Transcription
[inspirational music]
>> Let me start with this: everything that happens to you is never meant to stop with you. It's always meant to go through you, into the life of another. Otherwise, this Book could have stopped on page three. But, God wouldn't have it. He chose to use really imperfect people, since the very beginning, to use His story, to impact them, to go through them into the life of another.
And, this little baby boy changes things for me, even when I look at you. You guys are the first group of college students I've spoken to since—nope, second since, second since… since I had him. But, I was thinking about that thought. And, I thought, it's interesting, there's gonna be a moment where I'm no longer holding him and I'm looking at him. And, he won't hear from me the same. But, you know who he's gonna hear from? You guys. So, don't screw it up.
[audience laughs]
>> [chuckles] Really, though, really, though. So, as I speak to you, just write down nuggets, 'cause you're gonna bring it to him. By how you live, the movies you make, the different majors you’re in, and the environments in which you will have an impact. But, let me say this: the good things, the bad things, and the everything in between, happens to you, not just for you. I promise you that.
If you have your Bibles, turn with me to John, chapter four. We're gonna see how Jesus does missions, this morning. And, we're gonna see one of the missionaries He sends out, after He chooses His 12. John, chapter four.
You know, as a speaker, I used to always save my spot in the Bible. You know the speakers that do that; they're, like, "Turn with me to John four, I'm there."
[audience laughs]
>> [chuckles] And, then, they're, like, "Meet your neighbor."
[chuckles]
"Meet your neighbor," and, the people with cellphones are, like, "Sucker."
[audience laughs]
>> We're gonna hear from God today. I hope you're hungry to hear from Him because that world is very loud, and, I wanna hear from Him this morning. By the way, one of the biggest questions I ever get from college students is, "How do you hear from God?" You know what my response is now? You read it… it's His word. Woo [giggles], 'kay. John, chapter four, we're gonna read for a bit. Starting at verse three, "When the Lord learned of this, He left Judea." Judea, here. "and went back, once more, to Galilee." On top, in the middle is Samaria. Judea, here, Galilee, up top, Samaria, in the middle. "He left Judea and went back, once more, to Galilee. "Now, He had to go through Samaria, "so, He came to a town in Samaria, called Sychar, "near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son, Joseph. "Jacob's well was there. "And Jesus, tired as He was "from the journey, sat down by the well. "It was about the sixth hour." Jewish time starts at six a.m. So, the sixth hour means noon. Noon, the blazing hot time of the day. "When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, "Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" "His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. "The Samaritan woman said to Him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. "How can You ask me for a drink? "For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. "Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God "and Who it is that asks you for a drink, "you would have asked Him and He would "have given you living water. "Sir," the woman said, "You have nothing "to draw with and this well is deep. "Where can You get this living water? "Are you greater than our father Jacob, "who gave us the well and drank from it himself, "as did, also, his sons and his flock and his herds? "Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water "will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks "the water I give him will never thirst. "Indeed, the water I give him will become in him "a spring of water, welling up to eternal life. "The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water "so I won't have to be thirsty "and have to keep coming down here to draw water. "He told her, "Go, call your husband and come back. "You see, I have no husband," she replied. "Jesus said to her, "You are right "when you say you have no husband. "Turns out, you've actually had five. "And, the man you live with now is not your husband. "What you have just said is quite true."
I love her response.
""Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet."
[audience laughs]
>> Jump down to verse 25. They talk about worship. "And woman says, "You know, "I know that Messiah" [called Christ] "is coming. "When He comes, He will explain everything to us." "Then Jesus declared, "I, who speak to you, am He."
Pray with me. When I say pray with me… [chuckles] you guys all did [inhales] When I say pray with me, I mean pray with me. Not just, listen to me pray, will you do that? And, I always say this, but, I intentionally, and, you guys do this a lot, but, you put your hands out, very simply, if you want more. I don't know where you've been running, I don't know if these words resonate with you. Ready for it? Anxious… overwhelmed… stressed, tired, ashamed, uninspired, enthusiastic, free, but, if you're someone that just wants more of Him, I'm gonna invite you to pray with me. With your hands postured as you would like your heart, this morning, open. Heavenly Father, thank You for right now, hearing our prayers. Lord, right now, before we listen to a message, Lord, I wanna hear from You, directly. So, Lord, right now, some of us have our hands out, some don't. But, Lord, would we listen to what You might have for us? I know, some people fear silence because we expect You to be silent. God, in the next 30 seconds of quiet, would we cry out to You and then be silent, to listen for Your whisper. Thank You, Lord, for Your Words. May they impact our lives and then would we not shut up about it.
