Here we see the preliminary call of Jesus' disciples, men who would shortly become Apostles. Each of these men were different, and of different temperament. Some of the men were educated, others were simple fishermen. If the world were to look at these men, and were to promote or elevate these men to positions of power, then Nathaniel - also known as Bartholomew - would have been the head or chief apostle. None would have considered Peter as chief. Peter was a fisherman. Peter was led to Christ by Andrew, his brother, so Peter wasn't the first one to discover the Savior. Andrew, who was a disciple of John the Baptist, was probably present when Jesus was baptized, and the Holy Spirit descended as a dove upon His shoulders while the Father said:

(Matthew 3:17 KJV) "... This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Surely Andrew would be the chief apostle, or Nathaniel, but not Peter! But you see, this is the way the world operates, but not our God. The world would think of power, of preeminence, of prestige, of all the things that make people go "wow!" when we see it. But God does not work with "wow!". Where the world sees a ragged fisherman, God sees Peter the chief apostle. Where the world sees a little shepherd boy cast out into the fields, God saw David, King of Israel. Where the world sees a dispossessed Jew, running from the most powerful family on earth, God sees Moses, the leader of His chosen People. Where the world sees a half-breed woman at a well in Samaria, God sees a woman who would help Him evangelize that entire community. Where the world sees an uneducated, rough man, God sees what He can make of the man, if that man only surrender to Him.

These disciples, who would soon be called as Apostles (Matthew 4:18 ff) of God, would not occupy such a lofty office because of noble birth, nor because of high achievement in this life. This small band of men would become the Apostles of God, the foundation of the Church, because they submitted themselves to God the Son.

1. "Come and See" The Place Where God Dwells

(John 1:36-39 KJV) "And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! {37} And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. {38} Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? {39} He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour."

Andrew was a seeker, one who knew that God was. The Bible tells us that Andrew, along with Peter, was a fisherman:

(Matthew 4:18 KJV) "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers."

A common man, uneducated, perhaps rough in language. The world would not have given Andrew a second glance. Andrew was a worker, a provider of fish, but no one to be considered of importance. But Andrew was important to Jesus. He was important to God our Savior. All people are important to Jesus, regardless as to what the world thinks of them. The Bible says of God:

(Romans 2:11 NASB) "For there is no partiality with God."

(Colossians 3:23-25 NASB) "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; {24} knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. {25} For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality."

There is no partiality with God. God does not save us based on who we are or based on what we can accomplish. God saves us based on whether we, like Andrew, seek after Him. God saves us when we answer the call that Jesus gave Andrew.

As Jesus walked down the road He knew that Andrew was following Him. Our Lord had no riches, He was not well off in this life as people consider riches. The Bible says:

Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye?

Andrew sought out Jesus, and Jesus sought out Andrew. He asked him, "What are you looking for, Andrew?" The word "seek" is even stronger in the original Greek, for it is zeteo {pronounced dzay-teh’-o, Present Active Indicative} which means "require, crave, demand something from someone". Jesus knew what Andrew was looking for - there is no way that Almighty God in the flesh couldn't know what Jesus was looking for. But Jesus asked this question for a reason.

I do not know why, but God came to seek and save that which was lost. God craves our companionship. God wants us to walk with Him. He doesn't want us distant, far behind, walking off a little piece down the road from Him. While Andrew and the unnamed disciple followed Jesus down the road {following = Present Active Participle akoloutheo {pronounced ak-ol-oo-theh’-o}, kept on following), following Jesus without approaching Jesus, Jesus was no more than an oddity or something to be seen. God wants more than that of us all. Jesus wants a relationship with us, not just blind fellowship. God says:

(Isaiah 1:18 KJV) "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

The Lord requests the honor of your presence. The Lord wants you to walk with Him, in fellowship with Him. Many in our age come to Church so they can find a feeling, or experience an emotion, or so they can claim a blessing. You may receive a feeling, an emotion, and be blessed today - but this should not be the reason you are in Church. Beloved, you come to Church to be fed of God's Word. You come to Church so you can learn to walk together with Christ as you go through this life.

Jesus' invitation to Andrew is the same invitation He gives each of us every week. First our Lord asks us "What seek ye"? What are you looking for? Are you looking for a Rabbi, someone who knows the Bible and teaches it? That was how Andrew started our perceiving Jesus. When Jesus asked, "What seek ye?", Andrew said:

Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?

Andrew's response to Jesus was as he saw Jesus. Andrew said, "Rabbi - Teacher", where do you live? To many people today Jesus Christ is no more than a great teacher, a man, a person who did good things, and had extraordinary power from God. But Jesus is much more than this - much more. Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Savior of all who believe. Jesus Christ has the power to forgive sins, and to give eternal life. The Blood that He shed on the Cross has the power to elevate the most pitiful of sinners to the status of a Child of God, a King and a Priest before God. But if you want to be elevated, you must come and see where Jesus lives. As the beloved song says:

Come and Dine, the Master Calleth, Come and Dine;
|You may Feast at Jesus' Table All the Time;
He Who Fed the Multitude, Turned The Water Into Wine;
To The Hungry Calleth Now, "Come and Dine".

