Jesus Crosses Boundaries part 2

Jesus crosses boundaries to reach the Samaritan woman, showing God’s love defies prejudice and social status. Onyilo challenges us to examine biases, especially in our closest circles, since dividing people is a work of the flesh. Everyone shares the same needs, and Jesus offers himself as an eternal source.

Speaker:	Onyilo Obande,
Series:	God's Multicoloured Wisdom
Date:	1st Nov, 2026
Download:	Jesus Crosses Boundaries part 2
Plays:	2
Views:	13
Sermon notes:	PDF Jesus Crosses Boundaries part 2 Jesus Crosses Boundaries (John 4:1–26) Series: The Multicoloured Wisdom of God · Sermon outline and discussion guide   The Samaritan: barriers between groups (v. 9) Main point: Jesus crossed the lines that others deliberately refused to cross. The text: “Jews refused to have anything to do with Samaritans.” Jews would even travel the long way around Samaria to avoid contact. The background: Solomon’s son rejected the people’s plea to lighten the tax burden, and the kingdom split into north (Samaria) and south (Judah and Benjamin, capital Jerusalem). Assyria conquered the north, scattered its nobles, and resettled foreigners there, who brought their own gods and worship practices. Intermarriage led the Jews to view Samaritans as impure, and the rivalry lasted for generations. This is the source of the woman’s remark about worshiping on Mount Gerizim. Personal story: Onyilo’s family objected to his marrying someone from a different Nigerian tribe. God asked him, “Do you want to go to heaven where that tribe will also be? If you can’t welcome her into your worthless house, how will you spend eternity with them in my priceless heaven?” He repented and went ahead with the wedding. Key insight: Our openness is often tested only when someone enters our intimate circle (family, marriage). That is where we discover whether our hearts are truly open. Galatians 5:19–20: Dividing people into groups is listed among the “works of the flesh.” It is human nature, not something peculiar to the Jews and Samaritans. Application: Unconscious bias is real. Awareness plus the Holy Spirit’s help allows us to deal with it.   The Woman: Barriers of Status and Reputation Main point: No one is too insignificant or too broken for Jesus to reach. She came to the well at noon, alone, which was unusual, since women typically drew water together in the morning or evening. This suggests she was rejected by her community. Despite her history (five husbands, and currently living with a man who is not her husband), Jesus chose her for the first public revelation of himself as Messiah. Encouragement: If you feel unimportant, unaccomplished, or are struggling with addiction, you are the kind of person Jesus seeks. Endure and hold on. Jesus is willing to break every wall between you and himself. III. The Well: Our Shared Humanity and Our Deeper Need Main point: Everyone goes to the well, so we are fundamentally one. Skin colour, accent, job, and family background do not define who we are. The life of God within us does. Our resurrection bodies will have no tribe, colour, accent, or profession. Everyone shares the same basic needs: food, friendship, love, and care. IV. Jesus: The Eternal Source Main point: Jesus offers himself as a source that never runs dry. Temporary sources satisfy temporary needs, but only Jesus meets the eternal one. Living water flows from within us (John 7:38), so joy, love, and kindness flow outward to others. Our joy then depends on God rather than on money or circumstances. Revelation 21–22: no need for sun or moon, because God himself is the light. Closing Response Self-examination (not guilt-tripping): Have I dealt with the barriers in my heart? Prayer: Ask God to break down walls and open the guarded inner places so the Holy Spirit can flow through us to others. Declaration: “Lord, I need you. Be my source.” Five discussion questions Where does the line fall in my heart? Is there a close circle (family, marriage, friendships) where I may be guarding a boundary? Why is it easier to be welcoming at church than at home? How does unconscious bias show up? Galatians 5:20 names dividing people as a work of the flesh. Where do we see this in assumptions, jokes or who we sit with, and what can we do about it? Whom would Jesus cross a boundary to reach here? Who in our neighbourhood, workplace or church feels excluded? What one step could you take this week? Do I believe Jesus wants to reveal himself to me? Where do I feel unworthy or overlooked, and how does the woman’s story change that? How can we encourage one another? What wells do I keep returning to? (money, approval, relationships, achievement) What would it look like for my joy to depend on God, so love and kindness flow out to others?

   

?

