John Chapter 1:40-51

Jesus saw the end result of his father would end up not the desire probably knew that not somebody that would stick his foot in his mouth, often on. He did that to some Peter he saw strongman in the Lord, he saw a man that had the Nottingham a few days before, but that stood on the steps of the temple and led 3000 people to the Lord then turned to the spiritual leaders of Israel when they said you gotta quit talking said you know what I'm going to bake God and not man. So he saw that Peter this is welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee. David is a senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina, were glad to have one of the McGee's associate pastors gave ground here with us his best, David continues through the book of job Bob. Sometimes we hesitate to come to Jesus or hesitate to talk about him with others because we think that were not perfect person we just come to Jesus and who do the transformation. We can trust him with our life and who make us into something and someone sees our imagination and expectation that I'd rather do that in my life because I have no idea what does so let's listen as David McGee finishes up teaching in the Gospel of John chapter 1 we are in the Gospel of John, chapter 1, we are in the midst of Jesus calling some of the disciples, one of the two who heard John verse 40 speaking following him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. We see several ways how people are drawn to Jesus here when they are John the Baptist speak they were drawn to Jesus in verse 41 he first found his own brother Simon, and said to them, we have found the Messiah, which is translated, the Christ.

Verse 42 necessity brought in Jesus.

Now Jesus looked at him. He said you are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas, which is translated a stone is a Little Rock, but he was going to be a big rock. They brought Simon the Jesus we don't follow. A lot of what Andrew does after the Gospels, but boy you sure have a run when he brought Peter to Jesus did see you never know you never know who you're witnessing to, you might be witnessing to the next Billy Graham. The next Greg Laurie, the next Luis Palau the next fill in the blank you don't. Here again we see in the original text we see John translating for the Gentile, who didn't speak Hebrew or Aramaic because you know don't miss this is an extremely encouraging verse when you stop to think about Plaza because when Andrew brought Peter Jesus did McCammon go back – look what the cat dragged in. He didn't say no. Spent a lot of time on the nightly insane event any block is Jesus.Mrs. Jesus saw the end result of who Simon would end up to be. He saw the end result of who Simon with enough to be not the denier probably knew that not somebody that would stick his foot in his mouth. Often when he did that to some Peter saw strongman in the Lord, he saw a man that had the Nottingham a few days before Britain stood on the steps of the temple and led 3000 people to the Lord and then turned to the spiritual leaders of Israel when they said you gotta quit talking.

He said you know what I'm going to bake God and not man he so silent Peter. Guess what he sees that he sees where you getting PCs where you're going to be praise God because the end result was Jesus turned them in. This man into a D understands the same power God that wants to change us got it changed while his apostolic power of God, get me's power.

God got the same seat and lifeless number two God accepts us the way we are and loves us too much to leave us that way.

God not only desires to change us, gives us the power to change God can changes say that God can changes save God can change some of your service to get God can change as some of you still go on the fence again God can change us must make a little more personal God can change me. God can change me the believing they can take your looking at it Gentile, and even dog the guy got a hold of. I wasn't born a pastor. The guy got me verse 43 the following day Jesus will go to Galilee and he found Philip and said the solemnly love that followed me didn't give a big dissertation eschatology that he just had to work follow me needed because we get so we get so distracted so easily, spiritually, we get our eyes off of Jesus.

We can arise a lot of things we get our other people. Jesus contexts of over follow me, pick up your cross daily and follow me is how Jesus repeats himself a lot different. You know Paul didn't really repeat himself very often the unit follow this little logic and awesome teacher. But Jesus repeat himself a lot and I was confused about that one up when I was a younger Christian at the dinner I had children and you know if I myself don't repeating myself, don't do that. Don't do that.

Don't do that. Don't do that again. Big truck. Jesus repeats himself. He reminds us, follow me, follow me, because he understands that we are so easily distracted and we need to follow someone that's reality you friend your goal follow some decision that you have to make is who are you going to follow follow Jesus you file yourself. I would really would encourage you as following yourself the sky like will the mental image I get everything a dog run around circle scale. These following himself. Is that right there is the vacuum, there's a front don't file yourself.

That's as disastrous as trying to find yourself really. I mean think about. You're the one that's lost and you find yourself. I'm confused. But the truth is within right but you can follow something you better pick something is worthy of following him in a caravan of cars and picked the wrong. Gotta follow Bettinger welded and then maybe you or somebody you know I got confused about who was leaving.

Praise God for cell phones or where he will follow Jesus follow Jesus. Now Philip was from Bethsaida have sufficient city of Andrew and Peter and Philip found Nathaniel and said to him, we have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets written Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph Mount list what Philip does when he fancies he goes and tells Nathaniel to hear somebody we had John the Baptist, his teaching league, so may the Lord now we get the personal testimony that Philip has.

This is the ministry. Philip is telling people about Jesus and bringing people to Jesus is also ministry in John chapter 12 verse 20 is now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast in the came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee and asking St. Sir, we wish to see Jesus came and told Andrew and, in turn, Andrew and Philip told Jesus, so that was a ministry of bringing people to Jesus to tell people about inviting people to church is a ministry we think of ministry as something that's just lost the hyper spiritual but ministries very practical ministry is doing what needs to be done and it might mean cleaning the floor taking the trash out mean serving and it might mean inviting people to church.

