Why Did They Follow Jesus?

HOOK

Last Sunday I asked everyone, what do you see out of this current crisis that we’re into?— I told the church to look through their eyes of faith— to me, I can see that this pandemic crisis will lead us to pandemic revival— this ushers us to “the church of tomorrow”— I was inspired to see an 85 year old HOSTing a Life Group

If you’re going to look at the history of the church, you will see that whenever the church is scattered, great things happens— when they are forced to dispersed, that’s when they grew spiritually and numerically—

Acts 4:8 NIV

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!

Acts 8:4 NIV

4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

When Jesus chose and called his disciples, the Word about him was preached— Andrew told Peter, Philip told Nathanael and that’s how Christianity grew that today, it became the largest people group [I wouldn’t say religion]— people of faith that make up roughly about 32% of the world population— or some 2.3B people

How this happened? — By telling others about Jesus Christ!

Good morning everyone! Let's take another look at this verse. To better understand the Word of God, one must learn to ask the right questions. Yesterday we asked, "What did they hear about Jesus that made them follow Him?"..... Glean on this verse, write your impressions and questions on your journal, and join me this morning at 8:00-8:15am (PT) to share those impressions and questions. 💑.

To better understand the Word of God, one must learn to ask the right questions. Yesterday we asked..

What did they hear about Jesus that made them follow Him?

I’d like for us to take a second look on that question, and see what the Gospel of John says about it

BOOK

John 1:45 NIV

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.”

'Nakita ni Felipe si Nathanael at sinabi niya dito, “Natagpuan na namin ang tinutukoy ni Moises sa kanyang isinulat sa aklat ng Kautusan at gayundin ng mga propeta. Siya'y si Jesus na taga-Nazaret, na anak ni Jose.” ' Juan 1:45

LOOK

WE HAVE FOUND THE ONE MOSES WROTE ABOUT IN THE LAW

Law— Scriptures— Old Testament— Pentateuch— Penta means 5— the First five books of the Bible— Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers & Deuteronomy

It is believed and scholars are convinced without a doubt that it was Moses who wrote the first five books of the Bible

Philip is essentially telling Nathanael that he followed Jesus because he believed that he was the One Mose wrote about in the law [Old Testament—Scriptures]—

It is obvious here that Philip read and studied the “Pentateuch”— the holy book ascribed by the religion of that generation— Judaism— that until today is still ascribed to by the Jewish people

AND ABOUT WHOM THE PROPHETS ALSO WROTE

The Bible is the book of history and prophecy— when you learn to blend history and prophecy— it will lead you to your destiny

Philip is no longer just referring to the “Pentateuch” — He is not alluding to the Old Testament— 39 Book that includes the writings of 16 Prophets— 4 Major Prophets— Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations [written by Jeremiah], Ezekiel and Daniel.

And 12 Minor Prophets— Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi

Today I’ll give you some of the things that Moses and the Prophets wrote about Jesus Christ— There’s actually a lot and I intend to use several of our learning days to dwell on them— that prayerfully, if you are not yet following Jesus— this facts of faith will lead you to believe in Jesus

Let me begin with prophecy about the virgin birth— we were told that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit through Mary— a virgin

The Prophet Isiah wrote this some 700 years before Jesus

Isaiah 7:14 NIV

14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

And on the account of the first Gospel says this…

Matthew 1:22–23 NIV

22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

Let me give you one more today, and I’ll give you more in the days to come— The Messiah Originating from Bethlehem

Micah 5:2 NIV

2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Matthew 2:5–6 NIV

5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Mathre

TOOK

They followed Jesus because He fulfilled what the Prophets wrote about Him