"John 1:43-51"

These are my notes from the sermon by Jason Zastrow this a.m.

Ansel Adams transformed the west into pictures/paintings we have all seen
When we encounter Jesus, He transforms everything.
Things we like we tell others about i.e. iPhone. Do we tell others about Jesus?

Jesus says "Follow Me" He doesn't say follow a movement or a person
In Gary, Indiana is a beautiful church,City of Methodist Church, which is deteriorating. There are no people in that church. We need to learn from this lesson of this church. It's not about the church,the people,the pastor...we need to follow God.

1. Encountering Jesus stirs us to mission. (v43-45)
Philip knew Jesus scripturally as much as personally
Luke 24:24,44
We need to know Jesus as He reveals himself

2. Encountering Jesus allows us to see He is utterly God (46-49)
Where might Jesus be found? In the places we bigot against?
We can become afraid of reaching out to those we don't know.
Nathaniel finds himself with a bigoted heart.
FS Bruce..Honest inquiry is a sovereign cure for prejudice
Be open
Jesus takes things that are bad and reshapes them
Jesus looks into Nathaniel's heart. He knows him
Romans 5
Jesus from Nazareth...a lowly city..he associated himself with this city
In our muck Jesus comes to us.
"While we were still sinners..."
The "otherness" of Jesus
He crossed an alien distance to get to us.

3. Encountering Jesus gives us a new vision of reality(50-51)
Genesis 28:10
Jacob's ladder
Bethel..house of God
Through Jesus heaven and earth meet and have relationship

Questions

1. If your worship doesn't lead you to mission:

Am I really worshipping Jesus as he has revealed himself or am I worshipping a Jesus in my own image?

Are you reaching out and being with others in your city just as Jesus the "true other" came to you?

Do you know Jesus of the Bible? Does He transorm your reality?