John the Baptist was a faithful and fruitful witness of Christ. He faithfully proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God, bearing in mind the word of God in Exodus: "When I see the blood, I will pass over you. . ."
The lamb in Genesis was for a man
The lamb in Exodus was for the family
The lamb in Isaiah was for a nation
The Lamb in John is for the whole world
The Lamb in Revelation is for the universe.
The prophets in the Old Testament limited the lamb to the nation of Israel alone, but John the Baptist had the best perspective of it all: Jesus as the Lamb for the whole world. No wonder Jesus said of all men born of women, John was the greatest, Matt 11:11.
John did not stop or get discouraged, he kept on preaching until people began to respond -- starting with two of his disciples: Andrew and Peter. Whatever God has given you to do, keep at it, keep doing it.
Matt 21:23-27,32. Some people are easily hindered, easily hurt. When they preach and people don't respond positively, they get discouraged. The key to a fruitful and successful life is: NEVER, EVER GIVE UP. COME, CONTINUE AND CONQUER.
John 8:31. It is normal to have a great start, but CONTINUING is the most important.
Acts 14:22. We continue in the faith, we keep knocking at the gate of heaven until answers come.
26:22. We have help from God to continue witnessing.
Phil 1:25. I shall abide and continue with you . . .
II Tim 3:13-14. Continue in the things which you have learned and has been assured of.
We are reading all we are reading today because John continued, and because he continued, two of his disciples, Andrew and Peter, heard his proclamation. You never can tell the result and impact of your ministry. Whatever God has committed into your into your hands, keep at it. Continue.
A. THE CONVERSION OF SEEKING DISCIPLES. John 1:35.
As John proclaimed the coming of Jesus, two of John's disciples heard and followed Him. Did John have other disciples apart from the two that followed Jesus? Yes, he did.
Matt 9:14. From the text, we see that John had more than the two disciples who followed Jesus.
Luke 11:1. The disciples of Jesus told Him to teach them how to pray, as John did his disciples.
John declared clearly that he was not the Messiah. He pointed everyone away from himself to Christ.
Some people don't make effort to connect to something new and better than what they are used to, they don't make efforts to be part of it. They sit back, remaining on one spot, thereby not making progress.
Acts 18:24-28. Apollos, the former disciple of John believed in Jesus so late, through the help of Aquilla and Priscilla. With all the great things that have happened between the declaration of John about Jesus, throughout His earthly ministry, the many miracles He did, which the disciples bore witness of.
19:1-3. Apostle Paul saw some disciples at Ephesus who were limited in their understanding, they only knew about the baptism of John. They were ignorant of baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They never benefited from Jesus earthly ministry. They never saw the benefit of the Lamb at Calvary. They never got benefit of the Lord's prayer on sanctification for the disciples, as well as other miracles.
John 1:37. This is the effect of good preaching: the response of the two disciples. The first was Andrew. He found and told his brother Peter about Jesus. Look at the great exploits Peter did! We never know what our converts will become in the kingdom of God. We must by all means win souls. We must always bear in mind that some people worked hard to establish us. Some people brought us to Christ, we must also bring other people.
Jesus by the word of knowledge told Peter all about himself. John 1:43. People come to Jesus through different ways. We must not insist that everyone must come the way we came. God works in mysterious ways.
- Andrew heard from John
- Peter heard from Andrew
- Philip was found and called by Jesus, as well as Matthew and Apostle Paul
- Philip told Nathanael about Jesus.
B. THE CONVICTION OF A SINCERE DOUBTER John 1:45-49. We must not allow negative responses and remarks discourage us. Nathanael was a doubter, though very sincere as Jesus said.
He became a:
- A cleansed convert
- A consecrated Christian
- A devoted disciple
- A faithful follower
- A witnessing worshipper
- A sanctified saint
- A submissive servant.
Nathanael mentioned here in chapter 1 of the book of John was also mentioned in the last chapter: 21:2. This is because he did not stop his journey halfway. We will continue to the end by the grace of God.
C. THE CONSEQUENCE OF STEADFAST DEVOTEDNESS John 1:50-51
Nathanael came to Christ and He declared to him, "thou shalt see greater things than these". And what did he see?
1. John 2:5-10: Water turned into wine at the marriage in Cana of Galilee (Creative power).
2. John 4:49-54: Healing of the son of the nobleman.
3. John 5:5-9: The healing of the man who has been sick for 38 years - (surprising power and spectacular miracles everyday of our lives in Jesus name).
4. John 6:19-21: Jesus walked on water. (It had never happened, and never happened again. No one else ever walked on water).
5. John 8:56-59: Jesus passed through the midst of his enemies invisibly. (He has the power to keep us safe).
6. John 9:1-7: Jesus opened the eyes of the man blind from birth.
7. John 11:39-44. Lazarus dead for four days brought back to life. (Every stone of obstruction to our miracles taken away). Jesus said, "Loose him and let him go". (All shackles and chains broken off us in Jesus name).
We have:
* Greater spiritual perception
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* Divine demonstrations
* Protection and preservation
*New things, new power, new hope.
Jesus says:
Come and Call unto me
Confess to me
Cleave unto me
Consecrate yourself unto me and you will conquer.
*This is a n excerpt from Pastor W. F. Kumuyi, the general superintendent of Deeper Life Christian Ministry*
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