Jesus Calls His First Disciples: Part 2

John’s Prologue and the Theme of Belief

Well, we go to our text this morning, and you could turn to John chapter 1 as we continue to study our way through and our little journey together As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ through the wonderful gospel of John.

Here we see Jesus calls his first disciples is not the permanent call, but it is a.

Call.

Actually is more of a following if I were to title it right because it's We see these disciples Following the Lord Jesus Christ first we see here John which he does not name himself and Andrew and Lord willing we will continue I'm going to break this up To the end of the chapter we see we will be approaching Philip and Nathanael.

And we'll be looking start looking at that Lord willing next week. But as of right now The theme is no doubt Speaking of making disciples and that's Really that is the domain command of the Great Commission that is given from our Lord.

We're looking at this and let me begin by saying this through the writings of the Apostle John here the Holy Spirit of God has given us a perfect a perfect pattern to follow. Just to recap a little so far as we've seen in John chapter 1 verse 1 through 18 Which by the way constitutes a solid foundation of who Jesus is his person who he is.

Begins theologically, it's theology which is Different in comparison to the synoptic Gospels which most A couple I know begins with the genealogies Matthew Mark Luke the synoptic Gospels and John is quite different the Apostle John.

Begins.

His gospel actually what is called the prologue. The prologue. Which introduces to us the major themes that the Apostle would treat especially especially as the main thing unfolds. And. What is that main thing.

The main thing of course is Jesus is the Christ. He is the Messiah The Son of the Living God. That is the main thing Jesus is the Christ the Messiah the Anointed One the Son of the Living God. There are several key words as we've seen that's been repeated through this wonderful gospel such as life Light.

Witness.

Glory which appear in the first chapter of John in which we've looked at the remainder of The entire gospel develops the theme That Jesus is the Christ the Anointed One. It develops that theme in the prologue as to how the eternal Son became flesh and ministered among men so that all Who believe in him would be saved?

That is really the the focal point of this gospel. And if you notice that that's that's really another key word is believe. Believe believe you see John Constantly is Repeating that word by the Holy Spirit throughout this gospel so in chapter 1 as we've seen verse 1 through 18, it's basically The foundation that is being laid is theological concerning the glorious person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ who he is. It's brother Keith mentioned this morning. We need a clearer view of Christ, and how can we get a clearer view of Christ? Right here in this wonderful book right here on our knees before God with an open Bible.

The more of this revelation we get and fill our minds and hearts with the more we have a clearer picture and a right view of God and a clearer view of who Jesus is is in the scriptures in the revelation of Scripture this book.

Is.

Unique it's actually 66 books compiled into one great book, but You have 27 of the Old Testament books and 39 of the New Testament books, and it's compiled. It is the great revelation it is the mind of God it is the Word of God is the voice of God if we really want to know How God is like open your Bible I?

Like what John Calvin said he said if you want to hear God speak read your Bible out loud. The Word of God is the mind of God it is the the voice of God. And everything we know about God is through the scriptures.

John the Baptist’s Witness and “Behold the Lamb of God”

But if you notice the first half of the chapter 1 verse 1 through 18. It's theological for a reason it sets the setting of Who Jesus is? It's foundational then in verse 19 to 37 there is a Transition that takes place the Apostle John presents to us the first of many witnesses Concerning Jesus Christ for the reason to prove that Jesus is the Messiah the Son of the Living God by Bob which by the way reinforces his main theme throughout the gospel.

So the first witness which testifies concerning who Jesus is is none other than John the Baptist. John the Baptist. Basically in verse 7 if you notice he is a man sent from God. This man came for a witness.

To bear witness of the light that all through him might believe. Verse 8 he was not that light. But was sent to bear witness of that light. So John the Baptist The forerunner of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He was a herald to trumpet the the message that Jesus Is coming and he's here. He's among us and He comes to testify. He's sent from God and he gives testimony and that testimony is a public confession.

