THE CLASSIC INVITATION OF THE GOSPEL IS IN THIS PASSAGE "COME AND SEE" - ANYONE CAN BE AN EVANGELIST

1. There are many great, moving chapters in the word of God- but this is one of greatest
2. In John 1, there are a host of "Catchphrases"- magic formulas of the Rabbis- & men met Jesus
3. Let's study a three-day weekend in the life of our Lord - maybe if you follow in the "Footsteps of Jesus" you will be able to know Him better- and love & be loved better!

I.- "BEHOLD, THE LAMB OF GOD" John 1:29 - FRIDAY says Edersheim

John was baptizing in Bethabara - beyond Jordan - Tiny town on edge of desert

A.- "THE NEXT DAY, JOHN SAW JESUS" v. 29 THIS WAS SOME 40 DAYS AFTER JOHN BAPTIZED JESUS

1. The day before- v.21 John had been quizzed by the Pharisees- "Not Christ" -
2. John had told them of the greatness of Jesus- "I am not worthy" 27 -Just a voice in wilderness
3. The nation expected a King- John said "get ready" - a Man of power - rule with rod of iron

B.- BUT JOHN CHANGED HIS MESSAGE "BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD THAT TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD" v.29b

1. What made John change his message?- Isaiah saw both a Conquering King- & suffering Messiah
2. With "Lamb" used 32 times of Jesus- John saw His gentleness- meekness- humility- 
3. "Taketh away sin"- the sacrificial Lamb- this was Friday- symbol of 3 yrs later- Calvary!

C.- JOHN SAID "I KNEW HIM NOT" BUT "I SAW" - "THIS IS THE SON OF GOD" v. 34

1. v 30 & 15 -strange verses- time sequence staggers the mind - we believe science fiction- this?
2. These were cousins-but v.31,33 says John never knew him- not strange as they were so different
3. But John knew God the Father-& Spirit- so when he saw Him- John called Him- "the Son of God"

John had a rough job- people preoccupied with this world- but when he saw Jesus -he knew!

II.- "COME AND SEE"  John 1:39, 46 - SATURDAY

This morning opens "next day" - and gives the last view John had of the Lord until his death!

A.- JOHN STOOD, AND TWO OF HIS DISCIPLES, AND JOHN SAW JESUS AND SAID "BEHOLD THE LAMB" V.36

1. The Sabbath day School- Edersheim says around 10 AM- John and Andrew were being taught!
2. No greater adventure than to be in Sunday School, and be shown the Master -it works- believe it!
3. Can our S. S. Teachers get their students to follow Jesus- v.37?  Is this your purpose?

B.- "WHERE DWELLETH THOU" AND "COME AND SEE" WERE STRANGE WORDS IN DESERT PLACE - 38,39

1. These words were code words - Rabbi- Where is your school? - Come & see was an invitation!
2. Is your ear open to an opportunity given to you by the Lord Himself?  Offered only once!
3. There is no record here of John's activities- he writes this- and forbears speaking of self

C.- "BUT ANDREW FIRST FINDETH HIS OWN BROTHER" AND "HE BROUGHT HIM TO JESUS" 41,42

1. Most touching scene- we often miss this joy- tricked out of it by Satan, & miss the joy
2. Today's openness gives Soulwinning such opportunity- open your mouth and invite to Jesus
3. At the list glance of Jesus- he calls Peter- Rock- v.42b - what does Jesus see in You?

These then spent the evening with Jesus- their first evening- Sabbath -

III.- "THOU ART THE SON OF GOD" v. 49 - SUNDAY

The 1st Sunday with Jesus- recorded by John- this is the real beginning of His ministry

A.- THE DAY FOLLOWING, JESUS WOULD GO TO GALILEE, FINDETH PHILLIP, SAITH - FOLLOW ME! v.43

1. Jesus was preparing for a journey- up Jordan, across valley- but He had time for soulwinning
2. one word to Philip- "Follow Me" was enough!  It was a key formula word- what gets your attention?
3. Philip was another one from Bethsaida - the city of Apostles- but also the city later curse

B.- "CAN ANY GOOD THING COME OUT OF NAZARETH?" "COME AND SEE " v.46 - Doubt and Invitation

1. Philip sought Nathaniel (Gift of God) - told him- we have found HIM - He is Jesus of Nazareth
2. Nazareth?- Our prejudices often keep us from opening our hearts to sweet blessings of God
3. "Come and See"- Isa 1:18- Come and Reason; or Psa 34:8- Taste and see! YOU MUST TAKE ACTION

C.- WHAT DID JESUS SEE IN NATHANIEL, AND WHAT DID NATHANIEL SEE IN JESUS? - Watch Giants meet!

1. The 1st glance told Jesus of pure heart of Nathaniel-47 but Nathaniel doubted- I'm glad!
2. The mysterious words "Under the fig tree" Jewish tradition held that many prayed here!
3. But anyway- Nathaniel exploded! -he cried- Son of God- King of Israel! No doubt- FAITH

What would cause you to explode into faith and confession -maybe not enough time in prayer

WHEN GOD SPEAKS TO YOU, AND SAYS, "COME AND SEE" - WILL YOU OPEN YOUR EYESAND COME?

1. Their eyes were opened by action- and when you take steps to see- then you will!
2. Their sight brought a real leap of faith- experience has blessing- what of baptism?
3. The sweetest party- he brought his brother- what about you?  Do you want this blessing?