FOCUS: Identity
Introduction
Did you know that there are no duplicate fingerprints? There are billions of people but we all have something unique that is our own. We have something tied to our identity that 100% confirms our identity. Who we are is very important to us, but who He is is just as important.
Main Text: John 4:1-41
There are three (3) levels to this text:
- Personal level: The thirst for something
- Political level: The true worshippers
- Spiritual level: The identity of Jesus (Focus for this message)
Context: The people of Israel and Samaria were constantly at odds with one another.
Observations
- Jesus revealed that He was man
Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour._
John 4:6 (ESV)
We see here that Jesus, Son of the living God was subject to human fatigue. But it also shows us his social status, Jesus was poor because he was traveling on foot and not on horseback.
- Jesus revealed that He was divine
Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
John 4:26 ESV
This happens before Jesus walked on water. He revealed His true identity to a woman of Samaria, by confirming that He was the promised Messiah.
- Jesus is refreshed by spiritual food
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
John 4:34 ESV
Just as physical food refreshes our bodies, spiritual food refreshes the spirit of Jesus. What was refreshing Jesus? Doing the will of God and accomplishing the work—preaching the gospel and dying on the cross.
- Jesus is the one who saves.
They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
John 4:42 ESV
The woman got them interested, but it was Jesus that kept them interested and ultimately save them. They went from hearing a testimony to having a testimony.
What can we learn from this?
- There are times when Jesus asks something of us
- Because we didn’t know Him, we questioned Him
- Jesus makes himself known to us
- And we bring others to Him
Application
So we know who He is, what now? We need to be doers of the Word and not just hearers.
- Identify who He is to you
He said to them, “But who do you say I am?”
Matthew 16:15 ESV
People will claim Jesus to be many different things, in this context some were calling him John the baptist, some Elijah, etc. The world will try to influence you on who He is, but Jesus is here as if saying “Okay, that is who everyone thinks I am, but who do you think I am?”
People claim Jesus was a man who lived the perfect life. Some claim Him to be a prophet. Some remove the miracles of Jesus and only focus on His character and values. But who is He to you?
Who He is to you is the foundation of your faith. It must be real to you, not something someone else has influenced you with.
- Abide in Him and in good company
Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, _you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me._
John 15:4
Jim Rohn, a motivational speakers, says that “we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with.” If we take a biblical spin to it, we can find that 1 Corinthians 15:33 says the same thing “Do not be deceived, bad company ruins good morals”.
We need to be very wary of who we spend time with. We need people who KNOWs us and people who NOs us. But most importantly, we need to spend time with God in order for us to bear fruit.
- Move towards Him then move with Him
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
John 14:12 ESV
The bible is full of words that shows movement like “go” or “seek” or “come”. Even when Jesus was here, it was all about movement, going from place to place, preaching the gospel. Christianity in itself is also a movement.
If you know who Jesus is and you spend time in His presence, it is impossible for you to not move with Him, want what He wants, go where He asks you to go, do what He commands you to do.
If God looks small, that’s because He is far away. As you move closer, He will increase while you decrease.
Reflection Questions:
- Who is God to you?
- Are there people around you who negatively influence you or put you in value compromising situations?
- Make a list of people who you trust and makes you feel refreshed.
- What area in your life can you move forward in faith?