Telling Others - Linda Bailey
On Sunday, Linda Bailey shared with us in the first part of our ‘Telling Others’ series - sharing from John 4:27-42 about Jesus interaction with the Samaritan woman. Below you’ll find recordings of her message as well as interviews with two members of our community - Johnny and Ethan.
The Samaritan Woman at the Well
Our message this week kicked off with Ethan and Johnny sharing their personal journeys of talking about their faith – from a challenging philosophical debate at university to building relationships and supporting a colleague through terminal illness. Their experiences beautifully echo the ancient story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, a truly significant interaction recorded in the Bible.
Imagine this scene: Jesus, a Jewish man, intentionally travels through Samaria. This was a place Jews typically avoided because Samaritans were considered "the other" – unclean and culturally separate. Not only does Jesus engage with a Samaritan, but a Samaritan woman, which was also unusual for that time. And if that wasn't enough, this particular woman had a complicated past – five husbands and living with a sixth man who wasn't her husband. Even today, that would raise eyebrows, wouldn't it?
Yet, Jesus initiates a conversation with her. He sees beyond her past, her gender, and her ethnicity. Their dialogue is the longest recorded interaction Jesus has with anyone in John's Gospel, showing its profound importance. They talk about her life, her history, and her understanding of God. Eventually, Jesus reveals to her that He is the Messiah she’s been waiting for.
Our reading picks up after this profound encounter. When Jesus's disciples return, they're surprised to find Him talking with her. But what happens next is truly remarkable. The woman leaves her water jar – a symbol of her everyday life and perhaps her past burdens – and rushes back to her town. What does she do? She simply shares her story:
“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (John 4:29)
Because of her simple yet powerful testimony, many Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus. They heard her story, came to see Him for themselves, and then declared, "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" (John 4:42).
As Linda reminded us, your story is powerful. This woman didn't preach a theological treatise or quote ancient texts; she shared her personal encounter with Jesus.
"Your story is powerful because it is the undeniable argument. People can argue with you over evolution. They can argue with you over what they think the Bible is and where it came from. They can argue over theology. They can argue with you over all manner of things. But nobody can shut down your story of what God has done in your life. It is the undeniable argument."
It takes courage and vulnerability to share our stories, especially when they reveal our imperfections or past struggles. But it's in that openness that God's transformative power truly shines through. Just like Ethan and Johnny, we don't need to have all the answers or "package up the whole Bible" in one go. We simply invite others to "come and see" – to join us on this incredible journey of faith.
Connecting to Our Lives: The Ripe Harvest
So, what does this ancient story, and Ethan and Johnny’s experiences, mean for us today at One Church?
For many of us, it can feel like Christianity is on the decline. We often hear statistics about dwindling church attendance and a growing secular society. Our own experiences might lead us to believe that no one is interested in hearing about God. However, Jesus offers a different perspective:
"Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest." (John 4:35)
Linda shared some incredibly encouraging news from the UK, where a 2024 survey by the Bible Society revealed what they're calling a "quiet revival." Six years ago, only 4% of men under 25 regularly attended church. Today, that number has surged to 21%! There's also been an increase among women in the same age group. This suggests a significant hunger from young people, many of whom have no prior church background but are actively searching for meaning.
It’s not just about numbers; it's about a deeper engagement:
Growth in diversity: Churches are becoming more culturally diverse.
Community: Attending church is linked to a greater understanding of local community needs.
Power in the Word: More people are reading the Bible, seeking understanding, and turning to churches for answers.
Real-life renewal: People with faith report greater hope, purpose, and improved mental well-being.
These aren't just statistics from overseas; we're seeing similar shifts here in Australia. People are more open to talking about faith than we might assume, as Johnny shared from his own workplace experiences.
"My experience... in the workplace is people are actually more open to talking about faith than what I think I've expected them to be. People are sometimes intrigued by the fact that there are people living in the 21st century who seem semi-intelligent, rational, who can believe things that they think or have been told by others aren't very rational to believe."
The harvest truly is riper than we think! Our role isn't to force faith on anyone, but to simply be observant, brave, and open to the Holy Spirit's prompting. Just like the Samaritan woman, Ethan, and Johnny, we can share our genuine experiences and trust God with the outcome.
Partnering with God
So, what are the key takeaways from Linda's sermon?
Firstly, your story is powerful. It's unique, undeniable, and a testimony to God's work in your life. Don't underestimate its impact, even if it feels simple or small.
Secondly, the harvest is riper than you think. There's a growing openness and spiritual curiosity, especially among younger generations, contrary to common narratives.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, allow God to work. This isn't about us performing perfectly or having all the theological answers. It's about partnering with the Holy Spirit who is already at work in people's lives, preparing hearts and inviting us to join Him. As Ethan wisely put it, when we feel that prompting, it's often the Holy Spirit "inviting me to have a conversation right now."
God sees, loves, and meets everyone exactly where they are – just as He did with the Samaritan woman and with Stellios, whose powerful baptism testimony reminded us of God's incredible, life-changing presence.
One Way to Live it Out this Week
This week, simply notice one person in your everyday life – a colleague, a neighbour, a school parent – and genuinely pray for them. Ask God to show you an opportunity to share a small glimpse of His goodness, perhaps through a kind word, an offer of help, or by simply being present.
A Prayer for your week:
Lord God, thank you for loving us and meeting us exactly where we are. We pray for courage and boldness to share our stories and the hope we have in You. Open our eyes to see the "ripe harvest" around us and guide us by your Holy Spirit to speak your love in everyday ways. May more people come to know your grace and wisdom. In Jesus's mighty name, Amen.
Reflection & Discussion Questions
For Personal Reflection:
What's one small "God-moment" or encounter you've had recently that you could easily share with someone?
In what area of your life (work, family, neighbourhood, school or hobbies) might the "harvest be riper than you think" when it comes to spiritual conversations?
What's one thing you can do this week to simply "allow God to work" through you in a small way?
For Small Group Discussion:
Ethan and Johnny shared different ways they've told others about their faith. Which of their stories resonated most with you and why?
The Samaritan woman was vulnerable in sharing her story. What makes us hesitant or fearful about sharing our own faith stories, and what helps us overcome that?
Linda mentioned "the quiet revival" happening in the UK, especially among young people. What does this suggest about the spiritual climate around us here in Australia?
Jesus told His disciples to "open your eyes and look at the fields; they are ripe for harvest." What "fields" (places, relationships, communities) in our lives might be ripe for us to sow seeds of faith?
How can we, as a small group, encourage and equip each other to recognise and act on the Holy Spirit's prompts in sharing our faith?
The sermon reminded us that we don't have to "package up the whole Bible" or have all the answers. What's one simple way you can invite someone to "come and see" more about Jesus?
What's a practical, actionable step our group could take this week to put one of these principles into practice together?
Let's share one person or situation we're praying for where we hope to see God's Spirit at work, and let's pray for each other to have courage and wisdom.