PHOTOPHILIC

Faith In Christ Jesus:

Faith is, first, the act of considering the Lord Jesus worthy of trust as to His character and motives.  Second, it is the act of placing confidence in His ability to do just what He says He will do.  Finally, faith is a definite taking of your self out of your own keeping and entrusting your self into the keeping of the Lord Jesus.  2 Timothy 1:12 is the perfect example of all three aspects of faith:  (1) for I know whom I have believed, and (2) am persuaded that he is able to keep that which (3) I have committed unto him against that day.           We will seek to answer two questions throughout our study of the Gospel of John.  Those questions are:  What does each chapter reveal about Jesus’ character or characteristics, motives, and abilities? What does each one indicate that you could confidently commit into Jesus’ keeping?

John 4:1-42  Samaritan Woman

What is a Samaritan?

The origin of the Samaritans is explained in 2 Kings 17.  Assyria conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and removed all but the poorest into permanent captivity.  They were replaced by people from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim; areas north of Israel and northern Iraq.  They requested a priest to be sent back to teach them God’s ways, in hope that God would end the attacks by wild lions.  However, they kept their own gods at home. 2Ki 17:33   They feared the LORD, and served their own gods, …   Samaritans were a blend of nationalities with a blended religious system, adaptable to fit individual preferences.  How does your own faith compare?

What is the Northern Kingdom of Israel?

At the end of King Solomon’s life Israel was split, 10 northern tribes followed Jeroboam, head-quartered at Shechem, and 2 southern tribes followed Rehoboam, head-quartered at Jerusalem.  Jeroboam created a religious parallel designed to keep his people from travelling to Jerusalem to worship God.  1Ki 12:28   Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves [of] gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.  However, many people refused to follow a faith that was modified for convenience.  2Ch 11:16   And after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the LORD God of Israel came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the LORD God of their fathers.  What convenient (socially and politically acceptable) modifications have been made to Christianity?  On what is your own heart set?