This past Sunday, we studied Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman in John 4. It was a wonderful text to study, and I left out lots of theological details. Sometimes, when preaching a sermon on longer narratives, you need to cut some things or leave others out. This was one of them.
The major story is that Jesus is the Savior of the World. Not meaning that He saves every person, for all time, in all places, but that He is not just the Savior of a particular nation, tribe, or language. But He saves people from all over the world.
Jesus’ example in this story was compelling, but one aspect I want to focus on is that He went to Samaria. Gospel ministry requires ‘going,’ but I want to think about this more deeply.
Often when we hear ‘going,’ we think cross-cultural ministries. Long-term missions and becoming missionaries. Leaving ‘home’ to go somewhere ‘over-there’ or away from ‘here.’ And this is completely accurate. Some people are called to those kinds of things. Robert and Amy Sidlo come to mind as those who ‘went’ overseas to serve the gospel. Others feel this unique call.
But is this the only time of ‘going?’
Several years ago, David Platt wrote Radical with this focus. The central focus was to “take back your faith from the American Dream” and be willing to do radical things for Jesus. Global missions is a huge component of his emphasis. Pray for global missions, give to global missions, and sacrifice. Denying yourself, sacrificing, going, giving, and making disciples is to be the normal Christian experience. He’s not wrong.
In response, Michael Horton wrote Ordinary. The central focus of this book was to ask, “What does ordinary faithfulness to Christ look like?” Horton’s point is that radical Christianity makes us feel like we’re never good enough or have done enough. True Christianity is to receive God’s grace, worship God in all of life, belong to the church, fulfill your vocation, love your neighbor, and persevere through life’s hardships. We are called to ‘go,’ right where we are planted.
I bring these two books up because they represent two different ways of ‘going.’ I don’t disagree with David Platt that Christians in America can become too comfortable and not give themselves to the call of Christ to the nations. But I also agree with Michael Horton that if we’re not careful, we think that only those who are ‘radical’ are faithful. Faithfulness to God is ‘going,’ right where you.
So, when you think of applying the sermon from Sunday about Jesus’ going to Samaria and visiting with the Samaritan woman, here are a few practical suggestions:
- Is there a person or a group of people that you have avoided, considered too far gone for the gospel, that God wants to open your heart and life to? Pray for them. Ask God to bring them to Jesus and give you an opportunity to meet them.
- Go outside your house, walk your neighborhood, and pray for your neighbors. Ask God to give you opportunities to meet them, talk with them, get to know them, and share Jesus with them.
- Consider your workplace or school. Are there ‘difficult’ people who are tough to love? Are there people whose lifestyle, morality, or character aren’t the same as yours? Pray that God would help you get off the ‘judge’s seat,’ and see them as people made in God’s image.
We are to be ‘going,’ right where we are. Sometimes, we might ‘go’ a long way away from our home. But all of us are aliens and strangers here, and we’ve already been sent from ‘home.’ We’re making our way, as pilgrims, representing our glorious King, with His message of forgiveness, grace, and hope. Let’s play our part together.
Looking ahead:
This Sunday, we will study Mark 10:46–52, as we look at Jesus healing blind Bartimaeus. The hope is to see how Jesus dealt with people who could not see the hope of eternal life.
Cheap Seats:
- I’m not a Lane Kiffin fan. But this guy has a unique ability to make stress look like a stroll in the park. He’s under the proverbial gun for bringing in former professional players, using an NCAA loophole. And still makes jokes at halftime. By the way, his Tigers look pretty good.
- I am a Dan Lanning fan, even though I’m not a Ducks fan. I recently heard about his wife’s battle with cancer and found this article to be interesting: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/oregon/news/dan-lanning-wife-cancer-diagnosis-sauphia/c9414ab4032bb08f83018682?utm_source=chatgpt.com
- The NFL is back! I love football season and am looking forward to watching some great games.
Christ is King!
In Christ,
Dave York
