This installment of the sermon series ‘Follow’ is about Nathaniel, an honest skeptic. In this sermon Dave covers five observations:

Observation 1 – Philip led his friends to Jesus.

In this time the gospel was spread through one person talking to another person. There were no websites, videos, newspapers, or other impersonal communication techniques.

Observation 2 – Nathaniel nearly missed Jesus.

Nathaniel’s attitude almost made him miss out on Jesus. He held a prejudice against people from Nazareth (i.e. he asks ‘can any good thing come out of Nazareth’). Prejudice can stop the gospel from coming to a person. It can also hinder God’s work in our lives. Ask yourself: “are there ways God is planning is planning to change my life that, because of my biases towards the people he sends, I resist being enriched by them?”

Observation 3 – Philip did his part, Jesus did the rest.

Philip simply said ‘come and see’. There is a place for persistent effort to bring someone to Jesus, but we must not forget that Jesus is far more capable of leading people to himself than we are. You do everything you know to do for your friend then pray for the part that Jesus does.

Observation 4 – Jesus applauded this man’s heart.

Jesus was simply saying ‘despite your flaws at least you’re true and not two-faced’.

Observations 5 – Christ’s glory captured this man’s heart.

http://ia600603.us.archive.org/20/items/RiverChurchSermon06052011/06.05.2011.m4v