GOD LOVES YOU…

So then, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that He was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing; rather, His disciples were), He left Judea and went away again to Galilee. And He had to pass through Samaria. So, He came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of land that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; and Jacob’s well was there. So, Jesus, tired from His journey, was just sitting by the well. It was about the sixth hour. A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” For His disciples had gone away to the city to buy food. So, the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, though You are a Jew, are asking me for a drink, though I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus replied to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” (John 4:1-10 New American Standard Bible)

Let me modify the title above in this Sunday Share meditation by adding one word “Still!” After encouraging us to let our voices and praise be heard in the sanctuary, using an observation of our local WNBA team’s giveaway T-shirts, gifted thousands of fans; a T-Shirt that had these words imprinted on them that says, “We don’t do quite up in here,” Pastor M.R. King (Salt Of The Earth Church in Indianapolis) stated to a number of verses from the scriptures to emphasize God’s love for us. Before reading his text, the basis for the sent message that he was going to deliver, he said, “God still loves you.” That made the congregation come alive, not doing quiet, because we recognized that regardless of our mishaps, mess-ups, mistaken choices, and misbehavior – God still loves us! In spite of our deviant behaviors, distancing at times off the path of righteousness, disassociation with our identity as members of a royal priesthood, and despite our dependence on self instead of Help at times, our merciful God still loves us! That statement alone was enough to want those who had ears to act like we are loved by God and to overcome our failings by faith. Amen!

We had some technical difficulties with our new system that will enhance our virtual broadcast of our service, so I cannot refer you to our Facebook page as usual. However, if you are in Indianapolis and you did not attend church, I’m telling you from my heart, “You ought to have been there!” Nevertheless, I encourage you to read John 4:1-42, a lengthy text in the minds of some, but really not long at all when you consider all the time people spend following the content, often worldly noise, on social media. If you read it, my friend, you will see that the following main points emphasized in Pastor’s sermon were all validated because they are deducted from “In the text.” Oh, the preached word was expository and excellent. The main points:

1. Because He loves you, He will meet you where you are at! (“At” meaning spiritually, emotionally, socially, etc.)
2. Because He loves you, He will tell you the truth. (The truth will set your free, and as He tells speaks with truth, His loving tone can be heard. His words are not to berate you, but to better you.)
3. Because He loves you, He will give you something new. (The woman at the well came for water, but got something new to spring up in her, living water. The woman at the well went from being fearful of being around others to where she went enthusiastically and convincingly to tell others about Jesus. The woman in the text went from being an outcast to being and evangelist. She went formed as she was by her circumstances to being transformed by the word of the Lord.)

I only wrote a portion of the Pastor’s text above and below. But once again, I encourage you to read verses 1-42. There is a specific message specifically for you. Have a wonderful day! Rejoice! Be blessed!

So, the woman left her waterpot and went into the city, and said to the people, “Come, see a Man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is He?” They left the city and were coming to Him. (John 4:28-20 New American Standard Bible)

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King