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Edifying Youth to Share Jesus

 

Jerry Elder
Spring Hill, TN
Youth Minister

 

PHILLIP & NATHANAEL – JOHN 1:44

 

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

John 1:43-51 (ESV)

The story is simple. Philip encounters Jesus, a man in the region that has mystified a generation like none other – the Messiah. Not self-proclaimed but through the works seen and heard, Philip becomes a disciple, a follower.

Excited about this, he can’t wait to share this “Good News” with a friend, Nathaniel. As would any good Jewish man, Nathaniel has questions. “Where is he from?” “Nazareth!” “What good comes from there?”

Philip’s answer was so simple. “Come and See!” The heart of Philip was not going to be torn down. He knew! He knew that this was the one that was promised – the one spoken of from the prophets. And now he wanted his friend to experience this same message, this same love. He wanted him to meet Jesus.

The message of “Come and See” is what we need to be sharing with all people today, especially our young people.

In a world of doubt and unbelief, we often shy away from spreading the news of Jesus, God’s only Son (John 3:16). It must be talked about, discussed, YOU should have that fire in your bones to share this message!

But how? We are really good at telling someone what they should do, but lack helping them to know how! Let’s talk about three quick ways to make this happen:

  1. GO! There was a book years ago titled “Go Ye Means Go Me” The premise of the book was in the title. Jesus, sent out workers to spread this Good News of salvation through Him. There was no “I will wait until tomorrow” attitude! Our young people need to know that they have a Savior. They need to know the story. In order to tell the story, YOU need to know the story. Bible study and prayer are essential in making this happen. Don’t be afraid, to GO to your friends, family and to those you will build relationships with and share the greatest story in the world. GO!
  2. Don’t be afraid to tell YOUR story. Tell how Jesus changed your life, saved your soul. The conversion story of Paul is told three times in the books of Acts (Acts 9, 22, 26). It’s more than the “I got baptized story”. Tell what led to it. Parents, tell your children WHY you are a follower of Jesus. What led to your baptism that SAVED you from your sins? All stories are remarkable in how Jesus changed the lives of ALL of us! Young people need to know that HE can CHANGE their life too!
  3. Share your PASSION! If you are not passionate about Jesus and His love, grace and mercy, how will others see HIM in you? “From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, the NAME of the LORD shall be praised” (Psalm 113:3). Philip couldn’t wait! His passion was seen in his actions and he wanted Nathaniel to know about it so he too could gain a passion for the Lord. Share your passion wherever you go – in your job, school, social media. As the old song says, “Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.”

    If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

    Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)

    Our passion is Christ! Our LIFE is Christ! When others see it, it becomes contagious!

    Oh, the doubters – even Nathaniel had doubt. But when he met Jesus and SAW the great things, he proclaimed, “YOU are the Son of God.”

    When young people SEE the lives we live for the Savior EVERYDAY, they too will tell this story and lives will change for eternity.

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