Message: Nathanael

Speaker: Ben Horseman and Chris Nation

Service Date: March 07, 2021 Plain Print Version

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

Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 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."

"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.  "Come and see," said Philip.

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

"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. 

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

Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel."

Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that. He then added, "Very truly I tell you, you will see 'heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on' the Son of Man."

John 1:43-51

This was an invitation that changed Nathanael's life. He was seen and known by Jesus. 

Jesus was not the Messiah that Nathanael and others were watching for. Discuss what they were expecting in their long awaited Messiah and how Jesus did not fit that description.

We, like Nathanael, we often come with questions. God doesn't show up in the ways that we expect him to. What questions do you have? In what ways has God not shown up the way you thought he would in your life and in your circumstances? 

In the video, Nicky Gumble, realized that there was something missing in his life. With every accomplishment he felt like there had to be more to life than this. If you have accepted God's invitation to come to Him, what moments did you realize that there was something missing. If you have not yet accepted His invitation, in what ways do you feel there must be more to life than what you are experiencing? 

Have you had mind-shifting moments that have opened your eyes to how you are seen, known, and loved by Jesus?

Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6:68

This was a mind-shifting moment for Peter. Have you had mind-shifting moment that have opened your eyes to who Jesus is, about how he sees you, knows you, and loves you?

Jesus came to bridge the gap between heaven and earth. His invitation to you is, "Come and see". 

How do you need to say yes to this very personal invitation?

Go Deeper

Are there Nathanael's in your life who you could extent the invitation to "Come and see?" Who do you need to pray for and ask God to give you an opportunity to make that invitation to? Life can cause us to question God's character. In what ways has God not shown up the way you thought He would and it caused you to question Him? How have these moments brought you closer to Him?