April 27 , 2008

People matter to God. What kind of people bring others to God? And who qualifies?

What would it mean for heaven if we were all likewise bringers?

1. Why did Andrew and the other man, likely John, so freely leave John the Baptizer, and their fisherman work, to follow Jesus? No doubt it was the influence of John the Baptizer, who prepared the way for the Lord.

We, too, have a type of John the Baptizer's ministry of preparation of others around us to eventually receive Jesus.

2. What does it mean to follow Jesus? Follow Jesus by knowing Him through God's Word and God's Spirit in your life.

Jesus said to the Simon and Andrew in another Gospel, Come and follow me, and I will make you fishers of men (Mt 4:19).

3. What does it mean to respond to the invitation of Jesus? Jesus said, Come and you will see. This was more than just seeing. The Greek word "to see" means "to gaze with wide-open eyes at something remarkable ."

4. Andrew was the first to invite another person to meet Jesus. It was his brother Simon . Coming to Christ most naturally spreads along the web of human relationships .

5. Why did Jesus add Peter (Cephas) to Simon's name? Cephas, which is Aramaic, is Peter in Greek. And Cephas and Peter mean " rock ." Jesus knew the future significance of Peter's life. Peter would become the spokesman for the disciples, the leader.

6. Like Philip, you can be a Bible scholar, but you still need a personal relationship with Jesus. God needs bringers – those who will bring others to a place where they can hear and make a faith-decision about Jesus.

7. Philip quickly looked up his friend Nathanael (v. 45). Have you ever gone to someone so excited about your encounter with Jesus and you tell about it, but it seems to fall on deaf ears?

What does Philip says to Nathanael? Come and see! (46). When Jesus sees Nathanael, he recognizes him right away as a good man . Nathanael believes, and Jesus promises that he sill see heaven opened in reconciliation between holy God and sinful man.

Bringers bring others to Jesus. There is no more compassionate and conscientious act

than to introduce others to Him.

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