Title Recognized Disciple/John 1:43-51
Content Introduction
in Proverbs 22:11; A person who has a clear conscience and speaks to win people's hearts can become a friend of a king. When President Kim Young-sam was young, he made a little friend who lived in the neighborhood, and he invited a grown-up girl, who is now nicknamed Little Captain, as a friend to Cheonghwadae. In today's text, Nathanael had a friend Philip who introduced Jesus in memory of him. Just as we could have Jesus as a friend because of Philip, we need true friends today. As soon as Philip met Jesus and was called, the first thing that came to mind was a friend named Nathanael. He immediately told the story of Jesus. And he became a disciple of Jesus with himself and became a recognized disciple, a missionary for the gospel. This kind of figure of Philip is something we should imitate. Evangelism is a mission given to everyone. Andrew immediately introduced Jesus to his brother Peter. Who is Nathanael to us today? Let's have a precious time to think about who is the friend who will really introduce Jesus and go on the path of salvation together.
How can I get you to meet God? There were two men. One day, I was having a snack by the river. a young man asked. How can I meet God? Then the older man grabbed the younger man's head and pressed him into the water. He struggled and struggled with gestures to save his life with all his might. After a while, I let go of the young friend's head. And said. Look for it like you did when you were in the water a moment ago, and you'll find it. However, God does not seek to meet us like that, but God knows where we are, sees and cares for us, and visits us directly. He is the One who comes to us and acknowledges and makes disciples of us all. Then what kind of disciple is the recognized disciple? What kind of heart does the approved disciple have? Also, what is the Lord's promise to the approved disciples? We would like to find out and share the grace through the text.
1. Nathanael was a person who could attract the attention of friends (John 1:45).
Philip, a young man from Bethsaida who was called by Jesus, went to Nathanael first with a passionate feeling of meeting Jesus. He went and told him about the Jesus he had found, and said that we should go. Let's look at Nathanael's reaction at this time. Let's look at Philip's exhortation to Nathanael, whom he considers frivolous. This was a sharp conversation that could not have happened without significant friendship. They were so self-reliant that they hurt each other's feelings. Even so, they were not hurt by each other and stood before Jesus as good co-workers.
Philip foolishly made two mistakes. Zem, while introducing Jesus, he did not introduce Jesus as the Son of God, but as the son of Joseph, and secondly, he was referring to Jesus' birthplace as Jesus of Nazareth. Let us always strive to seek the pure knowledge of Christ from the Law and the Prophets, in order to prevent us from turning away from Christ by the false imagination and actions of men. Nevertheless, Nathanael did not disregard Philip's knowledge and was led along with Philip as the son of God who was born in Bethlehem.
When there is a good event, there will be people who come to mind first, people who touch their hearts, people who are interested, and people who come to mind first when eating., Such a person is a friend like Nathanael. Let's find out who Nathanael is for me. No, let's see if I can be Nathanael to my friends. And let us love our brothers and become loved ones.
2. An approved disciple was someone who could attract Jesus' attention (John 1:48).
3. The Lord promised and blessed Nathanael, the approved disciple. (John 1:15)
“You believe because you say you have seen it? You will see greater things than these.” “You will see the heavens opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Here God's messengers, or angels, are speaking of ascending and descending between the Lord and us to be errands to deliver God's grace to us. It is referring to the mutual communion between God and man. The angels are not only ministering to the Lord, but are looking after the whole church for the Lord. Sansan Network Church also sent angels
You are telling God about your circumstances and situation, and God promises to be with you and to bless you. Jacob also received this blessing. The angels who informed God of Jacob's circumstances will work for you. Even if we are out of the world, the gates of heaven are now opened to us, so we have become the same citizens of heaven as Jacob and companions of angels. And the angels sent as watchmen to guard our salvation come down from that blessed heaven to alleviate our misery. The God who sent us knows our wishes and blesses us.
4. Who will see the gates of heaven open as an approved disciple? (John 1:47)