Before the world of Who Jesus is? He testifies of Jesus on three different days to three different groups of people as we've seen on Each of these days. He gives three messages. And just to recap again, this is so important because it's taken us right to our text on day one He is here basically that's what John is saying.

Verse 26 I baptize you with water, but there stands one among you whom you do not know. He's speaking there basically to the Sanhedrin sent from the Pharisees on day two he says look at him look at him on verse in verse 29 the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and Said behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

So he says look Behold the Lamb of God look at him. That brings us to our text doesn't it? Our text basically says on day three and this is day three follow him. He's basically Pointing to Christ and speaking to his own disciples that follow him.

Notice first 35 to first 42. Hear the word of the Living God again, the next day John stood with two of his disciples and Looking at Jesus as he walked. He said behold the Lamb of God. That does two disciples heard him speak and they followed Jesus.

Then Jesus turned and seeing them following said to them. What do you seek? They said to him rabbi. Which is to say when translated teacher.

Where are you staying?

Listen to that question. Jesus asked a probing question. Then they reply with the question. Verse 39. He said to them come and see. And they came and saw where he was staying and Remained with him that day now.

It was about the 10th hour. Verse 40. One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him. We have found the Messiah which is translated the Christ.

Verse 42. And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, he said you are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas which is Translated a stone. Let's pause. Right here and let's pray, please our father in heaven as we come before your throne and worship our hearts.

First say hallowed be thy name hallowed be thy name. We thank you father and our prayer is today Lord within that within the remaining hour of this Worship as we open your word that we may see Jesus and.

Jesus only.

Help us Lord to by your grace to continue to follow him in lowliness and obedience. And may our ultimate goal and our priority be to know him more intimately. Lord we pray this for your honor and glory.

Help me father To deliver this message that would be pleasing to you Lord of what the text is saying here Lord. I admit I am so weak here and The task is heavy. It's heavy Lord, it's a heavy message of discipleship.

So Lord help us we I need much grace. We all need much grace Lord. And we thank you that your grace is sufficient and we praise you and we ask this in Jesus name.

Amen.

John the Baptist Must Increase and I Must Decrease

Well in verse 35 to 37 we have as we first. But our first point was that we've seen By the text of scripture that Jesus is followed by the disciples. Jesus is followed by the disciples not all the disciples but two.

Here as We pointed out John does not name himself because of the humility that he brings. It's you'll see this all the way through his gospel that always speaks of the one in whom Jesus loved speaking of himself.

And then Andrew is named. So those are the first two disciples. They were John the but they were basically the disciples of John the Baptist. Again the text and next the next day John stood with two of his disciples verse 36 and looking at Jesus his is his he walked and He said behold the Lamb of God.

The two disciples heard him speak and followed Jesus.

Now.

All that was left for John the Baptist and his life and his mission. Was basically for him to do was make room to decrease. Now, let's look a little bit more at John the Baptist because he's the forerunner.

He's very crucial here. This is a very important transition that's taken place. He is to decrease and to leave the scene. He said it himself in John 3 30, it's one of the great verses of Scripture and especially here in the gospel of John.

He must.

Increase. But I must decrease. Basically Christ must increase. I must decrease. That Should be our theme as well. Jesus is always to increase. We are to decrease. His mission. His purpose was complete.

He took delight and what's amazing here. He took joy and Pleasure in this glorious privilege that God given had given him. We see this in John 3 verse 26 beginning at verse 26 if you want to flip over to a couple pages here and Job John chapter 3 and we're going to cover this a little bit more in detail later on as God wills it.

But we see here that he says. And they came to John and said to him basically his disciples Rabbi notice they call him teacher. He who is with you beyond the Jordan to whom you have testified behold He is baptizing and are all are coming to him.

Verse 27. John answered and said listen to the answer John gives. A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. You yourselves bear witness that I said I am NOT the Christ, but I have been sent before him.

He who has the bride is the bridegroom. But the friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears him rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore notice what he says.

