Sermon Outline 11 Aug, 2008 Morning Service

Topic: An Inquisitive Woman 

Text:  John 4:4-42      

Introduction

I.          From time to time, all of us have felt the sting of rejection.

II.         Rejections bring us pain and suffering.

III.        John invites us into the life of another unnamed woman for whom “rejection” must have been familiar.

Text

I.          This woman already had faith that the Messiah was coming.

A.         She is a believer.

1.         Her questions demonstrate her willingness to learn and grow.

2.         Perhaps it’s because of her questions and her sincerity to grow that Jesus revealed Himself to her.

B.         Her belief grows from believing that the Messiah is coming to accepting that Jesus is the Messiah.

1.         When she heard this she believed.

2.         She must have sensed the attitude of rejection from the disciples, but they didn’t keep her from Jesus.

3.         She went to the townspeople who routinely ignored her to share the fact that she had found the Messiah.

4.         Interestingly, the things this woman spoke of caused her neighbors to listen to her.

II.         Here are some thoughts that we could learn from this inquisitive woman.

A.         As empty and lonely as this woman must have been, Jesus met her where she was and filled those empty voids.

B.         Once we have the good news of Jesus Christ, we need to share it with others.

C.         Never stop asking questions and striving to have a deeper relationship with Jesus.

D.         Realize that there can be no conversion without conviction.

Conclusion

I.          Once again we are able to learn deep truths from a woman who almost seems insignificant.

A.         She didn’t matter to her neighbors.

B.         Quite possibly the men in her life were merely taking advantage of her.

II.         But Jesus gives meaning and purpose to life.