[chuckles]
You have good things, thank You, amen.
[inhales, then, exhales]
>> Jesus, on the way to where He was going. "On the way," that's significant. On the way to where He was going, He was living His purpose. He wasn't waiting till He arrived. Have you ever been a part of that, like, "As soon as" club? The one that says, "As soon as I graduate…" Or, "As soon as that test is over…" Or, "As soon as we get to the weekend…" Or, "As soon as," you fill in the blank. "As soon as I get the job offer, I'll begin living my purpose." I'll say this: don't wait for a job opportunity to start living your purpose today. Because, you live your life the way you live your days. You know what that means? That means, your entire life, guess what it is? It's a make-up of a bunch of little days. You know that that means? Today matters. Change today, change your life. 'Cause, you're creating habits, today, for the rest of your life. If you wanna do missions, if you wanna proclaim, don't wait for a stage.
[chuckles]
Don't wait for your classroom. On the way to the way to where He was headed, it says in verse four, Jesus had to go to Samaria. And, when Jesus has to do something, we must take note. 'Cause, Jesus doesn't have to do anything. In fact, people of that time, there's Judea, there's Galilee. Jewish people, of that time, would go around Samaria. I read it, 'cause Jews and Samaritans, they despised each other. 'Cause, "they didn't like each other" would be an understatement. Jews looked at Samaritans as half-breeds. There was conflict. And, rather than going around, it says this, "Jesus had to go through Samaria." Why did He have to go through Samaria? Because He lived His purpose on the way. You might be going somewhere to do missions. You might have a time set out and I'll say, don't wait til you arrive, follow Jesus. He did it along the way. You know what that means? Your walk, from here to wherever you're going, matters.
By the way, did you know your eyes are the eyes in which Jesus sees people that need to be seen? Your hands are the hands Jesus uses to hug people that need to be hugged. Your feet are the feet Jesus uses to walk to the places that He needs to be. Do you have any idea how significant your life is, in Christ? I don't want you to miss out.
See, I [giggles] one job I have is I work for a publishing company in the area of family ministry. And, I remember, I was on a plane and I was going to a conference called D6… stands for Deuteronomy six. Basically, it says this, "Parents are the primary disciplers of their kids." I'm gonna go talk to children's and family pastors, that's what I'm gonna go do. Have a conversation with them about this question, listen for it: have you missed out on ministering to families in the midst of doing family ministry?
[chuckles]
I thought it was pretty clever. In fact, I was on the plane, pulled out my [laughs] I don't know why I pulled it out like that, but, I did. Flight attendant's, like, "Are you okay?" I'm, like, "Water."
[audience laughs]
And, I pulled out my laptop and I do the earbud thing. You know what that communicates? "I'm busy." Have you done it, you know, "I'm busy, don't talk to me." And, the guy next to me's, like, "What are you working on?" And, I did this, ew, ew, ew. The, like, I'm too busy and important at this moment. So, I did this, "I'm sorry, what was that?" Close enough to where he knows I'm ready to put it back in. You know what I mean?
[audience laughs]
I'm, like, "Oh, so sorry, what was that?" He's, like, "What are you working on?" "Oh, [gibberish], this thing, this conference thing." And, he's, like, "Oh," and I'm, like, "Oh, hey, there is it, back in my ear."
[audience laughs]
And, the question I was typing was my brilliant question.
[chuckles]
Let me give it to you again, this is so good, tweet it. Seriously, so good.
[audience laughs]
Are you missing out on ministering to families in the midst of doing family ministry? And, the guy's, like, "You know, I love my daughter." I'm, like, "Okay, [laughs] what?" And, he's, like, "Are you doing it for a church?" I'm, like, "Actually…"
[chuckles]
"yeah, actually, I'm gonna go help a lot of pastors, whatever." And, he's, like, "Oh, I volunteer at church." And, I'm thinking, "Good for you," you know.
