The Witness to the Revelation of Jesus Christ

 Jesus the One Prophesied:The Witness of Philip, 1:43-45

 ⁴³The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
 ⁴⁴Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
 ⁴⁵Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
Introduction:Philip's discovery and witness of Jesus Christ was unmistakable.Jesus was the One prophesied in scripture: He was the promised Messiah.

[1] (1:43-45) Salvation-Discipleship-Jesus Christ,Seeking Man:Philip's experience involved three signifacant points.
   a. Jesus Himself went forth and sought Philip,Philip was not seeking Jesus.The initiative came from Jesus entirely.Jesus made a move to find and save Philip and to enlist Philip in His mission.
  1) Jesus traveled a long distance to find Philip.Galilee was a long distance away, and note the stated purpose for Jesus going to Galilee was to find Philip.This is a picture of how far Christ will go to reach a soul.To reach a man ,Christ will go any distance..........
    . to any sin,no matter how terrible or awful.He will prick and prick at the mind and heart of a person.
    . to any place,no matter how hidden or shameful He will send a thought or memory or person of righteousness to remind and warn a person.
    . to any condition,no matter how hopeless or helpless.He will see that the message of hope and help crosses a person's path.
    . to any person,no matter how shameful or guilty.He will see that a person hears the word of salvation if he repents; and hears the word of judgment if he does not repent.
Christ will go any distance to reach people.He will go any place,to any condition,to any person.He will see that every person has some chance of turning to God.The word of delieverance can come from any number of people or sources.Christ seeks every person and will g any distance to reach them, no matter the difficulty.
*** Every person must heed the seeking of Christ when they feel Him seeking them.The person must respond immediately,for God spirit does not always strive with man.We must respond when we feel
the pull of the Lord on our hearts other wise the feeling leaves.
*** Every believer should be willing to go any distance to reach people,no matter how far or how deeply depraved the person may be.To many whom Jesus died for are considered "untouchable": the alcoholic, drug addict,immoral,poor,prisoner,lowly and diseased.
2) Jesus is seen fulfilling His misson in seeking and saving Philip.He came into the world for the purpose of seeking and saving that which was lost. Jesus Himself called Philip,He called Philip to follow Him.Philip was called by Jesus because.....
  1. he had done something about the longing and aching for delieverance within his soul.( the statement in vs.45 suggest they were seeking salvation)
  2. he had sought the fellowship of those who were seeking for God"s salvation.
  3. he had placed himself where the message would reach him when it came.

[2] (1:45) Witnessing:Philip's first concern was to reach his friend Nathanael.Philip "findeth" Nathanael.Jesus had challenged Philip to follow Him,to become just like Him,and Philip did.He went out and did exactly what Jesus had done to him.Jesus sought and found Him.Now following the example of his Lord,He went out and found his friend Nathanael.Philip became a personal soul-winner just like his Lord.
[3] (1:45) Conviction-Decision:Philip's conviction- the one prophesied was Jesus Christ."We have found Him,of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets,did write,Jesus of Nazareth,the son of Joseph." Note four points.1) Philip was extremely joyful."We have found him".There was jubilation,excitement and rejoicing beating in the chest of Philip. Jesus had met the needs of his craving heart(we should all rejoice when we find the Lord).2)God's eternal plan for man and his world is recorded in scripture.It is there for man's direction. 3)Philip and Nathanael knew the scripture.They were familar with the prophesis of the promised Messiah. 4) Jesus of Nazareth was definitely identified as the Messiah.

Footnote: There is nothing that will keep Christ from seeking out to save that which is lost, but we each must make the conscience desicion as to follow Him. It has to be one of commitment and of obedience. We should also look to lead our family and friends to the salvation of the Lord with great rejoicing when we have found Him.He is worthy..........