The Gospel of John: That One Conversation

Pastor Johnathan continues the church's journey through the Gospel of John, focusing on chapter four and the theme of conversations. He observes how Jesus's interactions with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman demonstrate healthy conversation—something our culture desperately lacks. The pastor notes that Satan is a divider who doesn't want healthy conversations because they bring reason, common sense, and conviction.

Drawing from Colossians 4:6, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt," Pastor Johnathan emphasizes that conversations about Jesus shouldn't be feared but encouraged. He vulnerably shares his own experience of fear when first speaking publicly about Christ, acknowledging the common thoughts that hinder evangelism: "You're not good enough. You don't know enough." Yet he urges believers to refuse these fears, stating, "Never underestimate that one conversation you can have with a person and what Jesus can do in that one conversation."

The sermon examines John 4:42 where Samaritans declare, "Now we believe not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard him ourselves. Now we know that he is indeed the Savior of the world." Pastor Johnathan uses Jesus's agricultural metaphor in John 4:35-38 to illustrate the hard work of spiritual planting—tilling the ground, preparing the soil, and nurturing the seed. He encourages perseverance in evangelism, quoting Charles Spurgeon: "You will not become a winner of souls until you are first a weeper of souls."

Pastor Johnathan then highlights the royal official in John 4:46-54 who traveled 20 miles to have one conversation with Jesus about his dying son. While the crowd wanted to see miraculous signs, the official simply believed Jesus's word: "Go. Your son lives." This resulted not only in physical healing but in his "entire household believing and confidently trusting in Jesus as Savior" (John 4:53).

The sermon concludes with a powerful reminder that while we should believe in miracles, we must worship the miracle-maker rather than the miracles themselves. Pastor Johnathan emphasizes that the greatest miracle is salvation—when hearts turn to Jesus. He closes with a passionate declaration that Jesus is "the Savior of the world" who heals broken hearts, makes all things new, and delivers us from every affliction, including cancer, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Quoting Psalm 23:4, he reminds the congregation, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil," because Jesus walks with us through every situation.