John 1:43-51
Every year congregations all over this nation (and in other nations, I’m sure) spend money, or countless hours trying to come up with a successful evangelism program. How can we fulfill the command (The Great Commission from Matthew 28:19-20) to “go and make disciples of people?” What is the most successful program? What will get people to respond? Some congregations even start special worship services to attract those whom they label as “seekers.”
If you ask the people sitting in the pews on Sunday mornings how they came to be a member of a specific church, you might be surprised by their answer. The overwhelming majority did not come because of the great music or because of the fantastic preaching by the pastor. Aside from those who were born and raised within the congregation, the vast majority who join do so because they were invited to come by a member. It is that simple. They were invited to come by a member seated there in the pew with them.
If I were to design an evangelism program, I would use Philip as the model from our text today. If you back up in the text you find that Philip was invited to be a disciple when Jesus said to him, “Come and see.” In today’s story, Philip seeks out Nathanael and in his excitement tells Nathanael what he has encountered. “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” He doesn’t launch into a great theological dissertation, nor does he attempt to explain what he says. He simply tells Nathanael about meeting Jesus of Nazareth. Philip follows it up with the same three word invitation that had been given to him, “Come and see.” It is brilliant in its simplicity, an evangelism program based on “Come and see.”
Do you remember the story of the woman whom Jesus meets at the well? She went back to her village and told people about her encounter with Jesus. “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:29) She included the invitation as part of her actual testimony. As with Philip, it is brief and simple, yet both have very positive outcomes. Nathanael becomes one of the twelve, and many people in the Samaritan village become believers.
Here is why I believe “Come and see” is such a powerful evangelism tool. “Come and see” implies that the one issuing the invitation is going to accompany the one invited. It is an invitation to accompany someone. There is a world of difference between saying something like, “You really need to go to church.” and “Come and see.” Both sentiments may come from the heart, but one sends a person on a journey, as opposed to having someone accompany you on your journey. The difference is subtle, yet powerful.
Invite others to accompany you on your journey of faith. Invite them to “come and see” the Jesus who has made such a difference in your life. Then accompany them into the presence of the Lord Jesus. There would not be enough pews to hold everyone if we all participate. Don’t believe me? Come and see.