Or choose Series God's Multicoloured Wisdom The Gateway Church Non series sermon Hall of Mirrors Mark's Gospel The Gift Exchange Holy Moments Created for Connection Non series sermon Five Alive The Kingdom of God Battle for the Mind Good King, Bad King This is us Summer Sundays 2023 Colossians - rooted and established Livestreams I am sayings Angelic Encounters Parables - stories with purpose Run the race The Glorious Church Proverbs - wisdom that works Vision Sermons R.O.A.D. Map Oh Holy Night Coming back to the heart of worship Getting Fruity The discipline of Intimacy Ezra Acts - Mission:Possible 2 Peter 1 Peter Life Groups Relational Mission - A Way of Life 2 Corinthians Join the adventure... Meals with Jesus in Luke Jesus gives us... Jesus takes away... 1 Corinthians There is hope Isaiah - God saves sinners The Gospel of John The Big Picture

Or choose Speaker Adam Dixon Alvin Confesor Amie Lymer Andrew Holland Andy King Andy Moyle Andy Richards Ann Robles Ariel Merry Bene Wadieh Cameron Mathers Darryl Mallet David Blacklock David Taylor David Wadieh Debs Ikwuagwu Domi Bernardin Graham Maddison Hannah Woods Ifeoluwa Omidiji Janet Moyle Jean Holland Jenny King Jerole Jacob Jon Beardon Julie Hayes Karen Kircher Kate Odediran Kathleen Blacklock Katie Mathers Kay Taylor Kees Kees Vonk Linda Bernard Linda Hongsha Lisa Pyatt Maria Rinaldo Marshal Schaitel Marshall Schaitel Martin Woods Matt Pyatt Michelle Confesor Mike Ikwuagwu Moy Omidiji Naomi Kendall Neena Kore Norman Blows Omadachi Oganyani Omadachi Oganyi Onyilo Obande Paige Marrett Pastor Mindaugus Palionis Pat Amos Phil Moore Pranalini Pardeshi Rend Collective Roi Abary Sarah Confesor Sarah Vonk Seb Njingo Seun Omidiji Simon Walker Sonja Stojanovic Stef Liston Swapnil Pardeshi Tammy Dixon Tobi Odediran Warren Mathers

Newest firstOldest First

Jesus Crosses Boundaries part 2

Onyilo Obande,
1st Nov, 2026 4:45 pm

Jesus Crosses Boundaries Part 1

Andy Moyle
25th Oct, 2026 4:38 pm

Pendulum Swing or Two Sided Coin?

Andy Moyle,
11th Oct, 2026 3:04 pm

The Call of Abraham

David Taylor
27th Sep, 2026 9:11 am

The Fall

Omadachi Oganyi,
20th Sep, 2026 3:10 pm

Next

Favour is a fickle thing in the world.
In the Lion the witch and the wardrobe, there is a scene where Edmund is betraying his family. He is a King of Narnia, but doesn’t know it. The evil Queen has offered him the chance to be a prince, if he brings the rest of the family to her. She wants to kill them all. So it’s a great picture of the devil’s schemes.
Edmund makes it to the Queen’s castle and is met by Maugrim the chief of the secret police who says “Greetings favoured one of the Queen or not”

Favour in the world is a fickle thing – if you work hard enough for long enough some people will like you some of the time!
Politicians go in and out of favour all the time. The words “He has my complete support” is a kiss of death and the Minister will be sacked within days.

Divine favour is completely different.
It is totally undeserved and unmerited and is therefore not based on our performance at all.
It’s God’s “I’m for you” attitude. Did you know God is for you… God’s for me – say it! Some of you might be feeling like Edmund right now. You are wondering whether you are favoured or not. Don’t listen to Maugrim, the enemy. Listen to God and what He is saying.
Favour is the guarantee of His presence, the promise of His power, to accomplish His special purpose in and through your life.

