Come and See…Go and Tell.
John 1:35ff, John 4:29, Matt 28:6.
Continuing in our Life of Christ series, today we go to the beginning of his earthly ministry. It simply starts with an invitation, “Come you see.”
Currently we are probably more private than ever before, personal evangelism seems to be hurting. Many are afraid, they do not know how to share their testimony, or how to “witness”, like I said last week, I wish someone would come up with a clear cut 100% winner of a technique. Today we will look at one.
1 Cor 3:6 reminds us that witnessing is a team effort. Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
How do we plant? Come and See.
Upon hearing the declaration of John the Baptist, Andrew and Phillip follow Jesus. They ask a question. Where are you staying?
Here is one of many invitations. John pointed, Andrew and Phillip followed, Jesus answered.
We need pointers. We need those who will point to Jesus. How do we do that?
1. We live the life He called us to Live.
2. We do as He would do
3. When in doubt go to the book or ask Him in prayer.
Mike Warnke told of when he started to have a Christian Concert. He invited former rock musicians to come and play. They used old rock and roll songs, changed the words to Christian words. Kids, teenagers, and young adults came from the neighborhood to listen, they heard familiar tunes but not familiar words. When the words caught up with them, they would ask “What does Jesus have to do with this” to which one of the Christians in the group would turn and say “I am glad you asked, come and let me tell you.” Sometimes we just need a method, but when the question is asked, we need those who will answer.
Andrew and Phillip followed Jesus and he asks What do you want?
Some were looking for a King, some were looking for a warrior, maybe Phillip and Andrew were wondering, if Jesus is who John said he is, what kind of Messiah would he be? Maybe Jesus is asking them what type of Savior are you looking for. It is good question because people do not really know what type they are looking for, an answer to prayer, someone to meet their needs, or someone to love them. People come to Jesus for different reasons, maybe we need to ask “What are you looking for?”
Jesus answered them… Come and See.
A chain reaction happens here. They came, they conversed, they saw, and they left to get more.
As this world seeks for fulfillment and contentment, they search in the wrong places. They look to money, power, drugs, alcohol, sex, and other false avenues of contentment. They are searching in the wrong direction. Genuine and lasting satisfaction only comes in Jesus Christ. Someone needs to point them to Jesus.
Andrew leaves to get his brother Peter, Come and see would be implied, Andrew wants Peter to see what he saw. Sometimes, it is just an invitation. Come to study, come to church, come to VBS, come to camp, come and see.
Phillip is so enthused by Jesus he announces it to Nathaniel. We have found the Messiah. Come and See.
Imagine this, the first call to disciples is in a small town called Bethsaida, the favorite sons of this small fishing community are called to be the first disciples of Jesus. And it starts with a simple invitation, COME AND SEE.
Yet, even as amazing as this is, it is this simple invitation that get Peter, Andrew, Phillip and Nathaniel to follow Jesus. Could it be that simple? John pointed, Jesus invited, they followed. COME AND SEE.
The remainder of the Gospels show us Phillip and Andrew doing just this. Every time we read about these two they are pointing, introducing people to Jesus.
1. John 6:8 he brings the boy with the lunch
2. John 12:22 they bring the Greeks to Jesus.
These two are not as prominent in the Gospels as Peter and John, but they are doing what they can to increase the kingdom. We need more Philip’s and Andrew’s to invite.
But that is not the only place this invitation is successful. In John 4, the woman at the well.
Jesus shows her who he is, he tells her He is the Messiah. What does she do?
JN 4:28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
Again we see a pattern: She was seeking something, she was seeking Love, she found Jesus and when she found him she did not keep Him to herself.
She invites all who can hear her…”Come and see…”
Andrew, Phillip, the woman at the well all invite those around….”Come and See.”
The last time we see this, the invitation comes from the angels.
Matt 28:6 the angels tell the women who have come to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. However, they add to the invitation.
6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: `He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
Andrew and Philip came to see the Lamb of God, found him and got their friends and family.
The woman at the well found the one who would love her unconditionally and brought the whole town out to meet him.
The women at the tomb came to bury Jesus’ found him risen, went and told.
The equation is simple…. “Come and See”…. “Go and Tell”
Little boy at Sunday School: Who was your teacher?” his mother asked. I don’t know her name but she must have been Jesus’ grandmother, all she did was talk about him.
Send the invitation.
