I Know You

The Kid Changes everything, especially you.

[Scripture Reading]

1)For today’s scripture, let us turn to the Gospel of John 1:45-46.

Let us all rise and recite the scripture together.

John 1:45–46 (NIV)

2)45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

Amen.

[Welcome]

Good morning Power Wave and welcome to our Christmas Sunday worship service. Let’s take this time to greet one another. Let’s turn to our neighbors and say, 3)“Jesus is coming to town.” Guys, it ain’t Santa, but in 3 days time, Jesus is coming to town. So, in our 3 days of waiting for Jesus, let us be filled with Joy for our savior is coming to town.

[Sermon]

Let’s start off today’s message with a little quiz. I want you all to finish the following Proverbs.

4)Q. Once a thief, __________

5)Answer: Always a thief.

6)Q. A leopard can’t ________ it’s ___________.

7)Answer. A leopard can’t change it’s spots.

Now, these two proverbs have a similar meaning. Actually it means the same thing. Can anyone tell me what these proverbs means?

That is right. 8)It means that people don’t change. I know these sayings are so negative. But what is implied is that people never change and because of that reason, you should never trust them. Don’t have any good expectations on that person because all they are going to do is disapoint you. I 100% agree to this saying. I don’t trust anyone. I don’t even trust my wife and she knows that very well. Not because I trust issues, but because the only being who is trustworthy is our Father God. Nothing in this world is worth putting your trust into. You may be able to rely on someone. But no one can be fully trusted like our Father God.

But why don’t people change? Why is that? Because we’re all sinners. The sinful nature in us does not change. People grow. They mature, but we don’t change. For changing is to become something completely different to what you were before. Now, I have been donating about $70 each month. Meaning that I pay for my Gym membership and don’t go. I have my excuses, but working out right now is not my priority. I was thinking of cancelling the membership but every time, I try to, have this thought in my mind… 9)“I am going to change.” You know, what, I am going to go to the gym straight after my time in Church and work out. But what really happens is, I would leave the church at about 10:30 pm and think. “It’s too late.” Then I would go home, change and fall asleep on the couch. I am not just talking about other people around us, but really, these proverbs, it is pointed to us. We agree that people don’t change. But guys, I don’t change and you don’t change. What does this mean? That we just stay as sinners and live according to our own sinful nature. We think about changing. Some times we know that we have a problem. So you commit to change, but it really does not work like that. That’s who we are. We judge others. We judge how they are not living in the standards of God. We say that they are just living according to their own desires but then we are living the same life. Today,I call up on our father God. God change everyone here. Amen. The reason I am speaking so much about our ownselves is because, I saw myself in today’s scripture. Let’s read John 1:45-46 one more time.

John 1:45–46 (NIV)

10)Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

“Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

What’s happening here? We see Philip and Nathanael having a conversation on the coming to the Messiah. Philip is saying, “Nate man, we finally found the one who Moses wrote about! The Messiah is here my brother and his name is Jesus of Nazareth.” But then how does Nathanael react? With such ignorance, he says, “Messiah can’t come from a lowsy town of Nazareth.” To make this more suitable for our situation, Nathanel is saying, “Now that’s cap, no way the Messiah could come from Nazareth.”

Nathanael is that kind of a person who does not trust anyone. He only thinks of his own experiences. Nazareth which was like a very small town that nobody spoke of, in Nathanael’s point of view it was not a place that was fit for the Messiah to be living in. That’s why he is looking down on what Philip is saying. How can we describe Nathanael? He is an arrogant, subborn person who relies on his past experience and knowledge. He does not listen to anyone. So before meeting Jesus, already he was looking down on him. “Jesus from Nazareth.” I don’t know how but he still follows Philip and meets Jesus. Let’s read John 1:47-48. One the count of 3. 1, 2, 3.

John 1:47–48 (NIV)

11)When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

“How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

Despite Nathanael’s words, Jesus, he spoke Good about Nathanael. “Here truly is an Israelites in whom there is no deceit.” I just said that he is an arrogant and stubborn person who does not like to listen. But Jesus, he says exactly the same thing but in a good way. What Jesus said was Nathanael is someone who kept his faith as an Israelite no matter what kind of persecution that came to him. No matter what kind of trials that the Romans gave, he did not give into them but he kept his faith. He read the bible. He followed the law in circumstances when he couldn’t. It was something that people with strong will and strong belief could do. So, what Jesus did was, he looked into the heart of Nathanael. He didn’t just see what was superficial but what Nathanael was really about. Now let’s read verse 49 to see how Nathanael reacts.

John 1:49 (NIV)

12)Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

At first, Nathanael said, that 13)“What good could come from Nazareth.” But after encountering Jesus, his attitude changes. He says, “You are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” This is what we call change. His attitude, his perception of Jesus changed. Why? For he met Jesus. Like how I said, people don’t change. But when someone changes. It is not because of someone’s will. But because, Jesus is willing to change them. So, what Nathanael story tells us is this, Jesus is the only person ever to change another Person and when you encounter Jesus you not only grow but your whole life changes.

Guys, I see myself being Nathanael. Like how I shared last week, I am a pessimistic person. I am not a good listener. Not that I don’t listen to people, but that persons opinion has no effect on my decision whatsoever. I am a stubborn arrogant person. But like Nathanael, my life changed after encountering Jesus. Actually, everyday, after coming face to face with Jesus through the scripture, my life changes.

I’ve been going through a slump recently. Not spiritually, but in ministry. I know so well that God is going to do what he wants to do and it is not up to me to decide on the fruits. But overall, I am not satisfied with what I do. I am a control freak. I am a planner. I need things to go to plan. But nothing is going as I planned. I want to spend more time with preparing to preach but I just can’t put more time in to do research. I have my goals and ideals. I have steps that I want to take for Power Wave to grow, but everything it just seems like its my wish. It probably is.

However, as I was reading today’s scripture, and prepared the sermon, like how Jesus says to Nathanael, “I know you. I saw you while you were still under th fig tree,” Jesus is telling me, John I know you. I know how you feel. I know you are doing your best to serve me, I know what you want for me. This scripture comforted me and it changed my attitude. God, knows, and I am going to do to best ability for God and won’t think about anything else. For Jesus is the Son of God and the King over my life.”

Dear Power Wave. I hope my confession could be everyone’s confession. Jesus knows you. And when you meet Jesus he is going to change you. Your change does not only mean a big change. But it could be a little change. Change in your attitude, change in your perspectives. Changes in how you see your friends or even your enemies. But this could only happen when you encounter Jesus.

This Jesus who changes us is coming in 3 days. Don’t take it literally guys, but what we want to remember and think of is that, in this short remaining time, let us hope for the changes in our lives. Changes that this kid from Nazareth is going bring to us. And let us celebrate his coming with Joy and happiness.

At this time, I want us to pray to God. For our lives to change, and for our lives we first need to encounter Jesus. Like how Nathanael encountered Jesus and was changed, we too need to go to Jesus. We need to seek Jesus. For change is only possible through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, let us call on Jesus. Jesus I want to meet you, I want to change. So lord, come down on us and tell me that you know me. And through those words change me. With our voices lets all call out to Jesus through our prayers. Let us pray.

[Response]

Living Hope

[Benediction]

[Announcement]

Baptism

Christmas Schedule

Wonder Practice

Mission statement of faith

No Surf for Jan

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