International Church Medan
The Chosen (2)
Locations & Times
International Church Medan
Mall Jl. Jawa No.8, Gg. Buntu, Kec. Medan Tim., Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20231, Indonesia
Sunday 10:30 AM
Introduction to Nathanael:
· He was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus
o Which means he died as a martyr (except for John)
· According to Fox's Book of Martyrs
- Traveling evangelist preacher all the way to Persia and East India
- Translated the book of Matthew while in East India
- Beaten then killed by local enemies
· Other traditions say:
- Tied up in a sack and dropped into the sea
- Crucified
o This simply means that he had loved the Lord up until his death
· Also known as Bartholomew
o Bartholomew means "son of Tolmai" or "Bar-Tolmai"
o So full name: Nathanael Bar-Tolmai
· Based on the structure of introduction to the disciples in the Gospels
o Great friends with Philip
· He was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus
o Which means he died as a martyr (except for John)
· According to Fox's Book of Martyrs
- Traveling evangelist preacher all the way to Persia and East India
- Translated the book of Matthew while in East India
- Beaten then killed by local enemies
· Other traditions say:
- Tied up in a sack and dropped into the sea
- Crucified
o This simply means that he had loved the Lord up until his death
· Also known as Bartholomew
o Bartholomew means "son of Tolmai" or "Bar-Tolmai"
o So full name: Nathanael Bar-Tolmai
· Based on the structure of introduction to the disciples in the Gospels
o Great friends with Philip
What was not stated in Scripture but the Chosen series added beautifully:
· Nathanael was an architect
· Nathanael had a career-ending experience
· Nathanael was an architect
· Nathanael had a career-ending experience
In the episode, an accident happened that got Nathanael fired from his job and lost the opportunity of a lifetime.
So what do we do when life gets difficult?
We all go under a fig tree and we begin to pray...
So what do we do when life gets difficult?
We all go under a fig tree and we begin to pray...
When's the last time you feel like Nathanael?
- I've had several in my lifetime:
o During bible school days
o As a youth pastor
o As a young adults pastor
o Even now as branch pastor
o Recently with my whole family being covid positive (except for Sara and our helper)
- Me
- Both my kids
- Both my parents
- Father who has diabetes and high blood pressure
- Praise God we're all negative and well
- But for the month of July.... it felt like I was under the fig tree
- I've had several in my lifetime:
o During bible school days
o As a youth pastor
o As a young adults pastor
o Even now as branch pastor
o Recently with my whole family being covid positive (except for Sara and our helper)
- Me
- Both my kids
- Both my parents
- Father who has diabetes and high blood pressure
- Praise God we're all negative and well
- But for the month of July.... it felt like I was under the fig tree
What is your "fig tree" moment
- Disappointed or angry at God?
- Hiding your shame and your past from God?
o Hebrew expression of "covering yourselves with fig leaves"
- Means to "make excuses"
o Do you stand before God and make excuses for your life?
- Feeling hopeless and despair in life?
- Desperate for an answer?
- Disappointed or angry at God?
- Hiding your shame and your past from God?
o Hebrew expression of "covering yourselves with fig leaves"
- Means to "make excuses"
o Do you stand before God and make excuses for your life?
- Feeling hopeless and despair in life?
- Desperate for an answer?
But what good can a "fig tree" moment in our lives bring?
In this passage, we will see that:
- God knew us
- God sees us
- God calls us
In this passage, we will see that:
- God knew us
- God sees us
- God calls us
Before we read God's Word, let's pray....
GOD
GOD
John 1:43-50
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.
45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”
46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.
47 As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”
48 “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”
49 Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”
50 Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” 44 Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.
45 Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”
46 “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.
47 As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”
48 “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”
49 Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”
50 Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”
So what can we learn from the calling of Nathanael aka Bartholomew?
Jesus knew you before the fig tree
- You may not know this but He knows you well before anything has happened to you
Psalm 139:13-16
13You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
13You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
Psalm 139:1-6
1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
- He knew that you would be watching this right now!
o This is no accident!
o This is no accident!
- Before we even reach our desperate situation, He knew and always had us in mind.
o Not just that He knows us but....
o Not just that He knows us but....
Jesus sees you under the fig tree
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
Isaiah 40:11
He will feed His flock like a shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in His arms,
holding them close to His heart.
He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
He will feed His flock like a shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in His arms,
holding them close to His heart.
He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
- God is very aware of your situation - more than anyone else.
