Explores following Jesus faithfully, combating racism, and embracing the invitation to experience God's transformative power through the Gospel of John.
Welcome, dear friends, to this blessed gathering where we come together to share in the Word of God. How wonderful it is to be in the presence of fellow believers, united by our shared faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ.
As we prepare to delve into the profound truths of Scripture, let us remember the words of Tim Keller, who once said, "Christians who fall into racism are continuing to trust in works-righteousness in at least one part of their lives. Their hearts still oppose grace and seek to find ways of self-justification"
Today, we turn our hearts and minds to a particular passage from the Gospel of John. John 1:43-51 reads:
"The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, 'Follow me.' Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 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. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, 'Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.' 'How do you know me?' Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, 'I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.' 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 will see greater things than that.' He then added, 'Very truly I tell you, you will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.'"
When we look at the life of Philip, we see a man who was quick to respond to the call of Jesus. He didn't hesitate or make excuses. He simply heard the words, "Follow me," and he did. This is a powerful example of faith in action. Faith is not just about believing in God, it's about living out that belief in our daily lives. It's about making choices that reflect our trust in God, even when those choices might seem difficult or confusing.
Philip’s origins: It's interesting to note that Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter. This was a small fishing village, not a place of great importance or prestige. Yet, it was from this humble place that Jesus called some of his first disciples. This reminds us that God doesn't always call the qualified, but He always qualifies the called. He uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Nathanael's reaction when Philip told him about Jesus: He was skeptical, to say the least. "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" he asked. This is a common reaction when we're confronted with something that challenges our preconceived notions or expectations. We're quick to dismiss or doubt what we don't understand. But Philip's response to Nathanael's skepticism is instructive. He didn't argue or try to convince Nathanael with words. He simply said, "Come and see."
A lesson for us: When we're faced with skepticism or doubt, whether from others or from within ourselves, the best response is often not to argue or debate, but simply to invite others (and ourselves) to come and see. To experience God's love and grace firsthand. To witness the transformative power of faith in action.
Jesus' words to Nathanael: "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that." These words remind us that faith is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey. Our faith grows and deepens over time, as we experience more and more of God's love and grace. We're not called to a static faith, but to a dynamic, growing relationship with God.
In the heart of this passage, we find a moment that is all too familiar in our world today ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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