Philip and Nathanael: A Case Study in Evangelism

John 1:43–51 KJV 1900

The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker

5 Relationship tips.

#1 A man that Loves you and is loyal.

#2 A man fun and makes you laugh.

#3 A man that is a good worker and makes a good living.

#4 A man that is a great father and is good with Children.

#5 It is important that none of these 4 men know each other.

Introduction

I came across a piece of nostalgia on the internet yesterday. Priscilla Martin wrote, “I’m sure there must be some of you out there not afraid to admit they were around in the mid 70’s. If you were, you undoubtedly remember I FOUND IT! Started by Campus Crusade for Christ in 1976. It was a simple, yet profound campaign. All across America billboards and bumper stickers read, “I found it.”

85% of all American were exposed to it.

More than 3000,00 Christians were involved in it.

15000 churches took part in it.

246 cities were touched by it.

3.5 million became Christians as a result of it.

She concludes by asking, “Would something like this work today?

Throughout 2022 we have explored a variety of themes each week. Today we continue to explore the theme of Evangelism. In our passage from John chapter 1 we will look at a text of Scripture that includes a key word from this campaign. The word is Found. 3 Times in this passage the word found is used.

The apostle John uses the first four days of Jesus earthly ministry as a window, with each day being a pain through which we might view Jesus Ministry. The first day looks at Jesus Baptism, the next day looks at John pointing out Jesus to his followers as the Lamb of God, the third pain looks at the story of Andrew and Peter being called by Jesus. And the fourth pain looks at Jesus encounter with Philip and Nathanael. It is this encounter that we will examine today. It will serve as a Case Study for evangelism. It is here that Philip says to Nathanael, not “I Found it!” But rather “We have found him!” Let’s quickly review 5 Principles of Evangelism from this text.

Body

I. Evangelism Begins with God - vs. 43a.

John 1:43 KJV 1900

The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.

Maybe one of the flaws of Bumper Sticker evangelism is that Idea, the motive is right. But the theology is wrong.

1 John 4:10 KJV 1900

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:19 KJV 1900

We love him, because he first loved us.

It all begins with God

Genesis 1:1 KJV 1900

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

The World Begins with God - We call that Creation!

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

The Word Begins with God - We call that Inspiration!

John 6:29 KJV 1900

Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

The Work Begins with God - We call that Salvation!

II. Evangelism involves Following Jesus - vs 43b-45a

John 1:43–45 KJV 1900

The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Luke 9:23 KJV 1900

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Matthew 28:18–20 KJV 1900

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

III. Evangelism is Based on the Bible - vs. 45b

John 1:45 KJV 1900

Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

John 20:30–31 KJV 1900

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

2 Timothy 3:15 KJV 1900

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1 John 5:13 KJV 1900

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

IV. Evangelism includes an Invitation - vs. 46

John 1:46 KJV 1900

And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.

Revelation 3:20 KJV 1900

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Revelation 22:17 KJV 1900

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Matthew 10:32 KJV 1900

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

V. Evangelism results in a greater revelation of Jesus - vs. 47-51

John 1:47–51 KJV 1900

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Genesis 28:11–13 KJV 1900

And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

John 14:6 KJV 1900

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Conclusion

Started by Campus Crusade for Christ in 1976. It was a simple, yet campaign. All across America billboards and bumper stickers read, “I found it.”

Have you found not it, but Him?

If not you should place your trust in Christ today!

Simple as ABC.

If you have then just like Philip you should be finding your Nathanael and using the word to invite him to know Jesus.