us?

How Would You Describe Truth? Unpredictable? Controversial? Vulnerable? Strong? Piercing? Hungry? Inviting?

All these Words Describe Jesus with the Samaritan Woman at the Well.

Homily Audio:

How does Jesus' Truth meet us? Where does His Truth take us?

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” + John 1:14

In the gospel of John we hear this claim that God became human in Jesus and "made His dwelling among us." Now this word "dwelling" is really curious. Literally, it means He set up a tabernacle among us. And so what John is claiming right here is that Jesus is a temple. He is now the place where heaven and earth overlap. What's interesting about Jesus is that He isn't staying in this safe, clean space. He's running around hanging out with sinners. He's healing people of their sicknesses and forgiving people of their sins. He's basically creating little pockets of heaven where people can be in God's presence, but He's doing it out there in the middle of the world of sin and death. And He keeps telling everyone that the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. And He even told His followers to pray regularly that God's Kingdom come, His will be done here on earth just as it is in heaven. + Tim Mackie and Jon Collins, Heaven and Earth

“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." + Jesus (John 6:35)

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” + Jesus (John 8:12)

"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. + Jesus (John 10:9)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” + Jesus (John 10:11)

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” + Jesus (John 11:25-26)

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” + Jesus (John 14:6)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” + Jesus (John 15:5)

Jesus' Prayer He taught His Followers

Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept holy.

May Your Kingdom come. may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today the food we need,

And forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from evil.

(For Yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory now and forever. Amen.)

Scripture Text

John 4:1-41

Creed | Confession

Our World Belongs to God 18, 26, and 27

2008 A.D.

One: God did not turn away from a world bent on destruction but turned to face it in love. With patience and tender care the Lord set out on the long road of redemption to reclaim the lost as His people and the world as His kingdom.

All: Being both divine and human, Jesus is our only mediator. He alone paid the debt of our sin; there is no other Savior. We are chosen in Christ to become like Him in every way. God’s electing love sustains our hope: God’s grace is free to save sinners who offer nothing but their need for mercy. Jesus ascended in triumph, raising our humanity to the heavenly throne. All authority, glory, and sovereign power are given to Him. There He hears our prayers and pleads our cause before the Father. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.