What Seek Ye? John 1:29-42
Intro. As we study John, we have seen the authenticity of Jesus as the eternal God. John the Baptist is the forerunner who fulfilled prophecy and declared Christ to those in Israel. Now, some that followed Christ, turn to follow the Lord (Text)
I. The Meeting that brought Conversion - vs. 19-38
A. The Influenced Witness - vs. 19-37 Three days that are laid out by the apostle John that lead up to Him becoming an eye witness Himself. The John named is not the apostle, but John the Baptist.
1. The Delegation - First day mentioned - Challenged by Religion - vs. 19-28
2. The Declaration - Second Day mentioned - Convinced by Relationship - vs. 29-34 (especially 34)
- John Bare Record that is Gave Testimony- HE KNEW.
- You cannot know Christ without telling someone about Christ.
3. The Decision - Third Day - Compelled by Reality - vs. 36-37
- A Fixed Sight - John "looking upon" - not merely seeing, but with fixed eyes intently upon him. John made his announcement clear. vs. 36
- The Following Seekers
- John's witness made them Curious,
- The presence of Jesus made Compelled to follow behind Him.
John was to pointed them to Christ.
B. The Initial Words vs. 38a -
1. The Attention of the Lord - Jesus turned back toward them.
He regarded, He noticed them - He inclined unto them.
Ps 116:1 I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. 2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
2. The Question of the Lord - What Seek Ye?
- Jesus spoke First -Jesus asked the question. It is one we all must answer
- Jesus loved First - We know one was Andrew, and I believe the other was none other but the writer himself, the Apostle John. He never named himself in the book. Later we can see how Peter and John must have felt: - 1Jo 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
C. The Inquiring Words- vs. 38b
1. They came with Reverence - You do not come to God thinking He is on your level. Rabbi - "Great One"- they knew He was above them.
2. The Request - Where do you live? Can we go? We want to be with you
- Oh to Crave His presence -
Ps 84:2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.
- Oh to Continue in His Presence -
They wanted to KNOW where he Abides. And that's where they wanted to be.
Ps 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
D. The Immediate Willingness - vs. 39 (Of the Savior) "Come and See"
1. The Most Gracious Invitation - Come 39a
Mt 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
2. The Most Gracious Instruction - 39a See - Come and KNOW me.
(281 times the word is translated "know")
Jesus is ever ready to admit those who seek him to his presence and favour.
Jesus did not make them wait, or go through some classes. He told them to just COME and then they would SEE. Joh 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
3. The Most Gracious Involvement - vs. 39b
Jesus said "Come and See" and "They came and SAW."
Same word - they know came and KNEW the Lord.
2Ti 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. This very well could be the spiritual birthday of the apostle John - and he had no problem remembering his "birth".
II. The Message that could not be Contained
A. The Talk that Defined them - We have found the Messiah. - vs. 41
What a great example of their First Love - Got to tell someone else.
1. Andrew had to tell His brother - and why not?
2. He had found the Answer, the PROMISE, the LORD.
3. He was Compelled to tell.
B. The Trust that Delighted them - vs. 42
1. Peter was Brought by Andrew
2. Peter was Beheld by Jesus - Same word as how John the Baptist looked at Jesus - Jesus fixed His eyes on the one that Andrew had brought to Him.
3. Peter's New Life was BEGUN by Grace -
- Jesus Called Him by Name. Simon. What great attention.
He told him who he was.
Jesus knows who you are, you do not fool Him.
- Jesus Gave Him a New Name - He makes all things new. - Jesus "established his goings" and set the little stone in place to be what Peter would be.
Concl.. In life we seek many things, and not all of them are wrong as long as they are not sought more than we seek the Lord.
- Everyone seeks happiness, but the problem is most of the world seeks happiness through the wrong sources.
- Everyone seeks provision, but the world seeks happiness through things.
We will seek things in life based upon what we truly believe and love.
Humanly speaking, Andrew Started it all. He was not as significant as the inner circle (Peter, James, and John) But he was a disciple of John the Baptist and Followed Jesus. He then brought his brother Peter to Jesus, and that is where the calls began. John 1:40-42 But he sought Jesus above all else and then told his brother.
You may say, I cannot do much, but we can all be an Andrew, seeking his own brother, and be faithful right where we are. After Andrew had learned under John the Baptist, he brought Peter. Peter would be used to preach on the day of Pentecost and thousands were saved. We invest in others, and God does all that is good, and gets all glory.
Disclaimer: A man once told me that if it is true, it is not new. If it is new, it is not true. We all know there is nothing new under the sun. With that said, I glean ideas for my sermons from God’s Word, my own work, and then I refer to many other sources. Any similarity to my sermons and others, where credit is not given, is either coincidental, or an unintentional mistake on my part. As none of us have a corner on the wisdom and teaching of God’s Word, it is my desire that any of my outlines be an encouragement, a help, and hopefully a motivation for others to preach God’s Word clearly. Please feel free to use any portion of my sermons if they can be of help to you and your ministry. I purposely include a skeleton outline, and not my full text, for this purpose. It is all for His Glory.
Tell someone this week, "Come and See" how good the Lord is.
Oh that our eyes would be fixed on Jesus so much we wanted someone else to see Him....
Charles Alexander was the song leader for great men as Billy Sunday, Wilbur Chapman, and R. A. Torrey. He was involved in thrilling crusades all around the World.
One day when in Britain, he sang at a school for blind children. His songs charmed the audience. He asked if any child had a special request.
A small boy lifted his hand and said, "Sir, will you sing, ‘Never lose sight of Jesus'?" And he did, He sang the words -
O pilgrim bound for the heavenly land,
Never lose sight of Jesus.
He'll lead you gently with loving hand
Never lose sight of Jesus.
As he looked at the face of the little boy listening to his favorite hymn, he could not help but cry.
The little boy could not see the singer, or anyone else on this earth.
He was physically blind, but He still longed for Jesus.
He loved the words of that song, for even as a child he had his soul's eyes on Jesus.
What seek ye?
Disclaimer: A man once told me that if it is true, it is not new. If it is new, it is not true. We all know there is nothing new under the sun. With that said, I glean ideas for my sermons from God’s Word, my own work, and then I refer to many other sources. Any similarity to my sermons and others, where credit is not given, is either coincidental, or an unintentional mistake on my part. As none of us have a corner on the wisdom and teaching of God’s Word, it is my desire that any of my outlines be an encouragement, a help, and hopefully a motivation for others to preach God’s Word clearly. Please feel free to use any portion of my sermons if they can be of help to you and your ministry. I purposely include a skeleton outline, and not my full text, for this purpose. It is all for His Glory.
