The Book of John Chapter 1 | Part 4
Pastor Josh Denham
Pastor Josh delivers an enlightening discourse on the Gospel of John, focusing primarily on how Jesus’s identity and mission are revealed through interactions with his early followers. Throughout the session, Pastor Josh emphasizes the depth found in seemingly simple scriptural narratives, bringing to light the profound spiritual truths they contain.
The session begins by exploring John 1:35-51, where John the Baptist identifies Jesus as “the Lamb of God.” This pivotal declaration prompts two of John’s disciples to follow Jesus, marking the beginning of their transformative journey. Pastor Josh underscores the importance of their decision to stay with Jesus, illustrating the initial steps of discipleship—seeking to know Jesus more intimately.
Significantly, Pastor Josh reflects on the scriptural interactions involving Jesus, Philip, Nathaniel, and others, highlighting their significance in the context of the Messiah’s identity. For instance, Philip’s announcement to Nathaniel that they have found the one Moses and the prophets wrote about points to Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Pastor Josh explains that despite Philip’s initial inaccuracies about Jesus’s background, his eagerness to share the news portrays the genuine excitement of discovering the Messiah.
Pastor Josh also delves into the dialogue between Jesus and Nathaniel, where Jesus’s supernatural knowledge of Nathaniel’s character and whereabouts leads to Nathaniel’s confession of Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel. This part of the discussion emphasizes the messianic prophecy and Jesus’s divine nature, reinforcing the theme of revelation that runs throughout the Gospel of John.
The session is rich with scriptural references that are not only cited but also explained in their theological and historical context. Pastor Josh draws from various parts of the Bible, including the prophetic significance of Bethlehem in Micah 5:2 and the symbolic vision of Jacob’s ladder in Genesis 28, which he connects to Jesus’s declaration in John 1:51 of angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.
In conclusion, Pastor Josh encourages his audience to perceive Jesus not just as a historical figure but as the living Word, whose teachings and actions are directly applicable to their lives. He invites them to “come and see,” echoing Philip’s invitation to Nathaniel, thus calling everyone to explore the depth of their faith through a personal encounter with Scripture and with Jesus himself.
Pastor Josh provides an illuminating exploration of the Gospel of John, particularly focusing on John 1:35-51. He explains how John the Baptist identifies Jesus as “the Lamb of God,” prompting two of his disciples to follow Jesus and begin their journey of discipleship. Pastor Josh emphasizes their decision to follow Jesus, highlighting the importance of seeking to know him intimately.
He then explores Jesus’s interactions with Philip and Nathaniel. Philip excitedly shares that he has found the Messiah, fulfilling the prophecies of Moses and the prophets. Nathaniel initially doubts, but after Jesus reveals his supernatural knowledge of him, he acknowledges Jesus as the Son of God and King of Israel. Pastor Josh explains that this exchange reveals the divine nature of Jesus and his fulfillment of prophecy.
In conclusion, Pastor Josh encourages listeners to perceive Jesus as more than a historical figure and to “come and see” the living Word for themselves, emphasizing the importance of a personal encounter with Scripture and Jesus.