FOLLOW ME

 

John 1:43-51, Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

 

1.      This is such a great story.  It has so many practical things that we are going to look at today.  We find Jesus in the community of Capernaum which was home to Andrew and Peter.  Jesus was in this town because of a divine appointment.  When you are following the will of God everything is a divine opportunity and appointment.  You know things that don’t just happen there is a reason.  Jesus was doing the will of His Father.   That is a theme I will mention times this next year. It is WWJD.

 

2.      Jesus walks up to Philip and says follow me.  I love these disciples.  They left to follow Jesus without hesitation.  This must be how our lives must be patterned.  We must be like the centurion when he was told to go he went and stay, he stayed.  The life of a Christian has been equated to the soldier who obeys his commander.  The athlete who discipline themselves and refuses to leave their strict training.  Church remember we are at war.  Our enemy has an agenda to rob, kill and destroy.  He will show no mercy, grace or love.  He does not care about you or your family.  He is relentless, ruthless, and never gives up.  He will destroy everything you love.  We have the weapons, armor, authority and power to defeat him.  Remember we are overcomers, victor and conquerors.  If the devil reminds you about your past remind him about his future.  Philip is an example for us to follow.  Our obedience should be immediate.  Andrew Murray says we are in the School of obedience.  Only when we follow our commander will we live a life of victory.  The Lord sees all and will help us see the traps and snares of the enemy.  Remember he is a roaring lion seeking who he may devour.  This is life and death church.

3.      Philip then goes and finds his friend Nathanael.  This is the pattern of the disciples they went to and family and friend.  We have only two things to do as Christians.  We are to go tell others and love.  Simple, direct and concise.  Philip tells his friend that they had found the one whom Moses and the prophets wrote.  They of course were Andrew, Peter and himself.  Philip knew something about the teachings of the Jews.  This was done by going to the house of the Lord.  We see this was a pattern of the Jesus, the disciples and the early church and it should be our pattern as well.  There are 300 Old Testament promises and prophecies about Jesus.   Philip had a divine encounter.  This was a work of the Spirit.  No one can come unless the Holy Spirit draws them.  Our job like Philip is to tell and let the Holy Spirit do the rest of the work.  Talk about the time I decided to do the work of the Holy Spirit with Corrie Velting.  Moses in the law and the prophets talked about Jesus.  Philip then states that the one who fulfills this is Jesus Christ.  Philip had found the Messiah and He wanted everyone to know it. 

4.      So Philip then introduces Nathanael to the name of the Messiah.  He is Jesus, son of Joseph, from Nazareth.  In Jewish protocol you were always introduced by your name, your family and where you are from.  This is a glimpse of the customs of the day.  Now this is interesting.  Nathanael said, “Can anything good come from Nazareth.”  Nazareth had a stigma as a backwater place.  It was a small community less than 500.  Not close to any major city.  Jesus would have been considered a small town bumpkin and hillbilly.  No claim to fame here.  He said it sarcastically.  Philip just ignored what his friend said and invited him.  We have to do the same.  Often our invitations are ignored, maligned, mocked, scorned and even attacked.  Just be like Philip, invite and leave the results to God.  Remember when we give the invitation in whatever form it is not us to defend it.  The only thing we are to do is give it.  Here is a reality of an invitation.  Someone hears and they become responsible for it.  The day they receive it they now know and cannot say they were ignorant.  I have given more than of two hundred invitations over my life time.  Were they all accepted?  No, but I gave and whatever happens after that is up to God not me.

 

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

 

1.      So Nathanael and Philip walked towards Jesus.  Jesus sees Nathanael and says, “Truly here is a man who has no deceit.”  Notice the difference between Jesus and Nathanael.  Nathanael spoke from his prejudice Jesus spoke from His love.  Jesus will always respond to a sincere seeker with love, grace, mercy and kindness.  Jesus saw that Nathanael was a truthful man, an innocent man, those who are free of guile are pure and upstanding.  They do everything with no hidden agenda.  They just wanted truth, no nonsense, clarity and honesty.  They like to keep it simple.  They prefer straight to the point.  They are black and white people. 

 

5.      Nathanael asks Jesus, “How do you know me?”  How did Jesus read him so quickly?  Quick lesson you may be able to fool others but never God.  He is all knowing.  Nothing is hid from God.  This is exciting because God know how to use you.  What talents, skills and knowledge you have.  How you can be best utilized.  That is so amazing.  Jesus knew how to fit Nathanael into his future Kingdom. 

6.      Jesus told Nathanael he saw him under a fig tree before Philip called you.  He gave location and setting to Nathanael.  This impacted Nathanael right away.  This convinced him that Jesus was who Philip said.  This was information only God knew. 

7.      Nathanael reveals three things about Jesus.  He is a rabbi, a teacher and spiritual leader which he was going to follow.  He was saying Jesus I want to be your student and disciple.  I want to learn from you to become like you.  You are my role model, mentor and guide.  Next, you are the Son of God.  You are God with a face, the incarnation and embodiment of God.  You are the Messiah, the awaited one, the Savior.  I accept you for who you are.  Lastly, you are the King of Israel.  You are the King and I swear loyalty to you.  “You are the Messiah. You are the long-expected Jewish ruler that will bring deliverance for Israel and establish God’s rule over the nations.”  This was an exciting moment for these young men.  They were becoming something bigger than themselves.  Everyone dreams of something great, significant and impactful.  This was happening to these young men. 

 

Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

 

1.       Jesus then questions Nathanael.  “Do you believe because I saw you under a fig tree?”  Jesus was telling him that his belief was in what he saw.  Jesus was stating that this was the first step of faith.  That is all God is looking for.  Simply believe.  One step at a time like the old song says.  Abraham was told to go to Canaan and he did.  Faith and trust is the first step.  Jesus then said, Nathanael you are going to see greater things.  This is just the beginning.  You haven’t seen anything yet.  You are going to see, experience and know supernatural divine things.  Things never seen before.  God is about to manifest in your presence.  You are seeing the Father and me.

2.      You are going to see the heavens open.   Divine, supernatural, and miraculous things.  Things that men have dreamed about.  All the beauty, holiness, power might and dominion of heaven. 

3.      You will see the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of men.  This was going to be his experience.  What a great promise.  Nathanael would see this and more.  Jesus called Himself the Son of Man.  Jesus is referring to His humanity.  I am a God in human form.    It also means God's messiah destined to preside over the final judgment of humankind.  Jesus was saying I am a human being that you will see angels working with. 

 

Conclusion

 

1.      So enough talking what lessons can we learn?  God wants us to follow Him immediately.  Faith, trust and obedience.

2.      Tell others.  Don’t also be surprised when they don’t get excited about what you have.  You are called to go and love.  You are responsible for the invitation not their reaction. 

3.      Like Nathanael let’s be pure, straight forward, honest, truthful, pure and undefiled.  Keep it simple.  Jesus is who He said He was.  He is the only way, truth and life. 

4.      We are at war and we must win on behalf of ourselves and others.  We have the weapons, the armor and the power to defeat the enemy.

5.      Be open to the supernatural, divine and miraculous and you will see and experience them.