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Come and See: Principles for Evangelism Introduction: A. The Greatest Fear 1.
It is perhaps the Christian’s greatest fear. What is it? a)
personal evangelism, b)
sharing one’s faith with another person. c)
After all, I may not know what to say. d)
They might ask me a question I cannot answer. e)
I might fail. f)
I am not gifted in evangelism. g)
That’s the pastor’s job, isn’t it? h)
I am afraid. B. The Most Neglected Discipline 1.
Indeed, witnessing is one of the most neglected commands in all
of Scripture. a)
While Bible reading and prayer are also disregarded by the average
Christian, I dare to say that witnessing has to be the least practiced of the
Christian disciplines. b)
When we consider the fact that Jesus’ final words to the church
were a challenge to spread the gospel to all the world,
it seems ironic that most Christians have never personally led another individual
to Christ or shared their faith with an unbeliever. 2.
You say, “Bro. Dan, I am afraid. I cannot think well on my feet.”
a)
You know what? There is not a Christian witness alive who has
not felt the same fear at one time or another. b)
We all have feelings of anxiety when we share the gospel with
an unbeliever. c)
So, fear is no real excuse. 3.
You say, “Bro. Dan, I do not know what to say. I am afraid they
will ask me a question I cannot answer. What do I say to someone?” a)
We learn a very basic method of evangelism in today’s passage.
b)
It is the simplest of all witnessing tools - the “come and see”
method of personal evangelism. C. Every Person Is Different 1.
Andrew and John trusted Christ through the faithful
testimony of John the Baptist. 2.
Peter and James came to Christ because of the personal
testimony of their brothers. 3.
Jesus wins Philip personally; and then Philip witnesses
to Nathaniel. 4.
Each man’s experience is different, because God uses
different means to bring sinners to the Savior. 5.
The important thing is that we trust Christ and then
seek to bring others to Him. I.
John’s Testimony (vv.
35-37) A. Tell Them Who Jesus Is 1.
The Gospel’s first witness of who Jesus is. 2.
The testimony of John the Baptist is that Jesus is: The Lamb of
God Who takes away the sins of the world v. 29 (gospel message!); The Pre-existent
One; The One who baptizes with fire; The Son of God B. Help Them See Jesus 1.
John the Baptist defined his role as a forerunner. a)
He was one called to prepare the way for Jesus - a voice of preparation. b)
That is our role in a sense, because Jesus is the One who
changes peoples lives, we just prepare the way. 2.
The ultimate aim of a witness is to direct others to Jesus. 3.
John simply wants others to see Jesus, not him, especially
those closest to him – his own followers! II. Come and See Evangelism (vv. 37-40) A. Following Jesus (vv. 37-38a) 1.
v. 37, we see that John accomplished his goal: “and they followed
Jesus.” a)
The word follow in John’s gospel is a word used for discipleship.
b)
It means a willingness to forsake all and follow Christ only
- the idea of surrender. c)
John’s two disciples, Andrew and John, follow Jesus. 2.
v. 38, as these two disciples approach Jesus, he turns and asks
them a penetrating question, “What do you seek?” a)
Jesus’ first words in the Gospel. b)
For thousands of years, the Jews sought their Messiah (a political
deliverer, reliever of oppression, an earthly king), and now Jesus wants to know (1)“What are you looking?” (2)“What do you seek in your
life?” 3.
In Jesus’ question, there is a hidden answer. a)
He is the fulfillment of the true seeker. b)
He is the answer to the genuine seeker. c)
Everything that an individual seeks can be found in Christ. d)
What they are seeking in v. 38 they have found in v.41—Jesus. 4.
As this world seeks for fulfillment and contentment, they search
in the wrong places. a)
They look to money, power, drugs, alcohol, sex, and other false
avenues of contentment. b)
They are searching in the wrong direction. c)
Genuine and lasting satisfaction only comes in Jesus Christ. 5.
What are you seeking this morning? a)
Happiness? Contentment? Peace? b)
Stability in a shaky marriage? c)
Answers to life’s questions? d)
Know that fulfillment is only found in Christ. He is the answer
for the seeker. B. Seeking a Relationship (vv. 38b-39) 1.
The two disciples answer Jesus’ question with a question: “Rabbi
(a title given to the most learned scholars), where are you staying?” a)
Their question-answer reveals their true desire—they seek to spend
time with Jesus, to get to know Him better. b)
Their motives appear pure and genuine. 2.
