Nathanael's Encounter With Jesus

Nathanael’s Encounter with Jesus

John 1:45-51 Monte T. Brown

September 7, 2008 Sunday Morning

Heart O’ the Hills

Introduction

Early in the ministry of Jesus chooses Philip to be one of his disciples and in return, we see that Philip takes Jesus to Nathanael and from that account, we see Nathanael’s encounter with Jesus.

We see that Jesus affirms Nathanael that he knows him.

Then Nathanael accepts him, then acknowledges him, and then anticipates his greatness.

This leads us to look at The Four A’s of Nathanael’s Encounter with Jesus.

Turn with me this morning to our text in John 1: 45-51.

So that we might see how Jesus affirms us, because he knows us.

How we need to accept him.

How we need to acknowledge him, and then we need to anticipate his greatness.

Let us all stand and honor the Word of God as we read from our passage.

Scripture

45Philip 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.

46And Nathanael said to him, Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip said to him, Come and see.

47Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!

48 Nathanael said to Him, How do You know me? Jesus answered and said to him, Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.

49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!

50 Jesus answered and said to him, Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.

51 And He said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.

Prayer

1. Jesus Affirms You

Jesus affirms Nathanael

48 Nathanael said to Him, How do You know me?

Jesus answered and said to him, Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.

Nathanael was amazed that Jesus knew him before he ever met him.

Then Jesus reveals his all-knowing knowledge and said, Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.

God knowledge is ever moving and he knows are every thought.

Jesus affirms you

Have you accepted Jesus affirmation? He desires that all come to him

2. Do You Accept Him

Nathanael accepts him

49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!

Nathanael knows that only God can know your heart.

So he replies with a show of respect and says Rabbi, which means teacher.

Then address Jesus as the Son of God and the King of Israel.

We need to accept him

We need believe that he is the only begotten Son of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Do you believe?

That is good that you believe but that is not enough to receive eternal life.

Satan believes that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, but he has not received him.

3. Do You Acknowledge Him

Nathanael acknowledge Jesus

50 Jesus answered and said to him, Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.

Jesus replied to Nathanael with a question: "Because I said to you, ’I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe?

Then Jesus assures Nathanael that what just happened was nothing compared to what Nathanael was going to see. You will see greater things than these.

We need to acknowledge Jesus

To acknowledge Jesus is to believe in your heart and confess with your mouth, then salvation becomes whole.

This is where so many fall short. They are like Satan, they believe that Jesus is the Son of God but they have not made him the Lord of their life.

4. Do You Anticipate His Greatness

Nathanael anticipates His Greatness

51 And He said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.

Jesus told Nathanael just a little of what he was going to see and experience.

Nathanael you are going to see the glory of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.

Nathanael you are going to see the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.

We need to anticipate His Greatness

So many Christians live a defeated life because they never anticipate His greatness.