Come and See Principles for Evangelism John 1:35-52

The Greatest Fear The Christian’s greatest fear? Excuses we use Personal evangelism Sharing our faith with another person Excuses we use “I’m afraid” “I might fail” “I may not know what to say!” “They might ask me a question I cannot answer” “I am not gifted in evangelism” “That’s the pastor’s job, isn’t it?”

The Most Neglected Discipline Christian Life Disciplines Bible reading Prayer Fellowship Witnessing

The Most Neglected Discipline Jesus’ final words to the church A commandment to spread the gospel to all the world! Most Christians have never personally led another individual to Christ or shared their faith with an unbeliever In today’s passage we see the simplest of all witnessing tools “Come and see!”

Every Person Is Different Andrew and John Trusted Christ through the faithful testimony of John the Baptist Peter and James Came to Christ because of the personal testimony of their brothers Philip and Nathaniel Jesus wins Philip personally Then Philip witnesses to Nathaniel

John’s Testimony John 1:35-37 35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

John’s Testimony Tell Them Who Jesus Is The Gospel’s first witness of who Jesus is The testimony of John the Baptist is that Jesus is The Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world – v. 29 The entire gospel message in one sentence! The Pre-existent One The One who baptizes with fire The Son of God

John’s Testimony Help Them See Jesus John the Baptist defined his role as a forerunner He was one called to prepare the way for Jesus - a voice of preparation That is our role, in a sense, because Jesus is the One who changes peoples lives We just prepare the way John simply wants others to see Jesus Especially those closest to him – his own followers! The ultimate aim of a witness is to direct others to Jesus

Come and See Evangelism John 1:37-40 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are You staying?" 39 He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour). 40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

Come and See Evangelism Following Jesus v. 37 - John accomplished his goal - “and they followed Jesus” A willingness to forsake all and follow Christ only - the idea of surrender v. 38 - Jesus turns and asks a great question, “What do you seek?” Jesus’ first words in John’s Gospel Jesus wants to know “What are you looking for?” “What do you seek in your life?”

“What do you seek?” A hidden answer in the question Jesus is the fulfillment of the true seeker! Everything that an individual seeks can be found in Christ! The world seeks for fulfillment and contentment in the wrong places Money, power, drugs, alcohol, sex Genuine and lasting satisfaction only comes in Jesus Christ

“What do you seek?” What are you seeking this morning? Happiness? Contentment? Peace? Stability in a shaky marriage? Answers to life’s questions? Know that fulfillment is only found in Christ

Seeking a Relationship Answering Jesus’ question with a question “Rabbi where are you staying?” Reveals their true desire They seek to spend time with Jesus They want to get to know Him better Jesus’ response? “Come and see” An open invitation to spend time getting to know Jesus An open invitation to every person on the earth! “Come with Me and you will see”

Call to Relationship with Jesus The Lamb of God calls us to a personal relationship with Himself A call to be one of His disciples A call to have your eyes opened to God’s Truth The disciples answered the call Their eyes were opened to the Truth Their lives were changed If you spend time with Jesus, you will not be the same

Sharing the Good News John 1:40-51 40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, A Stone). 43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me.“

Sharing the Good News John 1:40-51 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip 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." 46 And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!“

Sharing the Good News John 1:40-51 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."

Sharing the Good News The First Thing to Do - vv. 40-41 As a result of this time with Jesus, Andrew realizes that he must share his good news with his brother, Simon Immediately - “first” - he finds his brother to share with him the wonderful news: “We have found the Messiah” Every time we see Andrew in John’s Gospel, he is bringing others to Jesus 1:41 – brings his brother Simon 6:8 – brings a boy with 5 loaves and 2 small fish to Jesus 12:22 – brings Greeks to Jesus in the Temple

Sharing the Good News Andrew Models the response of a believer to being with Jesus Bring others to Jesus Brotherhood of St. Andrew – Episcopal Church Andrew was faithful to fulfill his calling