This.

Joy of mine is.

Fulfilled.

It's been fulfilled. So John the Baptist is basically saying here and the weddings of that time period back in The Eastern culture was much different than the weddings We have here in the West and America.

It was really a big big deal for days and days and days. But John is basically saying here that he is the friend of the bridegroom. That's like a best man. He is the best man in this wedding Who has organized the details.

He's put together all that the the details that is to take place To introduce the world to the bridegroom. He's the best man in a sense. This friend of the bridegroom found his greatest joy and Watching the ceremony take place without any problems.

What a privilege that John the Baptist had. And as you well know that John the Baptist did decrease literally. He was put in prison. He was out of the way. Jesus was gathered disciple. He chose and Calls the disciples and John the Baptist's disciples follows Christ and John loses his head as he's in prison still preaching.

He literally decreased. And Jesus said out of all this all man that's been born in women there's none greater than John. He was the greatest Outside of Christ because he had the grand privilege of introducing the world to the greatest person that ever lived.

So John fades away from the scene. His mission is done and he actually lived to say one sentence.

Behold the Lamb of God.

Who takes away the sin of the world. He lived for that one moment none other. He lived to point his disciples to Jesus Christ. Verse 35. Again the next day. He's John stood he stood. You can actually see the scene.

He stood with two of his disciples. We know who is John the Apostle to be an Andrew and. You can see it. John is standing and then the two disciples right next to him and Jesus is walking by and.

Looking at Jesus.

He's looking at Jesus and you can see him as he walked. As Jesus walked by He tells his two disciples behold the Lamb of God. So basically meaning he was pretty much telling them follow him follow him.

Interesting to note as I was studying this Yesterday in my study and I was praying and trying to. As I was reading different commentaries on this. I've really found some remarkable insights here. I Never noticed this but in this text Jesus is shown to be rather passive.

Have you noticed that? He's rather passive Only once he is shown here in the text and in this Chapter as we will see to call someone that is found in verse 43. And we'll go approaching it soon here. The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee and he found Philip and Said to him follow me.

Generally.

The future disciple either comes to Jesus on his own or is brought to him through the efforts of another disciple. That's very interesting. As mentioned the present account. Helps illumine the disciples the willingness which is shown in the synoptic Gospels.

Which is the call to abandon their trades and follow Jesus as the permanent call is given. This is why John the Baptist was really crucial here a crucial witness to Jesus because but also in the initial source.

From which.

Jesus drew his followers.

Now.

Commentator Keener says this Concerning John the Baptist quote and this is a Wonderful quote and I'm going to tie this in with another commentator by the name of Morris Who is really a great commentator.

I know pastor MacArthur uses him a great deal. Brother Keith you mentioned that to me. So Really some good insight here. Listen to this quote. He says to recommend disciples To a greater teacher was rare required great humility and and Denoted confidence And and the other teachers superiority.

Morris says this the present shift in allegiance from the Baptist to Jesus he says also illustrates John's humility and.

Submission.

To the divine will. It is the mark of a truly great man that he can gently but firmly Detach them his followers So that they may go after a greater. And he closes the comment with this. And I love this.

This is a refreshing example in our day When the human tendency is to build empire centered on certain individuals and quote. You see you see the humility of John the Baptist this man was truly a humble man.

He even said that he's not even worthy To unstrap or unloose the latch of Jesus's sandals when Jesus comes to him and says Basically to baptize him John says you've come to me to baptize you. It's almost like you got to be kidding me.

I Am NOT worthy of this. Because he knew the greatness of the character of who Jesus was. He was a humble man folks.

Jesus Questions the Disciples and Invites Them to Come and See

Well.

The second point as we looked at in verse 38 to 40. Jesus speaks to the disciples. Jesus speaks to the disciples. We see this in verse 38. Then Jesus turned Seeing them following and said to them What do you seek?