Time after time after time after time after time again someone is brought a friend or family member came here and receive Jesus as their Savior. I didn't like that personally come to church or you guessed it, and they came in.

The Holy Spirit convicted him and see Jesus as their Savior.

What an awesome ministry and you can tell them about the changes in your life see a lot of times guess the only thing they know about Christianity is what they seen on television.

Or maybe they've been there is no other way to say it say it.

Maybe they've been to a dead church. It has nothing to do with Jesus. I said no and I don't need this, and when we get excited about what is God is doing our life about what God is doing in our fellowship got that's contagious. When people come in they see a room full of people excited about worship was going on here. We have people that stop by weeper. There's probably some people in here this morning to stop what are they doing in that bill Churchville where you should be aware got to get excited you tell me something that's real because chances are they're tired, tired of the empty hypocrisy is a visual put your money in the soda machine you push the button and nothing comes out. How happy are you at that point some people's church experience.

I think you know what I want to be closer to God. I desire to have a relationship with God to take the time to go to church this morning and try to receive from the Lord and then they go and they get nothing. They put their money and push a button. The thinking their upset and I believe firmly that these are the guys who are so angry that you see action Christianity see somebody angry like that. I go what happened what happened to this lady was her link Madeline over here or whatever.

That's what I thought about what happened this way tired of two-faced religion.

Invite them to some reality.

It's hard to deny the power.

This change in your life. They they may deny this, deny that. But it's hard to deny that the life lesson number three God wants to change us. God wants to use us to change our world. God wants to change us.

God wants to use us to change our world.

She often times we get this little mistaken, and I know it's been reinforced by pastor but we get this mistaken notion all you know what I need to call pastor getting the pray for this one got to know the Lord will if you call me here you email me with that. I think in advance with my reply will be hey you know you know the gospel go for your authorized and deputized.

Go do the deal man.

Sometimes it's family understand this difficult will prayerfully consider it and will send somebody out to share the gospel not I don't mean to downplay that don't overlook the fact that personally God will still used to share their personal might be, will be right back with more from David McGee on cross the bridge right now is a word from associate pastor DA Brown hey Bob want to take a minute to pray for listeners in the cities in California have Joshua tree Lake Isabella Lakehead Las Cruces Laurel Lompoc in the San Jose area God, we thank you for the cities. We pray for the leaders in the cities that you will give them wisdom and discernment. We pray that people would be following you, with all their heart all their soul and all the strength may be sharing with others the hope that they found in you. We pray that many would accept that offer of hope and eternal salvation, and that they would get plugged in Bible teaching churches. They will begin to grow in their relationship with you and be a blessing to other people. In Jesus name, amen.

Hey man, thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse. What we need, what I need. What you need. What the church needs is a radical revolution because we've gotten so far from what Jesus told us to do and I don't think it's a matter of just cannot alter the course a little bit. I think it's about being a radical. We need people to stand up and say you know what this is right. This is wrong and the good news is we can earn salvation but Jesus provides it from the cross because it's not about living this nice Christian life. Where did we get that I don't see that the life of Jesus. I see; radical forgot went into the temple turned over tables and made a whip.

That's not being a nice little fuzzy Christian picture is inconsistent with what you believe a Christian to be guess what needs to change your perception of what a Christian is where one day I'll start doing all that Theodore Roosevelt said, is a great quote do what you can with what you have where you are not tomorrow.the next day to day. Make a commitment in your heart to follow Jesus make a commitment in your heart to tell other people the Lord wants to use what we have and somewhere we get my mind that you know we need to do this we need to do that after we do this that the other than God can begin the use of track. God wants to use what you have right where you are right now you see in Scripture. All Scripture and Moses. We got to stick okay when you sent stick when use that stick the challenge the power of the worlds most powerful leader we can use that stick to divide the ocean is just one example are there anymore. Throughout the Bible. What David Lee got Dave and I got the spouse that is what I'm going to do with maturity date is nicely less use what you have took down a giant of a man the window what you have empty pot empty pots when I Lord said you know I do some of his empty pots. I do something with what ever you have right now is with the Lord saying what about the little bully.

We have seen these thousands and thousands of people seem like anything. What is he witnessing boy from a fellow silly suicide to fishes of these five pieces of bread. She said that's that's great for thousands that'll do an amazing I don't know what you have, this morning, but God wants to use it. I don't know what gift he is imparted to you what he's put into you, but he wants to use what you have where you are right now.

Life lesson for a little becomes a lot when we put what we have into the hands of our powerful God. A little becomes a lot as it's been said, you and God are a majority. Verse 46 and then send him, can anything good come out of Nazareth Phillips into incumbency.

Jesus, knowing that Nazareth was not a good town was born in the wrong side of the tracks. If you will.

Part of what is to let in Philippians chapter 2 verse sentences made himself of no reputation incumbency and answers. Artist will come check it out when you're right :-) church and I have been the church before checking out currency.

