Bible Study - Second Nature (7) - Andrew: Active Witness - John 1:35-42; 12:20-26 - November 26, 2017

Bible Study – Second Nature (7) – Andrew: Active Witness – November 26, 2017

This is lesson seven (7) and our final lesson in the series entitled “Second Nature.”

Our focus scripture is John 1:35-42; 12: 20-26.

CHRIST-centered living chooses invitation, not indifference.

[Christians need to be prepared to give their testimony regarding how they became Christians. Often, we hear dramatic testimonies and we think, "Our testimony is dull." In fact, I know of Christians who wished they had sinned more so they would have a dramatic testimony." No! Each Christian's testimony is powerful and unique. One of the most powerful testimonies was given by a man who became a Christian at 9 years old and served the LORD. But each Christian needs to think through his or her testimony. A good guide is Paul's testimony he gave to King Agrippa as recorded in Acts Chapter 26. Prepare a short testimony and one that may be 15-20 minutes. Always pray for opportunity to share JESUS with others no matter where we go in a day. Equally as important is that we see and respond to the opportunity. We may plant a seed, do some weeding, watering, encouraging or harvesting. Trust GOD for the results. Satan will do all he can to discourage you because he wants you to be silent. Do not let that happen. It is like a story I heard many years ago. A pastor was preaching a revival and there was young man who loved the LORD but had special needs. There was a prominent man coming to the revival and the pastor could sense that he was under conviction. It came to the last night of the revival and the pastor gave the invitation for those desiring to to ask JESUS into his or her heart to come forward. The pastor noticed the special needs person go up to this prominent person and say something. That person immediately darted out of the church. The pastor thought "Oh, no, this person was so close but now he is gone or something to that effect." The next day the man called the pastor at his office. The pastor began to try to apologize for the special needs person's action, when the man stopped him. It was what the young man said to me is the reason I am calling you. I have not slept all night thinking about what he said. The pastor was eager to know what the young man said. "What did he say to you?" The man replied, "He came up to me and asked me "Do you want to go to Heaven?" I said, No! He said then "Go to Hell!" This was the wake up call this man needed. He had one of two choices - Heaven or Hell. He told the pastor that he wanted to go to Heaven and he prayed to receive CHRIST as his Savior. We cannot brow beat others into Heaven. We must pray and trust GOD as HE gives opportunity to dig around, fertilize, water, weed removal, harvest, etc. GOD uses every Christian to be part of the process. Never give up because GOD loves that person more than we do. Be available to respond when GOD gives opportunity and trust the direction of the conversation. Do not worry but pray, respond as GOD provides opportunity and leave the results to GOD. Depend upon the leadership of the Holy Spirit.]

Let’s read John 1:35-42:

35 Again the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples.

This John is referring to John the Baptist.

36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look! The Lamb of God!"

John the Baptist identified JESUS as the promised Messiah. John the Baptist lived preaching truth and living what he preached. When he revealed the Messiah two of John the Baptist disciples did not question him but made the decision to leave him and follow JESUS, the Messiah.

John the Baptist preached repentance and living according to the Law and commandments but he knew that the promised Messiah offered salvation and a true relationship with GOD through faith and forgiveness of sin. John the Baptist knew that GOD had called him to be the herald for JESUS and for those who would encounter JESUS to prepare to receive JESUS as the promised Messiah.  

37 The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus.

When two of John the Baptist’ disciples acknowledge JESUS as “The Lamb of GOD,” they immediately followed JESUS. When we see truth, we are to stop following what appeared to be true and follow truth. When we see JESUS as truth, we are to respond to the wooing of the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit reveals truth.

Seeing JESUS as The Messiah is step one in building the right relationship with HIM and GOD. I asked JESUS into my heart and life when I was about 9 years old. That was step one in my Spiritual journey. Then it has been a lifetime of getting to really know JESUS and GOD through study, application and the revelation, enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. Have I arrived at 80 years old? NO! I am still building and learning. There are false notions that still have to be dealt with, ego and waiting, trusting and letting GOD work and acting only when HE says to act. 

But one thing certain, I belong to JESUS and will be in HIS presence before my earth suit experiences death and so will all who have placed their faith on JESUS. Death is like the butterfly breaking from its cocoon getting ready to 

spread its wings and soar.

Salvation from sin and its consequence of eternal death is based upon one thing. When a person asks JESUS to forgive him or her for his or her sins and for HIM to come into his or her life, the miracle of Spiritual rebirth takes place in an instant. That person is instantly born into the family of GOD and becomes HIS Son or Daughter with all the rights and privileges of being a child of the King. Discovering these rights and privileges is revealed during our walk with JESUS and GOD, which is called sanctification. It revolves around our desire to build the right relationship with GOD through obedient service.

