The Apologetic of Philip
John 1:43-51
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Our text for this morning comes from the Gospel lesson. Jesus calls Philip to follow him, and Philip does not follow Jesus but instead goes and gets someone else. I have often loved this story of mission. There is a lot of little lessons in this story. But the one I want to think about is the Apologetics of Philip.
"Apologetics" is a big word that maybe you have not heard, or maybe you recognize a word it is related to, "Apologize." If you "Apologize" for something, you are generally saying you are sorry, or got something wrong, or did something wrong. "Apologetics" is about defending something you have said, believe, teach, or confess.
There has been a big boom in Christianity for people to study "Apologetics" or the defense of the faith. There are probably many of you that have struggled with how you can word something or phrase something so that people better understand it. Maybe you know what you believe but likewise don't understand why someone else does not believe what you do. So Christians like Ken Ham and Brian Young have stood their ground to defend the faith from Evolutionary thought, or old earth lies. Similarly, there is "Apologetics" work being done connected to Judaism, Islam, and even Post-Modernism.
But we can learn a lot from the Apologetics of Philip. Philip hears the Jesus call him, "Follow me." Philip without any education, or teaching, at least as it appears in the text, goes and finds Nathanael. Philip then tells Nathanael the good news. He says, "We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
So we can follow this pattern and see someone and tell them we have found our Savior. We can talk about finding the Son of God, or the Word made flesh. We can even tell people how this man has come to die for the forgiveness of our sins. He has come to make you perfect and holy. But most of us are not willing to think we are in any need of changing. Most of us are very comfortable were we are. Nathanael himself was very comfortable under the fig tree.
So Nathanael says to Philip, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" The dreaded question we all fear. We tell someone about Jesus or the Word of God, or the forgiveness of sins, and then comes the question. This question is different for everyone. The question that we don't find in any 5 quick steps to Evangelism, or 12 steps to conversion. The question does not appear on our cheat sheet. It is not even something we have ever given much thought.
Today, we get to do the Apologetics of Philip. What is Philip's answer? You might not get it at first. But Philip uses two strong imperatives, or commands. He tells Nathanael, "COME and SEE." You are probably enjoying it here under the fig tree, but you are not going to find answers here. You need to get up off your butt, stop making excuses and go look for yourself. Nathanael was not given the answer of, "you can find good anywhere" or "he is not really from Nazareth he was born in Bethlehem."
The Apologetic of Philip is very simple, "COME and SEE." Everyone has an excuse for not coming to church. People have there many excuses for not believing what the bible says. There are even people that struggle with understanding they are sinful and unclean. The answer is very simple, "COME and SEE."
You don't have to learn all those fancy terms and "Apologetics," just stick with the Apologetic of Philip. Now granted when you bring your friend, neighbor, or family member to church, you won't find Jesus who saw them sitting under the fig tree.
I guess I could tell everyone, I saw you sitting in your living room before "so-and-so" called you. But they will just think I am some kind of stalker. So we will avoid that part, and point them to Jesus. Jesus who is found in our text. Jesus of whom Nathanael calls him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"
As we all come and see, gather together around the word of God, and hear the message of salvation brought forth. We continue to be strengthened in the True Faith. It is in the Waters of Baptism we are washed in the blood of Christ for our forgiveness, and receive the Holy Spirit. As we join with the Angels and Archangels in celebration over the giving of his body and blood in the Lord's Supper. It is even in the forgiveness of sins.
Nathanael did not need some long explanation about Nazareth and Jesus birth, because once he came and saw Jesus he recognized his sin. He noticed that this man has seen and known everything about him. Jesus knows everything about you.
Jesus knows where you have fallen short. He knows when you have sinned. He knows when you have helped someone. Jesus knew that Nathanael was a sinner, yet he still says, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" Behold, you who are indeed one who will continue to struggle with God, an Israelite indeed. In you there is no deceit, falseness, lies, or sin. This is not because of your good or noble life, this is because you have Come and See. You have come to receive the forgiveness of sin. You have come and seen Jesus in flesh and blood.
So may we all use the Apologetic of Philip, Come and See. Therefore, we can all join together in the study of God's word and the forgiveness of sins, in Jesus Name. Amen.
The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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