"EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!"........................(John 4:28-32, 39-42)

 This week I found myself looking at the want-ads. On the employment security commissions website, I skipped all of those cheap-paying opportunities, only to lock on to the $10 per hour and above jobs. And, I found that as the job-importance increased, they were requiring more and more EXPERIENCE; some of which would involve HANDS-ON know-how, while others would only accept a person with years of college exposure! In either case, in order to be accepted and properly function in certain working environments....I had to meet the EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT before I could even start! This samaritan woman discovered that it wasn't enough to experience the blessings of forgiveness all by herself.....good experiences are always to be SHARED with others!!!-(roller coaster/trips)

*Paul told the roman believers in ...(Rom. 5:5-that "experience" comes before "hope")

Some people who attend church don't understand that until they've experienced the saving grace of God they haven't even STARTED YET! The FIRST THING I was asked before being baptized, joining the church, being ordained into the gospel ministry....was about my EXPERIENCE OF SALVATION!

*People are interested in first-experiences in life----(The first TOOTH, STEP, WORDS-ball-dada-mama, POTTY-party!, LOVE, KISS, RELATIONSHIP, HOUSE-(Grocery receipt-Jonna)....ETC.......)

(Matt. 6:33-"But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God and his righteousness...")

 (1)-SEE FOR YOURSELF-(v.29-"come see a man")

(Job 19:27-"For I know my redeemer liveth....whom I shall SEE FOR MYSELF, and mine eyes shall behold; though my reins be consumed within me. ")

(2)-TOUCH FOR YOURSELF-(fire burns test!)

(Matt. 9:21-"For she said within herself, If I may but TOUCH the hem of his garment, I shall be whole.") She was simply saying, "That'll do it"!!! "I've got to get exposure to Jesus...I've got to have a personal experience....I can STAND IN THE CROWD or STOOP TO THE CHRIST!

 (3)-HEAR FOR YOURSELF-(v.42)

(Rom. 10:17-"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.")

 (4)-TASTE FOR YOURSELF-

Have you ever been to Myrtle Beach at Broadway or Barefoot Landing? The fudge shops bring out free samples in order to get you in!!!-(If you don't watch it, you'll get hooked!)

(Psalm 34:8-"O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him.")

Pastor Brian Eades