- We may feel He doesn't care but He was close to you and even carried you through those times
Jesus calls you after the fig tree
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
- This is so important to remember....
- The fig tree isn't the end for you!
- The fig tree isn't the end for you!
For every fig tree experience, there's something greater that God has in store for us
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.
Often times we don't include "everything to work together" as:
- Difficult times
- Painful times
- Suffering
- Challenging times
- Impossible times
- Hopeless times
- Difficult times
- Painful times
- Suffering
- Challenging times
- Impossible times
- Hopeless times
When only think that God works in the:
- Good times without the bad times
- The mountaintops without the valleys
- The times of joy without the times of sadness
- Easy and straight lines without the difficult and narrow road
- Good times without the bad times
- The mountaintops without the valleys
- The times of joy without the times of sadness
- Easy and straight lines without the difficult and narrow road
I'm not here to say:
- Your troubled times are not difficult
- Your disappointment is overblown
- Your pain isn't excruciating
- Your problems are light and easy
- Your troubled times are not difficult
- Your disappointment is overblown
- Your pain isn't excruciating
- Your problems are light and easy
What God is saying:
- This is not the end
- I have more in store for you
- Trust me as you walk with m
- This is not the end
- I have more in store for you
- Trust me as you walk with m
He knows you.
He sees you.
He calls you.
YOU
He sees you.
He calls you.
YOU
So what to do when we're "under the fig tree"?
What do we do if we're currently under the fig tree of life?
Respond to the Philips around you
- v.45,46b Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth. Come and see for yourself"
- v.45,46b Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth. Come and see for yourself"
Come as you are before God and others
o Verse 46a Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
- Nathanael didn't believe at first and that's ok!
- Come as you are before the Lord
- If Jesus wants you to be perfect before you can see Him, then there's no hope for you and I!
- Even when you don't believe, it's ok
o Verse 46a Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”
- Nathanael didn't believe at first and that's ok!
- Come as you are before the Lord
- If Jesus wants you to be perfect before you can see Him, then there's no hope for you and I!
- Even when you don't believe, it's ok
Mark 9:21-25
“How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. 22 The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” 23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” 24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!”
“How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. 22 The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” 23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” 24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. “Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak,” he said. “I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!”
- Probably doesn't make any sense at all - I believe but help me overcome my unbelief?!
- Jesus wasn't upset that the father didn't believe
- Jesus was willing to put up with our disbelief
- Jesus wasn't upset that the father didn't believe
- Jesus was willing to put up with our disbelief
AND at some point, you'll realize that He's no ordinary teacher or prophet....
- HE IS THE SAVIOR WHO CARES FOR YOU
- HE IS THE SAVIOR WHO CARES FOR YOU
Psalm 55:22
Give your burdens to the Lord,
and He will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
Give your burdens to the Lord,
and He will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.
Matthew 11:28
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Let Him know that you are under the fig tree!
- The fig tree of despair
- The fig tree of hopelessness
- The fig tree of anger
- The fig tree of disappointment
- The fig tree of shame
- The fig tree of pain
- The fig tree of fear
- The fig tree of despair
- The fig tree of hopelessness
- The fig tree of anger
- The fig tree of disappointment
- The fig tree of shame
- The fig tree of pain
- The fig tree of fear
So respond to invitations and come with all of your baggage.... but most importantly....
Hear from the Rabbi
Verse 49-51
Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”
Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” 51 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”
Don't take my word for it - come to Him today!
This is why first hand revelation ALWAYS beats second hand revelation from your pastor.
- Reading plan on Instagram @icasby and @icmedan
- Reading plan on Instagram @icasby and @icmedan
Pastor John and our other pastors can talk ALL day about who God is.... but you must experience Him for yourself.
Don't take our word for it - hear and listen from Him.
Jesus is not a concept or a religion - He is a Person.
- So Come and see
- So Come and see
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!
US
Can you start today?
What if we follow Christ today?
What if we can move forward from being under the fig tree and into His everlasting plans?
He saw Nathanael when he was under the fig tree!
He sees you and me when we're under the fig tree!
- In our hurts
- In our struggles
- In our pains and disappointments
- In our issues and fears
Can you start today?
What if we follow Christ today?
What if we can move forward from being under the fig tree and into His everlasting plans?
He saw Nathanael when he was under the fig tree!
He sees you and me when we're under the fig tree!
- In our hurts
- In our struggles
- In our pains and disappointments
- In our issues and fears
He knows you
He sees you
He calls you
Le's pray....
He sees you
He calls you
Le's pray....