Transformative Encounters: Embracing Jesus' Invitation

 

Summary

In our new series, "Encounter," we explore transformative moments that challenge our paradigms and invite us to see the world differently. These encounters often lead us to question where we should seek answers to life's big questions and whether there is a narrative that makes sense of our personal stories. Today, we delve into the story of Nathaniel from the Gospel of John, a man whose encounter with Jesus shattered his preconceived notions and led him to a profound realization.

Nathaniel's initial skepticism is evident when he questions whether anything good can come from Nazareth. This reflects a common human tendency to dismiss people or ideas based on preconceived biases. However, dismissiveness can be detrimental, as it prevents us from forming meaningful relationships and gaining wisdom. Nathaniel's encounter with Jesus challenges this dismissive attitude, as Jesus sees and knows him deeply, even acknowledging a private moment under a fig tree. This revelation astonishes Nathaniel, leading him to recognize Jesus as the Son of God.

Jesus' interaction with Nathaniel highlights the importance of being open to encounters that challenge our assumptions. Jesus invites Nathaniel to "come and see," encouraging him to explore his doubts and questions. This invitation extends to all of us, urging us to seek Jesus with an open heart and mind, ready to have our categories and expectations transformed.

The essence of Christianity is not about what we must do to find God but about God coming to us through Jesus. Jesus is the bridge between heaven and earth, the ladder that connects us to the divine. He invites us to experience a relationship with God that redefines our stories and transforms our lives. As we embark on this journey, we are called to shed our fears, doubts, and prejudices and embrace the transformative power of encountering Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Encounter: Encounters that challenge our paradigms can lead to profound personal transformation. These moments invite us to question our assumptions and seek deeper truths about our lives and the world. [34:49]

2. The Danger of Dismissiveness: Dismissing people or ideas based on preconceived biases can hinder our growth and relationships. Openness to new perspectives allows us to gain wisdom and form meaningful connections. [41:34]

3. Jesus Knows Us Deeply: Jesus sees and knows us intimately, even in our private moments. This deep knowledge invites us to trust in His understanding and guidance in our lives. [54:18]

4. Invitation to Explore: Jesus invites us to "come and see," encouraging us to explore our doubts and questions with an open heart. This journey of exploration can lead to a deeper understanding of our faith and relationship with God. [52:31]

5. Jesus as the Bridge: Jesus is the ladder that connects heaven and earth, offering us a relationship with God that transforms our lives. This connection invites us to redefine our stories and embrace the divine presence in our lives. [01:01:02]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [34:49] - Introduction to Encounters
- [35:26] - The Story of Nathaniel
- [36:05] - Jesus Sees Nathaniel
- [37:23] - The Meeting Place of Heaven and Earth
- [38:09] - Nathaniel's Problem
- [41:34] - The Nazareth Principle
- [46:37] - God's Unexpected Choices
- [47:22] - The Underdog Story
- [48:54] - Christianity for the Weak
- [49:59] - God Works Through Challenges
- [51:22] - Nathaniel's Search
- [52:31] - Invitation to Come and See
- [54:18] - Jesus Knows Us
- [01:01:02] - Jesus as the Ladder
- [01:03:02] - Invitation to Encounter Jesus