Jesus’ response? Come and see. a)
This is an open invitation to spend time getting to know Jesus
– and it is an invitation to every person on the earth! b)
Come with me and you will see. c)
It is a call to relationship with Jesus, The Lamb of God. d)
It is a call to be one of His disciples. e)
It is a call to have your eyes opened to God’s truth. 3.
The disciples answered the call and came, and sure enough, their
eyes were opened to the truth and their lives were changesd.
a)
You spend time with Jesus and you will not be the same. III. Sharing the Good News (vv. 40-52) A. The First Thing to Do - vv. 40-41 1.
As a result of this time with Jesus, one of the two disciples,
Andrew, realizes that he must share his good news with his brother, Simon. a)
Immediately (“first”), he finds his brother to share with him
the wonderful news: We have found the Messiah. 2.
Every time we see Andrew in John’s Gospel, he is helping others
get to Jesus: a)
1:41 – his brother Simon b)
6:8—brings a lad to Jesus c)
12:22—brings Greeks to Jesus 3.
Andrew models the response of a believer to being with Jesus
- bring others to Jesus a)
Brotherhood of St. Andrew b)
While Andrew never received the attention of his brother Simon
Peter, he was faithful to fulfill his calling. c)
He brought others to Jesus. d)
He was not in the spotlight, but he was always faithful to bring
others to Jesus. e)
He did not receive the recognition of some of the others, but
he was committed to bringing others to Jesus. 4.
We need some Andrews, some people who will be committed to bringing
others to Jesus. a)
We need some older Andrews, and some young Andrews, and some teen
Andrews, and some mom and dad Andrews, and g-mother/g-father Andrews. b)
We need some Deacon Andrews and SS teacher Andrews. c)
We need people that are committed to bringing others to Jesus. B. Let Jesus Change Them - v. 42 1.
That says it all. He simply brought his brother Simon to Jesus.
That is all a)
Andrew knew what to do - Just get him to Jesus - Come and see.
b)
He pointed his brother to the one who could change him. 2.
Being an Andrew does not involve fancy evangelism methods are
memorizing lots of Scripture so you never make a mistake. a)
Being an Andrew means getting them to Jesus - “Come and see” b)
Allow Jesus to make the transformation. c)
You just be faithful to bring them to Jesus. 3.
We cannot change people, but Jesus can. a)
We cannot make unfaithful spouses quit cheating, but Jesus can.
b)
We cannot make alcoholics quit drinking, but Jesus can. c)
We cannot make drug addicts quit using, but Jesus can. d)
We cannot make abusive parents quit their violence, but Jesus
can e)
Our job is to get them to Jesus. Come and See! 4.
Jesus takes one look at Peter and sees more than the rugged fisherman.
a)
You are now Simon, but you will become Peter. b)
Jesus saw beyond the brusque, head-strong, out of line, capricious
fisherman to what he would be when Jesus changed his life – Peter - the solid
rock. c)
Jesus sees us for what we can be in Him. C. Jesus Came to Seek Them Out (vv. 43-44) 1.
This “come and see” evangelism continues the next day (3rd use—intimate
evangelism creates a chain reaction…each one reaches one). 2.
On the third day, Jesus seeks out Philip, a friend of Peter &
Andrew, and Jesus says to him, “Follow me.” 3.
Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and here he seeks out Philip
and calls him, and Philip follows. 4.
Once again, notice Philip’s immediate response…he finds Nathaniel
and testifies of the same thing, “We have found him, the one about whom Moses
and the prophets spoke—Jesus of Nazareth.” D. Dealing with Skeptics (vv. 45-52) 1.
Now, Nathaniel is a little more skeptical - “Can any good thing
come out of a)
Nathaniel has some prejudice issues. b)
He does not respond in immediate faith. 2.
So what does Philip do? Give in? Shy away? Throw in the towel?
Absolutely not! a)
He does the only thing he knows to do…he replies, “Come and see.”
b)
I don’t have all the answers, but come and see. 3.
Once again, Jesus is in control. a)
As Nathan approaches, Jesus says to him. “Behold the Israelite
in whom is no guile.” b)
I know you Nathaniel for who you are. c)
Nathaniel seems taken back, “How do you know me?” 4.
And Jesus draws him in, “I saw you before you even came. You were
sitting under the fig tree.” a)
Jesus says, “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.” b)
How do you think Nathaniel responds? c)
He places his faith in Jesus: You are the Son of God, the King
of Israel. Only the Son of God could know this. You must be Him. 5.
