Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

The story of John the Baptist and his two disciples:

John the Baptist’s message: Repentance (Change)—but not just any kind of change (a personal/spiritual transformation).

In John the Baptist’s ministry—he prophesied of the coming of the Messiah.

Then Jesus is revealed.

Jesus was IT—He was the Messiah—He was the One of whom the prophets of old preached about.

John the Baptist served as a witness.

The prophets of the Old Testament served as a witness.

The Scripture served as a witness—credible, truthful, accurate.

John the Baptist did not fulfill his ministry alone—he had followers (disciples of his own).

We are told of the name of one of these followers: Andrew.

The other is not named—but many believe that it was John (not John the Baptist, but John, brother of James.

Andrew and John were fishermen—they grew up together—lived in the same community—and both were drawn to the message of John the Baptist.

But, when John the Baptist prophesied about “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”—they began to experience something—a change .

Transition

Let’s pick up the story in John 1:35:

Text

Prayer

The next day, John the Baptist was with his other followers.

When Jesus walked by, John once again declared of Jesus: “Behold, the Lamb of God!”

There is something here that we can easily miss.

John the Baptist never lost sight of his purpose and mission—to prepare the way for the Messiah.

It was not about holding on to his people—but it was always about the Messiah—about Jesus.

When the two disciples mentioned in our story transitioned from John the Baptist to Jesus—Jesus took notice (Jesus turned and saw them following).

Like with anything concerning Jesus—the infinite Son of God—He is deliberate and purposeful.

His mission is not to gather a crowd, but to change lives.

Jesus asks these two disciples a question—THE question: “What are you seeking?” “What do you want?”

This is not the only time Jesus asks this type of Question.

When a blind beggar called out to Jesus, Jesus asked him “What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18:41)

When Jesus was betrayed by Judas, he asked the Temple guard: “Whom do you seek?” (John 18:4)

And, the day of the resurrection, Jesus asked Mary Magnalene: “Woman, why are you weeping?

Whom are you seeking?”

"What are you seeking?—What do you want?”

One can see this existential question of everyone who encounters Jesus.

Everyone of us are seeking something.

What is it?

These two disciples were seeking something—someone—what was it?

This is a pivotal point in the life of Andrew and the other disciple (John).

It is a pivotal point for anyone facing this question (what are you seeking?

What do you want?).

The response by the two disciples is telling: “Rabbi (which means Teacher), where are you staying?”

It is so typical of people to want some indication of place or status—because place provides us with a sense of stability or security—and status provides us with a sense of worth and purpose.

Later on in the ministry of Jesus, John (the disciple) and his brother were definitely seeking a better position:

People struggle with fear, insecurity, an appetite to feed pride and lust.

Ever since Adam and Eve rejected God’s plan for their life—they and their descendants (that includes you and me), face these same struggles and try to find solutions.

So we too look to a place and and a status that will satisfy our hunger for security and significance.

If only I had a better job, more money, a bigger house, a more impressive car, better friends, a more impressive church…then I will be safe, stable, comfortable, at peace.

The problem is that even when we are successful at acquiring these things, we still are afraid, we still find peace elusive, and our heart remains unstable.

How did Jesus respond to their question?

Jesus invites them to where he was staying—He invited them for fellowship.

From Jesus’ perspective (it’s the perspective that counts), one’s place of security was not to be crucial, but one’s relationship to God is absolutely essential.

What an amazing invitation to experience the fulness of life as God intends it to be with the author of life.

This is not the only time Jesus invites people to be with Him—to experience the blessing of relationship:

Something profoundly and supernaturally changes when our life is genuinely connected with Jesus Christ.

Important Pastoral Thought

​My thought: From a person who is still learning about the depth of God’s love and grace—a real relationship with Jesus needs to be the center of our existence, the priority of our activity, the oxygen to our lungs, our reason for living.

Jesus gives to us a life worth living.

But, this life worth living is not meant to be a life alone—it is a life with others who believe.

As I look at this story I cannot help but to see the power of believers when they come together in Christ.

John the Baptist is not about building his own kingdom—but building the Kingdom of God.

These two disciples appear to encourage one another to seek after Jesus.

And then we see one of those disciples (Andrew) telling his brother Simon (Peter) about Jesus (John 1:40-42).

Encountering Jesus should not only impact our life—but also the lives around us.

Conclusion

When you came to church this morning, what were you seeking?

What do you want?

Fellowship?

Worship/singing?

The preaching?

I think what we need more than anything is a renewed, empowered, fresh encounter with Jesus!

For us to be the church God has called us to be we need to have a relationship with Christ that is real!

The starting point is to trust in His invitation to be with Him.

Illustration

The actor, Anthony Hopkins was addicted to drinking and getting drunk.

He referred to himself as “disgusted, busted and not to be trusted.”

He realized that something drastic needed to happen—so, he attending an AA meeting.

At that 1975 meeting, a woman said seven words that transformed Hopkins’ life, put him on the road to more than 40 years of continuous sobriety.

The seven words: “Why don’t you just trust in God?”