Finding Jesus, following Him, and introducing Him to others - Evangelism
Text John 1: 35-51
In this text, John the Baptist introduces Jesus to two of his disciples who also told others about Jesus Christ and brought them to Him.
1. Finding and following Jesus
Finding Christ is the duty of every human being for their own salvation. If you diligently search for God/Christ, you will find Him (Hebrews 11:6). E.g., Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10). What does it mean to follow Jesus (Mark 8:34)? Take up your cross (he had no life to call his own); there has been a shift in his centre of gravity from self to the will of God; becoming like a child- who receives and gives
2. Evafgfgfngelism: Telling others about Jesus and bringing them to Him.
In evangelism, we help others to find Christ. According to biblical prophecy, many people shall seek God’s blessings in the last days (Hosea 3:4-5), while others shall abandon God (Matthew 24:10; 1 Timothy 4:1).
3. The Story of Nathaniel
Jesus commended Nathaniel as someone without deceit. How can you become a better person in character like Nathaniel? Insincerity is very troublesome to manage in any relationship:
Hereditary (character traits that are passed on from parents...).
Walking with godly people helps you become godly (Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 15:33). E.g., those who
Follow Jesus faithfully and become like Him (Acts 4:13).
Whatever you do, shapes your character- doing bad things will give good character traits and doing bad
Things will give you bad character traits.
The new birth. Some Character traits can only go when you are born again (e.g, Ezekiel 36: 24-28). Jesus
says, you can enter God’s kingdom with your bad character, you must be born again (John 3:3-5).
4. Sanctification (1 Thess 5:23); the process of becoming more like Christ as you renew your mind and
practice the word of God in every aspect of your life.