Meeting Christ, 1ST MESSAGE, SAUKTOWN CHURCH OF CHRIST

The message this morning comes mostly from the Gospel of John: Chapter 1:32-51

The Gospel of John (Not John the Baptist) or “Baptiser” as Howard refers to, LOL presents the personal side of Christ’s ministry. He was known as the “bosom disciple.” He gives a first hand account of the life of Christ.

John did not write his Gospel until a generation after Matthew, Mark, and Luke. He was the last disciple to die. It is believed that he was around one hundred years old when he died on the isle of Patmos. Just a FYI, John wrote 5 books of the Bible.

This morning, I am going to focus on 4 categories that fall in this scripture.

1. The Seeking

2. The Surrender

3. The Savior

4. The Salvation

THE SEEKING of Jesus—vv. 32–39 NLT Study Bible (Chapter 1)

32 Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. 33 I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit”

A. Savior—v. 34. John was with Christ. Here he says in everyday language, “There is no doubt about it, this is the Son of God.”

34 “I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”

B. The First Disciples John 1:35-37

35 The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. 36 As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” 37 When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

Wouldn’t it be great if all we had to do was say what John said? “Look! There is the Lamb of God.” Would we even do that? Would anyone today even believe us?

Last week, did Jesus leave any of you speechless? Did something happen, did Jesus do something that you just shook your head and smiled?

C. They were told to start Seeking, COME AND SEE, IF you listen to scripture and hear scripture you pick up on the emotion, on the excitement don’t we? They were seeking where Christ lived. Note His words, “Come and see.” These people remained with Him.

Chapter 1:38-39

38 Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.

They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

39 “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

II. Jesus was asking for their SURRENDER—vv. 40–42

A. Jesus started calling His Disciples, Andrew (Peter’s brother) was one of the disciples spoken of in v. 35.

We read in verse 40: Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus.

So......then what did Andrew do?

41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”).

B. Andrew already was dedicated to Jesus. Andrew was more than a Christian—he was a dedicated Christian! Because of this, he won Peter to Christ. Peter in turn won thousands. AMEN

42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).

C. “And he Andrew, brought Peter to meet Jesus. Jesus looked intently at Peter for a moment and then said, ‘You are Simon, John’s son.....

Matthew 16:15–19

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

III. OUR SAVIOR CAN ALSO BE DIRECT RIGHT?

In Verse 43 we read: “ The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.”

Come follow me, come follow me.........anyone here but me ever hear that from Jesus. Come do.......Come do this..........Teach Sunday school, apply to seminary, go across the street and check on your neighbor, call your Mom..........Jesus doesn't mess around, when He wants something from us, He let’s us know. Are you listening?

AMEN????????

A. Isn’t it like Jesus to always be calling the lost sheep? Jesus Christ did not use force. Jesus Christ made no promises. He simply called.

B. We must begin to pray for Compassion in our own hearts church—Philip sought Nathanael, trying to win him to Christ. ALL CHRISTIANS SHOULD DO THIS! Did we do this last week?

44 Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown. 45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”

C. Immediately Nathaniel started complaining because of unbelief.

46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.

Nathanael was doubtful, wondering if any good could come out of Nazareth.

47 As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”48 “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” 49 Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”

Christ knew all about Nathanael. Note Nathaniel's confession after hearing Jesus, So now, without a doubt, Nathaniel surrendered to Jesus...... “Thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.”

IV. SO HERE COMES THE REASON OF JESUS..... SALVATION

50 Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.

Jesus is challenging our Faith or lack of faith throughout the New Testament. Here Jesus is questioning Nathaniel's faith directly.

If and when we begin to believe in Christ, great things will happen.

51 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.

As the result of salvation, heaven would be the future home of Nathanael. This can be said of us also.

AMEN