Coming to Christ
The Life of Christ Series
By Greg Johnson
http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org/greg_johnson_blog
February 25, 2007
John 1:35-51
The only way to God is through Jesus. There is no other way. Jesus said (John 14:6 NIV) "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
It is important to understand that God takes the initiative in drawing people to Jesus. Jesus said (John 6:44 NIV) "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day."
Based on the Word of God no one can come to God except through Jesus (John 14:6) and no one can come to Jesus unless God draws them to Jesus (John 6:44). God does not operate within limitations and instead uses variety in drawing people to Jesus.
COMING TO CHRIST THROUGH A PREACHER
God used a preacher to draw the first two followers of Jesus. God’s Word says (John 1:35-39 NIV) "The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. {36} When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" {37} When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. {38} Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" {39} "Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour."
The day before, preacher John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Now the faithful preacher John is preaching the same sermon as he proclaims “Look, the Lamb of God!” Preachers called of God will always point all those that listen to Jesus Christ. They will stay away from flesh gratifying messages centered on positive thinking, self help and prosperity. Their messages will always be centered on Jesus and the cross of Christ because Jesus is the only way to God. God will use their message to draw people to Jesus just as He used John the Baptist’s message to draw these two to Jesus.
COMING TO CHRIST THROUGH FAMILY
God used family to draw the third follower of Christ. God’s Word says (John 1:40-42 NIV) "Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. {41} The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). {42} And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter)."
Andrew was drawn to Jesus and the first thing he did was lead his brother to Jesus. As you follow Jesus, God will use your walk to draw those in your family to Jesus. You will be able to lovingly introduce them to Jesus and He will do the rest. Jesus will give them a new name that is written down in glory as they too follow Him.
COMING TO CHRIST THROUGH ANSWERING HIS CALL
The fourth follower of Christ came to Jesus through answering His call. God’s Word says (John 1:43 NIV) "The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me.""
The call Jesus made to Philip is the call He makes to you and to me. Jesus calls us to follow Him and as we do, He will lead us from earth to glory. It’s a wonderful journey as we make Jesus our Lord, follow His example and obey His commands.
COMING TO CHRIST THROUGH A FRIEND
God used a friend to draw the fifth follower of Christ. God’s Word says (John 1:44-51 NIV) "Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. {45} 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." {46} "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip. {47} When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." {48} "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." {49} Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." {50} Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that." {51} He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.""
Phillip told Nathanael about Jesus and Jesus did the rest. As you follow Jesus and show your friends Jesus through your actions and through the Word, God will draw them to Jesus and Jesus will do the rest.
In this one Bible passage we see five people become followers of Christ. Each is drawn to Jesus by God. God uses variety in drawing people to Jesus. Let’s never put boundaries or conditions to how God draws people to Jesus in our day.
What about you friend? If you are not yet following Christ, God is drawing you and He is using this message to point you to Jesus. All you have to do is answer the call, decide to put the world behind you and follow Jesus.
Those that have made the choice to follow Jesus are the Beloved. They have experienced the love of God that draws them to Jesus. Rejoice today Beloved! God loves you so much that He has drawn you to Jesus. Through Jesus you have access to God and you will spend eternity with God as you follow Jesus from earth to glory. Praise be to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
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