Sermon prepared by Pastor Andrew T. Okai

Second Sunday after Epiphany

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Sermon Text: John 1:35–42

Sermon Theme: Considering the Call to Follow Jesus

Introduction

Grace, mercy, and peace...

One of the most amazing truths I have ever encountered in the Bible is the truth that God invites people to come to Him.

Man is a sinner and has a sinful condition that has left him spiritually dead.

Ephesians 2:1. As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins. (As a result of that, Man cannot make an independent move toward God. God takes the initiative and He reaches out in love, grace, and mercy to call lost sinners to Himself.)

  In this passage, we find John the Baptist introducing Jesus to two of his disciples and Jesus inviting these two men.

This story is a picture of what happens when lost sinners are given the gospel and how the gospel has the power to draw one to Christ...

Let’s take a little time today to look into these verses. In them we find another of the great invitations of the Bible. I want to share with you some of the blessings contained in these verses as we study together "Considering the Call to Follow Jesus."

CONSIDER THE CLAIMS

John 1:35-37 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.

(This simple statement by John the Baptist is packed with meaning. In these words, John sets forth two important truths regarding the Lord Jesus Christ.)

  1. He is the Savior of sinners—The definite article “the” identifies Jesus Christ as “the one and only” Lamb of God. Man has a problem; Jesus is the only solution to that problem...

John 14:6 I am the way...  

John 10:9 I am the gate...

1 John 5:12. Whoever has the son has life…

I know this sounds narrow minded in this day and age, but it is the truth!

  2. He is the Sacrifice for sin—When John called Jesus “the Lamb of God” he was saying a mouthful. This name pictures Jesus as the final sacrificial lamb.

We can agree that it was a lamb that died—Adam and Eve in Eden, the first sacrifice in the Bible—Genesis 4:4; the children of Israel from their bondage in Egypt—Exodus 12; a lamb was promised to Isaac as Abraham led him up to Mount Moriah—Genesis 22:8; countless lambs had been slain in Israel as sin offerings down through the centuries—Leviticus 4.

The prophet Isaiah pictured the coming Messiah as a slain lamb—Isaiah 53:4–6. When Jesus came into this world, He came for the sole purpose of going to the cross to die for sin...

So Jesus is God’s final answer to the question Isaac posed to Abraham as they climbed that mountain all those long years ago: “Where is the lamb?” Jesus is the final Lamb, He is the only Lamb God will accept.

(Note: Considering the claims the Bible makes regarding Jesus, have you trusted Him as your Savior? In the words of that old hymn, “Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you washed in the blood, In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?”)

CONSIDER THE CALL

John 1:37–39 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.

Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi (which means “Teacher”), where are you staying?” "Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

A. verse 37:  The Interest of the Disciples—The context of John 1:19–34. These two disciples heard John give a PUBLIC declaration of the identity of Jesus. They are given some PRIVATE direction concerning Jesus, v. 35. John is saying to them, “Go follow Him, He is the One.” They heed the call and they begin to follow Jesus.

The interest of these two men springs from the conviction after receiving the word from John the Baptist…  (This is an essential component of salvation, when the sinner becomes convicted about his sinful condition; his condemnation in Hell; his need of a Savior; and of his need to get to Jesus Christ!)

It is the true word of God that convinces the sinner's heart… we testify to it by pointing man to Christ...   

  B. verse 38b–39: The Invitation to the Disciples—These men respond to Jesus’ question with one of their own: “Rabbi, where are you staying?” His response is simple, yet it is profound. Jesus simply said, “Come and see.” This simple phrase literally means “Come with me and you will see!” This is an invitation for them to examine Jesus for themselves. They have heard about Him from others; now they are invited to see for themselves. (We are called into a personal relationship.)