“39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. 42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world.””

              I learned something at the men’s breakfast this past Thursday morning.  Ellen and I appreciate the gift the church gave us towards a sun porch.  Not having much experience with building, I was asking the men some questions, hoping to learn information that will help us proceed.

              I learned a spiritual lesson in the process, one that came to me as I read this story of the woman at Samaria.

              In this episode in Jesus life we learn that some of the Samaritans believed because of the woman’s testimony and some believed in Jesus when they met him and he had a chance to teach them and answer their questions.

              This is fascinating to me because this woman, as we learned last week, breaks off discussion with Jesus when the disciples come back.  The last statement Jesus says is, “I am the Messiah.  I am the Anointed one of God that the Old Testament promised.”  She then sees the disciples, breaks off asking questions and runs to the village. 

              I learn from this woman something about evangelism and witnessing.

              First, from her point of view, she did not do evangelism or witnessing.  She did not think, “Now I met Jesus, I need to tell someone about him.  That is what every believer is supposed to do.”   She did not even think in terms of evangelism.

              Notice what happens.  She just met a man who told her everything she had done.  This fact is mentioned several times in the text.  It so hit her that she went and told the men of the village, “Come, meet a man who told me everything I ever did.”

              Notice verse 39: Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”

              This must have been a persuasive woman.  She really was centered on this one thing.  Jesus knew her and knew her well.  He had never met her.  But he knew her well.

              Theologically, this woman didn’t have much to go on.  She didn’t know if Jesus was the Christ, had not seen any miracles, was not a witness to the cross or the resurrection.  But she no doubt told the man.  “I was at the well and we were talking and he told me everything about me.  Then he said he was the Messiah.  I would have asked more questions, but some of his followers returned, so I ran to you.  I don’t think he is the Christ, but could he be?”

              To which some replied,  “Anyone who knew that much specific detail about your life, a Jewish person who had never met you before, this person must be the Christ.”

              To which others replied, “Let’s reserve judgment until we hear what he said.”

              What Jesus did was so earth-shattering that she did not think about witnessing, she just talked about something interesting, something exciting, something that had just happened to her.  And what had happened to her happened because she met Jesus.

              I heard this at the men’s breakfast.  When I asked the question about building a sun porch, some had already done it.  They didn’t wake up that morning thinking, “I’ve got to explain about porches to someone.”  But as a natural flow of the conversation, when they heard someone was building a porch, they jumped in with their own story.  They talked about how deep their footing was, what kind of lumber they used, where to find the best prices.  It was natural, spontaneous, and helpful.

              When it comes to our experiences with God, I like to call these “Wow times!”  This woman had a wow time!  God is a special way had hit her right between the eyes.  And she said, “Wow!  Come see a man who told me everything that I did.”

              I want to tell you that one of the best times to share Jesus is at one of these “wow times.” Why?  Because at a wow time, you are not trying to witness, you are finding an outlet for your excitement or appreciation or joy.  Why?  Because at a wow time, you can’t tell the story without including Jesus in it.

              Jean McLean helped transpose the pages of the First Baptist Church records onto the computer so that we could read it easier.

              I found in their minutes some moments that must have been ‘wow times’ for them.

              In 1804 when the 1st Baptist Church decided to form a new church out of what is now the China Baptist Church,  that must have been a “wow time.”

Or how about January 12th 1805 - - Met according to former appointment after prayer gave the travail of our mind, and had

a very agreeable [unclear] union. Still continued

2nd heard the relation of -- Jim Johnson, --Abigail Marden--Edmund Black, -Samuel Sole-- the day following being our communion--baptized and received them into full fellowship

              That must have been a “wow time.”

              How about this from the Free Baptist Church!  “March 1822 Elder Samuel F. Whitten came to the place & gave notice that he would preach in the evening at the school house near by. He visited the school that afternoon and while addressing the scholars conviction fistened on the minds of several young men and ladies

              In the evening the Spirit of the most High was felt & conviction of sin & the necerty of the new birth Elder S.F. Whitten was satisfied the Lord had a work for him to do in this place. He gave his appointments for he work commenced going to house to house talking with tears in his eyes and praying with sighs and groans for the sinner.

