John 1 43-51

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“guess who’s here”

John 1:43-51

Introduction:  Has there ever been a time when a friend or acquaintance has come up to you and said, “guess who’s here”?  You know in n instant that they are speaking about somebody special.  Implied in their words is an understood invitation, come with me and lets check it out.  I remember working in a restaurant in Michigan.  One day, as I was working I heard a murmur that was rising in volume.  My friends ran to get me.  They Exclaimed  “Bo Schembeckler is here”.  He was a very famous football couch at the university of Michigan.  It would be like saying that Bobby Knight was here (before his disgrace).  Anyway we all went to see him.  Phillip, in our gospel lesson had the same opportunity to say guess who’s here?      

I.          Phillip and Nathaniel

A.        Phillip says come and see, the savior is here.  What a wonderful choice of words.  Come and see!  These are the best words to use especially when faced with an honest doubter.  And Nathaniel was an honest doubter.   In place of arguing whether the sun is shining or whether the rain or snow is falling, the best argument is to say go and see.  Seeing is believing.  This is true of spiritual things also.

B.        Nathaniel doesn’t believe -- says yah right.  But he does go and see.  He came, he saw and heard Jesus and he believed in Him.  He saw Christ’s love, His understanding and His knowledge of who he Nathaniel was.  Hearing His Word, through faith he believed.  He then says to Jesus you are the Savior the Son of God. 

II.        Harry and Harold, Mildred and Margaret

A.        We have the opportunity to tell people the Savior is here -- come and see.  Some times we, in the church, make it more difficult then it has to be.  We make a big production of evangelism.  To make people comfortable about evangelism we give them classes and seminars.  We train them in doctrine.  We teach them what they should and should not say.   Now, all these programs have there benefits.  However it is important to remember how simple it can be.  Come and see! Com with me to church.

B.        Most people will say -- yah right.  Many of them are honest doubters too just like Nathaniel.  With our honest invitation, avioding arguments about the Bible, Church or Jesus, they may come and see for themselves.  They may come to hear the Word of God.  Perhaps they too, seeing and hearing Jesus may like Nathaniel, come to believe     

Conclusion:    With our invitation to come and see, and meeting Jesus, perhaps the people in our lives will say -- He is my savior too, the Son of God.