When the mankind was still pretty new and their every inclination of the heart was evil. Gen 6:8 tells us “But Noah found favour with the Lord.”
Joseph was a young man who went through decades of suffering and trials. Genesis 39:21 tells us “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” Moses was called by God to bring the people of Israel out of slavery and prayed back to God at one of the tough moments “Yet you have said, “I know you by name and you have also found favour in my sight.” The later Samuel, we are told in 1 Sam 2:26, “Now the young man continued to grow both in stature and in favour with the Lord and also with man.” David Acts 7:46 tells “found favour in the sight of God and asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob”.
Ruth found favour in Boaz’s field and ended up going from poverty to supply, widowhood to marriage, childless to having a family and being part of the genealogy of Jesus

So there’s a ton of divine favour under the Old Covenant – how much more is there going to be under the New covenant?!
Divine favour is your portion! Say it Divine favour is my portion.

So the angel of the Lord appears to Mary and says “Greeting O favoured on, the Lord is with you!”
She had no idea what that meant, so the angel says again “Do not be afraid Mary, for you have found favour with God.”
She was so favoured! The mother of Jesus!
She had no idea what was happening. Didn’t really understand – but she is willing to yield to God’s power.
Interesting – ignorance asks for understanding, unbelief ask for proof.

So Jesus – God in the flesh is born. God and Man in perfect union. Born in the most humblest of circumstances as a boy. When he was twelve He was taken to temple for the Passover and left behind! In Luk 2:52 it tells us this “Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and man”

I can understand how Jesus would need to grow in favour with man – but God? But if Jesus needed to grow in favour with God, then boy do I! Amen?

Favour is the grace of God – the greek word for both is the same. So it’s totally an undeserved gift. But just like grace it has measures and we can grow in the measure of favour as we can grow in grace.

God loves everybody the same. He loves… just as much as he loves me.

Grace is available to all who want it. Grace and favour start with ACCESS
We have free unblockable, unmerited access to the favour all ways! The sin barrier is permanently dealt with and we can always approach the throne of heaven with boldness and confidence.

Grace and favour are also about power – power to do the things that God wants us to do. Spiritual gifts are actually grace gifts. Grace given to do us to serve God. Favour is the same.

Eph4:7 tells us the risen Christ gives grace to every one as he apportions it.

So all believers have the same divine favour for access – are you enjoying it.
But there are portions of favour, of grace to serve God and they can grow. Jesus needs to grow in favour, boy do we!

Who wants to grow in the favour of God?
Who wants more of His presence?
Who wants more of His power?
Who wants to bear more fruit?

Jesus started with less favour on earth than he ended with. Its an issue of stewardship like so many things. Proper use of favour gets us more. When we steward well, you get more – and there are so many things people have favour for –
Money – some of you have favour for making money and using it for kingdom purposes.
Wisdom – some of you have such favour with wisdom in your work place and in the church environment
People – some of you are just people people. People want to be with you and God has given you such favour to influence people in your life group, in the market and in work.
Miracles – some of you are growing in favour for miracles. I want to hear stories – Here’s a Bill Johnson quote “when we don’t give testimony, we rob God of the glory”

3 things about God’s favour
1) Favour is God affection for you to encourage you.
He loves you, so He chooses to you to be favoured. You didn’t earn it, so don’t get puffed up!
Sometimes God will test you with praise! Some of you can cope with it at all and some you get puffed up and think your gift is who you are. Both are wrong!
Don’t let God’s favour on you become your identity. It’s just how He uses you.

2) Favour is intended to draw us deeper in relationship
Remember how I said grace and favour are about ACCESS and POWER. God gives you grace and favour because He loves you and wants relationship with you.

Matthew 7:21-23 is an interesting passage – clearly there will be people who have had a revelation of the goodness of God and grabbed hold of His word about grace and favour and will be doing stuff and God uses them. God honour His word about healing in the name of Jesus. BUT they don’t know Him. They didn’t enjoy and pursue more Access, just the power.

He wants you, He wants to know you more. Favour is so we can know Him and enjoy Him more. Paul prays for the Ephesian church in his letter that the may have a spirit of wisdom and revelation to know Him, to be enlightened, to know the hope and riches and the immeasurable greatness of His power.

3) Give it away – the kingdom principle is to give away to get more!
Whatever favour God gives you, give it away! God will give you more. You cannot outgive God!
Eph 4:29 is an interesting scripture “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, bit only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion that it may give grace to those who hear.” – use your words to give grace to others!

So favour is God’s “I’m for you attitude” – it’s a completely undeserved gift, but you can grow in it too! Get your head around that!

