From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>
To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"
Sent: Thu, Aug 24, 2023 at 5:30 AM
Subject: 8-24-23 THOUGHTS
8-24-23 THOUGHTS
The verses below follow Jesus’ discussion with the Samaritan woman at the well. We have a classic example of evangelism. Jesus gave this woman marvelous information about himself as He drew her through personal involvement. He talked about her as He revealed himself. Of course the Lord was miraculous in this process. The woman leaves the task she came to accomplish and goes to the city where she invites all who will to “come see”. She implies that she has found THE CHRIST. Verse 36 moves the discussion powerfully..."Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.” Is a joint-partnership effort. Some believed because of the testimony of the woman. Some listened to Jesus and believed precisely for what they heard from Him. “"It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world." (Vs 42) Would that each of us could say "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”
John 4:27-42 At this point His disciples came, and they were amazed that He had been speaking with a woman, yet no one said, "What do You seek?" or, "Why do You speak with her?" 28 So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the men, 29 "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?" 30 They went out of the city, and were coming to Him. 31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." 32 But He said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." 33 So the disciples were saying to one another, "No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?" 34 Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work. 35 "Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. 36 "Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 "For in this case the saying is true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 "I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored and you have entered into their labor." 39 From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me all the things that I have done." 40 So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of His word; 42 and they were saying to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world."
My Prayer:
Lord, give us an excitement for this process we read about. May our purpose in life be to do Your will and accomplish Your work. If indeed we know our Lord Jesus, help us to serve Him! Remove all that draws us away from You, O God. May sweet peace and the joy of Your salvation, come from the refreshed wells of our souls. Revive us and awaken us to the sharing of a new life with each other in the fellowship of The Church. May we learn the Church as You see it, O Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.