Reaching Souls from Samaria to Cana                                           John 4:1-54                                            (Continued)

3. CHRIST’S TEACHING OF HIS DISCIPLES (John 4:27-38) (Continued)
4. The Waiting Harvest (John 4:35-38)
1. Readiness of the harvest (John 4:35)
1. The tendency to deny its readiness (Romans 13:11-12)
2. The time to reap is now.
1. Causing a need for laborers (Matthew 9:36-38)
2. Requiring an expectation (Ecclesiastes 11:1-6)
2. Reward for the harvest (John 4:36a)
1. Wages to be received (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
2. Fruit unto eternal life (Galatians 6:7-9)
3. Rejoicing over the harvest (John 4:36b)
1. The joy of the harvest (Psalm 126:5-6)
2. The joy in heaven (Luke 15:10)
4. Responsibility for the harvest (John 4:37)
1. The work of sowing
2. The work of reaping
3. Laborers together with God (1 Corinthians 3:5-10)
5. Recognition for the harvest (John 4:38)
1. The reapers often bestow less labor.
2. The reapers enter into the labor of others.
4. CHRIST’S TARRYING WITH THE SAMARITANS(John 4:39-44)
1. The Testimony of the Woman (John 4:39-40)
1. The power of her testimony (John 4:39a) – “many…believed on him.”
2. The plainness of her testimony (John 4:39b) – “all that ever I did”
3. The plea that He tarry (John 4:40)
2. The Truth of His Own Words (John 4:41-42)
1. The faith that comes by hearing (John 4:41; Romans 10:17)
2. The fullness of His witness (John 4:42)
1. He is the Christ.
2. He is the Saviour of the world.
3. The Trip to Galilee (John 4:43-44)
1. The leaving of Samaria (John 4:43)
2. The lesson of His success (John 4:44); so much greater than He had in His own country (Matthew 13:54-58)
5. CHRIST’S TESTING OF THE NOBLEMAN (John 4:45-54)
1. The Nobleman’s Request (John 4:45-47)
1. The popularity of the Saviour (John 4:45)
1. Received by the Galileans
2. Remembered for His works
2. The problem of sickness (John 4:46)
1. The place of a past miracle
2. The need for a new miracle
3. The plea for a son (John 4:47)
1. He heard that Jesus had come.
2. He asked the Saviour to come down.
3. He feared the coming death of his son.
2. The Saviour’s Reply (John 4:48-50)
1. Signs and wonders are not the foundation of faith (John 4:48).
2. The Lord’s physical presence is not the foundation of faith (John 4:49).
3. The word of the Lord is the foundation of faith (John 4:50; Matthew 4:4; Romans 10:17).
3. The Nobleman’s Response (John 4:50-54)
1. The faith of the nobleman (John 4:50)
1. Jesus gave His word.
2. The nobleman believed.
3. The nobleman went his way.
2. The confirmation of his faith (John 4:51-53a)
1. The good news from the servant (John 4:51)
2. The time of the healing (John 4:52-53a)
1. At the seventh hour of the day before (John 4:52)
2. At the time Christ spoke the word (John 4:53a)
3. The salvation brought by faith (John 4:53b)
1. The faith of the nobleman
2. The faith of his entire family (Acts 16:14-15, 30-34; Acts 18:8)
4. Seven Lessons Concerning Faith (John 4:43-54)
1. Familiarity hinders faith (John 4:44; Malachi 1:13; Isaiah 43:22).
2. Experience increases faith (John 4:45; Genesis 30:27; Romans 5:3-5).
3. True faith leads to action (John 4:46-47; James 2:17-26).
4. Weak faith seeks evidence (John 4:48-49; Judges 6:36-40).
5. Strong faith accepts God’s word (John 4:50; Romans 4:16-22).
6. God responds to our faith (John 4:51-53; Matthew 17:14-21).
7. Faith bears fruit and multiplies (John 4:53; Mark 9:24).