Series: Comeback Stories

Sermon: Comeback Stories Mother's Day Edition

Scripture: John 4:10-15

“Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.””

‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬

Introduction: Jesus came into a world that dehumanized woman and restored them by granting them acceptance, dignity, and purpose.

Encountering Jesus

Overcoming Stigma

Empowerment and Purpose

Hope and Transformation

Conclusion: Jesus testimony is the pathway for your own comeback story!

New boost

Acts 8:1-3

“And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.”

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Never underestimate the GRACE of God to transform a life!

Saul’s Background: Pharisee and Murderer

1. Young Pharisee

“circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

2. Murderer

“dragged him (Stephen) out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭7‬:‭58‬ ‭NIV‬‬

"Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples."

Acts 9:1

Saul’s Conversion:

“He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭8‬, ‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

"Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit..."

Acts 13:9

Paul the Missionary:

Then the Lord said to me, 'Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'

Acts 22:21

1. No one is beyond redemption.
2. Pray for those who need a comeback.
3. Come to Jesus for your own comeback.

Through the grace of God the man who was the greatest persecutor of the church became it's greatest defender! WHAT A COMEBACK STORY!

Stones are meant to be moved and Jesus has a plan to move them.

Jesus Rolls Back Stones...

“After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.”

Matthew 28:1-2

Jesus Stop Stones...

“When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.””

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus Uses People Move Stones...

““Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.””

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So they took away the stone.

John 11:42

Practical Application:

1. Indentify your stone.
2. Surrender your stone.
3. Be a Stone-Mover for others.

You know you are free when you can sit on the stone that once held you captive!