The Gospel of John III

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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 (1Corinthians 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 (1Corinthians 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 SAMARITIANS (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).