Sermon Central
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Bringing Friends & Relatives To Jesus
Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 29, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Most people are brought to Christ through the example and testimony of someone they love.
Pastor’s Bible Class
Thomas Road Baptist Church
Bringing Friends & Relatives to Jesus
Dr. Elmer Towns
October 28, 2007
A. JOHN 1:37-45
“The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, ‘What do you seek?’ They said to Him, ‘Rabbi’ (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), ‘where are You staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come and see.’ They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, ‘You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas’ (which is translated, A Stone).
The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 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.’”
B. PRINCIPLES
1. Jesus gives an invitation to all. “Come and see” (v. 39).
2. People have questions before they follow Jesus. “Where are you staying?” (v. 38).
3. Relationship is the most important influence to get people saved. “Remained with Him that day” (v. 39).
4. Most times a preacher tells us about Jesus before a friend convinces us to follow Jesus. “Behold the Lamb of God” (v. 29, 36).
5. Jesus is interested in followers before they begin following. “What do you seek?” (v. 38).
6. You must follow Jesus before you get others. “One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him” (v. 40).
7. Most think first of getting a relative to Jesus. “He first found his own brother Simon” (v. 41).
WHAT INFLUENCED YOU TO CHRIST?
___ 2% Advertisement, a thing
___ 6% Pastoral influence
___ 6% Planned evangelistic outreach
___ 86% Friend or Relative
8. What we first do for Christ identifies our continuing service.
Andrew – first called disciple
Peter – primary disciple
John – youngest disciple
James – silent disciple
Philip – the analytical disciple
Nathaniel – (Bartholomew) the sincere disciple
9. Sometimes young friends influence older ones. “And he (Andrew) first brought Simon to Jesus, before John (second) brought James to Jesus” (v. 42).
10. When Jesus looks at us, He sees our nature. “You are Simon . . . you shall be called Cephas, which is translated, a Stone” (v. 42).
Simeon = listener
Rock = stable
11. The first thing Jesus did on His first day should be our example.
Who will you bring next week?
Name _____________________
Friend ____________________
Relative ___________________
12. After reaching our family, we should reach our friends. “Jesus . . . found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ Philip was from Bethsaida the city of Andrew and Peter” (v. 43-44).
· First day, “The next day” (v. 29) – Baptism of Jesus
· Second day, “The next “ (v. 35) – Call Andrew and John
· Third day, “The following day” (v. 43) – call Philip and Nathaniel
13. Some people must have their problems solved before they follow Jesus. “Nathaniel said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’” (John 1:46).
· No Old Testament prophet from Galilee.
· Looked for Messiah from Bethlehem.
14. Jesus appealed to Nathaniel’s strength. “Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no deceit” (v. 47).
15. Some people want to analyze everything before they follow Jesus. “Philip said, ‘Come and see’” (v. 46).
16. Jesus has many names and titles which became a basis for a relationship.
· To John the Baptist, The Lamb of God.
· To John the Apostle, The Son of God (v. 38).
· To Andrew, Rabbi (v. 38).
· To Peter, the Christ (v. 41).
· To Philip, “Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (v. 45).
· To Nathaniel “King of Israel” (v. 49).
· To Jesus, “The Son of Man” (v. 51).
17. We see in Jesus our weaknesses and desires. Nathaniel’s name Bartholomew comes from the royal Ptolemy family of Egypt. He called Jesus King of Israel.
18. Will you pray every day this week for your friend? Yes ___ No ___.
19. Ask God to give you faith for Friend Day. “You will see greater things” (v. 50).
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart: