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Sermon for Midweek Advent 2 Vespers Service. The Scripture readings for tonight are Psalm 121; Proverbs 3:1-8; and John 1:43-51.

Like Philip, you too have found the Messiah, the Savior and Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Well, probably more accurately you have been found by Him. Jesus came and found you lost and dead in your sin. He has raised you to new life, given you the forgiveness of all your sins, and gifted you with the Holy Spirit so that you are now God\u2019s temple (1 Cor. 6:19).

Philip wants nothing more than to share this good news with his friend Nathanael, but Nathanael doesn\u2019t jump on board right away. He\u2019s more interested to stay in the shade of his fig tree than meeting someone from Nazareth. But Philip doesn\u2019t give up. He doesn\u2019t argue with Nathanael. Philip simply says, \u201cCome and see.\u201d And Nathanael saw.

Without any pleasantries exchanged between them, Jesus knows Nathanael and who he is. As Nathanael walks up to Him, Jesus says, \u201cBehold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!\u201d In other words, Nathanael is a straight-shooter and doesn\u2019t mince words, not when he expresses his thoughts about Nazareth or anything else. Nathanael is dumbfounded and maybe a little convicted, \u201cHow do you know me?\u201d Jesus answered, \u201cBefore Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.\u201d That\u2019s all it took. \u201cRabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!\u201d Nathanael believed.

Maybe you know people who are skeptical and even have animosity toward God. You might think that nothing will ever get through to them. Take heart. Jesus works through His Word to do things far beyond our imagination. Two sentences from Jesus changed Nathanael\u2019s heart toward this carpenter\u2019s Son from backwards Nazareth.

Now, I can\u2019t say that Jesus will convert your skeptical friends or family as quickly, but Jesus will work on them through His Word. As surely as rain and snow make the ground wet, God will use His Word to accomplish the purpose for which He sends it (Is. 55:10-11).

Luther (supposedly) once said, \u201cChristians are simply beggars telling other beggars where to find bread.\u201d Maybe when you invite people to come here to God\u2019s house, they will be skeptical like Nathanael was at first. Don\u2019t worry about it. Keep telling them. Keep inviting them. At least those beggars will have heard where the bread is. You don\u2019t need to be eloquent. Simply invite those whom you love to, \u201cCome and see.\u201d