John 4 The New Fellowship and New Life | Al Potter

WOW, Oct 30, 2024  Lesson 6, John 4  Dr. Al Potter John 4
Inexhaustible Resources for Life
Introduction
“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” [John 20:30, 31]
Three conclusive soteriological truths that all the Gospel of John witnesses to:

[From Roy Laurin’s Commentary on John]

1. The means of salvation is Faith “these are written that ye might believe”
2. The object of faith is Jesus Christ “that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God”
3. The effect of faith in Jesus Christ is Life “and that believing ye might have life through his name”

Christopher Morley wrote in Parnassus on Wheels, “When you sell a man a book you don’t sell him just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue – you sell him a whole new life.” This is true of the fourth gospel. It is a way of life – eternal life made available in the divine person of Jesus through His life and death. An old Quaker expressed it this way: “By God’s grace I’m going to really live until I die, and then I’m going to live forever.”

What is eternal life? It is not something that happens at death but something that those who are born again possess now. They obtain it by birth, not by death. It is the life Jesus has and imparts to us upon the exercise of our faith.” [Roy Laurin, Commentary on John]

1. The author, John, was the son of Zebedee, a fisherman, he originally was a disciple of John the Baptist and later along with his brother Andrew became the first disciples of Jesus.
2. At the completion of the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ, John remained in Jerusalem as one of three pillars of the church there [Gal. 2:9]. In later years he would move to Ephesus and would continue there into his older years. He would toward the end be banished to Patmos where he would write the book of Revelation. 
3. John would write his Gospel while in Ephesus sometime within the 80’s AD.

John’s purpose is to offer a devotional explanation in terms of faith, life and experience. Overall, it is to present Jesus as God, John says “Behold your God.”

Here is a Gospel that is beneficial for us to give to the non-believer and believer alike, a handbook of truth for the babe in Christ and a source of encouragement for the mature believer. Here we have 21 chapters full of great truths, all presented to us in the simplicity and love of a man who was a simple fisherman and yet would become the disciple closest to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. A simple outline of this Gospel: [Taken from Roy Laurin’s commentary on John]
2. Jesus and the Past – the eternal Word of Life 1:1-18
3. Jesus and the Present – the source and sustainer of life 1:19-20:31
4. Jesus and the Future – the glory of life forever 21:1-25

John 4:1-42

Note: In verses 1-42 no specific sign is recorded yet this section lends great significance to the Ministry of our Lord. The focal point is Samaria. Here as stated by Morgan, “our Lord is seen crossing the boundary line of prejudice, and supposed privilege, as He went through Samaria. Jews, says John in a comment, have no dealings with Samaritans, but this Jew went through Samaria.”

1. The Resources for life as to the occasion 4:1-6
2. “Therefore,” Jesus has just finished about 9 months of ministry in Judea and Jerusalem, the Pharisees ire has been exalted and some of John the Baptist disciples are questioning who to give allegiance to. Even John the Baptist had to reveal his loyalty to Jesus as stated in 3:30
3. “Must,” which implies a logical necessity, he was not going through Samaria simply because of its geographical location but instead .....(For the rest of the notes email WOW@Shepherds.org)