Come and SeePrinciples for Evangelism

John 1:35-52

The Greatest FearThe Greatest Fear

• Personal evangelism Personal evangelism – Sharing one’s faith with another personSharing one’s faith with another person

• After allAfter all– I may not know what to sayI may not know what to say– They might ask me a question I cannot They might ask me a question I cannot

answeranswer– I might failI might fail– I am not gifted in evangelismI am not gifted in evangelism– I am afraidI am afraid– That’s the pastor’s job, isn’t it? That’s the pastor’s job, isn’t it?

The Most Neglected The Most Neglected DisciplineDiscipline

• Christian Life DisciplinesChristian Life Disciplines– Bible reading Bible reading – PrayerPrayer– Fellowship Fellowship – Witnessing Witnessing

The Most Neglected The Most Neglected DisciplineDiscipline

• Jesus’ final words to the church were a Jesus’ final words to the church were a commandment to spread the gospel to all commandment to spread the gospel to all the worldthe world

– Most Christians have never personally led Most Christians have never personally led another individual to Christ or shared their another individual to Christ or shared their faith with an unbelieverfaith with an unbeliever

– ““I am afraid. I cannot think well on my feet.” I am afraid. I cannot think well on my feet.” • So, fear is no real excuse.So, fear is no real excuse.

– ““I do not know what to say. I am afraid they I do not know what to say. I am afraid they will ask me a question I cannot answer. What will ask me a question I cannot answer. What do I say to someone?” do I say to someone?”

• The simplest of all witnessing tools - “come and see” The simplest of all witnessing tools - “come and see”

Every Person Is DifferentEvery Person Is Different

• Andrew and John Andrew and John – Trusted Christ through the faithful Trusted Christ through the faithful

testimony of John the Baptist testimony of John the Baptist • Peter and James Peter and James

– Came to Christ because of the personal Came to Christ because of the personal testimony of their brothers testimony of their brothers

• Philip and NathanielPhilip and Nathaniel– Jesus wins Philip personallyJesus wins Philip personally– Then Philip witnesses to NathanielThen Philip witnesses to Nathaniel

John’s Testimony John’s Testimony vv. 35-37vv. 35-37

• Tell Them Who Jesus IsTell Them Who Jesus Is– The Gospel’s first witness of who The Gospel’s first witness of who

Jesus isJesus is– The testimony of John the Baptist: The testimony of John the Baptist:

Jesus isJesus is• The Lamb of God Who takes away the sins The Lamb of God Who takes away the sins

of the world v. 29 (gospel message!)of the world v. 29 (gospel message!)• The Pre-existent OneThe Pre-existent One• The One who baptizes with fireThe One who baptizes with fire• The Son of God The Son of God

John’s Testimony John’s Testimony vv. 35-37vv. 35-37

• Help Them See JesusHelp Them See Jesus– John the Baptist defined his role as a John the Baptist defined his role as a

forerunnerforerunner• He was one called to prepare the way for Jesus - a He was one called to prepare the way for Jesus - a

voice of preparationvoice of preparation• That is our role, in a sense, because Jesus is the That is our role, in a sense, because Jesus is the

One who changes peoples lives, we just prepare One who changes peoples lives, we just prepare the waythe way

– John simply wants others to see JesusJohn simply wants others to see Jesus• Especially those closest to him – his own followers!Especially those closest to him – his own followers!

– The ultimate aim of a witness is to direct The ultimate aim of a witness is to direct others to Jesusothers to Jesus

Come and See Evangelism Come and See Evangelism vv. 37-40vv. 37-40

• Following JesusFollowing Jesusv. 37 - John accomplished his goal - v. 37 - John accomplished his goal - “and “and

they followed Jesus” they followed Jesus” • A willingness to forsake all and follow A willingness to forsake all and follow

Christ only - the idea of surrenderChrist only - the idea of surrender

v. 38 - Jesus turns and asks a penetrating v. 38 - Jesus turns and asks a penetrating question, question, “What do you seek?”“What do you seek?”