I have no idea what Andrew expected to see that day. He may have expected to see a nice house, with beautiful furnishings. He didn't see that, of course. Our Jesus never had much in the way of earthly possessions. Though He is the King of Glory, Eternal God the Son and Savior, Jesus had nothing of earthly riches. He said:

(Luke 9:58 KJV) "... Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."

When Andrew went to see where Jesus lived, he saw no mansion. Jesus only had one robe in His lifetime, and the only crown He ever possessed while He walked this earth was one woven of thorns by a terrible unbeliever (John 19:2). The Bible even says that the only costly robe our Lord ever had was one given to Him in ridicule by Herod (Luke 23:11). Jesus was murdered on a garbage heap called Calvary (Luke 23:33) with two thieves as His companions, and buried in a tomb (Matthew 27:60) that belonged to His friend Joseph, a rich man of Arimathaea. I don't know what Andrew expected to see when he went to see Jesus, but he got to know Jesus that night, and gave his life to the Savior.

Some people will, with all good intentions, present the Gospel of Christ badly. I do not want the Gospel to be misrepresented, because I speak for our Lord, and our Lord only wants the truth spoken. You will find great peace when you come to a relationship with Jesus. You will find a walk with God in Christ to be the most satisfying walk you have ever had - and the eternal benefits are truly out of this world. Some come to Christ expecting, like Simon the sorcerer,

Acts 8:18 (KJV) "And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,"

to find some "get rich quick" scheme. Others come to Christ believing God to be some cosmic Santa Claus, and believe that life will suddenly become a bed of roses when you're saved. None of this is true. Our Master's Kingdom is not, at least not right now, of this world:

John 18:36 (KJV) "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."

And we do not respond to the call of Salvation so that we can line our pockets with gold. No, those who are saved are strangers and pilgrims on this earth, just like Jesus was - and our greatest Treasure is in Heaven:

Matthew 6:20-21 (KJV) "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: {21} For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

1 Peter 2:11-12 (KJV) "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; {12} Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."

No, Christ and Christianity is not about riches, gold, or what we can get out of it. Christ and Christianity is about family. It is about a walk with God that gets you through the rough times of this life. It is about love, Sunday dinner around the family table, and a Father who loves you. It's about out Big Brother Jesus Who suffered, died, and rose again for us:

Matthew 12:48-50 (KJV) "But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? {49} And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! {50} For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."

I am certain that Andrew the Seeker went home with Jesus and stayed with Jesus, not because of what Jesus had, but because of Who Jesus is in spite of what He didn't have.

2. "Come and See" The Christ Our Savior

John 1:40-42 "One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. {41} He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. {42} And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone."

Once Andrew knew Who Jesus was, (or as I said, Who Jesus is in spite of what He didn't have) he went and got his brother Simon. Andrew told Simon, "We've found the Messiah, the Christ"!, then brought Simon to Jesus.

Most people do not realize that Jesus' last name was not Christ. Jesus was called Jesus. Those who did not recognize Him as God in the flesh called Him "Jesus, the son of Joseph the carpenter":

(Matthew 13:55-56 KJV) "Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? {56} And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?"

To the unbeliever He is "Jesus, the son of Joseph", or "Jesus the Rabbi, a great Teacher". But to the believer Jesus is:

Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ

No, "Christ" is not our Lord's last name, but it is His title, His function within the Godhead. Jesus is the Christ, not a Christ, but the Christ. He is the Anointed One, God the Son, the Creator of all things. The Bible says of Jesus:

(Colossians 1:16-17 NASB) "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created by Him and for Him. {17} And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

and,

(John 1:3 KJV) "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made."

Jesus is the Christ, and those who recognize Him as Messiah, as Savior, as more than just a mere teacher gain eternal life. If you believe on the NAME of Jesus, the Christ, then you shall have eternal life:

(John 20:31 KJV) "But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."

If you call on the name of Jesus, believing in Him for salvation, you shall be saved. The Scripture says:

(Acts 2:21 KJV) "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

(Romans 10:13 KJV) "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Andrew believing on Jesus, and, responding to this belief, wanted his brother Simon, whom he dearly loved, to also know Jesus.

It is one of the saddest testimonies of any Christian that they came to know Jesus as Savior, but never tell their loved ones of the same Savior. I have heard people say, "I want to allow my child, or my grandchild to make their own choice". Did you allow them to make their own choices when they were growing up? If you saw them playing with matches did you say, "I want to allow my child, or my grandchild to make their own choice"? You cannot make a child or a loved one accept Jesus Christ as Savior, but you can make sure they know that He is the only Messiah, the only Savior. If you love them you'll tell them!

That was what Andrew told his brother. "I found the Messiah, I found the Christ, I found Him, and He is called Jesus". Andrew brought Simon to Jesus, and Simon believed on Jesus. When he believed on Jesus, then Jesus gave him a new name. Jesus called Simon Cephas, or Rock:

thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone

Why did Jesus give Simon a new name? Beloved, when you enter a new family you get a new name! When you're born into the Kingdom of God by faith in Christ, you get a new name. We name our children as parents, and my wife took my name when we were married. Peter, because he believed in Jesus, moved into the family of God, and Jesus signified his change of family by giving him a new name. The family of God in Heaven and on earth is named after our Heavenly Father:

Ephesians 3:14-15 (KJV) "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, {15} Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named"

Jesus just gave Simon, also called Peter (or Cephas) his new name while He walked this earth. Just as Jesus gave Simon a new name, every believer who accepts Jesus Christ as Savior will one day have a new name given to them by Jesus.

(Revelation 2:17 KJV) "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."

(Revelation 3:12 KJV) "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name."

1 John 5:5 (KJV) "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

The name of a person is their identity, who they are.

When we first came to this Church my wife and I worked hard to learn your names. There have been times when I have gotten your names wrong, which I know has offended some - forgive me, I am human. When a pastor comes to a Church he has to learn hundreds of names, whereas you have to learn only one. It hurts me as much as it hurts you when I get your name wrong, because I know people value their names. Believe it or not, I value the name "Buffaloe", though when I was young I wished I had any other name than this. Can you imagine the taunting I received as a "Buffaloe" going through grammar and high school? Today I treasure the name that I have, because it signifies that I come from an established family with a long history. My name ties me to my earthly father and mother, whom I love dearly. My grandma and grandpa Buffaloe, and my maternal grandma and grandpa McLamb, are all in glory now with Jesus my Savior.

But the name "Buffaloe", as much as I now appreciate it, will not be my name in eternity. I will have a new name,

(Revelation 22:3-4 KJV) "And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: {4} And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads."

given to me by Jesus. And you, too, will have a new name, if you know Jesus Christ as your Savior. Both you, and your loved ones, will gather together in eternity under a new name, washed clean by the Blood of the Lamb.

3. "Come and See" Who Came from Nazareth

John 1:43-49 "The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. {44} Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. {45} Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. {46} And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. {47} Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! {48} Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. {49} Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel."

The last two people we want to look at today are Philip and Nathanael. These two people are as different as night and day. Philip heard Jesus when our Lord said "Follow Me". It appears that he came without hesitation, immediately, without question. I've met people like this, people who heard the call of Jesus and came immediately. These people were quick to recognize that the Savior IS Jesus. They heard the call, recognized their need, and came without much hesitation. Many of these saints are converted to Christ at an early age.

Then there's Nathanael! Philip heard and accepted Jesus, then went to see his friend Nathaniel. We know that Nathanael, unlike the others whom Jesus had called, was an educated man. This is obvious from the way that Philip, Nathanael's brother, approached him. Andrew told Simon Peter, both of whom were simple fishermen, "I have found the Messiah, the Christ!". Philip's statement to Nathanael was quite different. He said:

We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write

Philip used the technical terms for the Jewish Bible, our Old Testament, "the Law and the Prophets". Both Philip and Nathanael knew the Scripture, and knew that Christ, when He came, would be born of a Virgin:

Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Nathanael knew that Messiah, when He came, would be the rightful heir to the throne of David. Yet Nathanael was cautious. Many had presented themselves as Christ, just as many in our day have claimed to be Christ. So Nathanael was skeptical. He decided to:

1 John 4:1 (KJV) "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

It was for this reason that Nathanael told his brother:

Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?

Can anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip's answer was simple, and yet elegant. Why argue the point? We argue about most everything, because everyone wants to be right. The best answer to the skeptic is Philip's answer.

Come and see.

You may be here as a seeker today. You may be like Andrew. You followed after religion for a while, and maybe followed some good men. John the Baptist was a good man. But he wasn't Jesus. Andrew came and saw Jesus. He answered Jesus' invitation to "come and see", went to our Lord's humble abode, and became certain Jesus was THE Christ. Andrew led his brother Simon to Christ. Philip was found by Jesus, and he, in turn, led his brother to Christ. Each of these men had one thing in common: they tried Jesus. They turned away from the lives they were leading, and began to be led by Eternal Life Himself.

Can any good thing come out of Nazareth? Absolutely, because Jesus - our Redeemer - came out of Nazareth. Once Nathanael "came and saw" Jesus his life - just like your life - changed forever. By the way, Nathanael had another name, too - Bartholomew. He's got another name now that he's in Heaven with Jesus - a new family name.