[audience laughs]
And, he goes, "My daughter got me into it, she's so great." I'm, like, "Bet she is." And, he continues and he continues. And, you know what he does? He talks about his daughter like this, "My daughter's the best. "My daughter's the best at this. "I'm so proud of my daughter. "She's third in her class in high school. "She's this… she's the best athlete." He kept using this comparison language. And, there's a moment, it's hitting me. I'd done work with high school students and college students enough to know that that girl, if she was sitting in this audience, will think that her approval from people is gonna be found in what she's good at. I know this, I know her daughter's gonna be lost at a place like Biola, walking around, waiting to try to become the best, 'cause that's what she thinks she has to offer the world, 'cause that's what her dad has seen in her. And, I know this. And, then, I looked at my computer and saw the question, In the midst of doing family ministry, are you missing out on ministering to families, and, the dad is talking about his daughter.
[yells]
Come on!
[audience laughs]
Within five minutes, the guy is in tears, saying, "I can't wait to go home," because I asked him a few simple questions. And, he arrived at some profound answers, 'cause the Holy Spirit was at work. I was preparing this message, getting to the next part, where Jesus asks a very simple question, "Will you give Me a drink," is His question. He starts with a really simple question. I'm typing, again, again, round two, typing this message at a coffee [chuckles] at a coffee shop. And, a girl walks up, she goes, "Do you know how to use a Macintosh?" I'm, like, "Who calls it that?"
[audience laughs]
And, I did the ear thing again! And, I realized the question I was writing at that moment, was, "Divine moments happen in the midst of simple questions." And, I could have missed it. Have you missed it lately? Or, are you worried about where you're headed? Or, the impact you'll have as soon as you get somewhere else? God might have you exactly where you're at, going through exactly what He has for you, for a purpose. Divine appointments. By the way, the girl, she goes, "I need help with my computer because I'm writing a paper, compare and contrasting Christianity and Islam, 'cause I'm trying to find the truth."
[audience laughs]
>> [laughs] True story, true story. I'll get it, don't worry, it's okay. Oh, I need those. An hour later, [sighs] true story. But, to be honest, I could have missed it. Put the ear buds on, headed to where I thought I was headed, not where Jesus had for me. What does He have for you? See, the thing about simple questions is that they show people that you care. Simple questions show people that you care. As I was looking at this logo, I was picturing, I just want people to become question-askers. And, then, when the sound byte happens, to be listeners, on this side of it. To show people that you care. And, by the way, quick definition of listening. Listening is not waiting for your turn to talk.
[stammers]
Before you cheer, I'm gonna call you out a little bit more, zing! Okay… have you ever done it? You make a statement at lunch and then you go like this, they start talking and you're, like, "Hurry." And, then, you go like this, "Oh, I got something… hurry." And, then, you go, "I got something else." And, then, you're, like, "What the first thing?" They're still talking, mind you. And, then they stop and it's, no, no, no. Listening is not waiting for your turn to talk. Who needs to be heard? This woman needed to be seen, this woman needed to be heard. And, on the way to where He was going, Jesus had a divine appointment and it started with a simple question.
By the way, Biola students, you will make more friends in one day by being interested in them, than in a month by trying to get them interested in you.
I [chuckles] thought of this thing I used to do in cabins at Hume Lake. I'd walk in and all the girls, and all these girls'd get in a circle and I'm, like, "Everybody come here." And, they're, like, "Okay," and they all sit in this little circle. I'm, like, "Who wants to play a game?" They're, like, "Fun game, fun game." I'm, like, "Yes, come on." I'm, like, "Here's the game, it's called, If You Really Knew Me, You Would Know." They're, like, "That doesn't sound fun at all."
