Great Bible Invitations – Sermon #7

 

John 1:35-42

THE INVITATION TO CONSIDER

Intro: One of the most amazing truths I have ever encountered in the Bible is the truth that God invites people to come to Him. Of course, He has to make the first move. Man is a sinner ad his sinful condition has left him spiritually dead, Eph. 2:1. Man cannot make an independent move toward God. God takes the initiative and He reaches out in love, grace and mercy to call lost sinners to Himself.

      In this passage, Jesus invites two religious men to consider what has been said about Him. This passage highlights the condition of man and the compassion of the Savior. Jesus says six words in these verses. He says “What seek ye” in verse 38. And, He says “Come and see” in verse 39. These two statements have my interest today. Jesus is inviting all those who do not know Him to come to Him and to examine Him. He wants lost men to know Who He is and what He can do for them.

      Let’s take a little time today to look into these verses. In them we find another of the great invitations of the Bible. I want to share with you some of the blessings contained in these verses as we study together The Invitation To Consider.

 

  I.  v. 35-37                    CONSIDER THE CLAIMS

(Ill. This simple statement by John the Baptist is pregnant with meaning. In these words, John sets forth two important truths regarding the Lord Jesus Christ.)

A.  He Is The Savior Of Sinners – The definite article “the” identifies Jesus Christ as “the one and only” Lamb of God. Man has a problem; Jesus is the only solution to that problem.

      Man’s problem is that he is a sinner, Rom. 3:10-13; Gal. 3:22. Man’s problem is complicated by the fact that his sin is leading him to Hell, Rom. 6:23, Psa. 9:17; Rev. 21:8.

      Jesus Christ is the only solution to man’s sin problem, Acts 4:12; John 14:6; John 10:9; 1 John 5:12. That sounds narrow minded in this day and age, but it is the truth!

B.  He Is The Sacrifice For Sin – When John called Jesus “the Lamb of God” he was saying a mouth full. This name pictures Jesus as a sacrificial animal. It may have been lamb that died to cover the naked bodies of Adam and Eve in Eden, Gen 3:21. It was a lamb that was offered as the first sacrifice in the Bible, Gen. 4:4. It was a lamb that redeemed the children of Israel from their bondage in Egypt, Ex. 12. It was a lamb that had been promised to Isaac as Abraham led him up to Mount Mariah, Gen. 22:8. Countless lambs had been slain in Israel as sin offerings down through the centuries, Lev. 4.

      The prophet Isaiah pictured the coming Messiah as a slain lamb, Isa. 53:4-6. When Jesus came into this world, He came for the sole purpose of going to the cross to die for sin, Mark 10:45; John 18:37. Only His death can satisfy God, 1 John 2:2; 4:10. Only His blood can cleanse the sinful soul, 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Rev. 1:5. Jesus is God’s final answer to the question Isaac posed to Abraham as they climbed that mountain all those long years ago, “Where is the lamb?” Jesus is the Lamb, He is the only Lamb God will accept.

 

(Note: Consider the claims the Bible makes regarding Jesus. Have you trusted Him as your Savior? In the words of that old hymn, “Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you washed in the blood, In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?”)

 

II.    v. 37-39a                    CONSIDER THE CALL

A.  v. 37  The Interest Of The Disciples – Ill. The Context of John 1:19-34. These two disciples heard John give a public declaration of the identity of Jesus in verses 19-34. Now, they are given some private direction concerning Jesus, v. 35. John is saying to them, “Go follow Him, He is the One.” They heed the call and they begin to follow Jesus.

            At this point, these two men are just two regular, religious men. Neither is saved by grace. Neither is a child of God. What they have heard about this Jesus has made them curious about Him. The Word of God has been used to prick their hearts and they become interested in Him.

            That’s how people come to know the Lord! The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to show the lost person their need of a Savior. He uses that Word to point them to Jesus, John 16:7-11. He uses the Word to create a hunger within them for something they do not have. He gives them the desire for more!

            This is an essential component of salvation, John 6:44; 65. When the Spirit of God begins to create this hunger within a heart it is called conviction. The sinner becomes convicted about his sinful condition; his condemnation in Hell; his need of a Savior; and of his need to get to Jesus Christ! (Ill. Being “under conviction” is a horrible feeling, but the day God reveals your sin to you in one of the greatest days of your life!)

