1-Come and See
1/23/11
Intro:
I.THE CALLING OF THE FIRST FIVE: John 1:35-43
A.John never calls himself by name, but he was one of the first
B.Andrew, Peter’s brother, was with him, and he brought Peter
C.Jesus changed his name from Shimon (Heb) to Kepa (Aramaic)
D.Jesus found Philip the next day, and Philip found Nathanael
II.NATHANAEL IS PROBABLY THE SAME DISCIPLE AS BARTHOLOMEW
A.John lists Nathaniel but not Bartholomew
B.The synoptics list Bartholomew but not Nathanael
C.Bartholomew simply means, “Son of Tholmai”
D.Bartholomew’s name always comes right after Philip’s
III.ALL WE KNOW ABOUT HIM IS HOW HE MET JESUS: John 1:44-51
A.He was a student of the Hebrew scriptures
B.He was waiting for the Messiah to come
C.He was not interested in anything but the real thing
Body:
I.Confronting Our Assumptions (John 1:45-46)
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.” “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.
A.God is not offended by critical thinking or reasonable caution
1)NATHANAEL WAS FROM THE TOWN NEXT TO NAZARETH
a)Philip appealed to his knowledge of scripture
b)He knew Jonah and Nahum came from Galilee
c)But he had also witnessed the destruction of Sepphoris
2)James 1:6
But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
a)Grk (diakrinos) decide beforehand
3)THE WORLD NEEDS GREAT MINDS WHO LONG TO KNOW GOD
a)Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1627)
“It is true, that a little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion.”
b)Isaac Newton (1642-1727)
“The most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion on an intelligent and powerful Being.”
B.The important thing is that we be open to “come and see”
1)John 5:39-40
You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
2)NATHANAEL HAD BEEN WAITING FOR SOMETHING REAL
a)He was tired of the superficial righteousness of his friends
b)He was tired of the superstition of the pharisees
c)He was tired of the hollow religion and worthless works
d)He was not about to fall for another false Messiah
3)WHATEVER QUESTIONS YOU HAVE, AT LEAST YOU CAME!
II.Unveiling Our Hearts (John 1:47-48)
When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked.Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."
A.You can shine other people on, but not Jesus
1)TERESA SCANLAN, 17, MISS AMERICA, SUPREME CT, PRESIDENT
When God says it about you, you can take it to the bank
2)Grk (dolos) no bait and swich, no deceipt
(He must have heard what he said about Nazareth)
3)Job 1:8
“Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
B.Jesus understands us in a way that no one else ever will
1)WHAT WAS NATHANAEL DOING UNDER THE FIG TREE?
2)Psalms 139:1-4
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise;you perceive my thoughts from afar . . . Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord.
3)LARRY CALLING ME A MAN OF INTEGRITY
III.Fulfilling Our Hopes (John 1:49-51)
Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that." He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."
A.The journey with Jesus begins with the first step of faith
1)He knew the titles, but He was about ready to learn what they meant
a)Rabbi—someone worth following and learning from
b)Son of God—someone who would fulfill all the prophecies
c)King of Israel—someone who would restore righteousness
2)Romans 10:10-11
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
B.The more you get to know Jesus, the more you will find He is real
1)GRACE DECIDING TO GO DEEP WITHOUT WAITING
2)John 10:27-28
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
3)You know enough to take the first step, but you ain’t seen nothin’ yet
Other Scriptures:
Genesis 28:12
He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
Isaiah 53:9
He was assigned a grave with the wicked,and with the rich in his death,though he had done no violence,nor was any deceit in his mouth.
Psalms 2:6-7
“I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill” . . . He said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”
John 8:31-32
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”