• Jesus’ first words in John’s GospelJesus’ first words in John’s Gospel• Jesus wants to knowJesus wants to know

– ““What are you looking for?” What are you looking for?” – ““What do you seek in your life?”What do you seek in your life?”

““What do you seek?”What do you seek?”

• A hidden answer in the questionA hidden answer in the question– Jesus is the fulfillment of the true seeker! Jesus is the fulfillment of the true seeker! – Everything that an individual seeks can be found in Everything that an individual seeks can be found in

Christ! Christ!

• The world seeks for fulfillment and contentment The world seeks for fulfillment and contentment in the wrong places in the wrong places

– Money, power, drugs, alcohol, sexMoney, power, drugs, alcohol, sex– Genuine and lasting satisfaction Genuine and lasting satisfaction onlyonly comes in Jesus comes in Jesus

ChristChrist

• What are you seeking this morning? What are you seeking this morning? – Happiness? Contentment? Peace? Happiness? Contentment? Peace? – Stability in a shaky marriage? Stability in a shaky marriage? – Answers to life’s questions? Answers to life’s questions? – Know that fulfillment is only found in ChristKnow that fulfillment is only found in Christ

Seeking a Relationship Seeking a Relationship vv. 38b-39vv. 38b-39

• Answering Jesus’ question with a questionAnswering Jesus’ question with a question– ““Rabbi where are you staying?” Rabbi where are you staying?” – Reveals their true desire—they seek to spend Reveals their true desire—they seek to spend

time with Jesus, to get to know Him bettertime with Jesus, to get to know Him better

• Jesus’ response? “Come and see” Jesus’ response? “Come and see” – An open invitation to spend time getting to An open invitation to spend time getting to

know Jesus know Jesus – An open invitation to every person on the An open invitation to every person on the

earth! earth! – Come with me and you will seeCome with me and you will see

Call to Relationship with Call to Relationship with JesusJesus

• The Lamb of God calls us to a The Lamb of God calls us to a personal relationship with Himselfpersonal relationship with Himself– A call to be one of His disciples A call to be one of His disciples – A call to have your eyes opened to God’s TruthA call to have your eyes opened to God’s Truth

• The disciples answered the callThe disciples answered the call– Their eyes were opened to the Truth Their eyes were opened to the Truth – Their lives were changed Their lives were changed – If you spend time with Jesus, you will not be If you spend time with Jesus, you will not be

the samethe same

Sharing the Good News Sharing the Good News vv. 40-52vv. 40-52

• The First Thing to Do - vv. 40-41 The First Thing to Do - vv. 40-41 – As a result of this time with Jesus, Andrew As a result of this time with Jesus, Andrew

realizes that he must share his good news with realizes that he must share his good news with his brother, Simonhis brother, Simon

• Immediately - “first” - he finds his brother to share Immediately - “first” - he finds his brother to share with him the wonderful news: We have found the with him the wonderful news: We have found the MessiahMessiah

– Every time we see Andrew in John’s Gospel, he Every time we see Andrew in John’s Gospel, he is bringing others to Jesusis bringing others to Jesus

• 1:41 – brings his brother Simon 1:41 – brings his brother Simon • 6:8 – brings a lad with 5 loaves and 2 small fish to 6:8 – brings a lad with 5 loaves and 2 small fish to

Jesus Jesus • 12:22 – brings Greeks to Jesus in the Temple12:22 – brings Greeks to Jesus in the Temple

Sharing the Good News Sharing the Good News vv. 40-52vv. 40-52

• Andrew models the response of a Andrew models the response of a believer to being with Jesus - bring believer to being with Jesus - bring others to Jesusothers to Jesus

– Brotherhood of St. AndrewBrotherhood of St. Andrew– Andrew was faithful to fulfill his calling Andrew was faithful to fulfill his calling

