Series: Light And Life [#3]
JESUS KNOWS
John 1:35-51
Introduction:
As we start another year, I want us to be reminded that Jesus knows who you are and how to work in you and through you. This morning we are going to look at 5 of the Apostles that Jesus called to follow Him and how Jesus knew exactly how to minister to them.
Have any of you ever completed a personality temperament survey? There are many different surveys; but the traditional survey has 4 personality temperament types. I would encourage you to take this survey online. By the way, most people have 2 of the 4 personality temperament types; but usually there is 1 that is more dominant. I want to use these 4 personality temperament types to show how Jesus called these 5 Disciples. Jesus’ call exactly fits each of their character.
John 1:35-39 (NIV)
35 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 they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.
Jesus knows the…
1. Sanguine.
This personality type fits people who are relational. They like people. In verses 35-37, we read about 2 of John the Baptist’s disciples. When Jesus passed by, John the Baptist preached a 4 word sermon- “Look, the Lamb of God!” We find out later that these 2 Disciples were Andrew and John. God used the method of preaching to reach these 2.
Andrew and John had to deal with a personality challenge when they left John the Baptist to follow Jesus. It was in their personality to be loyal to John the Baptist; yet when John the Baptist said, “Look, the Lamb of God”, they immediately followed Jesus. It is interesting that Jesus turned around and asked them, “What do you want?” Many people would consider that rude and would have not followed Jesus; but they replied, “where are you staying?” What they heard Jesus asking was, “What are you looking for in life”? Jesus knew that they were the type of people that wanted others to like them and include them. They asked Jesus where He was staying because they wanted to be wherever Jesus was.
John 1:40-42 (NIV)
40 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).
Jesus knows the…
2. Choleric.
This personality type fits people who are purposed center. This type of person gets things done. The 1st thing Andrew did after following Jesus was to go find his brother Simon and tell him about Jesus. God used the method of a personal witness to reach Simon Peter. We can see in the Gospels that Andrew was always bringing people to Jesus.
Andrew had to avoid the temptation of being prideful. Andrew was not a part of the inner circle of 3 Apostles. Andrew was always in the shadow of his brother Peter; but he didn’t let that stop him. When Jesus saw Peter, He said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). Not only did Jesus know who Peter was; but He also knew who Peter could be. Peter means “little rock”. Peter was the Apostle that got out of the boat and walked on water. Jesus challenged Peter to be more than he was on his own. Jesus doesn’t just know your name; He knows who you can be through Him.
John 1:43 (NIV)
43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”
Jesus knows the…
3. Phlegmatic.
This personality type fits people who are peace centered. This type of person is laid back- They have a whatever happens, happens type of attitude. Jesus found Philip and told him to follow Him. God used the method of Jesus Christ Himself. Philip didn’t have a preacher or a brother to bring him to Jesus. He had someone even better- God the Son. It is Jesus who changes each of our lives. Even if preachers don’t preach and family members don’t bring their family to Jesus; God makes a way. Scripture tells us that even if someone never hears a preacher, all they need to do is look outside and they will realize that there is something greater than themselves.
John 1:44-51 (NIV)
44 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 truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” 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 will see greater things than that.” 51 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.”
Jesus knows the…
4. Melancholic.
This personality type fits people who focus on the inside instead of the outside. This type of person can find everything that is wrong with others. God once again used the method of personal evangelism. Philip found Nathanael and told him about Jesus. “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.” Nathanael’s response is very interesting. “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?”
Nathanael’s challenge was prejudice. Nazareth had become a town with a bad reputation. One of the main Roman roads that was between 2 great Roman cities went by Nazareth. There were many Roman Soldiers who were in the area often and Nazareth became a very “rough place” to live. As far as Nathanael was concerned; there was no way something good could come from that city.
As soon as Jesus saw Nathanael approaching Him, Jesus let him know that He knew who he was. Jesus knew how Nathanael felt about Him simply because of his prejudices; and Jesus was showing him that he was wrong. Jesus told Nathanael that He had saw him worshipping God under a fig tree. Nathanael knew that this meant Jesus was who He said He was. A fig tree grows from the ground up; which means no one should have seen him.
In this passage, we see the principal of the mustard seed- When you express a little faith, you will experience a great faith.
Conclusion:
Jesus ends this section by adding to a dream that Jacob had in Genesis 28. Jacob had a dream about a ladder where angels were ascending and descending from Heaven. Jesus tells Nathanael that Jesus is the ladder. Jesus is the only way into Heaven to God the Father. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life.
