Jesus Can Tell You

JESUS CAN TELL YOU

Jn. 1:45-46

INTRO. It has been well said that, "Every heart with Christ is a missionary and every heart without Christ is a mission field."

In out text, we see the gospel being spread the way it was meant to be spread. Andrew brought Peter (vs. 40-42a). Then Jesus found Philip. Philip was so excited at the new life and hope that had been imparted to him, that he went and found his friend, Nathanael.

If each of us would tell our family and friends about Jesus we would start a chain reaction that would sweep the world. Are you walking in the steps of Jesus? Of course you are faithful and kind ...you pray and tithe and read your Bible; but most of us would do well to remember that God had only one Son -- and He was a missionary.

After Philip told Nathanael, Nathanael expressed his doubts. Philip’s reply was simple and God honoring..."Come and see." The challenge is to try Jesus for yourself and see if He’s not all He claims to be. (Samaritan woman - Jn. 4:29)

There are probably some here that are like Nathanael and the men of the Samaritan woman’s village. You have always heard this or that about salvation....or perhaps you have serious questions that are holding you back from coming to Jesus. My answer to you is the same as Philip’s and the Samaritan woman’s....Come and see. Jesus can tell you all you want and need to know.

I. JESUS CAN TELL YOU ALL ABOUT SIN.

A. Throughout history, men have been introducing plans and formulas "guaranteed" to provide personal happiness...and countless numbers have concocted vain attempts at solving the world’s problems. But only Jesus can give us the real answers that we all so desperately need. He can do this because He knows exactly what you are (inside and out) and He knows exactly what you face.

1. Matt. 4 - tempt. by Satan

a. (vs. 1-2) background

b. (vs. 3) Notice how the Devil adapted the temptation to the circumstances. Stones to bread. If Satan thinks there is anything you might love more than the will of God, he will use that thing to tempt you. This might be classified as a physical temptation. It’s strength is in it’s immediate gratification.

c. (vs. 5-6) This is a misquote of Psa. 91:11-12, where the verse actually reads, "He shall give his angels charge over thee, TO KEEP THEE IN ALL THY WAYS." The whole Psalm is about God’s care over those who love and follow Him. We will be kept as long as our ways are God’s ways.

1. But doesn’t this sound profoundly righteous? Sin is all the more deceptive when it is dressed in religious attire.

2. This might be classified as spiritual temptation. This is the Devil’s religion; to misrepresent the truth but make it look and sound proper.

d. (vs. 8-9) This is the kind of temptation that is promised to satisfy one’s lust for power, fame, prestige, or influence. This might be classified as political temptation. You will encounter this kind of temptation when all that matters is the bottom line. If all you care about is results, numbers, profit, etc.

2. Some of you may be thinking, "That was then and this is now." Although it may not be popular these days to believe in such a creature as Satan; I believe there is a real, living devil. The same one who talked to Adam and Eve and tempted Jesus and caused Judas to betray the Son of God is still around today doing hurt and harm to all men.

B. No one knows about sin as does Jesus. He knows the real danger we can only suspect.

1. He knows where sin came from. (Lk. 10:18) He was witness to the great war in Heaven described by John in Rev. 12.

2. He was tempted to sin and knows the weakness of our heart to sin. (Heb. 4:15) -- "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

3. He has seen the torment of sin (Lk 16).

4. He knows the universality of sin. The writers of the Bible have often warned us of it.

a. Paul (Rom. 3:23) - "For all have sinned..."

b. Ezekiel -- "The soul that sinneth, it shall die."

c. Isaiah -- "All we like sheep have gone astray."

d. James -- "Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

e. But Jesus is the greatest voice...(Jn. 3:18)--"He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."