Welcome back to part 8 of our series_A word in season in 2024.
Last time I shared two more keys and an understanding to living a life more abundantly. All these come from the story of Jesus meeting the Samaritan lady at the well in John 4
Let’s recap
John 4:22
Your people don’t really know the One they worship. We Jews worship out of our experience, for it’s from the Jews that salvation is made available.
Key 8
Living a life more abundantly, Is only found in learning to worship out of a personal experience with Jesus or a personal encounter with Him. This was what the Samaritan lady was having in this scripture. Although she has not fully realised this yet. This is what we have awaiting for us every time we choose to spend time with Him.
Then Jesus continues with a remarkable understanding , “for it’s from the Jews that salvation is made available”. So why was Jesus offering this Samaritan woman something that was intended for the Jews ? This question is important for us, as gentiles weren’t invited to receive salvation first. Remember that Jesus was first sent for the Jews ( God Chosen). But He was rejected, along with His word. So this provided for the invitation to be pass on to people like the Samaritan woman, also you and me. This is why Jesus is saying this to the Samaritan woman.
But Jesus is not finished. He both confirms what He has just said and expands it with an absolutely amazing revelation and an invitation. Lets read.
John 4:23
From here on, worshiping the Father will not be a matter of the right place but with the right heart. For God is a Spirit, and he longs to have sincere worshipers who worship and adore him in the realm of the Spirit and in truth.”
Key 9
The place to worship does not matter. But it’s the heart posture and position that is the most important. ( I want to point out here, that there are forms of worship that are important ie corporate like in church or small groups, But the number one that makes Heaven watch including the Father is personal worship . Out of a fully surrendered heart, not there to get something, But there to give something.
I believe this was the key to the success of both Jesus and Davids ministries . The very reason the Father called David a man after God’s own heart. (Acts 13:22 NIV)
This is a confirmation from the last part of this message and was our challenge last time too. So I will continue with another key today before finishing. It comes from the same verse we have been looking at above.
John 4:23
….. For God is a Spirit, and he longs to have sincere worshipers who worship and adore him in the realm of the Spirit and in truth.”
Key 10
If we want to live a life more abundantly . We need to learn how to worship and adore Him in the realm of the Spirit and in truth.
Jesus said I am the Truth, the way and life. No man comes to the Father except through me John 14:6
So through Jesus we have access to the Father and His Kingdom. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us !
So when we pray as above we transition from an Earthy prospective to Heavenly mindset . Which is called the mind of Christ seen inn Romans 12:2.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)
So to conclude our message today I will end with a teaching of the above from Jesus out of Mathew 6.
I love how this is put in(the message translation)
Matthew 6:6
6 “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
What you have started in the natural will lead into a spiritual encounter with Him.
Let’s leave it there for today. !
Challenge time !
This week I feel led to keep it simple.
I want you to put into action Matthew 6:6, for the next 7 days. Practise going deeper and deeper in Him in your quiet time. Apart from reading the word and meditate on it. Following the words of Jesus “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace”.
Holy Spirit I asked would You make Jesus more real to us than ever before in our quiet time this week. Jesus would you reveal to us even more of the Father, to us than ever before in our quiet time this week. Father would you reveal even more, of Your Kingdom to us than ever before in our quiet time this week. I asked for all this in Your Son Name. The name above all Names Jesus Christ Amen
Craig Patten
Founding Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Centre and Ministries