Close encounters with the real Jesus

1
Close encounters with the real Jesus

• The first disciples

2
Overview

• Series introduction
• Andrew, Simon, James and John
• Philip and Nathaniel
• Matthew (Levi)
• Compare and contrast
• So what?

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So whats this series all about?

• People who met Jesus in the flesh
• See the real Jesus
• Many false ideas about who Jesus was
• See how He related to others
• How did he speak to and deal with them
• What does this have to say to us today?
• How does Jesus relate to people today
• How should we relate to others?
• Why start here?

4
The Bible passages

• Matthew 418-22 - Simon Andrew, James John
• Matthew 99-13 Matthew (Levi)
• Matthew 102-4 Appointing the 12
• Mark 114-20 Simon Andrew, James John
• Mark 213-17 Matthew (Levi)
• Mark 3 13-19 Appointing of the 12
• Luke 51-11- Peter and Andrew, James and John
• Luke 527-31 Matthew (Levi)
• Luke 6 12-16 The appointing of the 12
• John 135-42 Simon and Andrew, James John
• John 143-51 Philip and Nathaniel

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Andrew and Simon, James and John

• A growing interest and knowledge
• A growing relationship
• A revelation given to John
• Andrew shares his discovery with Simon
• Simon meets Jesus and is given new name
• A sign of Jesus power
• Peters humble obedience
• Peters realisation of his sinfulness
• Receiving grace and a calling

6
Matthew (Levi)

• Teaching the masses
• Reaching out to the lost
• Levi wants his friends to meet Jesus
• Holds a banquet and invites all his friends
• The indignant reactions of the religious people
• Jesus perspective on his ministry

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Philip and Nathaniel

• Philip shared his discovery with Nathaniel
• Nathaniels scepticism and Philips answer
• Jesus knows all things
• Jesus meets Nathaniel where he is
• Nathaniel recognised that Jesus was no ordinary
  man

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Compare and contrast

• These were ordinary people
• A mixture of godly and ungodly
• A willingness to come and see
• Saw that Jesus was no ordinary man
• A passion to share what they had found
• They were willing to obey and follow

9
So what?

• Are we willing to take the time to investigate,
  explore and learn?
• Are we willing to let the relationship grow or do
  we want all the answers now?
• Are we willing to ask God to show us the truth or
  do we simply demand the proof that we want?
• Are we cautious but open?
• Are we willing to give up all to follow Christ?
• Are we sharing what we find even if we dont have
  all the answers?
• Is God powerfully at work amongst us?
• Are we willing to reach out to everyone?
• Where do we exhibit wrong attitudes?