Verse 47 Jesus saw Nathaniel coming towards him and said of him, behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no deceit. No wonder here from a translation standpoint, and some say in whom is no guile but remember there's some in there some speculation about what Jacob actually met heel catcher or deceiver comment very well could have been behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no Jacob is just a theory in the file. It didn't theory file.

I have reason to believe that because we see a couple verses, verse 48. Send them domain.

Jesus answered before Philip called you under the fig tree outside Jesus sees Nathaniel wasn't just an Israelite, and thought he was right in the just words. Nathaniel answered and said to have Rabbi you are the son of God, you are the king of Israel to give a talk last son of God like produces like if he is God's only unique begotten son. He is God. Jesus answered and said to him, because I said you I saw you under the fig tree. Do you believe you will see greater things in these any sender most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man at the reference to Jacob in this discussion with Nathaniel.

Remember in Genesis chapter 28 verse 12 says that he dreamed of, behold, a ladder was set up on the earth and its top reach to heaven and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on notice. Jesus calls himself the Son of Man resting that a lot. John was an interesting question. He refers to himself as Son of Man. 84 times in the gospel son of God. I find this incredibly intriguing new one because let's just say let's say why is Billy Graham say Billy Graham is my father would be very likely to talk like this. I would say you know Billy Graham is my dad once told me, father, son talk because he's my dad and I miss son. He said to me, son because he is my dad. He said son because that's what a father because her son. He said son sit down with me. Talk with me since your father irritate you when but I would be likely to do that as Jesus had the option to identify himself with God stronger than he did, but he chose he chose to be identified with us in Collinsville Son of Man is humbling to me. That's very helping me. Jesus is announcing in this verse the heavens open thinking that because of Jesus Christ. Heaven is no longer barred shot but the gates open wide free to go in and Jesus also told us in John 14 six Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth of the life. No one comes to the father except through me. Maybe you're here this morning. You've never done it been told to be a Christian was just doing the best that you could stop the good news.

That's not the gospel. The gospel is Jesus Christ died for you, for your sins so that you can be forgiven invites you to come and see this morning Jesus said, follow me. He didn't say do this that the other is to follow me. That's real simple to know what the reality is, there will be some people in here in this room this morning to us that listen to this message and they will decide not to follow Jesus.

I don't understand it you see it in the New Testament, Jesus is the truth, but some will receive the truth. Jesus is the way but somewhat following where he is the light of the world.

They will be put out. That's what he say in each and every person in here this morning, follow me. What's holding back what's in the way, I'm afraid I might mess up you will miss as a matter fact, Jesus is made provisions for your message. Don't let that hold you back.

Jesus said, follow me through simple guys and he'll deal with the mess ups and he'll deal with the tragedies and he'll deal with the pain and he'll deal with the hurt and he'll deal with the failures and he'll deal with the disappointments. But don't you dare let those things keep from following Jesus is because it's something that we all deal with whatever I said well whenever I get this Christianity thing perfect. I begin teaching again, this pulpit would be empty. Who do you say is if he is Jesus and follow him quit following other stuff. Quit following yourself. Quit following the latest trend.

This book is that Jesus proclaimed simple truth study, follow me is not something we can get confused over follow him. He didn't say follow him if you got it all figured out, follow him as long as were not gonna make another mistake of asking question did Peter make more mistakes you batch, but he followed Jesus. I invite you to have that kind of honesty and that Boldness this morning so you know what I will, following in all run to the cross will mess up what I need forgiveness was pretty Lord, if there is those in here this morning who don't know you. A Savior has scores that you would begin to stir their hearts even as you have been to accept you as Savior to ask you for the forgiveness of theirs knowing time after time after person after person is approached. You've done exactly what you said you would do you for gave you set him free. The Lord. There's also people who have said that prayer who have asked for forgiveness in here this morning who are not following you, Lord, I ask that you would stir their hearts as well that their shortcomings there mistakes would no longer hold him back. But thank you. Peter didn't hold back even though he made mistakes but you saw the end result of a man of God. It would stand in power and anointing, Lord. That's what you see when you look at our lives.

Lord you want us to do with what we have learned some of the sort of shattered lives, broken homes, broken marriages still willing to come to you because you can fix friend. You know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now only Jenna short, simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now.

Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I can have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you.

All of my days in Jesus name, amen friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible.

You've been forgiven you've been born again, so congratulations for you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ. Or you can write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working your life will DA before we go. What are some ways that we can bless our listeners each day.

You can wake up with encouragement from Pastor David to the word of God with his email devotional life lessons to consider a daily reading plan and the thought to meditate on throughout your day. From the heart.

David McGee, that sounds good Pastor day and again. It's been great to have you with us on the program today but tell us what else can a listers find on cross the bridge.com. If you're not able to make it to your home church this Sunday. Why not join us for our lifestream at 10 AM Eastern time or on Thursday night at 7 PM this visit, cross the bridge.com and click on our lifestream link.

There you will experience a live service from David's home church. The bridge in North Carolina again.

That website is cross the bridge.com. Thanks again for listening and join us next time. As David McGee continued teaching verse by verse in the gospel of God