I. Introduction
A. The Knock on the Door
1. We have become increasingly leery of people knocking on our doors and ringing our doorbells. I have seen an uptick in Ring Video Doorbells and similar devices.
2. If I told you that this afternoon, you would be required to go out and knock on 50 doors, you might panic. While doorknocking is an important part of any evangelism effort, not everyone enjoys doing it.
3. But what if someone struck up a conversation with you casually because you were wearing a West End t-shirt? What if they asked you to tell them about your church because you forgot to take your name tag off at the restaurant you went to after worship this morning?
4. Something very much like that is going to happen in less than two weeks.
5. We are about to invite a lot of people come to our property.
B. Answered Prayers
1. We have been praying that God will provide us opportunities to reach our community. God is about to send them to our parking lot.
2. This is the kind of thing Jesus was talking about in John 4.
3. The next two weeks, the Sunday morning sermons are going to be geared towards getting us ready to serve in the field.
C. Background on Text
1. In John 4, Jesus has a conversation with an unlikely person: a Samaritan woman.
2. Their conversation turns to religious matters, and that’s when things start to get a little tense—until Jesus reveals who He is.
3. This morning, I want us to examine just a few things from this passage that will help us to prepare for the Spring Celebration on March 21.
II. Field Prep
A.
1. The perspective we view the through is important.
2. In verse 27 we read that the disciples saw:
a. A Samaritan
b. A
c. A public relations nightmare
3. But when Jesus looked at this woman, He saw a .
4. When you show up on Saturday, will you see visitors, guests, community members, or will you see souls, future Christians, people searching for God?
a. In John 4:34-35, Jesus is telling the disciples to change how they see the world before them.
b. The difference between outreach and inconvenience is whether you see a crowd or a harvest.
5. In a few days, there will be people standing around watching their children play with your children, awkwardly looking around to see if they know anyone else. These moments are not empty space; they are the mission field.
B.
1. Sometimes we underrate the power of simple things like kindness and in evangelism.
a. When Jesus began the conversation with the woman at the well, He made a simple request: “Give me a drink.”
b. Sometimes we overcomplicate evangelism, thinking that we have to open with, “Do you know the five steps of salvation?”
c. Evangelism begins with doing what your mom once told you, “Now go over there and say hello. Let’s make sure everyone feels welcome.”
d. Noone comes to Christ just because of a flyer, but they do meet Him when you smile, start a conversation, and remember their kids’ names.
e. Nobody rejects a church they have a relationship with.
2. In two weeks, fill the empty, awkward space with simple, polite conversations.
3. Later, Jesus speaks of the reaper and sower rejoicing together. This is a picture of what happens when we simply connect with people so they can connect with Jesus.
C. Planting and
1. Everyone can in the field.
a. In verse 37, Jesus reminds there are different roles in the field of the Lord.
b. There are many ways that we can serve and make an impact. Not everyone has to do everything, but everyone in the field is a servant.
c. We have over 500 members here. No one should have to do all the work. If everyone does their part, evangelism becomes much easier for everyone.
2. We often forget the end of the Samaritan woman’s narrative. She takes the seed she’s been given and plants it back in her village. As a result, there is a pretty significant harvest that develops. (John 4:39-42).
3. Ultimately, it is Jesus that people need to meet; we’re just the servants who bring others to Him.
III. Conclusion
A. Challenge
1. Invite three families with children this week.
2. Sign up to help (Even if you can’t help on March 21, maybe you can help before or after).
3. My goal is not to guilt you; it’s to help you plan to serve.
B. The Harvest
1. A farmer does not pray for a harvest and then stay inside when it is time to gather it.
a. The harvest is not theoretical. It requires hands.
b. For years, we have prayed, “God, help us reach our community.”
c. In two weeks, God is answering that prayer.
2. The question is not whether people will come. The question is whether they will find disciples when they get here… or spectators.
3. In two weeks, the invitation won’t be here in this building. The invitation will be in the parking lot. And the sermon they hear… will be your kindness.
4. Who will God reach because you showed up?
C. Invitation