What a what a question. What do you seek? Gets right to the heart's motives, doesn't he? The first utterance right here in this gospel that we are given of Jesus Christ Is this question.

What do you seek?

We need to ask this question to us every single day. What are we seeking the first utterance in? This gospel by our Lord Jesus. Asking nothing but a very simple probing. Convicting question that strikes to the very heart and motive.

What are you looking for.

What are you seeking?

Probing and challenging, isn't it? It is.

Well.

As he says and asked the disciples, what are you seeking? What is he doing. He's he's. As the master he is forcing them to define their purposes and Heart motives and their goals. In other words, what's your purpose?

What's. Well, it's almost like Christ to say to them Why why do you want to why do you want to follow me? What a question? Warren Wiersbe comments here. He said were they looking for a revolutionary leader to overthrow Rome?

Then they had better join the zealots. Little did Andrew and John realize that day how their lives would be transformed by the Son of God. In quote now, that's so true. So we see here the two disciples.

The two disciples Answers the master in a question from a question, which by the way is the wisest way to answer, right? He said they said to him rabbi Which is to say when translate a teacher.

Where are you staying?

Where are you staying? No, the translation says where are you dwelling? Where are you dwelling? This may be suggested This if you are really too busy now, we can visit later. But our Lord graciously invites them doesn't he He graciously invites them To spend the day with him.

Time period was about 4 p .m. We're not told the details but I'm sure our Lord reveals his heart to Andrew and John and What he shared with them. We don't know But I'm sure whatever was said.

Was penetrating.

Life-changing. Verse 39. He said to them come and see come and see. Bible says they came and saw where he was staying. No details are given there where he's staying. But it does tell us. And they remained with him that day.

They spent the whole day there and. If you notice in your in the scriptures there in parentheses now, it was about the 10th hour. Some commentator says it was 10 a .m. That's not true. If in that time period is hours, there's a 12-hour day.

The day starts at 6 a .m. If you take it to 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 I'm miss counting. See I have a hard time counting, but I do know about counting the calls though. But if you do 10 10 hours, it's basically 4 p .m.

From 6.

To to the 10th hour the 4 p .m. But but here's Regardless of how poorly I I've brought that out. This is what's important and this is what we should not forget. That John's first meeting with Jesus Was so powerful It was it would had such an impact on his life and so life-changing that he remembers the exact.

Hour.

That he first met the Lord. I.

Think that's the important thing. We need not to forget it says it right there. He did not forget that time period. That's you know, when something is life-changing in our lives. We don't forget that do it's a like a landmark we go back to that time period and think Lord it was right there you you met with me and changed my life.

Now sometimes we don't know. Yeah, it's act like the new birth. I can't tell you exactly that hour and time and I was born in into the kingdom of God, but I know the life Changing transformation that took place, but there are times when the Lord does meet with us.

We never forget it do we. And John here puts in parentheses. It was at that hour 4 p .m Jesus inviting the disciples to his home. Also may be compared to the statement and the synoptic Gospels. That's what especially found in Luke.

And by the way This text is really hated by Prosperity thoughts teachers they hate this and I've quoted it to them before and they they they basically try to twist it and turn it. But Jesus says foxes have holes the birds have nest.

And the air has nest but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. I believe brother Zach referred that today. You didn't know that was in my notes. Did you. But God God knows praise God. Quote that to a prosperity faith teacher.

I guarantee That it hit hard because Jesus being the Son of Man Who owned it all made it all? Comes to the his world in which he makes pitched his tent and basically lived homeless. Basically proposes that here he's given hospitality.

To give these disciples a place for the night. He's he's thinking of them and their needs in that sense. But the most important need is that they knew he knew that they knew that they needed him. But he offers to them and hospitably.

In a way since it was too far for them to travel back to their homes that night. I don't know whether they to walk back to Bethsaida. Was from Capernaum. We don't know Which was a few hours walk or from Nazareth Which was even further because which was a very a full day's journey.