Jesus answers, “I am glad you believed, but you believed b/c 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.” a)
The Jacob’s ladder allusion points to the reality that Jesus is
the link between heaven and earth. b)
He is the means by which God is brought down to earth, and Nathaniel
will witness firsthand God at work in the earth. 6.
And when we bring people to Jesus, we are privileged to see God
work on earth. a)
We are given the opportunity to witness God working in the lives
of His creation. b)
God is revealed through His people. 7.
Come and see evangelism. IV. Basic Principles of Evangelism A. Recognize a Prospect 1.
If you are a believer, you have a prospect. a)
For John the Baptist, it was his disciples. b)
For Andrew, it was his brother. c)
For Philip, it was Nathaniel. d)
For you, it is someone different. (1)It may be a family member
(which I where is suggest beginning). (2)It may be a friend. (3)It may be a co-worker of a
neighbor. (4)But there is someone for everyone. 2.
Recognize your prospect. a)
Think about them right now. b)
Think about who God is placing on your heart right now. c)
That person may be a seeker, someone searching for the answer.
d)
That person may be a skeptic. e)
Whoever they are, and whatever their attitude may be, recognize
them. f)
They are your prospect. g)
Each Christian has many. h)
But I want you to think right now of that particular one. i)
Is it a spouse? A child? A brother or sister? A relative? Is it
a neighbor or co-worker or acquaintance? A friend? B. Point Them to Jesus 1.
After you identify your prospect, your task is to point them to
Jesus. a)
Your words are simple, “come and see.” b)
Many are searching. c)
Many are skeptical. d)
But whatever the case may be, your responsibility is simple: point
them to Jesus. 2.
John the Baptist did it: Behold the Lamb of God. 3.
Andrew did it: We have found the Messiah. 4.
Philip did it: We have found Him of whom Moses and the prophets
wrote. 5.
And you can do it. Point them to Jesus and tell them who He
is. 6.
You must refer them to a person, the person Jesus Christ. a)
Programs are good, but they do not change lives. b)
A moral lifestyle is good, but it does not change a person internally.
c)
Church is good. SS is good. But they do not change lives. d)
Point people to Jesus. e)
If we point them to Church and fail to get them to Jesus, we have
failed. f)
If we encourage them to live a good life and fail to point them
to Jesus, we have failed. g)
If we feed their hungry stomachs but fail to get them to Jesus,
we have failed. 7.
Little boy attending SS for the first time. a)
Who was your teacher? b)
I don’t know but she must have been Jesus’ grandmother. She did
not talk about anyone else! 8.
We must point them to Jesus. “Come and See.” C. Tell Them Why They Should Come and See. 1.
Why is it important? a)
It is important because Jesus is the Way, Truth, and the Life.
b)
No one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ. c)
It is important to point people to Jesus because there is no hope
of eternal life outside of Him. 2.
But there is another reason - because Jesus changes lives. a)
Jesus takes Simon and makes him Peter. b)
Jesus takes the sinner and makes him a saint. c)
Jesus takes the drunkard and makes him sober. d)
Jesus takes the prostitute and makes her clean. e)
Jesus takes the spiritually sick and makes them well. f)
Jesus takes the spiritually blind and makes them see. g)
Jesus takes the dirty and makes them clean. h)
Jesus takes the unclean and makes them pure. i)
Jesus changes lives. 3.
That is why Andrew had to tell Simon and Philip had to tell Nathaniel
b/c Jesus changes lives. a)
When Jesus changes your life, you want to tell others. b)
You want your family to know. c)
You want others to know. d)
You want to tell people about Jesus. 4.
Come and see evangelism is very simple: a)
Recognize a Prospect (think about them right now). b)
Point them to Jesus (it is all about Jesus). c)
Tell them why (Jesus changes lives). 5.
We need some Andrews and Philips. a)
We need some believers who will determine: By God’s grace, I will
bring one person to Jesus. b)
Can you imagine how Andrew felt seeing his brother come to Christ?
c)
Can you imagine how he felt when Peter preached at Pentecost?
d)
Philip compels us to remember that God uses ordinary people to
bring others to Christ. 6.
Determine this morning: I will bring one. a)
I will invite my prospect to come and see. b)
Evangelism is usually advanced one person to one person. 7.
One at a time reaching one at a time. a)
Edward Kimbrall, a SS teacher, led DL
Moody to Christ in the back of a shoe store. b)
A Salvation Army worker led Billy Sunday to Christ on the curb
in c)
A lesson taught by a deacon on a snowy wintry night led to the
surrender of CH Spurgeon to Christ. |
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Ministries