Here’s some practical hows for enjoying more of God’s favour
1) You have access to the father – enjoy it! Switch of the goggly box, shut down facebook and enjoy His presence a bit more.
2) Receive God’s favour – it’s a free gift, so receive it and ask for more.
3) Use it to bless others – the measure you have now will increase if you put it to use – just like the parable of the talents.
4) Give generously Prov 18:6 A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before the great. As you are generouse with God’s favour – money, time, wisdom, friendliness, spiritual gifts – God gives you space for more to be used.
5) Keep company with the favoured – Psalm 1 challenges us to not hang around with those who lead us astray. Joyce Meyer says “If you associate with a person who is visionary, you will soon get a vision. But if you stay around lifeless people who want to do nothing but complain, sit on the couch, eat donuts, and watch soap operas, then soon you will be doing the same things.”
6) Prayer and fasting – Nehemiah prayed and fasted before going before the King and found favour. Jesus said of one particular deliverance – this type comes out by prayer and fasting. As we pray and fast, we cultivate more Access to the Father and he gives us more Power.
7) Forgive others – we talked about unforgiveness the other week – nothing kills favour off faster than being unforgiving, even bitter.
8) Stop grumbling. Some of you moan too much. About silly stuff. A whole generation of Israel missed the promised land because they grumble. They missed the full measure of the favour of God because of moaning. I’m believing that God is drawing us to the promised land – the wave of the Spirit, that will bring revival to this region. Don’t miss by grumbling about stupid stuff.
9) Thankfulness sets your attitude. Stop moaning and Be thankful. God loves to give more to people who are thankful for what they have. He will withold when you moan. so stop it!

Jesus Crosses Boundaries part 2

Jesus crosses boundaries to reach the Samaritan woman, showing God’s love defies prejudice and social status. Onyilo challenges us to examine biases, especially in our closest circles, since dividing people is a work of the flesh. Everyone shares the same needs, and Jesus offers himself as an eternal source.

Speaker:	Onyilo Obande,
Series:	God's Multicoloured Wisdom
Date:	1st Nov, 2026
Download:	Jesus Crosses Boundaries part 2
Plays:	2
Views:	13
Sermon notes:	PDF Jesus Crosses Boundaries part 2 Jesus Crosses Boundaries (John 4:1–26) Series: The Multicoloured Wisdom of God · Sermon outline and discussion guide   The Samaritan: barriers between groups (v. 9) Main point: Jesus crossed the lines that others deliberately refused to cross. The text: “Jews refused to have anything to do with Samaritans.” Jews would even travel the long way around Samaria to avoid contact. The background: Solomon’s son rejected the people’s plea to lighten the tax burden, and the kingdom split into north (Samaria) and south (Judah and Benjamin, capital Jerusalem). Assyria conquered the north, scattered its nobles, and resettled foreigners there, who brought their own gods and worship practices. Intermarriage led the Jews to view Samaritans as impure, and the rivalry lasted for generations. This is the source of the woman’s remark about worshiping on Mount Gerizim. Personal story: Onyilo’s family objected to his marrying someone from a different Nigerian tribe. God asked him, “Do you want to go to heaven where that tribe will also be? If you can’t welcome her into your worthless house, how will you spend eternity with them in my priceless heaven?” He repented and went ahead with the wedding. Key insight: Our openness is often tested only when someone enters our intimate circle (family, marriage). That is where we discover whether our hearts are truly open. Galatians 5:19–20: Dividing people into groups is listed among the “works of the flesh.” It is human nature, not something peculiar to the Jews and Samaritans. Application: Unconscious bias is real. Awareness plus the Holy Spirit’s help allows us to deal with it.   The Woman: Barriers of Status and Reputation Main point: No one is too insignificant or too broken for Jesus to reach. She came to the well at noon, alone, which was unusual, since women typically drew water together in the morning or evening. This suggests she was rejected by her community. Despite her history (five husbands, and currently living with a man who is not her husband), Jesus chose her for the first public revelation of himself as Messiah. Encouragement: If you feel unimportant, unaccomplished, or are struggling with addiction, you are the kind of person Jesus seeks. Endure and hold on. Jesus is willing to break every wall between you and himself. III. The Well: Our Shared Humanity and Our Deeper Need Main point: Everyone goes to the well, so we are fundamentally one. Skin colour, accent, job, and family background do not define who we are. The life of God within us does. Our resurrection bodies will have no tribe, colour, accent, or profession. Everyone shares the same basic needs: food, friendship, love, and care. IV. Jesus: The Eternal Source Main point: Jesus offers himself as a source that never runs dry. Temporary sources satisfy temporary needs, but only Jesus meets the eternal one. Living water flows from within us (John 7:38), so joy, love, and kindness flow outward to others. Our joy then depends on God rather than on money or circumstances. Revelation 21–22: no need for sun or moon, because God himself is the light. Closing Response Self-examination (not guilt-tripping): Have I dealt with the barriers in my heart? Prayer: Ask God to break down walls and open the guarded inner places so the Holy Spirit can flow through us to others. Declaration: “Lord, I need you. Be my source.” Five discussion questions Where does the line fall in my heart? Is there a close circle (family, marriage, friendships) where I may be guarding a boundary? Why is it easier to be welcoming at church than at home? How does unconscious bias show up? Galatians 5:20 names dividing people as a work of the flesh. Where do we see this in assumptions, jokes or who we sit with, and what can we do about it? Whom would Jesus cross a boundary to reach here? Who in our neighbourhood, workplace or church feels excluded? What one step could you take this week? Do I believe Jesus wants to reveal himself to me? Where do I feel unworthy or overlooked, and how does the woman’s story change that? How can we encourage one another? What wells do I keep returning to? (money, approval, relationships, achievement) What would it look like for my joy to depend on God, so love and kindness flow out to others?

