Finding the Lost

Sister Melinda Song

John 1:43-49, NIV

⁴³ The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’

⁴⁴ Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’

⁴⁶ ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked.

‘Come and see,’ said Philip.

⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’

⁴⁸ ‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.’

⁴⁹ Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’

What does it mean to be lost? You are lost when you are unable to find your way or when you not know your whereabouts. Like the TV series Lost.

People don’t purposely get lost. The Bible describes our state of being lost as “all we like sheep have gone astray” (Isa. 53:6).

When we are lost, we have to be found. There was a massive search to find MH 370.

Imagine the joy of both the finder and the lost when the the lost is found. John Newton was so happy that he wrote a song about it. Amazing grace is one of the best loved if not the most well-known hymn. Even my mom who claimed to be a non-believer loved it. The words “I once was lost but now am found” never fails to touch my heart and bring me to tears.

Let us look into our passage to find out more about finding the lost.

⁴³ The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, ‘Follow me.’

a.     Jesus found Philip.

-       It was intentional and purposeful. The finder has to take the initiative. God took the initiative. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Lu. 19:10).

-       Recapping Pastor’s massages over the past two weeks, Jesus was ready, he was prepared and he acted.

b.     Jesus asked Philip to follow him. He did not just leave him as he was.

-       The Greek word in the Epistles for "follow" and "followers" is mimetes (literally "mimics"). believers are called to be little imitations or "mimics" of Jesus Christ.

-       To be a follower is to be a disciple, to learn from a master and do what he does.

-       The Greek word for Christian means “little Christ”.

⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote – Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’

a.     Philip in turn found Nathanael. He did as Jesus did! He was a new believer. He did not wait until he graduated. This was training on the job. Jesus found him so he found Nathanael.

Jn 17:18 “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”

Jn 20:21 Again Jesus said,‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’

b.     The only qualification to introduce someone to Jesus is that you know him yourself. Do you know Jesus?

c.     Philip told Nathanael about his new find. How often do we share info of our good finds? How come we are reluctant to introduce others to the best find ever – Jesus Christ? Could it be that we are jaded?

d.     Philip’s testimony was informal (anywhere as the opportunity arises), informed (he was simply sharing what he knew) and infectious (I can imagine his enthusiasm).

46 ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked.

‘Come and see,’ said Philip.

a.     Objections and rejections are normal. Be wise! Learn to discern between those who seek to argue for the sake of arguing and those who are genuine truth-seekers. Nathanael was a sincere doubter. Before I became a believer I argued for the sake of arguing. My mind was made up.

b.     Philip helped Nathanael to see Jesus. People often need to experience Jesus first. Praying for others, helping them and meeting their needs enable people to see Jesus. We are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20). People cannot see Christ, the Head, but they can surely see the Body, the church, which is you and me (Eph. 5:23, Col. 1:24). Can people see Jesus in us?

⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’

⁴⁸ ‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.’

a.     Jesus already knew about Nathanael, before Philip called him. God goes before us and He is with us in our soul-winning efforts.

Reminder! The promise “surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20) is given in the context of the Great Commission

b.     Soul-winning is essentially God’s work. Without Him we can do nothing (Jn. 15:5). Salvation belongs to our God (Ps. 3:8, Rev. 7:10, 19:1). And it is not by might, nor by power but by His spirit (Zec. 4:6).

⁴⁹ Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’

a.     Picture the joy that filled Philip’s heart. There is great joy when the person receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Lu. 15:7  “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent”

Ps. 126:6  Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

Sometimes it may not be our privilege to lead the person to Christ. But don’t lose heart! God may be using you as a link in the chain before the person comes to know Jesus.

b.     Nathanael became a disciple of Christ and was one of the 12 apostles. You never know who you might be winning to the Lord. You could be sharing the gospel with a future Hudson Taylor or Billy Graham?

Salvation is of the Lord but He chooses to work through people. He sent Jesus, His only begotten Son, and now He is sending you.

Mark 16:19-20, NIV

¹⁹ After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.²⁰ Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

If you would go, God has promised to be with you and back you up. The question is. “Are you willing?” Will you join the search and rescue team to find and save the lost?

Many thanks to wifey for her sermon notes.