February 9, 2020

The Savior of the World (John 4:27-42)

Pastor: Ben Muresan Series: John Topic: John Scripture: John 4:27–42

First Scripture Reading: Psalm 40:1-17

Second Scripture Reading: Acts 8:1-25

Sermon Text: John 4:27-42

In his sermon titled “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection,” Thomas Chalmers explains that the way we can expel the heart’s desire for the things of this evil age is to set our affections on the superior joys and pleasures of God in Christ Jesus. He writes toward the end of his sermon, “The best way of casting out an impure affection is to admit a pure one; and by the love of what is good, to expel the love of what is evil.” We see this truth at work in the Samaritan woman’s heart, who upon her conversion began to tell her neighbors about Christ because he had become the superior joy in her life. Before her conversion, her life was marked by sin and shame; after her conversion, her life was marked by a new affection, not for sin, but for Christ. Westminster Confession of Faith 13.1 explains how this takes place in the heart of every believer:

Those who are effectually called and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified—truly and personally—through the power of Christ’s death and resurrection, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them. The dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed, its various lusts are more and more weakened and put to death, and those called and regenerated are more and more enlivened and strengthened in all saving graces, leading to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.

  1. For review, read John 4:20-26. What does it mean to worship the Lord “in spirit and truth” according to the context of verse 24? 
  2. In what sense is Jesus the “Savior of the world” according to John 4:42, and why is this title important in the context of Jesus’ ministry in Samaria?
  3. What stands out to you about the Samaritan woman’s testimony in John 4:28-30? What do you learn about evangelism from these verses?
  4. What “will” and “work” is Jesus referring to in John 4:34? Compare this verse with John 5:30; 6:38; 10:37-38; 12:49-50; 17:1-5. How do these verses help you understand the significance of Jesus’ declaration on the cross: “It is finished” (John 19:30)?
  5. What is the significance of the Samaritans’ profession of faith in John 4:42? How does their profession reveal personal trust in Christ? 
  6. In preparation for next week, read John 4:43-54. What do you think is the significance of this sign that Jesus performed in Galilee? Think about it in terms of John the Evangelist’s purpose statement in John 20:30-31. 

other sermons in this series