Come and See

Open prayer Lord God, your reach extends into every part of life. Your Spirit was active in the womb, where you formed and shaped us. Your Spirit will accompany us to the grave where your power will transform us. Your word accomplishes whatever you intend. The extent of your reach is most evident in Jesus Christ. In him, we clearly see your intention for the world. In him, we are presented with the invitation to receive salvation, life and eternity. Because of him, we know that your reach embraces us today and forever. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

Introduction I like the story of the young woman who wanted to go to college, but her heart sank when she read the question on the application that asked, "Are you a leader?" Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, "No," and returned the application, expecting the worst. To her surprise, she received this letter from the college: "Dear Applicant: A study of the application forms reveals that this year our college will have 1,452 new leaders. We are accepting you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower."

In our text for this morning, Phillip comes to Nathanael and proclaims that he has found the one whom Moses wrote about. He is Jesus of Nazareth. While we do not know what expression Nathanael had on his face when he responded, I think that it is safe to say that his response revealed a cynical sneer. "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" Answered Phillip: "Come and see." You see, the church has the same problem. The church is full of those sure of themselves. We may even get to the point where we believe very little that we are told. We sit back under the fig tree with the sneer of a Nathanael, and we ask, "Can anything good come from Hope Mills Methodist Church? Can anything good come from our Group; can anything good come from Alms House?

People come in and out the doors of this church with a critical eye. Skepticism is not a modern virtue. Doubting Thomas’s have been around since the dawn of time. By nature, we don't want to be led. We want to lead. But, in the church, it is imperative that we have followers. In fact, it is imperative for all of us to be followers.

Nathanael learned this. He was skeptical at first, but he was transformed. He became a follower because Phillip invited him. We all know that it is not enough for us to simply believe in Jesus. Discipleship consists in following Jesus Christ, sometimes all the way to the cross.

Let me ask you: What was it that Phillip saw in Christ that moved him to follow, that stirred him so to invite his friend Nathanael. Come and see what? What did Phillip see in Jesus of Nazareth?

I want to attempt to answer that question this morning. Come and see what?

1. Come and see souls redeemed.

2. Come and see lives transformed.

3. Come and see the heavens opened.

1. Come and See Souls Redeemed:

In this passage from John, we see the powerful invitation of Philip to Nathanael: "Come and see." Philip had encountered Jesus, and he was moved by what he saw. He saw souls being redeemed, lives being transformed, and he couldn't help but extend that invitation to Nathanael.

When we encounter Jesus, when we truly see Him for who He is, it changes everything. We see the power of His love and His sacrifice, and we witness the incredible work He is doing in the lives of those who believe in Him. And just like Philip, we are compelled to invite others to come and see.

Jesus came into this world with a purpose - to redeem mankind from the bondage of sin. As we read in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

When Phillip saw Jesus, he recognized Him as the Messiah who would bring salvation to all who believed. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus provided a way for us to be reconciled with God. Those who accept this invitation experience the incredible joy of having their souls redeemed, finding forgiveness for their sins, and receiving eternal life.

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching (A Witness to Faith)

In the eyes of the world it (the cross) was a failure. But the cross on which Jesus died has become the symbol of a faith which has sustained millions. …The cross is not a club to overcome an opponent by an appeal to human sympathy. It is a witness to faith and may or may not have a social impact.

2. Come and See Lives Transformed:

When we encountered Jesus, our lives were transformed from within. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, it says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" When Phillip saw Jesus' compassion, love, and teachings firsthand, he realized that following Him would lead to a radical transformation of heart and mind.

Accepting Jesus' invitation opens doors for us to be molded into vessels of honor by the Holy Spirit. Our desires change; our priorities align with God's will; our relationships are influenced by His love. It is through this transformative power that we become a living testimony of Christ's work in our lives.

When Philip saw Jesus, he also saw lives being transformed. He witnessed firsthand the power of Jesus to heal the sick, to bring hope to the brokenhearted, and to set captives free. He saw the transformation that took place in the lives of those who encountered Jesus, and he couldn't keep it to himself.

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 7382 Teleperson System

Someone has said that the Gospel in the first century was carried by a good system. It was called the teleperson system, and it truly got results, better than we do today with our telephones, televisions, and so on. The woman of Samaria carried the Gospel after her meeting with Christ by the teleperson system. It is said that “many of the Samaritans … believed on Him for the saying of the woman” (John 4:39).

When we invite others to come and see Jesus, we are inviting them to experience this transformation for themselves. We are inviting them to encounter the One who can bring healing, restoration, and purpose to their lives. It is a powerful invitation, and it has the potential to change lives for eternity.

3. Come and See the Heavens Opened:

One of the most astounding aspects of accepting Jesus' invitation is the revelation of the spiritual realm. In John 1:51, Jesus says to Nathanael, "Very truly I tell you, you will see 'heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on' the Son of Man." Through their relationship with Jesus, the disciples witnessed extraordinary miracles and supernatural encounters. They were able to grasp a glimpse into the heavenly realm and experience divine interventions in their lives. By accepting Jesus' invitation, we are granted access to a spiritual reality that surpasses our earthly limitations.

In addition to souls being redeemed and lives being transformed, Philip saw the heavens opened when he encountered Jesus. He saw the glory of God revealed in Jesus, and it left him in awe. It opened his eyes to the reality of the spiritual realm and the presence of God among His people.

When we invite others to come and see Jesus, we are inviting them to experience the glory of God. We are inviting them to encounter the One who can reveal the truth, beauty, and majesty of the heavens. It is an invitation to experience the divine and to be forever changed by the encounter.

Conclusion:

Brothers and sisters, let us be inspired by Phillip's response when he encountered Jesus - to invite others to come and see. When we accept this great invitation ourselves, we encounter souls being redeemed, lives transformed, and the heavens opened. As Christians, it is our duty to extend this invitation to those around us who are still wandering in darkness. May our lives be a living testament to the power of Christ's love and may we continually strive to bring others closer to Him.

Let us be moved by what we have seen and experienced in Jesus. And let us continually strive to bring others closer to Him. May we extend the invitation to "come and see" to our friends, our family, our neighbors, and even to strangers. And may we never underestimate the power of personal experience in building relationships and challenging biases.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for inviting us to come and see. Help us to recognize Your incredible work in our lives and empower us with boldness and compassion as we extend this invitation to others. In Jesus' name, amen!