Have you asked JESUS to forgive you for your sins and to come into your heart believing that HE gave HIS life for you?

Who were these two disciples of John the Baptist who immediately left John the Baptist and followed JESUS? One we know for certain was Andrew and the other is thought to be John, who became a disciple of JESUS and wrote the Gospel of John, 1, 2, 3 John and Revelation. The other possibility is Philip.  

38 When Jesus turned and noticed them following Him, He asked them, "What are you looking for?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are You staying?"

When we follow JESUS, why are we following HIM? Do we think of HIM as a good luck charm or someone who can help us out of earthly trouble? Or do we see HIM as the LAMB OF GOD WHO paid the price, in full, for our sin? 

In doing so, HE gives you eternal life through faith in HIM because HE is GOD’S Only SON, Who came to earth in the flesh, and willingly gave HIS life. HE gave HIS sinless life by the shedding of HIS blood to pay, in full, the price GOD required to redeem every person who places his or her faith in HIM from sin. Our sin cost JESUS HIS physical life, which HE gave willingly because of HIS love for each of us.

GOD resurrected HIM from physical death as proof that HE has the power and authority over eternal death and the resurrection of the dead. JESUS died as the sinless LAMB of GOD and GOD resurrected HIM. That is why each person must accept JESUS as his or her Savior. Thus, when Christians die their destiny has already been determined. The Christian will be with JESUS and GOD in Heaven and will be resurrected and receive their Glorified bodies at the second coming of JESUS. Those without JESUS will be cast into outer darkness. The choice belongs to each person.

Here is an “I think.” What happens to miscarriages, babies, young children and some others when they die? “I think they go to Heaven because they have not reached the age of accountability.

One important point is recorded in 1 Corinthians 6:20 - 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. – That price was the sinless, perfect life of JESUS.

The good news is that JESUS did not stay dead. GOD resurrected HIM on the third day as proof and assurance that JESUS was indeed the promised Messiah. The resurrection of JESUS is the assurance of every person who places his or her faith in HIM will not experience eternal death but receive the gift of eternal life. Not only eternal life but will receive an eternal Glorified body which will be like the Glorified body of JESUS.

The indwelling Holy Spirit is the Christian’s down payment and guarantee that he or she will have eternal life.

JESUS saw the two men following HIM. They referred to HIM as “Rabbi,” which means teacher. They recognized HIM as “Teacher.” Some people stop at seeing JESUS as a Teacher and not seeing HIM as the Messiah.

Then the two went to the next level by asking “Where are you staying?” This question revealed that their desire was to get to HIM in a deeper way. Their interest was not casual but in-depth. We want to spend time with you to get to know you in an intimate, personal, probing manner.

Do you want to really know JESUS or just to know about JESUS? If you want to really know HIM, you must spend time to get to know HIM e.g. Read and study your Bible, prayer, obedient service as led by the Holy Spirit, getting into a Bible teaching and believing Church and the list goes on.

When we have the desire to get to know HIM, HE invites us to --- as we read in our next verse ---

39 "Come and you'll see," He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and they stayed with Him that day. It was about 10 in the morning.

Here we have to decide, was it 10 AM or 4 PM? I think it is correctly translated “10 in the morning.” Some translations do not translate but leave it as “the tenth hour.”  It is a matter of discerning if the Apostle John used Jewish time or Roman time. I think the statement “they stayed with HIM that day” settles it. It was “10 AM” and they stayed with HIM that day.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed Him.

We learn more about Andrew. He was Simon Peter’s brother. Andrew knew that JESUS was the promised Messiah and he wanted to share HIM with his brother. This is natural. When we discover something or someone of great importance, we want to share this information. The Jews had been looking for the Messiah and Andrew was convinced that JESUS was the Messiah.

41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah!" (which means "Anointed One"),

42 and he brought [Simon] to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, He said, "You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which means "Rock").

It was likely that Andrew was excited and wanted his brother Simon to meet HIM. The word “brought” carries the idea that Andrew was likely “compelling” Simon to go with him, whether he wanted to or not.  Before Andrew could introduce Simon to JESUS, JESUS reached out to Simon. JESUS called Simon by his name and immediately called him “Cephas or Rock.”  

It is interesting that the Greek version of the Aramaic form of Peter means “Rock.” In Hebrew the language distinguishes between stones and rocks. A stone was any size of rock that could be lifted. It includes small to huge. Any size stone product quarried. However, when “Rock” is used in reference to JESUS it refers to an immovable rock or solid foundation upon which those who place their faith can trust. That is why Christians build upon the solid rock of JESUS.

