{"id":969,"date":"2018-01-14T16:48:20","date_gmt":"2018-01-15T00:48:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=969"},"modified":"2018-01-14T16:49:17","modified_gmt":"2018-01-15T00:49:17","slug":"come-and-see","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2018\/01\/14\/come-and-see\/","title":{"rendered":"Come and See!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><font color='black' size='2' face='arial'><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:WordDocument>   <w:View>Normal<\/w:View>   <w:Zoom>0<\/w:Zoom>   <w:TrackMoves\/>   <w:TrackFormatting\/>   <w:PunctuationKerning\/>   <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/>   <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false<\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>   <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false<\/w:IgnoreMixedContent>   <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false<\/w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>   <w:DoNotPromoteQF\/>   <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US<\/w:LidThemeOther>   <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE<\/w:LidThemeAsian>   <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE<\/w:LidThemeComplexScript>   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\tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} <\/style>\n\n <![endif]--><\/p>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-969-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Epiphany-2-01-14-18.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Epiphany-2-01-14-18.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Epiphany-2-01-14-18.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Second Sunday after Epiphany<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">January 14, 2018<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">John 1:43-51<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Come and See!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:justify;tab-stops:13.5pt .5in 2.5in 238.5pt 337.5pt\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Finding Philip, he said to him, \u201c<i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Follow me.<\/i>\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Philip found Nathanael and told him, \u201cWe have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote\u2014Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cNazareth!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Can anything good come from there?\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nathanael asked.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cCome and see,\u201d said Philip.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cHere is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u201cHow do you know me?\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nathanael asked.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus answered, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then Nathanael declared, \u201cRabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus said, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cYou believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You shall see greater things than that.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He then added, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.\u201d<\/i>(NIV1984)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Can you imagine what it would be like today if you had grown up being best friends with Bill Gates?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Let\u2019s say that you grew up on the same street in Seattle, Washington.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Bill Gates\u2019 father was a lawyer; your father was also a lawyer.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Your mother worked at United Way as did Mary Gates, Bill\u2019s mother.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You both attended Lakeside School, a private preparatory school.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>After school you and Bill could always be seen playing together.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/span>You ate at each other\u2019s home, your families spent the holidays together and you even went on vacation together.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As the years went by you parted ways when you both went off to college.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When you heard that Bill had dropped out of Harvard after his sophomore year and moved to New Mexico where he started a new company with some guy named Paul Allen, it didn\u2019t surprise you in the least.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Bill was always doing this differently.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He was always looking \u201coutside the box.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When Bill came back to Seattle for a visit he took you out to dinner to try and convince you to invest in his new company.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It did not take much to convince you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You have known this man your entire life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You trusted him as your best friend.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So, you gathered together as much money as you could\u2014 including the inheritance you received from your Grandma and you invested it in this brand new unknown company called:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Microsoft. <span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Now imagine what it would be like to have Bill Gates introduce you to his colleagues by saying, \u201cI\u2019d like you to meet my best friend Art,\u201d or, \u201cI\u2019d like you to meet my best friend Sally.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Imagine what it would be like to introduce your friends to the co-founder of Microsoft by saying, \u201cI\u2019d like to introduce you to my best friend, Bill.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Our sermon text for today reminds us that we have the privilege of introducing people to someone who is far more important and far more powerful than even the co-founder of Microsoft.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That Person is, of course, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This morning, my friends, we\u2019re going to borrow our theme directly from our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our theme for today is very simply Philip\u2019s words to Nathanael:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Come and See!<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Since introducing people to Jesus can be intimidating for some people, let\u2019s use this text as an opportunity to ask ourselves the question, why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why do we want to introduce people to Jesus?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>There are two reasons, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The first reason is because we know who Jesus is!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The second reason is because we know people who need to know who Jesus is!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Our text for today takes place shortly after Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>John the Baptist had made it very clear to the people that he was <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> the Christ.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>At the same time John the Baptist had faithfully proclaimed to the people that Jesus <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">is<\/b> <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(John 1:29)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Two of John\u2019s disciples\u2014 Andrew and John, the human author of this Gospel\u2014 had just become <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfollowers\u201d<\/i> or <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cdisciples\u201d<\/i> of Jesus.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Andrew then became the very first Christian missionary as he went to his brother Simon Peter and said, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWe have found the Messiah\u201d<\/i> (John 1:41).