Clear The Way, Part 7 Series

John, Part 7

Series: Clear the Way, Part 7

John 1:43-51

- Welcome to Seasons – intro – we are so glad you’re here with us; dismiss kids

-- Thank you for hanging in there with me through this introductory chapter

-- Truly, there has been a LOT to discover, and I thank you for your attentiveness

-- Prayerfully, as we dive into the ministry works of Jesus, we’ll be just as eager!

- I never want to assume that we all have the same knowledge about John:

? A young Jewish man; referred to as youngest Apostle (late teens / early 20s)

? John wrote 5 books in NT: 3 epistles, Revelation, and this Gospel (~90 AD)

? John centers on the truth of Christ: He is the Messiah sent from God to save

- Setup: Many immediately denied Jesus because of his origins

? They looked on Him as a fake: comes from “Nazareth”, a rejected people

? However, what we see Jesus do is what He can do for those we tell also

? He changes the heart of those who don’t know (we are the messengers)

- Read John 1:43-51 / Pray

Point 1 – Hearing leads to Conviction

- OBV: Philip was ready when Jesus invited him to follow

-- How do I know? Look how he responded to the invitation – he reacted (v43)

-- But don’t miss the most outstanding thing in this passage right before that

-- Jesus went! He sought Philip out! Note: Galilee was 80 miles from Bethany!

- FACT: There was no sin, obstacle, or distance too great to keep Jesus away

-- Last week: Jesus sees the potential you will have; not just where you are now!

-- BIG: When we think people are not worth sharing Jesus with (re: 80 miles)

- Lesson: Each of us must be willing to have no limits on WHO needs Jesus

-- Too many in this world are considered “unwanted” by the church

-- And in that, we are no different than the Pharisees (who practiced this sinfully)

- Jesus’ purpose was to invite the creation to draw closer to the Creator

-- People who would be faithful to God – who would desire His ways over theirs

-- However, they had to repent of sin; NON-NEGOTIABLE (why they denied)

- REALIZE: Being a “follower” of Jesus means that we do what He did!

-- Our own preferences, desires, feelings, & even our opinions must take backseat

- APPLY: Within each of us a conviction must build from this truth:

? In v1 we saw that the Word always existed (before time began)

? In v14 we saw that the Word became flesh and dwelled among us

? In v34 we heard the last OT prophet declare that He is the Messiah

? And now we see the Word, the Messiah, calling others to follow Him

- GET: I’m tired of this (all) Church flirting with loving the world’s ways

-- Yes, we are followers; Yes, we are worshiping; Yes, we are loving – BUT …

-- There is a burning in my heart to witness even more boldly than before

-- Confess: I have a desire to see people come to Christ! WHY? Because …

-- In the simplest terms: Jesus went to find people … will we do the same?

Point 2 – Conviction must become Action

- FACT: When you read these words and you are not stirred, it should worry you!

-- APP: It should cause us to pause and ask ourselves some questions:

1. Why do I not care for those who need Jesus just like I did?

2. What is keeping me from sharing this invitation with people I know?

3. Why am I not a burdened evangelist, telling this to people I know?

- FREEING: The response & actions of someone else is NOT on you!!

-- The only thing that matters is your response to Jesus: Do YOU know Him?

-- Nathaneal (aka Bartholomew) had an opinion about Nazarenes (v46); until Jesus

-- Why? All Jesus did was tell him that He knew (cared for) him; it changed him

- TRUTH: Once the invitation is made, a response is required by the listener

-- This is the simplicity of the Gospel in action that we must comprehend

-- Once someone is invited, they have to respond: “yes” or “no” (two choices)

- APPLY: This must be the motivator of each of you every day you have breath

-- See Philip’s joy: We have found Him!!! He is here! The One promised to us!

-- When Philip talks about Moses he is referring to the knowledge of The Law

-- RE: The Law pointed them (and us) to see the need for a Savior (because of sin)