B.  v. 38a  The Investigation Of The Disciples – Jesus knows these men are behind Him and He turns to speak to them. He asks them a strange question, “What seek ye?” This question is the same as saying “What are you looking for?” Jesus does not ask this question for His Own benefit. He is omniscient and He knows why they are there. He asks it for their benefit.

      These men are hungry for a relationship with God. This is clear from the fact that they have been following John the Baptist. He has been teaching them that Messiah is coming and they are longing for a relationship with that Messiah. When Jesus asks them “What seek ye?” He is asking them to examine their motives for wanting to follow Him.

      If they were looking for a revolutionary leader who would through off the yoke of Rome and liberate the Jews, then they were following the wrong man. If they were looking for one who would carry on the traditions of Judaism and dead religion, then they were following the wrong man. If, however, they were looking for a new life; for eternal life; for salvation and hope for the future, then they were following the right Man. These two men had no idea how their lives were about to change!

 

(Note:  What are you looking for today? What a re you looking for in your life?

      If you are looking for someone who will make your life easier, Jesus isn’t for you! If you are looking for someone who will solve all your problems, Jesus isn’t for you! If you are looking for someone who will make you feel better about yourself, Jesus isn’t for you either! If you are looking for a little religion on Sunday so that you can feel better about the way you live Monday through Saturday, then Jesus just isn’t for you!

      But, if you are looking for Someone Who will love you unconditionally, Jesus is for you! If you are looking for Someone Who can save your soul, give you eternal live and provide you a home in Heaven, then Jesus is for you! If you are looking for Someone Who can forgive your sins and change your life, then Jesus is just Who you are looking for!

      What you get out of life depends on what you are looking for in life. So, what are you looking for? Chances are, you will find it!)

     

C.  v. 38b-39  The Invitation To The Disciples – These men respond to Jesus’ question with one of their own, “Rabbi, where dwellest Thou?” This is a telling question. First, they call Him “Rabbi”. This word, as we are told, means “Master”. It was a term of respect. It is clear that these men held Jesus in high regard. When they asked Him, “Where dwellest Thou”, they are asking more than just “Where do you live?” These men had heard about Jesus and they wanted to know more. They needed to ask Him some questions and hear Him tell them Who He was and why He came. They are requesting an extended interview with Jesus.

      His response is simple, yet it is profound. Jesus simply said, “Come and see”. This simple phrase literally means “Come with me and you will see!” This is an invitation for them to examine Jesus for themselves. They have heard about Him from others; now they are invited to see for themselves.

 

(Note: That invitation still stands! Have you trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior? Have you responded to His invitation for you to “come and see”? He is still calling those who do not know Him to come to Him for salvation, Rev. 22:17. If you will come when He is calling, you can and will be saved, John 6:37.

      It is one thing to hear about Jesus Christ and what He can do. It is another thing altogether to experience Him for yourself and know what He can do in your life. I praise God for every testimony of salvation recorded in the Word of God. But, I am even more thankful for that day when Jesus invited me to “Come and see”. I am glad Jesus saved Paul, John, Peter and the rest, but I rejoice that He saved me! I am glad that God gave you a testimony, but I am glad that he gave me one too! Now, when you share yours, it bears witness with mine and I can rejoice in what Jesus did in you, because He did it in me too! Hallelujah! This thing we have is better “felt that telt!”)

 

III.  v. 39b-42               CONSIDER THE CHANGES

(Ill. This day became the day of salvation for these two men. When they met Jesus for themselves, their lives changed forever. Two of those changes are highlighted in these verses.)

A.  v. 39b  They Wanted To Stay With Jesus – John tells us that it was “about the tenth hour” when these men followed Jesus to the place where He was staying. This could mean ten o’clock in the morning, if John is using Roman time. Or, it could mean four o’clock in the afternoon, if he is using Jewish time. From the wording of the verse, it seems to me that it was four o’clock in the afternoon. It was getting close to dark and these men were anxious to talk to Jesus. They spent the rest of that day, and probably that night, in His presence. They spent the rest of their lives in His service!