<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">That brings us to the opening verse of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>John writes, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThe next day <\/i>(after Jesus had called Simon to be one of His disciples) <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Jesus decided to leave for Galilee.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Finding Philip, he said to him, \u2018Follow me.\u2019\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>With the seemingly simple words, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cFollow me,\u201d<\/i> Jesus was not only calling Philip to faith, but he was calling Philip to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ckeep on following\u201d<\/i> Jesus, or we might say to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ckeep on trusting\u201d<\/i> in Jesus as the Promised Messiah, as this world\u2019s only Savior from sin<i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">.<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This identification of Jesus is very clearly brought out in verse 45 when we hear Philip confess, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cWe have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Once Philip knew <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">who<\/b> Jesus is, once the Holy Spirit had given him the faith which enabled him to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfollow\u201d<\/i> Jesus, what did Philip do?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Immediately Philip went to his friend Nathanael to tell him about Jesus!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because Philip knew that his friend also needed to know who Jesus of Nazareth is!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And when Nathanael responded rather skeptically, when Nathanael said, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cNazareth!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Can anything good come from there?\u201d<\/i>\u2014 how did Philip respond?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Did he shrug his shoulders and say, \u201cWell, at least I tried\u201d?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Absolutely not!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Philip very simply said to his friend, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cCome and see\u201d<\/i>!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Philip knew that on his own he could not convince Nathanael who Jesus of Nazareth is.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Philip knew that on his own he did not have the ability to convert Nathanael and bring him to faith in Jesus.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>At the same time, Philip knew that Jesus <u>could<\/u>!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That\u2019s why Philip very simply said to his skeptical friend, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cCome and see\u201d<\/i>!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Once Philip did introduce his friend to Jesus, the Lord did what only the Lord can do!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, Jesus brought Nathanael to faith and enabled him to confess, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cRabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then, Jesus gave Nathanael a glorious promise.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He said, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cYou believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You shall see greater things than that\u2026I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">For the next three years, my friends, Nathanael (together with the other disciples) did indeed have the privilege of seeing <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cgreater things.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Think of all the miracles that Nathanael witnessed\u2014 from the changing of water into wine (John 2) to the raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nathanael was there in the Upper Room when the Lamb of God gave the Sacrament of Holy Communion to His Church (John 13).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nathanael was there in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus was betrayed by His friend and arrested by His enemies (John 18).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nathanael knew exactly what happened to Jesus after He was condemned by Pontius Pilate and taken to Golgotha by the Roman guards.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nathanael was there when the risen Christ appeared to His disciples in that locked room on Easter morning (John 20).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And using words that are reminiscent of Jacob\u2019s dream of a <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cstairway\u201d<\/i> to heaven (Genesis 28:10ff), Nathanael would come to see that Jesus is the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">only<\/b> <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cstairway,\u201d<\/i> the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">only<\/b> <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cbridge\u201d<\/i> between heaven and earth.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Nathanael heard Jesus Himself say to His disciples, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI am the way and the truth and the life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No one comes to the Father except through me.\u201d <\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span>(John 14:6).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And how did Nathanael come to experience all of these <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cgreater things\u201d<\/i>?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>It all started with his friend very simply saying to him, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cCome and see!\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">\u201cCome and see!\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That is the invitation that you and I now have the privilege of extending to others, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why do we want to extend this invitation to as many people as we can?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We go back to those same two reasons we mentioned at the beginning of this sermon.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, we want to extend this invitation because purely by the grace of God we know who Jesus is!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In His grace and in His mercy and in His power the God of heaven came to us through the Sacrament of holy Baptism and He not only extended to us the invitation, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cFollow me,\u201d<\/i> but He also gave us the faith which enables us to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cfollow\u201d<\/i> Jesus.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Through His holy Word God now continues to extend that invitation to us each and every day.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Through His holy Sacrament God now continues to strengthen our faith so that we can <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201ckeep on following\u201d<\/i> Jesus as we journey through this world.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Think about it, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The more we read and study God\u2019s holy Word, the more we receive His holy Sacrament the more we come to know that Jesus <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">is <\/i><\/b><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cthe one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The more we read and study God\u2019s holy Word, the more we receive His holy Sacrament the more confidently we are able to confess along with Nathanael, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cRabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And, of course, the more we read and study God\u2019s holy Word, the more we receive His holy Sacrament the more clearly we will be able to understand the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cgreater things\u201d<\/i> that Jesus has done for us (pointing to the cross) as the <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">only<\/b> <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cstairway\u201d<\/i> between heaven and earth.