Run and Tell That | Lonnell Williams | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

Run and Tell That

Lonnell Williams

2819 Church • Jun 14, 2026 • 61 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this message, Pastor Lonnell Williams explores the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 to reignite our passion for the lost. Over time, many believers replace a burning burden for evangelism with personal comfort and private faith, but Jesus intentionally steps into our messy places to offer real healing and living water. When we experience true salvation, our shame is transformed into a powerful testimony, compelling us to share the simple invitation: 'Come see a man.'

Themes

Evangelism and WitnessingGrace and RedemptionLiving Water vs. Temporary ReliefOvercoming Shame and IsolationThe Samaritan Woman at the Well

Key Points

1.
Many believers lose their initial urgency for evangelism over time, trading a burden for the lost for personal comfort.
2.
Jesus did not travel through Samaria simply as a shortcut, but because He had a intentional appointment to meet a woman in desperate need of salvation.
3.
Shame often causes people to structure their daily routines around isolation and avoiding others, but Jesus meets us directly in our places of hiding.
4.
There is a vital difference between temporary relief and divine rescue; while a well temporarily refreshes, Christ becomes an internal spring that permanently breaks destructive cycles.
5.
Jesus addresses our lives with total truth and total grace, refusing to bless or hydrate an edited, dishonest version of our story.
6.
When a person experiences authentic transformation in Christ, they leave behind old containers of shame because they have outgrown them.
7.
Evangelism is not about debating theology or closing a spiritual deal, but simply opening the door and pointing people to Jesus with the invitation to 'Come see.'

Sermon Moments

“Recall of childhood shopping trips with mom and running enthusiastically to show her toys, contrasted with adult apathy.”

“The reality check that faith moving us inside the church room without moving us toward the lost has become too comfortable.”

“The divine intentionality of Jesus passing through Samaria not for Galilee, but specifically to reach the woman at the well.”

“The observation that shame doesn't always look like rebellion; sometimes shame looks like scheduling our lives to avoid people.”

“The distinction between relief helping you survive a cycle and rescue breaking the cycle entirely.”

“The powerful reminder that grace will hold you, but grace will never lie to you, because Jesus loves you too much to hydrate a lie.”

“The imagery of the woman leaving her water jar behind—not because she forgot it, but because she outgrew her thirst for the old life.”

“The illustration of becoming an 'unpaid missionary' for a great restaurant on social media while remaining silent about Jesus.”

This Week

Look through your phone contacts this week and identify people who do not know Jesus, praying specifically for opportunities to reach out to them.

Practice sharing your personal faith story candidly, including the broken or difficult parts, as a bridge to show God's healing grace.

Be intentional about breaking silent habits by extending a warm and simple 'Come see' invitation to church to a co-worker, neighbor, or friend.

Identify areas where you are settling for temporary relief instead of surrendering fully to the inner spring of living water.

Consistently live out your witness on 'Tuesdays'—letting your character and conduct at work and home match your worship on Sundays.

Stop carrying old 'water jars' of shame, guilt, or past identity that Christ has already delivered you from.

Shift your focus away from feeling the pressure to convert people, and focus simply on pointing them to Christ while the Holy Spirit does the saving work.

Remember This

You do not have to be perfect to win the lost, but somebody stays lost if you stay quiet.

A Challenge for You

Give Jesus six months of your faithful commitment, stop holding onto your private comfort, and step out boldly to say 'Come see a man' to those in your life who need salvation.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.