      Andrew took the Gospel into Greece and was crucified there upside down, on an x-shaped cross. John was close to Jesus all the days Jesus lived. He was known as the disciple “whom Jesus loved”. John laid his head on the breast of our Lord at the last supper, John 13:25. John was there then Jesus stood trial before the Jewish High Priest, John 18:15. John was the only disciple to go to Calvary, He was at the foot of the cross when Jesus died, John 19:26. He was the first disciple to the tomb the day Jesus rose from the dead, John 20:45. John lived well into his nineties and wrote down the Book of Revelation while he was a prisoner on the Isle of Patmos for his testimony of Jesus Christ.

 

(Note: John never got over the day he met Jesus for himself. He never got over the day he was saved! He was an old man when he wrote the words we are reading today and he still remembered that it was “about the tenth hour”. Jesus saved his soul and changed his life and he wanted to stay with Jesus!

      That’s how Jesus affects those He saves. Ill. Mark 5:1-20 – The Gaderene Demoniac was a man who endured terrible spiritual bondage. The demons that possessed his body controlled and ruined his life. He was a vicious, violent, dangerous man who lived among the dead in the graveyard. He was separated from his family and from society. Men had even tried to capture him, but he had escaped from their bonds and continued to live his life of terrible torment. He spent his days and nights crying out and cutting himself.

      Then one day, Jesus showed up. He spoke to this man, delivered him from his demons and saved his soul. Jesus absolutely changed his life! Verse 15 tells us about the radical changes Jesus made in this man’s life. We are told that he was found “sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind”. When Jesus was forced to leave that place, this delivered man wanted to go with Jesus too, Mark 5:18.

      That’s just how it is! When you meet Jesus and He changes your life, you will want to stay with Him. There are some people who came to an altar, made a profession, joined a church and were baptized, but they are nowhere to be found. I doubt that even the FBI could find them! People who don’t want to stay near Him probably don’t know Him, 1 John 2:19.

      Then there’s the rest! There are some who were “sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained with sin, sinking to rise no more”. But, they remember the moment when they met Jesus and they sing of the moment when, “the Master of the sea, heard my despairing cry, from the waters lifted me, now safe am I”. They met Jesus Christ and their life changed forever. Now, you can’t run them off! They love the Lord. They love His people, His house, His Word, His music; they love everything that has to do with Him!

      You don’t have to hunt for them! They met Jesus and their life changed! They want to stay close to Him all the time! Your desire for Jesus and for the things He loves says a lot about your relationship with Him!)

 

B.  v. 40-42  They Wanted To Share Jesus – As soon as these men had met Jesus, and their own salvation was settled, they wanted to share Him with others. In fact, every time Andrew appears in the Gospel record, he is bringing someone to Jesus. He went first his brother Simon Peter and brings him to Jesus, v. 41-42. When Andrew brought Peter to Jesus, he was doing something great for the church! Peter became a great preacher of the Gospel and God used him to bring thousands into the church. In John 6, Andrew is the one who brought the lad who had the little loaves and fishes to Jesus. In John 12 it is Andrew who helps a group of curious Greeks make contact with Jesus. When Andrew met Jesus Christ a burden was created within his heart to share his Savior with everyone he met.

            That’s what Jesus will do for you! He is too good to keep to yourself. When you meet Him, you will want others to meet Him too. There will be a burning desire within your heart to share this great Lord with all you meet. This desire to share the Savior with others is a good indication of your relationship with Him!

 

Conc: “Come and see” – Jesus is still inviting people to consider Him. We are living in a world where people are seeking answers. They are looking for direction, fulfillment and hope. If you are among that number and you are looking for more from life, you need to know that His invitation to “Come and see” still stands.

·       You have tried everything else and nothing has scratched the itch within your soul. Come to Jesus!

·       You’ve tried church and it didn’t work. Come to Jesus!

·       You’ve tried sin, alcohol, drugs, sex and every worldly thing you can imagine, but nothing has worked. Come to Jesus!

·       You need help and you can’t seem to find it anywhere. Come to Jesus!

·       Maybe you’ve tried Jesus in the past and He didn’t work. The problem was not with Him, it was with you. This time, don’t just “try” Him, surrender to Him totally and let Him save you and take control of your life. Come to Jesus!

      If there are needs of any kind, whether you are saved or lost, if you need help, come to Jesus!