Big Idea: The next two Apostles in order are Philip and Bartholomew (Nathanael) who have a unique relationship. These two friends teach us much about how we might go about inviting others to meet Jesus. After Philip is called, he cannot help but share the good news with his good friend. And in Nathanael doubt, he invites him to come and see Jesus for himself.
______________________ Evangelism (connect with others)
John 1:44–45 (ESV) — 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
The name Bartholomew is an Aramaic patronym meaning “son of Tolmai/Talmai” or “son of Ptolemy” (“bar” is Aramaic for “son of”). A patronym could function as a person’s proper name; other biblical examples are Barnabas and Barabbas. However, patronyms more often served as surnames that specified people by using the name of their father (e.g., Peter is called Simon Barjona in Matt 16:17).
Philip is called by Jesus and the first thing he does is finds his friend, Nathanael Bartholomew, to share the good news with. The relationships we have with others can serve as a great vehicle to introduce them to Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:3–5 (ESV) — 3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.
If our greatest ambition is to make disciples, might we, by the power of the Spirit, invest in the relationships that seem to be the most conducive to winning people to Christ?
______________________ Evangelism (confidently invite others to see Jesus)
John 1:46 (ESV) — 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Nathanael is not convinced that Jesus is the Messiah. Philip responds with a confident invitation, “Come and see”.
Romans 8:29–30 (ESV) — 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
We do not save people, Jesus saves people. Our job is simply to introduce people to the Savior.
John 4:7–42
John 4:35 (ESV) — 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.
The fields of Stroudsburg are white for harvest. The people of Stroudsburg are waiting to be introduced to Jesus. Jesus is able to save them. We can’t answer every theological question they might have or address every hesitation they may hold, but what we can do is introduce them to Jesus.
Questions to Consider
Who are you connecting with?
How might you confidently introduce them to Jesus?
