The Importance of One
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The Importance of One
The Importance of One
We’re prone to think of “one” as small and insignificant. Who wants just one cookie? What is the value of only one dollar?
But the Bible consistently speaks of one: one pearl of great price, one lost sheep, one wayward son.
Bible consistently speaks of one: one pearl of great price, one lost sheep, one wayward son.
Disciples of Jesus often overlook the value of one. One invitation to church, one message of hope, one neighbor, one coworker, one friend. Can you name one person who has come to Christ through your invite and witness?
The gospel makes this all possible. Paul states:
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
MAIN TEXT:
45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”
John 1:
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it (, CSB).
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
PASSAGE OUTLINE:
I. COMMIT TO BEING AN INTENTIONAL WITNESS.
This will require intentionality on your part. It will not just happen. It will require accountability for you to stick to your commitment. You will need to have partners who join you in the mission. You will also need maturity as a disciple maker in order to persevere in the mission and point others to the life-transforming hope of the gospel. Those who accept Christ’s identity will also embrace this important mission—sharing Jesus with others.
Being an intentional witness does not come natural or easy. It takes a commitment on our part.
Share about how we took opportunities in grocery store to share gospel. Evangecube with boys and others in the store. How people would ask what it was. Gave opportunities to share gospel.
Philip encountered Jesus. He went to his brother and shared what he knew about this Jesus. He could have went back to Nathanael and not said anything, but he knew there was something different about this Jesus, and he knew everyone needed to hear.
II. GO AND TELL.
1. Each disciple, Christ-follower (church member) invites one unchurched (unsaved) person to breakfast, lunch or dinner this year. Share your testimony, and tell the gospel story.
2. Invite one family in your neighborhood to your home. Choose one of your family members to tell his/her story of coming to Christ.
3. Invite one unchurched (unsaved) person to attend church with you. Andrew invited Peter to come meet Jesus.
4. Invest in your ONE.
Share about how we went out each Saturday into our community when we first came to Christ.
2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
2 Cornithians
III. Recognize and Repent of Excuses.
, •
INTRODUCTION:
III. Recognize and Repent of Excuses.
Spiritual Lethargy
This takes place when we fail to obey. A lack of growth inevitably leads to a diminished desire to share Christ with others.
This takes place when we fail to obey. A lack of growth inevitably leads to a diminished desire to share Christ
with others.
2. GROWING INCLUSIVENESS
“All religions lead to God” is a prevailing opinion. Sometimes this view affirms Jesus is not the only way to salvation, but He can be found in other “good religions.” It’s a subtle belief that somehow “good” followers will make it to heaven outside of true Christian conversion.
3. DISBELIEF IN HELL
This undermines the urgency of placing one’s faith in Christ alone. One must escape the wrath of God, and Jesus is the only refuge.
4. BUSYNESS
The unchurched need us to tell them about Jesus. This needs to be on our to-do list. What priority do you give to reaching the lost?
5. FEAR OF REJECTION
Research shows that only one in four unchurched persons will be resistant to faith discussions; 75 percent are open. The few with an antagonistic attitude are not rejecting you personally; their anger is merely a reflection of something in their past.
6. A DESIRE TO BE TOLERANT
The gospel is, in some sense, intolerant. The one true God insists there can be no other gods. He is a jealous God. The Christian message speaks of a “narrow way” and “no other name under heaven” and “I am the way...”
7. LOSING THE HABIT OF WITNESSING
For many reasons, you may have quit witnessing. Witnessing is a discipline. It can be regained!
8. LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY
When you have someone holding you accountable, it can increase your zeal for witnessing.
9. FAILURE TO INVITE
When was the last time you invited an unchurched person to church? Have you offered to take someone to church or meet them? It’s such a simple gesture that can have a significant outcome.
10. CHURCH NOT INTENT ON REACHING THE LOST.
It is said it takes 85 church members to reach an unsaved person. What a terrible ratio. Churches must regain their passion for the lost.
45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.
There are two things you must know about pearls to understand the biblical illustration. First of all, back then pearls were the most precious commodity. Not one of the precious commodities, but the most precious commodity, more highly valued in that day than diamonds. Pearls were greatly valued because diving for the oysters that contained the pearls was an extremely hazardous exercise. There were many people who lost their lives diving for these oysters.
There are two things you must know about pearls to understand the biblical illustration. First of all, back then pearls were the most precious commodity. Not one of the precious commodities, but the most precious commodity, more highly valued in that day than diamonds. Pearls were greatly valued because diving for the oysters that contained the pearls was an extremely hazardous exercise. There were many people who lost their lives diving for these oysters.
CONCLUSION:
Both the beauty and the scarcity of the pearl made it extremely valuable, and people often gave all their money and belongings to possess just one priceless pearl. It was on the cruel Roman cross that the only perfect God-man suffered, bled and died. It is only through His grinding death on the cross, and His ultimate resurrection from the dead, that the priceless pearl of salvation is made available. Nothing can be compared with this pearl.
Only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ can we be assured of heaven. Only through Him can we find forgiveness of sin. He’s the only one who provides true peace of mind, security, identity and rest for our souls. I’ve found the pearl of great price. If you’re a Christian, you have found the pearl of great price. If God can use Nathanael once he comes to Christ, He can use you.
What I did not read in this passage of this skeptic, is the Bible says about Nathanael, just a few minutes later, “and Nathanael answered and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, you are the son of God, you’re the King of Israel.’” One moment he’s critical and distracting and deferring. The next moment he is praising Him.
CONCLUSION:
1. Will you be intentional?
2. Will you be accountable?
3. Will you be mature as a disciple maker?
4.
4. Will you reach out to your ONE?