• The biggest need at The Lighthouse?The biggest need at The Lighthouse?– We need some Andrews - People who will be We need some Andrews - People who will be

committed to bringing others to Jesus committed to bringing others to Jesus – Some older AndrewsSome older Andrews– Some young AndrewsSome young Andrews– Some teen AndrewsSome teen Andrews– Some mom and dad AndrewsSome mom and dad Andrews– Some Sunday School teacher Andrews Some Sunday School teacher Andrews

Let Jesus Change ThemLet Jesus Change Themv. 42v. 42

• Andrew knew what to do Andrew knew what to do – Just get him to Jesus - Come and seeJust get him to Jesus - Come and see– He pointed his brother to the one who could He pointed his brother to the one who could

change himchange him• No fancy evangelism methodsNo fancy evangelism methods• No memorizing lots of Scripture so you never make a No memorizing lots of Scripture so you never make a

mistake mistake • Just getting them to come and see JesusJust getting them to come and see Jesus

• Jesus takes one look at Peter and sees Jesus takes one look at Peter and sees moremore

– You are now Simon, but you will become PeterYou are now Simon, but you will become Peter– Jesus sees us for what we can be in HimJesus sees us for what we can be in Him– Allow Jesus to make the transformation Allow Jesus to make the transformation – We cannot change people, but Jesus can We cannot change people, but Jesus can

Jesus Came to Seek Them Jesus Came to Seek Them Out Out

vv. 43-44vv. 43-44• ““Come and see” evangelism Come and see” evangelism

continuescontinues– ““The next day” - 3rd time - evangelism creates The next day” - 3rd time - evangelism creates

a chain reactiona chain reaction– Jesus seeks out Philip, a friend of Peter & Jesus seeks out Philip, a friend of Peter &

Andrew, and Jesus says to him, “Follow me” Andrew, and Jesus says to him, “Follow me” • Jesus came to seek and save the lost Jesus came to seek and save the lost

– Luke 19:10– Luke 19:10– He seeks out Philip, calls him, and Philip He seeks out Philip, calls him, and Philip

followsfollows– Philip’s immediate responsePhilip’s immediate response

• He finds Nathaniel and testifies, “We have found him, He finds Nathaniel and testifies, “We have found him, the one about whom Moses and the prophets spokethe one about whom Moses and the prophets spoke—Jesus of Nazareth”—Jesus of Nazareth”

Dealing with Skeptics Dealing with Skeptics vv. 45-52vv. 45-52

• ““Can any good thing come out of Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”Nazareth?”

– Nathaniel has some prejudice issuesNathaniel has some prejudice issues– He does not respond in immediate faith He does not respond in immediate faith

• So what does Philip do?So what does Philip do? – Give in? Shy away? Throw in the towel? Give in? Shy away? Throw in the towel?

Absolutely not! Absolutely not! – He does the only thing he knows to do…he He does the only thing he knows to do…he

says, “Come and see” says, “Come and see” – I don’t have all the answers, but come and seeI don’t have all the answers, but come and see

Jesus Is In ControlJesus Is In Control• ““Behold the Israelite in whom is no Behold the Israelite in whom is no

guile” guile” – I know you Nathaniel for who you areI know you Nathaniel for who you are– Nathaniel seems taken back, “How do you Nathaniel seems taken back, “How do you

know me?”know me?”– And Jesus draws him in, “I saw you before And Jesus draws him in, “I saw you before

you even came. You were sitting under the you even came. You were sitting under the fig tree” fig tree”

• Jesus is saying, “Nathaniel, I know who you are. I Jesus is saying, “Nathaniel, I know who you are. I know everything there is to know about you. I know know everything there is to know about you. I know what you think and where you go and what you do. what you think and where you go and what you do. Nathaniel, I know you. And I want you to follow Nathaniel, I know you. And I want you to follow me.” me.”