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- John 1:43-51

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#### Observation Questions
1. What was Nathaniel's initial reaction to hearing about Jesus from Nazareth, and how did Philip respond to his skepticism? [35:26]
2. How did Jesus demonstrate His knowledge of Nathaniel before they met, and what was Nathaniel's reaction to this revelation? [36:05]
3. What promise did Jesus make to Nathaniel about what he would see in the future? [37:23]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Nathaniel's skepticism about Nazareth reveal about human tendencies to judge based on preconceived notions? [41:34]
2. How does Jesus' invitation to "come and see" serve as a model for exploring faith and addressing doubts? [52:31]
3. In what ways does Jesus' knowledge of Nathaniel's private moment under the fig tree illustrate His divine nature and understanding of us? [54:18]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you dismissed someone or something based on preconceived biases. How did that affect your relationships or personal growth? [41:34]
2. Jesus invites us to "come and see." What doubts or questions about your faith are you currently wrestling with, and how can you explore them with an open heart? [52:31]
3. Consider the idea that Jesus knows us deeply, even in our private moments. How does this knowledge impact your trust in His guidance and understanding in your life? [54:18]
4. The sermon suggests that dismissiveness can be detrimental. How can you cultivate openness to new perspectives in your daily interactions? [41:34]
5. Jesus is described as the bridge between heaven and earth. How does this understanding of Jesus influence your relationship with God and your personal story? [01:01:02]
6. Think about a recent encounter that challenged your assumptions or beliefs. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [34:49]
7. How can you actively seek transformative encounters with Jesus in your everyday life, and what steps can you take to be more open to these experiences? [01:03:02]

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Encounters
Encounters that challenge our paradigms can lead to profound personal transformation. These moments invite us to question our assumptions and seek deeper truths about our lives and the world. Nathaniel's story in the Gospel of John exemplifies this transformative power. Initially skeptical about Jesus, Nathaniel's encounter with Him shattered his preconceived notions. Jesus' deep knowledge of Nathaniel, even acknowledging a private moment under a fig tree, astonished him and led to a profound realization of Jesus as the Son of God. This encounter invites us to be open to moments that challenge our assumptions and lead us to a deeper understanding of our faith. [34:49]

Genesis 28:12-13 (ESV): "And he dreamed, and behold, there was a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the Lord stood above it and said, 'I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac.'"

Reflection: Think of a recent encounter or experience that challenged your assumptions. How did it change your perspective, and what deeper truths did you discover about yourself or your faith?


Day 2: The Danger of Dismissiveness
Dismissing people or ideas based on preconceived biases can hinder our growth and relationships. Nathaniel's initial skepticism about Jesus coming from Nazareth reflects a common human tendency to dismiss based on biases. However, this dismissiveness can prevent us from forming meaningful relationships and gaining wisdom. Jesus' interaction with Nathaniel challenges this attitude, as He sees and knows Nathaniel deeply. This encounter invites us to be open to new perspectives, allowing us to gain wisdom and form meaningful connections. [41:34]

James 2:1-4 (ESV): "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' while you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there,' or, 'Sit down at my feet,' have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you dismissed someone or something based on preconceived notions. How can you approach similar situations with more openness and curiosity in the future?


Day 3: Jesus Knows Us Deeply
Jesus sees and knows us intimately, even in our private moments. This deep knowledge invites us to trust in His understanding and guidance in our lives. Nathaniel's astonishment at Jesus' knowledge of him under the fig tree highlights the profound understanding Jesus has of each of us. This intimate knowledge reassures us that we are seen and known by God, inviting us to trust in His guidance and presence in our lives. [54:18]

Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV): "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether."

Reflection: Consider a private moment or struggle in your life. How does knowing that Jesus sees and understands this aspect of your life change your perspective or approach to it?


Day 4: Invitation to Explore
Jesus invites us to "come and see," encouraging us to explore our doubts and questions with an open heart. This journey of exploration can lead to a deeper understanding of our faith and relationship with God. Nathaniel's journey from skepticism to belief was initiated by Jesus' invitation to explore his doubts. This invitation extends to all of us, urging us to seek Jesus with an open heart and mind, ready to have our categories and expectations transformed. [52:31]

Jeremiah 33:3 (ESV): "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."

Reflection: What doubts or questions do you have about your faith? How can you take a step today to explore these with an open heart, seeking deeper understanding and connection with God?