This concept is captured in 1 Corinthians 3:9-17:

9 For we are God's co-workers. You are God's field, God's building.

10 According to God's grace that was given to me, as a skilled master builder I have laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it,

11 because no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid-that is, Jesus Christ.

12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw,

13 each one's work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one's work.

14 If anyone's work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward.

15 If anyone's work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.

16 Don't you know that you are God's sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

17 If anyone ruins God's sanctuary, God will ruin him; for God's sanctuary is holy, and that is what you are.

This is the good news of placing our faith in JESUS and our desire should be to share it. Notice verse 15. That is where we get the idea of salvation is getting one’s “fire insurance.” But when we live obediently serving our LORD it leads to rewards that Glorify HIM.

Andrew is a good example of taking the Good News of JESUS as the Messiah to others. Andrew began with his family. He likely knew that Simon was also looking for the coming of the Messiah and once Andrew had discovered JESUS, he wanted to share HIM. Andrew immediately had the desire to share JESUS. That should be the desire of every Christian. The key is to share as led by the Holy Spirit.

Sharing JESUS should be a natural outflow of the revelation from within. But each person must respond, as the Holy Spirit gives him or her, the revelation and need for salvation. It would be wonderful if we could open a person’s mind and pour that revelation in but each person must see his or her need on his or her own. Christians can present the Good News and then live the Christian life, pray for that person and trust GOD with the results and an opening to share the Gospel.

Each Christian should be prepared to share a 1-3 minute testimony with those he or she may encounter as he or she walks through life. In the Christian business man’s world, the idea is to share our testimony during an elevator ride. Again, as the LORD gives opportunity be ready to respond.

Let’s read John 12:20-22:

Jesus Predicts His Crucifixion

20 Now some Greeks were among those who went up to worship at the festival.

21 So they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and requested of him, "Sir, we want to see Jesus."

22 Philip went and told Andrew; then Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.

To me this has always been heartwarming scripture. There were some Greeks who were in Jerusalem who wanted to see JESUS. Their request was more than seeing HIM physically, they wanted to meet with HIM to get to “know and understand” JESUS. These Greeks could have been Jewish proselytes or GOD-fearers.

Proselytes in that time period were Gentiles who were going through the rituals to become a Jew e.g. circumcision, offering certain sacrifices, accepting the Law of Moses and following Jewish regulations.

GOD-fearers were Gentiles who were studying Judaism but had not become full converts.

This group of Greeks approached Philip. Philip was from Bethsaida in Galilee which, in turn, was the town of Andrew and Peter.  Philip went and told Andrew. Then, Andrew and Philip went and told JESUS about the Greeks request to meet HIM.

We do not know the specific questions they had for JESUS but we do know the response of JESUS to them in the next verses.

But let’s consider their request to Philip, “Sir, we want to see JESUS.” That is a request many of us desire to ask. We would like to come into HIS presence and talk to HIM and ask questions. But those seeking truth were just like all of us today. JESUS was very close to HIS passion. JESUS had already passed the test on the Mount of Transfiguration. JESUS had ridden on a donkey into Jerusalem where the people lined the road with palm branches leading into Jerusalem. This was to welcome JESUS as King. The crucifixion of JESUS was just days away. The death of their King was a serious blow to those who saw JESUS as an earthly king.

The assumptions we make in life can get in the way of reality and in particular Spiritual reality. Often, we need to pause and ask JESUS to open our Spiritually blind eyes to truth.

The Greeks were about to be told truth from JESUS to prepare them for what was about to happen. Let’s read on ---

Let’s read John 12:23-26:

23 Jesus replied to them, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

JESUS often referred to Himself as the “Son of Man.” In essence, all has been fulfilled and now it is time for the final act, the hour has come. The rulers desperately wanted to kill JESUS. As you may recall, GOD keeps certain matters hidden until the right time, as we read in 1 Corinthians 2:7-8:

7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,

8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

24 "I assure you: Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains by itself. But if it dies, it produces a large crop.

JESUS used many examples from nature to explain Spiritual truths. HE had to give HIS life in order for many to receive salvation and the gift of rebirth into GOD’S family and the gift of eternal life.

25 The one who loves his life will lose it, and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

We read in John 14:6 - 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

26 If anyone serves Me, he must follow Me. Where I am, there My servant also will be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.

JESUS gave HIS life so that all who place their faith in HIM will be forgiven and restored to the perfection GOD intended for them in the beginning. Our sins are washed away and we are whiter than snow. Heaven is our destination and home. I hope to see you there. The decision is yours to make. Blessings!!!