[laughs]
I'm, like, "Oh, it doesn't, okay." And, the thing about this game is, we would go around and share the story, If You Really Knew Me, You Would Know, and, we'd finish the sentence. We'd start really shallow and then get really deep. And, we'd take a few rounds. The significance of that game, I will say this, absolutely, it matters to share with other people so they can really know you. Absolutely, that matters. And, for those of you in the crowd that are fixers, you know who you are, people need to know that you need fixing from Jesus, as well. But, also, everyone else in the crowd, the significance of that game was, number one, absolutely, sharing, absolutely. Number two, that people usually missed, was listening. I, one time, sat in a circle and I shared this: If You Really Knew Me, You Would Know that I hate when people use the word retarded, 'cause I have a handicapped cousin. And, she can't control it, but, people can control their words. I hate when they use that word. And, I'll never forget, the very next day, at this Christian camp, thousand people, and there's [chuckle]… I'll never forget, there's a gorilla chasing a banana suit. I'm, like, "Of course, there is." I'm, like, laughing, [laughs]. And, then, the banana trips and we're, like, "Go figure, ha ha." And, then, someone yells out, "You're such a retard." And, I just, like, [sighs]. And, some girl in the cabin, who was listening, walked up the side beside me, put her arm around me and said, "You don't have to be alone with that thought, anymore." There's power in proclaiming. And, when people need to be heard, there is power in listening. Would we be people that, not just, speak at, but, share life with and are willing to listen?
[sighs]
We must listen to what Jesus proclaims to us, by the way, before He uses us to proclaim it to others. So, let's look at what Jesus has to say to us, today. Jesus says this, "Can I have some water?" And, this is surprising to this woman, remember, for many reasons. Jew/Samaritan, woman/man. You've already heard her testimony. Rabbi/outcast. So many reasons why this is surprising. She says this, "Why would you talk to me?" Jesus says, "If you knew the gift of God "and who it was that was asking you, "you would actually ask Me "and I would give you living water." And, she responds, she doesn't get it, she goes, "Where's your cup?"
[chuckles]
I find that really interesting. You know, we look at and we read this, we're, like, "Living water, oh, He's so beautiful." And, she's, like, "Sorry, we're at a well "and You don't even have a bucket." Where are we gonna get this living water from? And, then, in verses 13 and 14, Jesus outlines the difference between drinking from a well that satisfies for a moment and drinking from a spring, Himself, that satisfies, forever. And, the woman responds, she says, "Sure, I'll take a little bit of what You're offering."
[chuckles]
And, by the way, this is usually, for me at least, sometimes I let church stop right there. Jesus has something good and it's, like, sure… add that on, sprinkle a little bit, and, then, I'll walk out, try a little bit harder and try to remember that. Am I the only one, in that one? Divine encounters with Jesus change us. That's why He has to go there. Divine encounters with Jesus change us. And, I learned this, actually, kind of a silly way. When I was in college, I was kind of like you guys. I saw a guy walking around without shoes, there you are. And, I'm, like, "That's so me," I would have been, like, "Who needs shoes, not me." And, I was kind of, like, that, do anything crazy. And, I remember, I had this one friend and I was, like, "I wanna encounter Jesus more often." I sat in the chapel, I got a little sprinkle and I'm, like, "I'm wanna live it." And, she's, like, "Oh, no, what do you have in mind?" I'm, like, "I don't know!" She's, like, "Why are you doing that with your hands?" I'm, like, "Deal with it. So, here's what we're gonna do…" I had heard this idea from a friend of mine. I'm, like, I wanna try it. She's, like, "What is it?" I'm, like, "Okay, so, today's Tuesday," as if a watch says the day. And, she's, like, "Okay, Tuesday." And, I'm, like, "Let's pretend, on Tuesdays, for the rest of the semester, why not?" You know, it's always good, by the way, when you do something crazy to have an end in mind.
[audience laughs]
I'm, like, "Just on Tuesdays, rest of the semester, let's pretend we're walking with Jesus, literally." She's, like, "oh, no." I'm, like, [whispers] "Just try it." She's, like, "Alright." First Tuesday, I was asleep and I woke up. That's what happens in the morning, I know.
[audience laughs]
[chuckles] Fix my hair. And, I remember, I woke up and I remembered immediately. It was like this, "Oh… hello."
[laughs]
[audience laughs]
I was, like, "It's good to see You."
[chuckles]
And, I was, like, "You go over there, I'mma get ready." So, I remember, I was, like, "Okay."