   

?

Or choose Series God's Multicoloured Wisdom The Gateway Church Non series sermon Hall of Mirrors Mark's Gospel The Gift Exchange Holy Moments Created for Connection Non series sermon Five Alive The Kingdom of God Battle for the Mind Good King, Bad King This is us Summer Sundays 2023 Colossians - rooted and established Livestreams I am sayings Angelic Encounters Parables - stories with purpose Run the race The Glorious Church Proverbs - wisdom that works Vision Sermons R.O.A.D. Map Oh Holy Night Coming back to the heart of worship Getting Fruity The discipline of Intimacy Ezra Acts - Mission:Possible 2 Peter 1 Peter Life Groups Relational Mission - A Way of Life 2 Corinthians Join the adventure... Meals with Jesus in Luke Jesus gives us... Jesus takes away... 1 Corinthians There is hope Isaiah - God saves sinners The Gospel of John The Big Picture

Or choose Speaker Adam Dixon Alvin Confesor Amie Lymer Andrew Holland Andy King Andy Moyle Andy Richards Ann Robles Ariel Merry Bene Wadieh Cameron Mathers Darryl Mallet David Blacklock David Taylor David Wadieh Debs Ikwuagwu Domi Bernardin Graham Maddison Hannah Woods Ifeoluwa Omidiji Janet Moyle Jean Holland Jenny King Jerole Jacob Jon Beardon Julie Hayes Karen Kircher Kate Odediran Kathleen Blacklock Katie Mathers Kay Taylor Kees Kees Vonk Linda Bernard Linda Hongsha Lisa Pyatt Maria Rinaldo Marshal Schaitel Marshall Schaitel Martin Woods Matt Pyatt Michelle Confesor Mike Ikwuagwu Moy Omidiji Naomi Kendall Neena Kore Norman Blows Omadachi Oganyani Omadachi Oganyi Onyilo Obande Paige Marrett Pastor Mindaugus Palionis Pat Amos Phil Moore Pranalini Pardeshi Rend Collective Roi Abary Sarah Confesor Sarah Vonk Seb Njingo Seun Omidiji Simon Walker Sonja Stojanovic Stef Liston Swapnil Pardeshi Tammy Dixon Tobi Odediran Warren Mathers

Newest firstOldest First

Jesus Crosses Boundaries part 2

Onyilo Obande,
1st Nov, 2026 4:45 pm

Jesus Crosses Boundaries Part 1

Andy Moyle
25th Oct, 2026 4:38 pm

Pendulum Swing or Two Sided Coin?

Andy Moyle,
11th Oct, 2026 3:04 pm

The Call of Abraham

David Taylor
27th Sep, 2026 9:11 am

The Fall

Omadachi Oganyi,
20th Sep, 2026 3:10 pm

Next