“Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.” John 1: 45-46
Philip went to look for Nathanael. Interesting!
No doubt the book of John is regarded as the book of love. John the disciple who was “the son of thunder” encountered love and that changed his life and apparently his approach to life which he demonstrated in all his writings; you cannot encounter God and remain the same. Just reading Chapter one of St John’s synoptic gospel you cannot deny being wrapped in the love of God. It is the story of how people encounter God and what they did after encountering God. Call it the chapter of Divine Encounter! Read the following;
“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. 41 Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ” ). 42 Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus....43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me....45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him...,,,” John 1:40-45.
Can you see a trend? Once they are called it is like
“The Spirit enters them and they are out to call the next person available!”
That is the pattern. The moment they bring them to the Master, they allow the Master to take over!
What the Holy Spirit is asking today is have YOU broken the chain? Where is your Nathaneal, Since you were brought to Christ how many have you brought to him?
Since someone led you to that church/ fellowship how many have you brought there?
someone helped you to stabilize in business how many have you helped to stabilize in business, someone helped your ministry to grow how many have you helped their ministry to grow, someone prayed for you how many have you prayed for? You cannot deny that someone has helped you in life. There is no such thing as ‘ I am a self made man” No, Someone helped you at a point in life, who have you helped? Are you River Nile flowing with living organisms or the Dead Sea?
I remember getting admission to High school, Christ Apostolic Church Grammar School Efon Alaye and getting my first cousin to that school. Today he is more active than me in that school Alumni. I remember I was told in Manchester many years ago of the Skilled Worker programme of Canada I immediately called one of the elders of our church who was schooling in Sheffield, he has a thriving family in Canada today to the glory of God.
Nathanael means ‘God has given’ or ‘Gift of God.’ Philip means ‘friend’ or ‘lover’(philos)of horses (hippos). Put together Philip loves Nathanael the gift of God! The bible says - Philip went to look for Nathaneal, take note of the phrase ‘went to look’ that is a precise and deliberate action. It means he went in search. It means sacrificing his time for a friend, someone he loves. Philip was bearing his name from day one of his conversion and you see his growth in ministry before and after the resurrection of Jesus Christ . Notice he was later ordained as a Deacon, Acts Chapter 6 but operated as an Evangelist and how the Holy Spirit used him mightily in Samaria and for the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch. Acts 8. You see when you show faithfulness in little I guarantee you God will commit to you greater things. It all starts with getting your encounter and launching out to look for your Nathaneal- The salvation process is about realizing that you are in a supply chain business - You cannot afford to terminate the chain . Looking for Nathaneal involves commitment, focus, determination, sacrifice,ingenuity, talent , creativity and prayers. Paul put it this way-
“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” 1 Cor 9:16.
There is a necessity to look for Nathaneal. There is a compulsion . Looking for Nathanael demands love and compassion for your neighbour. Nathanael speaks about the next generation, the future. Nathaneal represents the next level. Getting Nathanael represent ensuring your succession. Nathaneal is that your neighbour that despises Nazareth, that thinks nothing good can come out of Nazareth. Nathaneal is that man that does not want to give his life to Christ, the man who hates going to church because he doesn’t know what he’s missing!
In May this year we were in Norway for International Gathering of Eagles Leadership conference and one of the evenings we went out to preach in the street and do prophetic walk. One of the men we met after telling us that he doesn’t go to church, said two things in the course of our discussion - Jesus was a nice guy and that the church has no relevance! That surely is a potential Nathanael!
Nathanael is that man that is sincerely wrong about Christ but on hearing the voice of Jesus, a little prophetic word from the master, will totally surrender his life to Jesus. The Bible says “Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”
In conclusion, your Nathaneal is that next soul you need to win to Christ which I call your Nathanael project.
I challenge you to start your Nathanael project today- the art of looking for a soul for Christ. Recently, we got to church and I told the church members , there will be no regular service today. We are embarking on Nathanael project. I want you to go out and look for one Nathanael. I call that day - Industrial Training or our Practicum after all we have taught them for weeks. We gave them tracts and flyers all the pastors led them. We went to the Malls and High Scrappers. Amazingly, they all came back very excited. Many people gave their lives to Christ.Halleluyah! It is like saying “The demons were subject to us” like the disciples of Lk 10. Friends, it is not as difficult as you think if we can just know it is a necessity to win souls.
May you locate your Nathaneal today and may your Nathanael encounter Jesus for genuine and permanent transformation !
Shalom!