[laughs]
True Story, and, I remember we got ready and then I got outside and I opened the door for Him, let Him through, closed the door. And, then, I went to, like, get His door for Him. I was, like, "You are welcome," and, I close the door. And, I then I go around to my side and I get in. This is what I did, I start driving and I pull, oop, parked, and I got my phone out and I was, like, "This one's for You." Worship song.
[audience laughs]
And, I started going and I'm awkwardly singing to the person and I'm just going, [mumbles] And, I got to the university and I remember, I started walking down a path. And, I thought, "He's, like, here… scoot over a little." So, we're, like, walking. And, I remember, one of the first doors I opened for Him, on campus, I opened the door and, it was so funny [giggles]. I know this story and you don't, it's okay. These young girls thought the door was for them. And, so, they're, like, over here, and they're, like, awkwardly walking. And, they started, kinda, hurrying, 'cause it was, like, way too early for
them. And, I was, like, "Sucker." [slam] [audience laughs]
And, I walk up and my friend, Jessica, is sitting there, laughing. And, I'm, like, and she had her coffee. She had my Iced Caramel Macchiato. And, there was a third coffee. [audience laughs] And, I was, like, "You did not pay for that." And, she goes, [whispers] "He can hear you." [audience laughs and applauds]
There are so, I'll spare you, there are so many stories. Ugh, one more, okay, one more, one more. [audience applauds] Just one more, alright, 'cause that guy. This one's for you and Him, 'kay. [chuckles] Okay, we'll do this one, I was driving on a Tuesday and I left Him at home, I forgot. [audience laughs] And, I remember, I'm driving and it hit me, halfway on the drive. And, I was, like, "But, He's, like... " Poof, He's Jesus, He's there. And, I was, like, no. I was late already and I turned around. I walked up to the door, I opened the door, He walks out, I have my head down, ashamed, kid you not. And, it dawned on me, He forgives me. That's so like Him. [audience laughs and applauds] True story. [giggles]
I'm thinking of another story, I'm not gonna do anymore. But, no, you. [audience laughs] But, I hear you, 'cause I'm listening. [audience laughs]
Let me just tell you this about Tuesdays with Jesus, people met Jesus for the first time, on Tuesdays. And, I gotta be honest with you, I listened to different music on Tuesdays. Gentlemen, and, ladies, are there songs on your iphone that need to be deleted? I know you paid for that, but, Jesus died for it, too. And, by the way, like Jesus, He doesn't bring up our sin in a shame-driven kind of way, thank God. He invites us to something better. So, if you hear something that I say and it gets you, please don't allow it to be shame. That's not from the Lord... or guilt. It is an invitation to something way, way, way better. I don't want you to miss it.
Jesus had to go through Samaria 'cause He had to meet her. "Go, get your husband." "Well," she responds, "What had happened was..." [chuckles] "Yeah, I don't have one." He goes, "Yeah, you're right, it's not just one. "It's not just one man, it's men, "and, they've been running your life."
And, I gotta be honest with you, as I bring up this one. I was bringing her up last night, in my thoughts, I was running through my notes. And, I got really emotional, 'cause I thought this. I, like, her deeply thirst for acceptance, significance and love. I deeply thirst for acceptance from you... I hate to admit it. I have been overwhelmed. Thank the Lord, yesterday, I had a moment where He, not just forgave me for that, but, He freed me. By the way, sometimes, those are very different. Some of you may know that you're forgiven. Let me ask you this, are you actually walking in freedom? You may know you're forgiven, but, are you walking in freedom?