Day 5: Jesus as the Bridge
Jesus is the ladder that connects heaven and earth, offering us a relationship with God that transforms our lives. This connection invites us to redefine our stories and embrace the divine presence in our lives. The essence of Christianity is not about what we must do to find God but about God coming to us through Jesus. He invites us to experience a relationship with God that redefines our stories and transforms our lives. As we embark on this journey, we are called to shed our fears, doubts, and prejudices and embrace the transformative power of encountering Jesus. [01:01:02]

Ephesians 2:18-19 (ESV): "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."

Reflection: In what ways do you see Jesus as a bridge in your life, connecting you to God? How can you embrace this connection more fully in your daily walk with Him?

Quotes



"Encounters that caused them to have their paradigms blown up. Encounters that caused honesty. Encounters that drew them out of a haze. And my hope this morning as we look at the story of Nathaniel, and throughout this, throughout this series, that all of us might encounter Jesus too. That we might be surprised again. That we might be honest. And that we might be changed." [00:34:49] (30 seconds)


"Philip then found Nathaniel and said to him, we have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathaniel said to him, can anything good come out of Nazareth? And Philip replied, God, come and see. And Jesus saw Nathaniel coming towards him and said of him, behold, an Israelite indeed in whom there is no deceit." [00:35:44] (30 seconds)


"First we come to be introduced to Nathanael and Nathanael's problem. Philip introduces Jesus to Nazareth, and I want you, I want you, Phil, I want you, Nathanael, to meet this new teacher. And that's kind of the context of this, by the way. It's like, there is this natural thing in the culture of these disciples, in Judaism, where you would find a teacher." [00:38:09] (25 seconds)


"Christianity says the opposite. It says Jesus came to do what you couldn't do. Christianity says here is Jesus. He is the answer to your questions. He is the story to find yourself in. It isn't for the strong. Hear this. Christianity isn't for the strong. It's for the weak. It's for people who can admit their flaws, the flaws of the heart, their deeply disordered loves, that they're incapable of fixing themselves." [00:48:54] (31 seconds)


"God is active in our negative moments and emotions, our suffering, where our ego is thwarted and we have nowhere else to turn. God is always working, as Luther would say, under the opposite, in the thing that looks the opposite from what we would expect. So, the challenge for us here is, like, don't be like Nathaniel. Sure, at one level. Like, the Nazareth principle that would cause us to have a scoff." [00:50:44] (38 seconds)


"Jesus tells Nathaniel to come and see. Come and see. And so he does. And that leads to point three, Nathaniel's need. Jesus says two things to Nathaniel when he meets him. First, he refers to him as, and I heard some of you chuckle, but he refers to him as an Israelite in whom there is nothing false." [00:52:31] (20 seconds)


"Jesus is saying to Nathaniel, I like that you expect to get reasons to believe in me, and I'll give them to you because you're looking for them earnestly and in good faith. He isn't against thinking, wrestling, doubting. In fact, he's inviting that Nathaniel do a little more thinking about these things." [00:59:00] (20 seconds)


"Jesus says there will be angels ascending and descending on him. Now, Jesus is referring to a time in the story of the Bible where a man named Jacob, right, he falls asleep. He has a dream about this ladder. This ladder extends between heaven and earth. And Jacob sees angels going up and down on this ladder. It's called Jacob's Ladder, right? Angels are messengers. They signify royalty. They are a sign of God's presence." [01:00:21] (28 seconds)


"There will be a way, in other words, to the presence of God. And so, hear this. When Jesus claims that he is the ladder, he is the one that's going to make this happen. He is the bridge between heaven and earth. Jesus probably chuckles when he hears Nathaniel's response that he's Messiah. You, Nathaniel, probably think I'm here to, like, throw down on Rome, but I'm doing much greater things than that." [01:01:08] (26 seconds)


"Brother, I've come to defeat death, sin, evil, and the devil and renew the world. I am the jackhammer. I'm the jackhammer, Nathaniel. I'm going to blow away all the concrete between heaven and earth, and I am the ladder. And by my life and death, I will punch a hole between heaven and earth. You ain't seen nothing yet." [01:01:40] (34 seconds)


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