Jesus Is In ControlJesus Is In Control

• Nathaniel responds by placing his Nathaniel responds by placing his faith in Jesusfaith in Jesus

– ““I am glad you believed, but you believed I am glad you believed, but you believed because I gave you a sign. You are going to because I gave you a sign. You are going to see greater signs than these. As a matter of see greater signs than these. As a matter of fact, I am the One in whom God is revealed” fact, I am the One in whom God is revealed”

– Jacob’s ladder points to the reality that Jesus Jacob’s ladder points to the reality that Jesus is the link between heaven and earthis the link between heaven and earth

– Jesus is the means by which God is brought Jesus is the means by which God is brought down to earthdown to earth

Basic Principles of Basic Principles of EvangelismEvangelism

• Recognize a Prospect Recognize a Prospect – Think about them right nowThink about them right now

• Point them to Jesus Point them to Jesus – It is all about JesusIt is all about Jesus

• Tell them why Tell them why – Jesus changes livesJesus changes lives

Basic Principles of Basic Principles of EvangelismEvangelism

• Recognize a ProspectRecognize a Prospect– If you are a believer, you have a If you are a believer, you have a

prospectprospect• For John the Baptist, it was his disciplesFor John the Baptist, it was his disciples• For Andrew, it was his brotherFor Andrew, it was his brother• For Philip, it was NathanielFor Philip, it was Nathaniel

– Who is it for you? Who is it for you? • Think about them right now Think about them right now • Who God is placing on your heart right Who God is placing on your heart right

now?now?

Point Them to JesusPoint Them to Jesus• Your words are simple, “come and Your words are simple, “come and

see” see” – John the Baptist did it: Behold the Lamb of GodJohn the Baptist did it: Behold the Lamb of God– Andrew did it: We have found the MessiahAndrew did it: We have found the Messiah– Philip did it: We have found Him of whom Moses Philip did it: We have found Him of whom Moses

and the prophets wroteand the prophets wrote– And you can do it - Point them to Jesus - Tell And you can do it - Point them to Jesus - Tell

them who He isthem who He is• Programs are useful, but they do not Programs are useful, but they do not

change liveschange lives– Little boy attending Sunday School for the first Little boy attending Sunday School for the first

timetime– Who was your teacher? Who was your teacher? – I don’t know but she must have been Jesus’ I don’t know but she must have been Jesus’

grandmother. She did not talk about anyone grandmother. She did not talk about anyone else!else!

Tell Them WhyTell Them Why

• Why is it important? Why is it important? – It is important because Jesus is the Way, It is important because Jesus is the Way,

Truth, and the LifeTruth, and the Life– No one comes to the Father except through No one comes to the Father except through

Jesus ChristJesus Christ– It is important to point people to Jesus It is important to point people to Jesus

because there is no hope of eternal life because there is no hope of eternal life outside of Himoutside of Him

• Another reason - because Jesus Another reason - because Jesus changes lives changes lives

– When Jesus changes your life, you want to When Jesus changes your life, you want to tell otherstell others

““Come and See”Come and See”Very Simple EvangelismVery Simple Evangelism

• Recognize a ProspectRecognize a Prospect• Point them to JesusPoint them to Jesus• Tell them why - Jesus changes livesTell them why - Jesus changes lives

– We need some Andrews and Philips We need some Andrews and Philips – ““By God’s grace, I will bring one person to Jesus”By God’s grace, I will bring one person to Jesus”

• Edward Kimbrall, a SS teacherEdward Kimbrall, a SS teacher– Led DL Moody to Christ in the back of a shoe storeLed DL Moody to Christ in the back of a shoe store

• A Salvation Army worker A Salvation Army worker – On a curb in Chicago - led Billy Sunday to ChristOn a curb in Chicago - led Billy Sunday to Christ

• Deacon on a low attendance snowy night Deacon on a low attendance snowy night – Taught a lesson led to the surrender of CH Spurgeon to Taught a lesson led to the surrender of CH Spurgeon to

ChristChrist