Why her? Why do I bring her up, why does Jesus had to go for her? Here's why. Because this living water that Jesus has to offer is a, He says it, a gift. A gift, by the way, is not based on what you've earned, it's not based on your status. It's not based on how much you've prayed or how much you haven't. It's not based on how you've done for the Lord. It's not based on your past, it's based on His. It's a gift. Revelation, chapter 21, verse 6. Don't turn there, I'll read it. One of the theme verses. "He said to me, "John Says, "God says, it is done. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End." Notice what he says, here. "To him who is thirsty, I will give, to drink, without cost, "from the spring of the water of life." It doesn't say, "To him who is good." "To him who is perfect." "To him who has prayed enough, today." By the way, I've never heard someone say, "You know, I do pray enough." [chuckles] Just never heard that. It says this, "To him who is thirsty." And, I realized something last night and it's this, it's not bad that you thirst for significance, love and acceptance... that's not a bad thirst. What happens is, we thirst for it from the wrong places or the wrong people. And, Jesus says, "I am the living water." In Christ, by the way, you are significant. Gosh, I wish I could tell you this, individually. I wish I could sit across from you, [mumbles], so I'm just gonna assume that you actually will hear this, by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Christ, you are loved... you are significant. Not based on what you've done. You are accepted. Jesus' living water is for you, this morning. And, you must see, this is an invitation, not condemnation. Jesus' tone, He invites us to look at the broken wells we've gone to try to be eternally satisfied in. And, Jesus says, go... bring back your secrets.
You see, what I've realized is there's two significant barriers that have come up, as I've been studying this text, with you guys in mind. There's two different barriers I wanna address. Two different things that could get in the way of us, not just knowing we're free, but, walking in it. Two different barriers. First one, are you drinking from the wrong source for life? If so, confess. Let me ask it a different way. Where have you been looking to quench your spiritual thirst? Jesus invites us to go, bring back that relationship or longing you have for one. Go... By the way, girls a quick note for you guys. Guys cannot fix what's gone wrong with your soul. Guys, I'm not leaving you out, don't worry about that. Are you more concerned with finding the right person or becoming a person worth finding? >> Man: Wow! [audience laughs] >> I love this guy, can you just... [audience claps] >> Thank you... hi, we'll be friends after. Are you more concerned with finding the right job or being the person worth that job finding? I think Andy Stanley put it this way, he said, "Are you the person, the person you're looking for, is looking for?" [chuckles] Love that. Are you the person? Don't worry about finding. Worry about becoming what's already true of you. By the way, you may have a long list. A lot of you guys... You know, I have an intern who's in the audience who I know, and I love her, but, I know she's overwhelmed. I love her... and I think about her and I think about you all. You're doing a lot. And, a lot of good. You're overwhelmed. By the way, don't search for all of that good to be the satisfaction you thirst for. Go, bring me your relationships. Go, bring me, here's another one, your addictions. Some of you know what I'm talking about. Some of you, I'm just referring to your phone. Again, no shame, invitation. By the way, I have this other thought. Failure, in any of these areas, is an event, not a person. Okay, as I address these different things. It's not a person, you're not a failure, it's an event. Or, it's what's been going on. And, I want you to experience freedom. Go, bring me your obsession with your appearance. Go, bring me your busyness. Go, bring me your control... I wanna be in control. Do you wanna be part of His mission, proclaiming His name? Jesus says, "Go back and bring me your secrets." Confess. I'll say this, confession is liberating and not crushing. It's a way to break the chains that these false saviors have on you.
Number one, have you been drinking from the wrong source of life? Number two, anxious and stressed and overwhelmed. The people in this audience... maybe you're in this audience and you just, maybe it's a circumstance or just over arching, you have a bunch of "Why" questions. Why are you going through such hard times? Why are you so tired? Why are you so busy? All of these "Why" questions... By the way, God doesn't care what you come to Him with, even if they're all these "Why" questions. He just cares that you come to Him. Will you bring Him your "Why" questions? You may be wondering "Why am I going through the hardship that I'm going through?" That's a good one. By the way, I don't have an answer for you. But, here's what I do know. I used to have a small group of girls, when I worked at this church. And, I remember, we sat around and I asked this question, "When was a time when you encountered Jesus and you were confident it was Him? "Think about it." "When was a time when you encountered Jesus and you were confident it was Him?" They started giving answers. First one, "During the hardest season of my life, I met