Can Anything Good Come From Nazareth?

Adrian Coetzer JFBC executive pastor

John 1: 43-51 Can anything good come from Nazareth?
Nathaniel is invited to follow Jesus.

Jesus told Nathaniel "I know you because I saw you." Are we truly seen? It's a longing we have, to be seen, to find our purpose.

Philip tells Nathaniel we have found the one we've been waiting for / been looking for. Nathaniel reacts before checking him out. Nathaniel is skeptical. He asks Jesus "how do you know me?" Jesus saw Nathaniel under the tree, even before Philip spoke to him.

Later Nathaniel responds "Rabbi" and relates to Jesus differently. Jesus sees us as well. He knows us and wants to spend time with us. No matter our problems or issues. Like how he saw the woman at the well, and the woman caught in adultery.

Jesus asks Philip to follow him. Neither Philip nor Nathaniel started the day expecting it to turn out the way it did. Are we proud of our experiences and memories? Our past? Our values? Sometimes a renovation needs to take place.

Sometimes the renovation is good, but sometimes it's bad. Jesus renovated Nathaniel's heart. Nathaniel's identity had rested in his past. Jesus transformed that.

Jesus doesn't only inform our minds, he can rebuild our total makeup, our personalities if we'll only let him. Do I let Jesus change me?

We wouldn't be following Jesus if it hadn't been for the generations of followers before us. There are future generations of believers who are dependent on us to keep faith in God going.

Is my speech and conduct reflective of my relationship with God? Does it lead others to Jesus? Some have died for the good news of Jesus - because it's true

Are you following Jesus, or are you just along for the ride? You can be profoundly changed, if you put God first in your life.