              God heard prayer & soles were delivered from guilt and was & commenced telling of the precious Savior they had found. The work spread and converts proclaimed full and free salvation.”  What a ‘wow moment.”

              We have had them at this church.  You have had them in your own life, the times that God saved your soul, heard your prayer, delivered you in times of trouble.

              In those ‘wow times’ you are like the woman at the well, feeling an inner compulsion.  You have to share.

              Don’t quench the Holy Spirit when these moments come.  Don’t downplay the part Jesus played in these “wow times.”  But as with the Old Testament prophets, when you sense the burden within, let it come out for the glory of God.

              Some people might be saved if you do.  Wouldn’t that be wonderful.  But some may not be impressed, just curious.  That’s not your issue.  Notice that some of the men did not believe because of the woman’s testimony.

              If they don’t believe because of a wow time you have had, bring them to the teacher. 

              Notice that the men came and listened to Jesus.  Some of these men had unanswered questions, they needed to hear and see it for themselves. 

              I wonder what Jesus said to them.  It isn’t recorded, but I think he might have told them things he had already said to people like Nicodemus, or may be the Beatitudes, expanded version.  But when these men heard what Jesus said, they believed on Him.

              I would like to tell you that I bought everything the men told me around the table about building a porch.  I love the men in this church, but just because something wonderful happened or worked for them doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be best or work for me.  So Ellen and I both are spending time on the computer, asking more people questions, trying to get information.  We plan to act, but neither one of us are the kind of people who jump into something just because someone else tells us it is wonderful.

              And spiritually this is true as well.  God uses different methods, different people, and different styles to bring people to himself.  As I have said in the past, “there are many roads to Jesus Christ, but only one road to God and that is through Him.”  The people who listen are different.  If they don’t believe because of the testimony, bring them to the teacher. 

              For us, it means using every means, every platform, every way we can to help them understand what the Bible says about Jesus.  They are the ones who will accept or reject.  We are the ones who throw out seed.

              If a person is willing to talk about Christ with you over coffee, is willing to read the Bible or a good Christian book, is willing to come to meetings or listen to a good preacher on the radio, if a person is willing to attend a crusade or a Bible study, praise God and bring them into contact with Jesus.  Don’t try to read their minds.  People don’t always think like we think, respond like we think they will. 

              I see this woman giving two opportunities.  They just sprang naturally out of her mouth.  The first was to listen to her story and answer her question, “Could this be the Christ?”  The second was to bring them to Jesus and let them make their own decision. 

              And decide they did.  For some their faith was strengthened, for others, they came to faith for the first time.

              “39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. 42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Saviour of the world.””

              But lurking in the background is a third group.  Those who heard both the testimony and those who heard Jesus, but did not believe he was the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the World.

              Do you or have you ever needed a Savior, someone to save you from sin?  This woman would say, “yes”.  The men would say, “Yes.”  What would you say?

              I will tell you that I need a savior and I have found one in Jesus Christ.  He died for me, Ed Hatch, someone born in a little town in the hills of Vermont.  His death canceled out all my sin.  I am forgiven, my sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ.  I am afraid of dying, but I am not afraid of death.  The process of dying for some can be horrible.  But Jesus, who forgave my sins, has promised me a home in heaven.  And from what I know about Jesus, he doesn’t break his promises.

              If you don’t believe that you need a savior or are unsure of what the gospel means, I encourage you to read your Bible.  Read John where we are today, the whole book.  Or read Romans, where the apostle Paul lays out in logical form, why everyone needs a savior and what Jesus has done for them.  It is my desire and prayer that you will trust in Jesus.  He is calling you to receive him into your life by faith.  If you have not, yet, done that, why not today?

              We are going to act on building the porch.  But we are not in a rush as we have time.  And if we die before we get the porch done, then our children will have to worry about our assets.

              But the Bible tells us that today is the day of salvation.  You can choose to wait, but the consequences are greater than it is for us waiting on our porch.  A decision needs to be made and no decision is a decision today to reject Christ.

              Don’t reject him.  He wants you to come and put your faith in him.  Why not today?