SCRIPTURE: John 4:39-42
“We no longer believe just because of what you said…” (John 4:42)
I recall a book on evangelism with the basic message, ‘just get them talking’.
The goal is not to talk with people, but to get people to talk to Jesus themselves.
You might be able to interest their minds, but you can’t open their hearts.
As someone prays, the Spirit moves within them.
As they relate to God, God relates to them, and they experience God for themselves.
“Now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world.” (John 4:42)
Since He is not here in body, people need to talk to Him in spirit – through prayer.
But this is not less real, less powerful – in fact Jesus says it’s better (John 16:7).
Their prayer only needs to be simple and sincere – God knows their heart.
Don’t just introduce people to Jesus by talking to them.
Introduce people to Jesus by getting them to talk to Him.
Then they can know for themselves that He is their Saviour too.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I have tried to talk people into faith for years, with little success. Help me to trust You to engage their minds and open their hearts.
Observation/Application
Telling the Good News. The women was like a magnet, attracting others to the Saviour. And they even asked Him to stay. Open minds. Open hearts. And they not only heard the woman’s testimony, but the Words from their King.
God’s Word is for all – not just the Jews but also the Gentiles so that the whole world may know that Jesus saves.
Help me to be an instrument of Your peace, Lord, for it is You Who gives the growth and the increase.
1. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me bring you love;
Where there is injury, your healing pow’r,
And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
2. Make me a channel of your peace:
Where there’s despair in life let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, – only light,
And where there’s sadness, ever joy.
3. O Spirit, grant that I may never seek
So much to be consolded as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love with all my soul – .
4. Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
In giving to all that we receive,
And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.