Come and See: A Journey of Faith and Transformation

 

Summary

In the passage from John 1:35-51, we witness the profound encounters between Jesus and His first disciples. These interactions reveal a spiritual reality that transcends both the new spirituality and the old traditional religion. Jesus invites us into a relationship that is neither vague nor dogmatic but is centered on a living, personal encounter with Him. The key to this relationship is encapsulated in the repeated phrase, "come and see." This invitation is not just a call to observe but to engage deeply with Jesus, to think critically, and to transform our lives.

"Come and see" first means to examine the evidence. Jesus does not demand blind faith; instead, He invites us to explore and understand who He is. The Gospel accounts are presented as eyewitness testimonies, urging us to consider the reality of Jesus' life and teachings. This examination challenges us to confront the extremes of belief, pushing us to decide whether the accounts are deliberate lies or the truth of a divine encounter.

Secondly, "come and see" means to follow and change our lives. It is not enough to merely believe; we are called to move from admiration to discipleship. This involves a willingness to let Jesus' teachings shape our lives, even when they challenge our preconceptions. A true relationship with Jesus requires submission to His authority, as He speaks with a unique authority that demands our attention and obedience.

Thirdly, "come and see" involves processing this journey with friends. The passage highlights the importance of community in discovering and following Jesus. Friends who have already encountered Jesus can guide us, and we, in turn, can lead others. This communal aspect is vital for understanding and living out the Christian faith.

Finally, "come and see" invites us into a journey of wonder and transformation. Jesus promises that those who follow Him will witness greater things, experiencing personal transformation and participating in the cosmic story of redemption. This journey is not about our efforts to ascend to God but about Jesus, the ladder, who brings us to God through His grace.

Key Takeaways:

- Examine the Evidence: Jesus invites us to critically examine the evidence of His life and teachings. The Gospel accounts are presented as eyewitness testimonies, challenging us to confront the extremes of belief and decide whether they are deliberate lies or the truth of a divine encounter. [12:53]

- Follow and Transform: True discipleship involves moving from mere admiration to a life-changing relationship with Jesus. This requires submission to His authority and teachings, even when they challenge our preconceptions. A genuine relationship with Jesus demands that we allow His words to shape our lives. [14:46]

- Community and Friendship: Discovering and following Jesus is a journey best undertaken with friends. The passage highlights the importance of community in understanding and living out the Christian faith. Friends who have encountered Jesus can guide us, and we, in turn, can lead others. [22:49]

- Journey of Wonder: Jesus invites us into a journey of personal transformation and cosmic redemption. This journey is not about our efforts to ascend to God but about Jesus, the ladder, who brings us to God through His grace. We are called to be amazed at His grace and the wonders He will reveal. [29:59]

- Grace and Redemption: The key to entering into the story of Jesus is not through our efforts but through His grace. Jesus, as the ladder, brings us to God, offering us redemption and transformation. Trusting in Him allows us to experience the reality to which all stories point. [43:22]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Introduction to John 1:35-51
- [02:36] - Spirituality vs. Traditional Religion
- [04:11] - Encountering Jesus
- [05:08] - Come and See: Examine the Evidence
- [07:49] - Eyewitness Accounts
- [11:17] - The Extremes of Belief
- [14:46] - Come and Follow: Change Your Life
- [17:32] - Authority of Jesus' Words
- [20:23] - Personal Relationship with Jesus
- [22:49] - Process with Friends
- [25:47] - Being a Friend to Others
- [28:07] - Come in Wonder
- [29:59] - Personal Transformation
- [37:24] - Cosmic Redemption
- [43:22] - Grace and the Ladder to God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 1:35-51

---

Observation Questions:

1. What was the initial reaction of the two disciples when John the Baptist identified Jesus as the "Lamb of God"? How did Jesus respond to their curiosity? [00:35]

2. How did Philip respond to Nathaniel's skepticism about Jesus being from Nazareth, and what does this reveal about the approach to sharing faith? [06:01]

3. What significant change did Jesus make in Simon's life upon meeting him, and what might this signify? [01:19]

4. How does the passage describe the interactions between Jesus and His first disciples, and what repeated phrase is central to these encounters? [05:08]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. What does the phrase "come and see" suggest about the nature of faith and belief in Jesus, according to the sermon? [05:08]

