Things had not worked out in life as she had hoped. After five broken marriages, she found herself in another uncertain relationship with a man. Then one one hot day at noon, she met a thirsty Jewish man. At first she despised him because of his race and religion, but he spoke to her in a way that indicated that he knew all about her and loved her still. He also offered her “living water” that was able at last to satisfy her longings. After she had drunk of this water, she wanted everyone else to know where to find it, so she led them to Jesus. Read her story in John 4:1-42. (Full sermon notes)
Paul’s time in Athens provides an example of how to present Jesus and the resurrection to a cultured non-Christian audience.
Although we work for the growth of the kingdom, it grows mysteriously in ways that we cannot understand or control.
The conclusion to the first half of Ephesians is a prayer for believers to have strength to know Christ’s love.