Jesus, in this way," shares the story. Person two, "You know, I lost this significant person in my life and Jesus was really near to me." Person three... story, story, story. Person five, was, like [gasps], "I just had an ah-ha." I'm, like, "Share with us." And, she goes like this, "I get it. "I get why God allows us to go through hard times. "He allows us to see Him and it's worth it." And, for some of you, though, in this room, it doesn't feel worth it. Some of you experienced serious loss. I don't wanna just get through this message, give a bunch of points, and, then, step off. I wanna address a hard topic and I'm surprised. I had a woman pray with me a couple of weeks ago, for this message. And, she goes, "You might be surprised what story you tell." And, I was, like, "Okay." And, this one came to mind. Some of you in this room have big "Why" questions. Why did this person get it and I didn't? Why is that person, who's not following Jesus, get successful, and I'm not? What's my significance? Why, why am I not given the opportunities, why? Why did I lose this person, why? And, a friend of mine once told me a story. It's this guy friend of mine. He's this bigger guy and he has three kids. And, one of his daughters, when she was really young, she's, like, "I wanna go to the park." And, he's, like, "You're a kid, I'm a dad, let's do it." So, they go to the park. He's kind of bigger guy and he's sharing this story. He shared the story of the first time she wanted to get on that... jungle gyms? Is that... yeah. Jungle gym and she gets up and he says he was, like, under the jungle gym as she was going up the stairs, he would have his hands on both side of the stairs. And, she would grab his hand until it would get to a pole and then he'd grab her hand from this side and then back to this hand. And, he's walking her through it. Walking her through it. And, then, she gets to that one, what's that bridge thing called. It's like... you know that one? What is that one? [audience laughs] What is that one? Just a bridge, yeah, yeah... okay. What is it, do you know? No, okay. Suspension bridge! Thank you. So, she's doing that thing and he's doing that thing. And, he's under and then she goes down the first slide. And, he's, like, "Yeah!" Victory in slow motion, he high fives. And, then, he goes and he walks her and she goes down the slide. And, then, she looks up at the big slide. It's, like, beaming. And, he's, like, [gasps] "Are you sure you're ready?" And, she's, like, "Born ready." [audience laughs] And, he's, like, "Okay." And, he's doing it... suspension bridge. And, then, she has to go up that random one to the random castle. You know, the castle at the top. She throws down her hair and he climbs, I'm kidding. She gets to the top and she looks down and he's at the bottom, like, [quietly] "I'm here for you." [whispers] And, she's, like, "Yeah, for sure." And, then, true story, a seven year old boy runs... shoves her out of the way, in that little castle. Shoves her out of the way, true story. Punches her for no reason, slides down the slide and runs. Dad is at the bottom, saying two options, kill boy, be with my girl? Of course, he chooses his girl. He runs up and he holds her. And, she's screaming, "Why, dad?" Why? And, he couldn't explain to her little brain that that little boy grew up in a little home where you hit when you're angry. Her brain wouldn't understand that. All he kept saying to her is, "I'm here, I'm here." She's screaming, "Why" and he can't explain why. He can only tell her he's there. And, some of you have bruises. Some of you are screaming "Why" and I can't solve that question. God doesn't promise us an easy life after this chapel, or in your past. But, He does promise He'll be there with you, through. And, on the way to where ever you're headed. Some of you need to cuddle up into His arms. Is that enough for you? Of course, the story goes, the little girl's, like, "I hate boys." And, he's, like, "That's okay, that's okay." [chuckles] And, he's, like, "You can do this, we'll do this." And, she's, like, "I hate slides." He's, like, "No." And, they kept going back, every week. And, he's, like, "Ready for the slide?" She's, like, "Never." A month later, the bruise is finally wearing off. And, of course, the dad's, like, "I'm going with you." And, she's, like, "Okay." You know, big guy, he's like, [scary voice] "I'm going with you." So, he takes her, put her, holds her, I'm not sure how he held her. Put her on the back, I don't know. And, he goes up the stairs. He goes across the suspension bridge. He goes up the little castle. He holds his girl, he sits and they go inch by inch, 'cause it didn't work that well, down that stupid little slide. And, they did it, like, 30 times in a row. And, he's, like, "Dad's got you, I'm with you in it." The world may not be great, but, that's why I put you in it. You may be wondering, "What's God doing about so-and-so?" That's why He put it on your heart. You're what He's doing about it. And, of course, there's a moment where she's, like, "I can do it by myself." And, she does, she goes down, and they walk off. But, I don't bring up this story to say, "So, there's gonna be an easy slide." But, we do know how the story ends. That story, as well. "It is done. "I'm the beginning, I, my presence, I am the end. "And, I am the everything in between. "I may not promise you an easy life, "but, I promise you, I'll be with you, along the way."
