In what ways can we share our understanding of Jesus as Messiah with others? Opening the Door with John 4:25 “The woman said, ‘I know that Messiah’ (called Christ) ‘is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.’ ” (John 4:25) What We Learn at the Well • People already carry an inner expectation for truth (“I know that Messiah is coming”). • They recognize that the true Messiah will make sense of life (“He will explain everything to us”). • Jesus immediately identifies Himself as that long-awaited One (John 4:26). Ways to Share Our Confidence in Jesus as Messiah 1. Start Where Folks Already Are • Listen first, as Jesus did. • Ask what they believe the Messiah—or “ultimate rescuer”—should be like. 2. Show Fulfilled Prophecy • Isaiah 53:5-6—suffering servant bearing sin. • Micah 5:2—birth in Bethlehem. • Psalm 22:16-18—pierced hands and feet. • Acts 2:22-36—Peter links prophecies to Jesus’ resurrection. 3. Tell Your Story • Like the Samaritan woman (John 4:28-30), share how meeting Jesus answered your deepest questions. • Keep it honest, brief, and Christ-centered. 4. Highlight Jesus’ Own Claims • John 10:30—“I and the Father are one.” • John 14:6—“I am the way and the truth and the life.” • Matthew 16:16-17—Peter’s confession affirmed by Jesus. 5. Open the Scriptures Together • Follow Philip’s pattern in Acts 8:30-35—begin with the other person’s passage of interest and “preach Jesus.” • Offer a simple gospel like 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. 6. Invite a Decision, Not Just Information • John 20:31—believing leads to life in His name. • Romans 10:9—confess and believe. Conversation Tone That Reflects the Messiah • Gentleness—1 Peter 3:15. • Respect—Colossians 4:6. • Patience—2 Timothy 2:24-25. Living Proof Beyond Words • Acts of service (Matthew 5:16). • Consistent integrity (Philippians 2:15-16). • Love for believers and outsiders alike (John 13:34-35). Encouragement from Early Witnesses • Peter at Pentecost—bold yet Scripture-saturated (Acts 2). • Paul in synagogues—“explaining and proving” Messiahship (Acts 17:2-3). • Everyday scattered believers—“those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went” (Acts 8:4). Takeaway Meet people at their point of longing, open the prophetic Scriptures, share personal encounter, and let actions reinforce words—just like Jesus did at the well. |
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