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The glorious fact that we know who Jesus is motivates us to invite others to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cCome and see\u201d<\/i> simply because we are so excited to know Him as our Savior.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>At the same time the glorious fact that we know who Jesus is also motivates us to invite others to <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cCome and see\u201d<\/i> because we know people who need to know Jesus as their Savior.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Take a moment to think about your circle of family and friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Take a moment to visualize the faces of the people you see on a regular basis whether at home or at work or at school or about the neighborhood.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Take a moment to single out the people who do not know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">need<\/b> to hear about Jesus, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Why?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Because one day they will stand before Jesus as the Judge who will determine where they spend eternity.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Before that day arrives, they <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">need<\/b> to hear about who Jesus is and what Jesus has done for them on the cross!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Pointing to the cross)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">What do you say to them?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>While we will address that question more deeply in next Sunday\u2019s sermon, I think Philip gives us a couple of clues today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, you can simply share with them what you know about Jesus on the basis of Holy Scripture.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>This takes the discussion out of the realm of \u201copinion\u201d and puts it where it needs to be\u2014 in the realm of what God has revealed to us.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then, if they are still skeptical, if they are still uncertain, simply do what Philip did.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Philip told his friend Nathanael, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cCome and see!\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So invite them!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Invite them to come to Sunday school or Bible class <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">with<\/b> you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Invite them to come to church <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">with<\/b> you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Bring them into contact with the Lord and let the Lord do what only He can do!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Once we truly take to heart why we need to share Jesus with others the next question that people often ask is\u2014 when?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>When is a good time to share Jesus with someone else?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Depending on whom you are trying to talk to, when you bring up the subject of religion can indeed make huge difference.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Generally speaking, you can either wait for an opportunity to present itself, or you can \u201cset the stage\u201d so to speak.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Opportunities to share Jesus with someone vary widely.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Sometimes a person may ask questions or share with you the concerns that they have in their life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>See that as an opportunity to share Jesus!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Sooner or later everyone encounters difficulties in life such as illness or injury or the death of someone they love.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>See that as an opportunity to share Jesus!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On the flip side of that same coin, people experience very positive events in their life such as weddings or the birth of a child or a grandchild.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>See that as an opportunity to share Jesus!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Also remember that you can \u201cset the stage\u201d for sharing Jesus with the people around you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>What I mean by that is this:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>People are watching you, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They are watching the way you live your life as a Christian.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They are watching to see the priority that you give to your Lord, to His church and to His work.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>People are also listening to you.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>They listen to the way that your faith is reflected in the way that you talk and in the way that you treat others.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>If someone mentions that the way that you live and the way that you talk is somehow \u201cdifferent\u201d from other people\u2014 use that as a golden opportunity to share Jesus with them!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">While it might be difficult for us to know what it would be like to have Bill Gates as our best friend, it is <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> difficult for us to know what it is like to have Jesus as our best Friend.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>By the grace of God we know that He (Pointing to the cross) is the very best Friend we could every possibly have!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>At the same time, while it might be difficult for us to imagine what it would be like to introduce someone to our best friend who also happens to be the co-founder of Microsoft, it is <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">not<\/b> difficult at all to introduce someone to our dear Brother Jesus, who <b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\">is<\/b> this world\u2019s only Savior from sin!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">My prayer this morning, my friends, is that like Philip here in our text you will be so excited to know that Jesus is your Savior that you will reach out to the \u201cNathanaels\u201d in your life and simply extend to them the invitation:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">Come and See!<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">To God be the glory!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Amen<\/span><\/div>\n<p> <\/font><\/p>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Epiphany-2-01-14-18.mp3\">Epiphany-2-01-14-18.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Second Sunday after Epiphany January 14, 2018 John 1:43-51 Come and See! &nbsp; The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee.&nbsp; Finding Philip, he said to him, \u201cFollow me.\u201d&nbsp; Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.&nbsp; Philip found Nathanael and told him, \u201cWe have found the one Moses wrote about in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-969","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/969","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=969"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/969\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=969"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=969"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=969"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}