John 1:43
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”
What’s your calling? Heard that before? If you are a preacher you’ve sure heard it, but many of you may not use the term, but as you search early on or maybe later on for your career, or what you want to dedicate your life to, many of us search for our “calling” or “God’s will”. I think maybe many have overcomplicated this subject.
Last week in John 1:1-18 we learned that Jesus is the Word, He’s God in the flesh, that He made everything and was there from the beginning. We learned that with His all powerful presence, that He’s also the embodiment of Grace and Truth. Very important words that we should know and live by. So if we believe the Bible is true then we will understand that these statements are true, that Jesus is God and that He loves us. This week’s passage tells us that He’s the Messiah, the Christ. The anointed one. Our deliverer.
This week I want you to notice: listen and see. The point is that with all of the truth already flowing here in John 1 (that Jesus is Messiah) how can you not watch what He does and listen to Him and “follow him”? I’m asking you today to recognize this, to listen and to take Him up on the invitation to “follow”. Notice how many times “see” is in this passage. Please look for Jesus…watch Him, look at what He does….follow Him.
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
[35] The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, [36] and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” [37] The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. [38] Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” [39] He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. [40] One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. [41] He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). [42] He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
[43] The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” [44] Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. [45] Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” [46] Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” [47] Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” [48] Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” [49] Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” [50] Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” [51] And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
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So what did they do? They dropped everything and followed, but it wasn’t easy and some wanted to desert Him.
John 6:60-69
[60] When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” [61] But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? [62] Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? [63] It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. [64] But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) [65] And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”
[66] After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. [67] So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” [68] Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, [69] and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
The Bible can be complex at times. Many questions for us that require a lot of time and study and sometimes even then we can struggle with an issue or a teaching or how to apply it today. However, the central message is simple and it’s found in many places but for us today particularly it’s found here. “Follow me”
That’s what Jesus is asking of you, listen and see and…. “Follow me” in verse 43
He doesn’t start with a bunch of requirements and religious ceremonies. He doesn’t make you memorize the Bible first. He doesn’t make you explain the Trinity. The first thing He says is follow me. Now that does mean something once you do. We can’t make a mockery of the cross and “trick” him and follow and think we’re good and then live in habitual sin the rest of our lives and expect that’s how it works. That’s not biblical. What Jesus starts with is “follow me” as I stated earlier and last week, John focuses on believing, so our most famous verse tells us how.
John 3:16
[16] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
I referenced “calling” at the beginning of the sermon and also talked about “God’s will”. I mentioned we often over complicate it. Let me explain. We live in a complicated world. No cell phones or cable when I was a kid. No social media or influencers. No LinkedIn or Indeed to get a job. It wasn’t as complicated. I think we’ve improved things technologically. That’s good, I’m glad to have those things, but in many ways we’re more distant and more complicated, we’re busier but I’m not sure we get more done. Anyway, that stuff sinks into our minds and we think complicated means smarter and we think busier means more got done. I think it’s simple. I want Jesus in every area of my life, and He’s given me instructions. I think if I “follow” Him. I have taken the right step. I’m saved. I think if I keep following and seeking Him that I will accomplish His will. I will love Him and love my neighbor as myself. If you haven’t followed Him. He’s calling you today. If you have, but you’re at a distance He’s calling you back today. Follow him.
