Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 11 April 2021

Text: John 1

Subject: Evangelism

Sub-Topic: Personal Evangelism

INTRODUCTION

1. There are times when people reached out to the Lord Jesus

a) Andrew

b) John (John 1:35-42)

2. There are times when we reach out to people

a) The Lord Jesus finding Philip (John 1:43)

b) There are lessons we must learn about “personal evangelism”

THE PLANS OF THE LORD JESUS

1. Did He have definite plans?

Yes!

2. Where were His plans drawn from?

The Scriptures

3. Focus of the Lord Jesus

To fulfil the Scriptures

4. Galilee was certainly a place mentioned in the Scriptures

a) Matthew 4:14-17

b) Isaiah 9:1-2

c) Galilee of the Gentiles (Matthew 4:15c)

d) People sat in darkness (Matthew 4:16a)

e) The Lord Jesus would be that “great light” (Matthew 4:16b)

5. The Preaching ministry of the Lord Jesus

a) Repent

b) The kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 4:17)

MINISTRY IN BETHSAIDA

1. This was the city of Andrew and Peter (John 1:44)

2. Philip was also from Bethsaida (John 1:44) 

LOCATION OF BETHSAIDA

1. Two archaeological sites have been presented to be the Biblical Bethsaida

2. Both teams of archaeologists have presented arguments for their findings

(Both have convincing arguments)

3. The following facts may be noted:

a) Near the River Jordan

b) Near the Sea of Galilee

c) Bethsaida, Chorazin and Capernaum were singled out in rebuke (Matthew 11:21, 23)

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS IN GALILEE

1. The Lord Jesus went about all Galilee

a) Teaching in their synagogues

b) Preaching the gospel of the kingdom

c) Healing all kinds of sicknesses and all kinds of disease among the people (Matthew 4:23)

2. “He wanted to go to Galilee” (John 1:43a)

a) He was already ministering

b) He wanted to develop His Galilean ministry further

3. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me” (John 1:43b)

4. Philip in turn found Nathanael (John 1:45a)

5. What he shared with Nathanael

a) We have found Him of whom Moses said in the law (John 1:45b)

b) And also the prophets (John 1:45c)

c) Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph (John 1:45d)

6. Nathanael

a) He was not impressed because Nazareth was mentioned

b) “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46a)

7. Philip’s response

a) “Come and see” (John 1:46b)

NATHANAEL’S ENCOUNTER WITH THE LORD JESUS

1. The Lord Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him (John 1:47a)

2. Immediately, He remarked

a) “Behold, an Israelite indeed” John 1:47b

b) “In whom there is no deceit” John 1:47c

3. Nathanael’s response

 “How do You know me?” John 1:48a

4. The Lord Jesus’ response

a) “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree” John 1:48b

b) “I saw you” John 1:48c

5. Nathanael’s astonishment

a) “Rabbi, You are the Son of God!” John 1:49a

b) “You are the King of Israel” John 1:49b

6. The concluding words of the Lord Jesus to Nathanael

a) “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe’” John 1:50a

b) “You will see greater things than these” John 1:50b

c) “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open” John 1:51a

d) “And the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man” John 1:51b

APPRECIATING THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

1. He would be open to people seeking to speak to Him (John 1)

a) Andrew

b) John

2. He would do His part in fulfilling His ministry

a) Preaching

b) Teaching

c) Healing

3. He would reach out to people

a) Philip, who would have come to believe in the Lord 

b) We may call this “Follow-up of Evangelism”

4. Philip also reached out as Andrew did

a) He brought a good friend called Nathanael

b) The Lord Jesus helped him to come to faith in God

5. Principles and Practices

a) Practice of principles is of vital significance

b) Principles

i) Being open

ii) Being warm and friendly

iii) Deep knowledge of the Gospel message

iv) Insightful understanding of people

c) Practices

i) Reaching out to make Disciples

ii) Follow-up work

iii) Helping people to become certain of their faith in God

CHALLENGING LESSONS TO CONSIDER

1. A deep Knowledge

a) Of God

b) Of the Gospel of the Kingdom

2. Concern about Evangelism

a) Presentation of the Gospel 

b) Presenting the concept of Following the Lord (as Disciples)

3. Cultivating experience

a) Relating to people

b) Revelation from God about people