2. How does the sermon describe the role of community and friendship in the journey of faith, and why is this important? [22:49]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' invitation to "come and see" challenges both new spirituality and traditional religion? [04:11]

4. How does the sermon interpret Jesus' promise of seeing "greater things" and what does this imply about the journey of faith? [29:59]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own journey of faith. How have you examined the evidence of Jesus' life and teachings, and what conclusions have you drawn? [12:53]

2. In what areas of your life do you feel challenged to move from admiration of Jesus to true discipleship? What steps can you take to allow His teachings to shape your life? [14:46]

3. Consider your current community. How can you engage more deeply with friends who are on a similar faith journey, and how can you support each other in discovering and following Jesus? [22:49]

4. Think about a time when you experienced a sense of wonder in your faith journey. How can you cultivate a sense of awe and expectation in your relationship with Jesus? [29:59]

5. How does the concept of Jesus as the "ladder" to God through His grace impact your understanding of redemption and transformation? How can this understanding influence your daily life? [43:22]

6. Identify a friend or family member who might benefit from the invitation to "come and see." How can you share your faith journey with them in a way that is inviting and supportive? [22:49]

7. Reflect on the idea that Jesus knows and loves you completely. How does this truth affect your self-perception and your relationship with others? [33:32]

Devotional

Day 1: Examine the Evidence: A Call to Critical Engagement
In the passage from John 1:35-51, Jesus invites His first disciples to "come and see," urging them to critically examine the evidence of His life and teachings. This invitation is not a call for blind faith but an encouragement to explore and understand who He is. The Gospel accounts are presented as eyewitness testimonies, challenging us to confront the extremes of belief. We are pushed to decide whether these accounts are deliberate lies or the truth of a divine encounter. This examination requires us to engage deeply with the reality of Jesus' life, pushing us to think critically and transform our lives. [12:53]

John 20:30-31 (ESV): "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

Reflection: What specific evidence of Jesus' life and teachings can you examine today to deepen your understanding and belief in Him?


Day 2: Follow and Transform: From Admiration to Discipleship
True discipleship involves moving from mere admiration to a life-changing relationship with Jesus. This requires submission to His authority and teachings, even when they challenge our preconceptions. A genuine relationship with Jesus demands that we allow His words to shape our lives. It is not enough to simply believe; we are called to follow and let His teachings transform us. This transformation involves a willingness to let go of our own ideas and embrace the life-changing power of Jesus' words. [14:46]

Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 3: Community and Friendship: The Journey Together
Discovering and following Jesus is a journey best undertaken with friends. The passage highlights the importance of community in understanding and living out the Christian faith. Friends who have encountered Jesus can guide us, and we, in turn, can lead others. This communal aspect is vital for understanding and living out the Christian faith. Engaging in this journey with others allows us to process our experiences, share insights, and support one another in our spiritual growth. [22:49]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who in your life can you invite to join you on your spiritual journey, and how can you support each other in growing closer to Jesus?


Day 4: Journey of Wonder: Embracing Transformation and Redemption
Jesus invites us into a journey of personal transformation and cosmic redemption. This journey is not about our efforts to ascend to God but about Jesus, the ladder, who brings us to God through His grace. We are called to be amazed at His grace and the wonders He will reveal. This journey promises that those who follow Him will witness greater things, experiencing personal transformation and participating in the cosmic story of redemption. [29:59]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can invite Jesus to work His transformative power, and how can you remain open to the wonders He wants to reveal to you?


Day 5: Grace and Redemption: Trusting in Jesus, the Ladder to God
The key to entering into the story of Jesus is not through our efforts but through His grace. Jesus, as the ladder, brings us to God, offering us redemption and transformation. Trusting in Him allows us to experience the reality to which all stories point. This grace is not something we can earn; it is a gift that invites us into a relationship with God. By trusting in Jesus, we are invited to participate in the story of redemption and experience the transformative power of His grace in our lives. [43:22]

Titus 3:4-7 (ESV): "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

Reflection: How can you actively trust in Jesus' grace today, allowing it to transform your understanding of redemption and your relationship with God?