Sharing the Good News Our biggest need at The Lighthouse? We need some Andrews! People who will be committed to bringing others to Jesus Some older Andrews Some young Andrews Some teen Andrews Some Mom and Dad Andrews Some Sunday School teacher Andrews

Let Jesus Change Them Andrew knew what to do Just get him to Jesus – “Come and see” He pointed his brother to the only One who could change him No complicated evangelism methods No memorizing lots of Scripture so that you never make a mistake Just getting him to “come and see” Jesus

Let Jesus Change Them Jesus took one look at Peter and saw more! "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" “You are now Simon, but you will become Peter” Jesus always sees us for what we can be in Him Allow Jesus to make the transformation We cannot change people, but Jesus can

Jesus Came to Seek Them Out “Come and see” evangelism continues “The next day” - 3rd time Evangelism creates a chain reaction Jesus seeks out Philip, a friend of Peter & Andrew, and Jesus says to him, “Follow me” Jesus came to seek and save the lost – Luke 19:10 He sought out Philip, called him, and Philip followed Philip’s immediate response He finds Nathaniel and testifies, “We have found Him, the one about whom Moses and the prophets spoke—Jesus of Nazareth”

Dealing with Skeptics “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Nathaniel has some prejudice issues He does not respond in immediate faith So what does Philip do? Give in? Shy away? Throw in the towel? Absolutely not! He does the only thing he knows to do…he says, “Come and see” I don’t have all the answers, but come and see

Jesus Is in Control “Behold the Israelite in whom is no guile” I know you Nathaniel, for who you are Nathaniel seems taken back, “How do you know me?” Jesus draws him in, “I saw you before you even came. You were sitting under the fig tree” Jesus is saying, “Nathaniel, I know who you are. I know everything there is to know about you. I know what you think and where you go and what you do. Nathaniel, I know you. And I want you to follow me.”

Jesus Is in Control Nathaniel responded by placing his faith in Jesus “I am glad you believed, but you believed because I gave you a sign. You are going to see greater signs than these. As a matter of fact, I am the One in whom God is revealed” Jacob’s ladder Points to the reality that Jesus is the link between heaven and earth Jesus is the means by which God is brought down to earth

Basic Principles of Evangelism Recognize a Prospect Think about them right now Point them to Jesus It is all about Jesus Tell them why Jesus changes lives

Basic Principles of Evangelism Recognize a Prospect If you are a believer, you have a prospect For John the Baptist, it was his disciples For Andrew, it was his brother For Philip, it was his friend, Nathaniel Who is it for you? Think about that person right now! Who God is placing on your heart right now?

Basic Principles of Evangelism Point Them to Jesus Your words are simple, “Come and see!” John the Baptist did it: Behold the Lamb of God Andrew did it: We have found the Messiah Philip did it: We have found Him of whom Moses and the prophets wrote And you can do it, too! Point them to Jesus Tell them who He is

Basic Principles of Evangelism Point Them to Jesus Programs are useful, but they do not change lives Little boy attending Sunday School for the first time “Who was your teacher?” “I don’t know but she must have been Jesus’ grandmother. She did not talk about anyone else!”

Basic Principles of Evangelism Tell Them Why Why is it important? Because Jesus is the Way, Truth, and the Life No one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ It is important to point people to Jesus because there is no hope of eternal life outside of Him Another reason Because Jesus changes lives! When Jesus changes your life, you want to tell others

“Come and See” Very Simple Evangelism Recognize a Prospect Point them to Jesus Tell them why - Jesus changes lives

“Come and See” We need some Andrews and Philips “By God’s grace, I will bring one person to Jesus” Edward Kimbrall, a SS teacher Led DL Moody to Christ in the back of a shoe store A Salvation Army worker On a curb in Chicago - led Billy Sunday to Christ Deacon on a low attendance snowy night Taught a lesson led to the surrender of C. H. Spurgeon to Christ