Expecting The Unexpected

King James Version Chapter 1

43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. 44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46 And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48 Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. 49 Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. 50 Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. 51 And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Belonging Comes Before Believing

Titus 1:8

Preaching Themes: Church_Fellowship, Evangelism

Which comes first: believing or belonging? It makes perfect sense for some church folks to require people to share their beliefs before those people are accepted into the group. Unfortunately, some will never hear the message outside of the group setting. If the church requires people to believe before they make them feel like they belong, they may never have a chance to hear the message. In The Celtic Way of Evangelism, George Hunter writes, “Indeed, many new believers report that the experience of the fellowship enabled them to believe and to commit. For many people, the faith is about three-fourths caught and one-fourth taught.” Later in the same book, he states the principle quite succinctly: “For most people, ‘belonging comes before believing.’ ”

—Jim L. Wilson

I. Nathanael was searching for Jesus.

(vs.43) Jesus finds Philip, searching for Jesus. Philip tells Nathanael, who is also searching for Jesus.

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Luke 11:9 ESV And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;

Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. while you are searching for the Lord, the Lord is searching for you.

II. Nathanael was studying of Jesus (The Messiah).

(vs.45.) Nathanael knowledge of what Moses and the Prophets said about Jesus is evidence of his studies of scripture.

when Phillip said, we have found him, Nathanael had knowledge of whom he was speaking of.

2 Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Proverbs 18:15 An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.

Acts 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

III. Nathanael was sincere in Jesus.

(vs. 46) despite Nathanael’s prejudice , he was wiling to go with Philip to see Jesus for himself.

John The Witness of John the Baptist (Vers. 19–37)

No guile.—Not a Jacob, a supplanter, a man of guile; but an Israel, one who recognises his condition, and through prayer prevails with God (Hos. 12:4, 5).

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Nathanael became a servant of Jesus. (vs.49)

He Searched, he saw, he surrendered.

Matthew 4:19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

John 8:12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.

John 1:46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”