Hungry Heart (3/4)

Just Like Jesus

By Pastor Jonathan Valletta, September 17, 2023

John 4:1-24 Jesus knew the Pharisees had heard that he was baptizing and making more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus himself didn’t baptize them—his disciples did). 3 So he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. 7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. 9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” 10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” 11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?” 13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” 15 “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” 16 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. 17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— 18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!” 19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim,where our ancestors worshiped?” 21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

Main Idea: A hungry-heart can only be satisfied through “spirit and truth” worship.

Why is this a brand new way to worship?

Limited by laws, location, and status.

What does it mean to worship in spirit and in truth?

"In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation - having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to that redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14

to the message of truth.

the message of truth.

The Spirit the promise.

How can true worship satisfy a hungry-heart?

We worship our way into sin, and we worship our way out.


Continuing the Conversation Questions:

1. Have you ever believed that worship is primarily corporate music/singing? In what ways does worship continue on Monday-Saturday?

2. “Spirit and Truth” worship rests solely on Jesus, which means we can worship the father knowing that despite our sin, He fully loves and accepts us. Has there ever been a time where you were apprehensive to approach God? How do you believe God views you, both then and now?

3. Having a hungry-heart is a result of the fall, and it means we’re constantly in search-mode. Are you prone to try and find fulfillment in even the “good-things” of life? (job, achievement, reputation, bank account, spouse, family…etc). Why will that work/not work?