“MIRAGE” Part 2: The Illusion of Rest

John 4:1-14 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.”

1. Reasons Why We Become Weary

A. STRIFE – vs. 1

B. SUCCESS – vs. 1-2

C. SHIFTING – vs. 3

D. SUBMISSION – vs. 4

2. Response To Our Weariness

A. STOP AND REST– vs. 6

Resist the urge to quit when you are tired and needing rest! Galatians 6:9 - So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

B. SEE THE OPPORTUNITIES– vs.7

Resist the urge to isolate from other people when you are tired and needing rest! Galatians 6:2 - Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.   1 Thessalonians 5:11 - So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

C. SMASH ALL BARRIERS – vs.9

Resist the urge to focus solely on yourself when you are tired and needing rest! Proverbs 11:25 - The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

D. SHARE THE TRUTH – vs. 10-14

Resist the urge to get angry when you are tired and needing rest! Ephesians 4:15 - We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. 30 Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. 31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.