But Jesus invites them to stay with him remarkable in it the third point I'd like to get to here is Jesus is shared by the disciple Andrew. Jesus is shared by the disciple Andrew. Let's look at Andrew a little bit.

Andrew Brings His Brother Simon to Jesus

Verse 40 one of the two Heard John speak and followed him was Andrew Simon Peter's brother. Interesting to note that wherever you find Andrew In John's gospel, he's always bringing someone to Jesus. Isn't he?

I love this about Andrew. He's in the shadows. He's always under the shadow of his brother Peter because in the list Peter is always first. He's always in the shadow, but he's the one that introduces Peter to Jesus here in the text.

He's bringing his his brother.

Simon Peter to the Lord. Also, if you were to read in John 6 verse 8, he's bringing a lad with loads of fishes. He goes and reaches out to the young man With with a little lunch and Jesus says here's a lad.

And what. But what do you. What does he have. What is this among so many. And Jesus, you know does the miracle of multiplying the loaves and the fishes To feed all the people that was following. So you see Andrew is the one that brings the lad to Jesus and John 12 20 to 21 He's seen bringing the Greeks who wanted to see Jesus.

He brings the Greeks to Jesus.

Well.

Let me comment here we don't have any Record in the scriptures of any sermons from Andrew none whatsoever. But I tell you this beloved. I think this is more important than a verbal sermon. Even though sermons are important preaching of the Word of God, but what's more important is this that no doubt?

Andrew certainly preached great a great sermon and many sermons in his life and his actions. That is the most important thing that we are living epistles and we see Andrew living. Like an open sermon he lives the sermon and Notice it's he's a one-on-one soul winner.

He's one-on-one. Well verse 41. He first found his own brother and that beautiful the way the text brings it. I he found his own brother Simon and said to him we have found the Messiah, which is translated the Christ so the first thing we read here in this verse is Andrew is Joyfully tells his brother Simon Peter about Jesus and he goes First to his own brother.

That makes me think he is no doubt his brother's keeper opposite of King. He thinks much of his brother he wants to go tell his brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said we have found the Messiah we have found the Messiah you can almost sense the excitement here in him.

Which is translated the Christ the anointed one we found him John the Apostle by the Holy Spirit is the only New Testament author by the way to use the term Messiah. That's interesting in it and in chapter 4 verse 25, but the expression is very important.

It comes from a verb that means to anoint. To anoint the anointed one the Messiah. He is the anointed one. The expression is Transliteration of the Arabic Hebrew word means anointed one. And as you well know the Old Testament anointed was used quite often variously refers to the King of Israel in 1st Samuel 16 6 and 2nd Samuel 114 as being anointed also the high priest in Leviticus 4 3 and also of prophets in Psalm 105 15 or Others who were set apart consecrated for a particular office.

We see this in the Old Testament. And notice what I just mentioned prophet priest and King Jesus fulfills every bit of that. He is the great prophet, but he's more than a prophet. He is the Messiah. He is the king of kings.

He's the king of Israel.

He is.

The priest of priests Jesus is the anointed with the coming one. He is the coming one. That was prophesied in the the Old Testament and they use some something of the Old Testament in these prophecies.

Because that's where they're deriving the Messiah.

Well.

Verse 42 says. And he brought him to Jesus and then when Jesus looked at him He said you are Simon the son of Jonah or John. You shall be called Cephas. Which is translated a stone. Now we see Andrew brings Simon to Jesus and this is how The kingdom of God advances isn't it?

Beautiful. An ordinary man by the name of Andrew Brings his brother. He's a one-on-one soul winner. Let us never be discouraged. Therefore we just invite one to Jesus that the kingdom of God is advancing and This is the way Jesus intended it.

One-on-one bringing another to Jesus. Notice the text now when Jesus looked at him. This is interesting. He looked at Peter in this case. Some commentators said this. This means that Jesus looked at Peter with penetration and insight.

