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The Calling of Philip

Text: John 1
18 August 2013

THE CALLING OF PHILIP

1. Only a brief mention of Philip          John 1:43
2. Jesus “found” him          John 1:43
3. He invited Philip to follow Him, together with the “first” four disciples          Matthew 4:18-22
4. He would have known Andrew and Peter, for they were from the city of Bethsaida          John 1:44

PHILIP CALLS NATHANAEL

1. This is similar to Andrew calling Peter          John 1:40-42
2. He reaches out to his friend Nathanael with deep conviction          John 1:45
a) “We have found Him” (reference to Jesus)          John 1:45
b) Knowledge of the writings of Moses          John 1:45 (Deuteronomy 18:18)
c) Knowledge of the writings of the Prophets (Isaiah, Micah, Daniel etc…)
d) He identified this Messiah as “Jesus of Nazareth”          John 1:45

NATHANAEL’S INITIAL SKEPTICISM

1. He was unconvinced initially
2. He could not believe that anything good could come from the hamlet Nazareth

“Can anything good come from Nazareth?”          John 1:46a

a) A popular viewpoint
b) Nazareth was an obscure town
c) How could the Messiah be from Nazareth?
3. Philip’s insistence

“Come and see”          John 1:46b

NATHANAEL’S MEETING WITH JESUS

1. Jesus’ omniscience displayed

“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”          John 1:47

a) Complimentary statement
b) But how could Jesus have described him so accurately?
2. Nathanael’s question

“How do You know me?”          John 1:48a

3. Jesus’ astonishing reply
a) Before Philip called you
b) You were sitting under the fig tree
c) I saw you          John 1:48

NATHANAEL’S INSTANT RESPONSE

1. Jesus was addressed respectfully as “Rabbi!”          John 1:49a
2. He proclaims Jesus as “The Son of God”          John 1:49b
3. He is also “The King of Israel”          John 1:49c

JESUS’ WORD TO THE NEW DISCIPLE

1. Commendation of his belief          John 1:50
2. He will “see greater things”          John 1:50
3. He will see heaven open          John 1:51a
4. He will see “angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man          John 1:51b

THE CALLING OF DISCIPLES TODAY

1. Discipleship is relevant and valid today
2. Disciples must be made          Matthew 28:19-20
3. This was practised by the first century church (Jerusalem and Antioch)

THE LACK OF PRACTICE OF DISCIPLESHIP TODAY

1. Few are good disciple makers
2. Few want to become disciples
3. Discipleship is seen as a discipline of those who serve God in the full-time ministry