1/17/2021 - Come and See the Messiah
Second Sunday after the Epiphany
If you follow someone on social media, it's because you're interested in hearing their ideas and writings. Today's lessons underscore a similar point. People follow Jesus because they're interested in what he has to say and what he's done.
Three Bible lessons tie our theme together. First, Samuel is called by God and humbly yields, "Speak Lord, your servant is listening." A follower listens to the Word. Paul teaches us in the second lesson that our status as "followers" was established by God who called us by the Gospel and brought us to be followers through belief in the truth. Finally, it was the word of Jesus who invited Phillip and Nathanael to follow him.
God calls us in the same way. Through the faithful teaching and preaching of the Gospel, God invites us to follow him. The Holy Spirit converts us to discipleship and then establishes a secure foundation through continued Bible teaching. Through the Word God chose us, through the Word God converted us, through the Word God sustains us in faith. Then, let's crave the Word! Like Samuel, in humility we simply beg, "Speak Lord, your servant is listening."
May God bless your worship.
First lesson: 1 Samuel 3:1-10: Samuel willingly listens to the LORD
Second lesson: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17: Stand firm and hold on to God's teachings
Gospel: John 1:43-51: Jesus calls Phillip and Nathanael to discipleship
Sermon: John 1:43-51 Theme: Come and See!