I don't know about you, but if you'd been there, how would how would you have? Taken it by Jesus looking with a penetrating look of great love and. An insight within your eyes. The gate of your soul. He looks right into it.

Wow.

It changes Peter's life here to the point that this encounter with Jesus Was was completely life-changing. Christ knows everything about him. He knows everything about us. He looks right into his eyes.

Penetrating he looks at him. He knows who he will become and That that's that's what I love about the Lord. He knows everything about us, but he's the one that loves us the most. And Jesus says to him you shall be called Cephas which is translated Peter.

Cephas is the Arabic word which was common language of that day. They spoke but Jesus gives him a wonderful name Peter. Peter is from the Greek word. It means stone or rock. So our Lord is predicting what Peter will become.

You know, it makes me think it's good. It's almost like the Lord saying you it's going to be rough and tough and you go have many crosses and many losses there's gonna be many challenges and Even failures among the way, but there's one thing that will not fail.

Peter is his faith and we read this that his faith does not ultimately fail because Jesus prays for him and Aren't you glad that Jesus is praying for you? That ultimately your faith will not fail. My faith will not fail.

That's what's important. Christ intercedes for us. He intercedes before the Father in. Every prayer you can read it through the scriptures every prayer that Jesus has prayed the Father answers it and you know.

Here's the beginning of we seeing Peter and you know the end of the story. Go all the way to the end of the gospel of John and he's being restored. Jesus is lovingly restoring him. He denies Peter denied the Lord three times and three times he asked him Peter Do you love me?

Feed my lambs. Do you love me? Incredible but he restores it now. There's a connection here. I like to take this to go to Matthew Chapter 16. This is a very familiar.

Verse.

It's another time that. That this was revelation was given but starting with verse 13. Well, very well known. Passage here, but notice in verse 13 when Jesus came into the region Caesarea Philippi. Horrific place.

Isn't it right in the heart of a horrific hell? He asked his Disciples, there's the this is the twelve now. Okay, there's many other disciples. There was larger groups of disciples. There's a small the twelve.

So he's asking the twelve saying. Then notice the great teacher that Jesus is he's asked the question. Who do men say that I the son of man am. He brings them in right he brings them right in into the conversation by probing them a question.

So they said some say John the Baptist some Elijah others Jeremiah. One of the prophets. So we read a little bit right there how Jesus is preaching was and his life was. Because it's very familiar with the fiery Ness of John the Baptist or the Elijah the prophet of fire Jeremiah the weeping prophet or one of the prophets, but then in verse 15 He said to them, but who do you say that I am?

Wow, what a question now, he's getting right down to the dare. Who do you say that I am? Grass one of the greatest questions asked. By our Lord Simon Peter. He was the one he was like the spokesman of the twelve.

He answered and said you are the Christ the son of the Living God. I want you to think about that what he just said he didn't come up with that in his head. Did he? Why? The text tells us first 17. Jesus answered and said to him blessed.

Are you Simon bar Jonah? For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my father who is in heaven and. Then Jesus says this. In other words, it came by revelation was not has not revealed this to you.

In other words flesh and blood has not revealed this to you. The father revealed this to you verse 18. But and I also say to you that you are Peter and on this rock.

I.

Will build my church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Stop right there notice the word for Peter Petra's. Petra's means a small stone. He's a small living stone. Okay a small stone.

Jesus used to play on words here with the word Petra. Peter Petra's a small stone. Jesus is the Petra the boulder which means He is Jesus himself is the chief cornerstone. He is the foundation boulder so Christ is both the foundation and the head of the church.

Peter being an apostle. Jesus basically says you're a small stone. What does that picture in your mind? What's the truth saying here? It's built on the Petra the boulder the foundation boulder. Paul the Apostle says this in Ephesians 2 20.

Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone. Verse 21, let me read further in whom the whole building being fitted together. Grows into a holy temple in the Lord verse 22 in whom also.

You also are being built together. Don't take that word together out. This is together. We are together in.