Quotes

"Come and see means come and think, examine the evidence. Now it gets that across a couple ways. The first time come and see happens, where do it happen? The disciples basically are, you know, kind of nervous, you know, they were just told he's this incredible person so they follow and uh, what do you want? Well, what they want is they want to know if this is really true, but Jesus doesn't demand belief at the moment." [00:05:08]

"Jesus says come and think. Now, how can we do that? That's the first thing this means. How different this is than either the spirituality, new spirituality, or old religion. Um, how can we do it? Because we say, well, great, show me Jesus' apartment. I'll go check it out. But you know, he doesn't have an apartment here. Uh, back then he did, but the gospel writer, the writer of this text is writing to people who are in the very same boat as we are." [00:11:17]

"If you read my account, you will be able to come and see and examine the evidence exactly the way we did. Now, therefore, how can you come and see? How can you examine the evidence? Read the account of the gospels. Now, how do we know if you've done that before we move on? How do we know? How do, how can you know that you have in a sustained way read the evidence of who Jesus is?" [00:12:53]

"Come and see does not just mean come and think, examine the evidence. Secondly, it means come and follow, change your life. The word come means I move from where I am to here. I make a change. The reason Jesus says come is because he wants them to follow. He doesn't just want them to believe. The text gets that across a couple ways, but here's the best one." [00:14:46]

"Listen to what the word of God says, whether you like it or not. Now, the reason I put this out is, oh yes, you say, gosh, you know, preachers like to get to that. Isn't that traditional religion, that old impersonal religion that says you've got to believe it no matter what? Yeah, but it's not impersonal. Oh no. In fact, I beg you to think about this for a second." [00:20:23]

"Come and see means process this with friends. You see, one of the things that's so interesting about this is that John the Baptist leads Andrew and the other person, whoever it is, to Jesus. Andrew leads his brother Peter to Jesus. Philip leads Nathaniel to Jesus. But you see, when Philip says come and see, what he says is let's go together, together, let's go together, let's figure this out." [00:22:49]

"The way to find Jesus like this, the way to really come and see Jesus, the way to really know him personally is almost always through a friend. You're not going to find Jesus unless you've already been found by a friend who's already found Jesus. Let me be real, let me be real real practical here. A lot of you have come to the Redeemer and plenty of you have come through friends, but a lot of you have not." [00:25:47]

"Come and see means come in Wonder. The last few verses give us the ultimate reason why Jesus does not just simply say to somebody, well, here it is. Why does he say come and see? Why doesn't he just say, well, here it is, I'm going to, you know, why doesn't he just to the Apostles Creed, you know, right? Why doesn't he say, you know, I believe in God, don't you believe in God the Father Almighty maker of heaven and Earth?" [00:28:07]

"Jesus actually shows us he says come and see means come in Wonder and he reveals two wonders, two Adventures. He's basically saying I am calling you into an adventure so wonderful that it is beyond your imagination. Now he gives us two of them, two ways in which he does that. First of all In this passage he calls us to the wondrous adventure of personal transformation." [00:29:59]

"Jesus Christ knows you to the bottom, Praises you to the skies. There's never been a counselor like this, there's never been a friend like this, there's never been a lover like this. This is the wonderful counselor, this is the friend that you've always been looking for. Some of you know that Kathy and I consider CS Lewis kind of a mentor, someone whose writings have meant the world to us." [00:33:56]

"Jesus Christ is willing to know me completely with the at the expense of his life and she says if that moves me and thrills me to think that CS Lewis knew me and loved me and and took me seriously and and thought of me what should it do how much more should it thrill me how much more should it Empower me how much more should it lift me up to know that Jesus Christ thinks of me knows me loves me." [00:36:24]

"Come and see means be amazed at his grace. He's laughing, he can't wait to show you what he's going to do for you. Come and see, let's pray. We ask now father, especially during this time of offering, uh that you would help us to give ourselves to you. We want to be your followers, we want to uh help our friends, we want to know you personally." [00:43:22]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Aug 10, 2015. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?