Sermon nuggets Thurs March 6
Theme- witnessing
Verses- John 4:9 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.)…
John 4:17-19 "I have no husband," she replied. Jesus said to her, "You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true."
"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet.
Cultural Considerations.
Let’s face it. Not everyone is like us. We have our own culture and sub-culture. It is easiest to associate with “our own”. That is why many Christians have no friends who are non Christians. Many Baptists hardly know anyone outside of their Baptist circles. Jesus was able to cross cultural differences to present eternal matters.
In this story there are four rather clear cultural differences.
First, the obvious gender difference poses greater problems in that society than today. In that culture you did not associate with someone of the opposite sex unless you were a family member, in a group, or for sexual favors or price. It was not culturally acceptable to be discussing things with a woman in private. Jesus reached out to a needy woman.
Secondly, it was apparent that Jews did not associate with Samaritans or Gentiles. They valued that racial and cultural identity greatly. They did not want to associate with a race of people considered sinners and law breakers. Racial prejudice is unfortunately not reserved for the non-believers. Many Christians have prejudice based on the color of skin or nationality, or education, or wealth, or life-style issues.
Thirdly, the other matter was their religious differences. People defend their religious background and will want to stop conversations quickly on that topic. People with different religions often don’t communicate seeking to defend their beliefs.
Fourthly, her life was looking for love in all the wrong places. She was immoral. She had divorced and some divorced people will tell you plainly they are treated like they have the plague among church people you are divorced. Not only was she divorced but she was married 5 times. The man she is now living with is not her husband. One who participates in sexual sins were not often in the group of good church goers.
Race, religion and relationships are all cultural and can be a major barrier to witnessing about Jesus.
A girl named Robin started coming to the youth group at one church. She was a foster child who obviously had not been to church before, but was looking for friends. Kids in the group ignored her since she didn’t fit in. She dressed differently, swore, and was rather bossy. Some would tell jokes about her and in the whispers, gossip behind her back. Robin ran away and was found later on the streets working as a prostitute. The cultural difference became a barrier. But the message of Jesus is too important to keep to ourselves.
It is not always easy to relate to those who are different than us. But Jesus did because he loves the world. He tells us to do the same. He did not accept her sin, but saw the deeper need of her heart.
A key example of Jesus is to recognize the cultural considerations and look beyond them.
Pastor Dale
