John 1:35-51
Becoming an inviting church
Introduction
– ref Tom S. Rayner, Billy Graham School of Mission
– 80% would come if invited / 21% invite others to go church
– 88% come back because of doctrine/teaching / 49% because of friendliness
A. Point people to Jesus (v.35)
– e.g. John the Baptist, not Christ (v.20), not worthy to untie sandals (v.27)
– 2 declarations, v.29, 36
– from v.37 onwards, shift from John’s to Jesus’ ministry
– 3:30, “He must increase, I must decrease”
– word “follow” = discipleship (willingness to forsake everything, full surrender)
– v.38 “What are you seeking?” (OT prophecy of Messiah)
– What is our motivation? power, glory, fame, satisfaction?
– He is ultimate answer to the genuine seeker (genuine, lasting satisfaction)
– people try to find fulfillment in temporal/unhealthy/sinful things
– v.39 “come and you will see”
– call to relationship/discipleship, eyes open to truths of God, process of transformation
B. Bring people to Jesus (v.42)
– share good news with others e.g. Andrew to his brother Simon Peter (v.40-42)
– not the only time e.g. feeding of 5,000 (6:8,9) and Greeks (12:22)
– bring people to Jesus, not power to convert (consistently faithful)
– v.42 Jesus saw Simon as a solid rock (Cephas/Peter)
– Jesus sees us for our potential in the future
C. Invite people to come and see (v.46)
– Philip invited Nathanael (v.45-46)
– prejudiced issues, yet Philip did not give up, but responded to skeptic friend
– v.46 “come and see”
– 4:42 not what you said that we believe, but we heard for ourselves, and we know that this is the Saviour
