For What Do You Thirst?
May 21, 2020
The world is full of people who are seeking satisfaction in life. Not only do they seek satisfaction in their personal and professional lives they are seeking satisfaction spiritually. The problem is that we are always trying the latest fads or trends and we always seem to be left spiritually thirsty.
All people are thirsty for spiritual things. Our thirst is expressed in a variety of ways. People go to a variety of watering places to quench their spiritual thirst. Some look to alcohol or drugs to satisfy their spiritual longings. Others turn to sex and others to work or education. Others seek answers to their spiritual longings in a variety of religious and faith traditions. Everyone who goes to these various places trying to satisfy their spiritual thirst will always end up thirstier than before. Today I want us to take a look at the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. Let’s read John 4:7-14.
7 There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” 11 She said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? 12 You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?” 13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
Jesus and His disciples are traveling from Judea to Galilee. As they do they must pass through Samaria. They stop to spend the night and to eat in Sychar of Samaria. The disciples went to get food while Jesus remained at Jacob’s Well. While the disciples are away, Jesus begins a conversation with a Samaritan woman. In this conversation Jesus identifies and reveals that this woman has a great need and desire for spiritual renewal.
The parched and thirsting soul is always searching for fulfillment in the barren wasteland of addiction, broken relationships, and other things of this world; yet, the parched and thirsting soul always ends up being more dry and lifeless than before. The parched and thirsty soul longs for the satisfaction of lasting relationships built upon love and respect, but will always end up used, empty and broken. The parched and thirsty soul languishes under the hot wilting sun of betrayal, suspicion and mistrust then ends up never trusting, loving or caring. The parched and thirsty soul desires the loving warm touch of one who deeply cares for them but always ends up burned and wilted by selfishness and isolation from those who truly care. Often the parched and thirsty soul suffers with worship that is tedious and insincere and leaves them unsatisfied and dying of thirst.
The true worshipers, Jesus declares, worship God wherever they may be. The true worshipper understands that it is not the location of worship that is important but who is located in the heart of our worship; that is what is paramount. Is Jesus at the heart o your worship?
We must remember that the heart of the believer is the Temple of God. God lives in each believer’s heart. Paul instructs, “The one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him [the Lord]. (….) Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:17-19). Jesus redeemed you, live each day understanding this.
We must learn to worship in spirit for God is Spirit. The true worshippers engage not only their physical body in worship but more important is that they engage their spirit as well. They do this through prayerful preparation and meditation on God’s word. God’s word encourages us to “Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continuously” (1 Chronicles 16:11). Are seeking the water of life now?
Christians should worship God in truth for Jesus is THE TRUTH. There are many false gods and wrong worship practices which permeate our culture and society. Many of these even pass themselves off as “Christian.” Jesus declares, “I Am the Way, and the Truth and the Life; no one is able to come to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Are you walking along The Way?
The spiritual thirsty are sought by God. God is busy searching for those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. God will not rest until He has found all of them. Jesus after eating with Zaccheus reminds us “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Perhaps, you are thirsting now for a genuine relationship with God. This will only happen when you drink of the Living Water.
The Living Water nourishes the parched thirsty soul. Jesus proclaimed at the end of a Passover, “If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive” (John 7:37-39).
The Living Water enables the now refreshed and reinvigorated soul to be a blessing to others. The Living Water gives eternal life. The Living Water costs nothing. “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost” (Revelation 22:17).
Many people feel as if they are shriveled and used up; that their life has been sucked from their very soul. Perhaps this is true. I know that if you feel this way there is only One cure for you and that is to take a good long drink of the life giving water of Life, who is Jesus the Christ. Drink today. Drink for life. Drink for eternity. Let us pray.
Oh God, we come to You today thirsty and tired. We are worn and weary. We pray that You will nourish us with Your heavenly manna and refresh our thirsting souls with the Living Water that comes only from a relationship with You through Jesus our Savior and Lord, amen.
Today and everyday share the Living Water of Jesus with someone who is thirsty.
Until the nets are full
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Please Pray with Us
Join us in prayer each week for the ministries of MacPherson Presbyterian Church and the Fayetteville community.
Devotion for April 27: Isaiah 43:1-7
COVID-19
For the researchers to find a vaccine/cure.
For all who are infected with the virus.
For the hysteria and panic to subside.
That no one else will be infected.
That despite the rapid spread of this virus, God’s Gospel of Jesus will spread even faster.
I. Admin/Personnel/Property
Staff position searches: what does MacPherson really need? How can these perceived vacancies by filled effectively? Do we need three part-time positions or one full-time?
Interior repairs
Plan for the phased replacement of aging HVAC systems
II. Christian Education Concerns
VBS July 19-23
Improve small groups and encourage participation.
III. Congregational Care Concerns
For the sick and shut-ins of the church.
For Stephen Ministry: Do we still want to participate in this program? If so, we need volunteers and leaders
IV. Evangelism & Mission Concerns
Outreach to the community
Russia Mission Partner Transfiguration Baptist Church
Habitat for Humanity
Complete ongoing Habitat construction by 31 March 2020
Habitat Homeowners: current & future
B Street Neighborhood: For the safety of the B Street families and their neighbors.
Operation Inasmuch
Migrant Farm Workers Ministry & Cabell Lincoln Workcamp 2021
V. Finance
For God’s exceedingly abundant provision, especially during this pandemic
Effective stewardship practices
Encourage use of online & e-giving
VI. Long Range Planning
Nursery volunteers
For the Sunday/Wednesday night children’s ministry (M & Ms, craft time)
Construct sound room
VII. Physical Security
Parking lot cameras
VIII. Worship & Music
Online Worship & Devotions & Fireside Chats
