Whom Shall I Teach? The Immoral

I. Introduction: Christians have the responsibility to teach the gospel message throughout the world. We meet people in our lives that are lost and must know the gospel message. If we read the New Testament, we find that all need the gospel, especially the immoral.

II. Text:

III. The Samaritan woman, John 4:1-26

A. Setting: Disciples went to the city to buy food. While Jesus waited for them, He taught a woman by the well.

B. Barriers to teaching this woman

C. Gender difference was more significant than in our modern time.

D. Could have said, “She’s a woman, what could she understand?” He saw her as a soul to be saved.

E. Racial difference

F. The Samaritans were a different race from the Jews. The Jews considered the Samaritans inferior to the Gentiles. The racial treatment is similar to racial tensions in our day. Jesus could have withheld the gospel because, “I just don’t like their kind” or “They are inferior, therefore unworthy to hear it, or hear it from me.”

G. The gospel call is for all nations.

H. Matthew 16:15-16 Acts 17:26-27 – One blood, all called to seek Him.

I. James 2:1-13

J. We can substitute “black,” “Hispanic,” “Arabic” or other designation for the poor man to illustrate partiality. The partiality is shown individually and will be judged individually.

K. Religious difference

L. She followed the Samaritan religion, John 4:20. Jesus was going to teach her the proper religion.

M. She was an immoral woman.

N. John 4:16-19 She had a husband whom she had no right to have, Jesus perceived it and she acknowledged it. Her immorality would be reason enough for many of us to not teach her the gospel.

O. Jesus came to teach the immoral.

P. Matthew 9:12-13 – The sick need the physician John 8:1-12 – The adulteress forgiven and told to sin no more. He is the light to the immoral Sometimes we assume that they are happy in their condition when they may only be showing a happy face over a troubled soul or are only following what they have always known.

Q. Jesus had some difficulty teaching her but eventually was successful.

R. Jesus would be speaking spiritually, she would be thinking physically.

S. Water from the well/everlasting water Physical worship/spiritual worship The disciples had the same problem when they came to Jesus when the woman left (4:27, 31-34).She knew about the Messiah and accepted Jesus’ testimony.

T. She was evangelistic.

U. She went immediately to the city.

V. She went into the city and testified that Jesus was the Messiah.

W. Part of her testimony was her own immorality, 4:29. The whole city came out to see Jesus.

X. Did the disciples go to the same city as the woman?

Y. If so, they went into the city and brought food for Jesus; the woman went to the city and brought souls for Jesus. If so, it appears that they did not tell the people of the city about Jesus so that they could come out and hear Him.

Z. Her efforts led to many believers

A. John 4:39-42 When we overcome our biases and teach someone, we may have more fruit from their work, 4:37-38.

B. Her knowledge was little but she knew the important message: The Christ is here, come hear Him.

C. Sometimes we can teach others from what we know. Sometimes we can lead others to one who will teach them. She knew little, but she knew the Master Teacher.

IV. Corinthians (such were some of you)

A. The church in Corinth had some problems, yet they were God’s people.

B. Paul taught them in order to perfect them and address some of their problems.

C. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

D. Many had led very immoral lives but repented and served God. Would we try to teach a homosexual, an adulterer, a materialistic person, a thief? God has the power to change the most reprobate person if that person will repent. Many realize their terrible condition but don’t know how to be free.

V. The fields are white with harvest.

A. Some of that field don’t look pure but are desiring to be made pure.

B. Some of that field aren’t “white” but of all nations.

C. Harvest is hard work but the reward for the labor is sweet.

D. The laborers are few. Are we laboring?