If you currently have things to confess, would you bring them, before you go on mission for Him, would you bring those things to Him? By the way, He won't fix your issue, necessarily. I tell you this, if you're struggling, here's one. A heavy one... depression. If that's your struggle, you struggle with this, you experience Him, it doesn't mean you're suddenly just gonna never experience it again. But, I'll say this, you'll go through it with Him. And, then, you might come out on the other side, with that experience in hand. Because anything that happens to you, is never meant to stop with you. That might be Satan's greatest weapon against you, or God's greatest tool for His Kingdom. You will come through it, with it still in hand. And, one day, you will be completely free. But, in the meantime, you will walk with Him in freedom. You're not alone... don't believe that lie. God wants to use you on the way.
Let's see what happened to the woman, verse 28. "Then, leaving her water jar..." love it, there she goes. "The woman went back into town and said to the people, "Come, see a Man..." not see a moral code, not see a list of To-Dos, not see anything, but, see a Man. "who told me everything I ever did. "Could this be the Christ?" Transformation has begun. Do you wanna know how I know this? Before, she was ashamed, going to wells at noon because she wanted to be alone. Now, she is running into those same places, proclaiming. Transformation has begun, she is free. The things she is running from became the thing she leads the conversation with. When Jesus died and resurrected on the third day, He showed His scars to tell His story. She begins her testimony with the very thing she was hiding, before. Transformation has begun. The response to an authentic encounter with grace is the effortless overflow of grace into the life of others. That's mission.
Let's see what else happens, verse 39. "Many of the Samaritans from that town "believed in Him because of the woman's testimony." Ready for it? "He told me everything I ever did." He knows everything you've ever done and accepts you. "So, when the Samaritans came to Him, "they urged Him to stay with them and He stayed for two days. "And, because of His words, many more became believers. "They," the crowd, "said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you have said; "now we have heard," listened, "ourselves and we know that this Man," Jesus Christ, "is the Savior of the world." All praise and honor be to Jesus. But, thank God, He invites us into a story that's not about us... but, absolutely, involves us. And, your part is significant. Image is nothing. Thirst is everything. Let your thirst lead you to encounter Jesus, the living water. He, alone, freely gives absolute refreshment and complete satisfaction. And, invites you into new life and freedom. You wanna know why Jesus had to go through Samaria? 'Cause Jesus is in the habit of using very imperfect people to proclaim His name. Welcome to the club, let's pray.
God, thank you for using this woman who is nameless. Some of us have worried about our names being known. God, I wanna proclaim Your name, the name of Jesus Christ. The Savior of the world. Lord, You are the living water our soul thirsts for. I proclaim this over these students. Would they have the courage to confess? Would they have courage to bring their "Why's" to You? With every eye closed... I just wanna give you a little bit of time. 'Cause, even in the midst of missions conference, it's hard to get alone. I find it interesting that Jesus corners this woman, when she's alone, to meet with her. And, divine encounters change everything. I don't know if something specifically hit you, but, we simply wanna pray for you. Yes, we have a prayer team up front, but, before we do, would you do business with God? And, then, I simply invite you to allow us to come along side you, to remind you that you're not alone. You've a group of people, up at the front, who don't wanna fix you, they wanna bring you to Jesus. And, that is what your soul thirsts for. Missions conference is beautiful. God wants to send you out, whether locally or globally, and, along the way, to do His work. But, some of you have business. You know who you are, do not miss this opportunity to have a divine encounter with the living God because of your pride. Would you take this time, the next two minutes of silent, and, spend time with Him? And, I invite you to have courage. It's okay to be needy. Would you come forward during the next couple songs of worship? If you just wanna have divine encounters and meet with Jesus. But, don't wait til you get up front, start in your seat. But, be willing to come... go, get your secrets. And, would you bring them forward, as an act of confession and obedience to His call? Take time alone, two minutes. The band, in about two minutes, will go into some worship songs. And, if you feel so compelled, would you come forward? Like the woman, would you lead the conversation with, maybe, the things you've been hiding? Don't miss what He's up to, along the way. The time is yours. [inspirational music]