Come and See for Yourself

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown. 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.” “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” “Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied. As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.” “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.” John 1:43-48 (NLT)

Have you ever had what you consider to be some good news but you seem to have difficulty convincing others to feel like you feel about it? Have you ever felt like, I wish I could explain things better so that I could be more persuasive when I talk to people? Then, imagine having what you believe to be the best news that you have ever come across and you found out before others did and so you wanted your friends to know but when you tried to tell them they just refused to believe you. I believe that those types of experiences keep many Christians from evangelism or just personal witnessing—especially to those that they know best. It’s funny that we can talk to our relatives and friends about anything but we stumble when we want to share our religious faith with them. To make matters worse, if we happen to be close to someone who is of a religious faith that is not Christian, they seem to go on and on talking about their faith until you walk away or someone asks them to be quiet. Why is it so difficult to tell people about Jesus? You finally start to grow in your faith and you feel really good about your vibrant spiritual life and yet you find yourself treating your Christianity like you are having an affair with the Holy Ghost. You know you are involved in it but you don’t want to talk about it. When others are talking about it you say a few things to strengthen their position but you don’t say a whole lot about your own situation. There seem to be a fear that you might get tested on it and flunk the test. Have you ever felt inadequate in your witnessing? I believe that the interactions that take place between Phillip and Nathanael can help us to see ourselves and perhaps at the same time allow us an alternative to feeling inadequate in our witnessing. Let’s look at today’s text.


I. Jesus Called Phillip to Follow Him
A. Jesus found Phillip while going to Galilee
B. Six of the Twelve Disciples were called Individually

II. Phillip found Nathanael (Jesus saw him while Phillip was looking for him.)
A. His Testimony was that They had found Jesus
B. He declared Jesus to be the long awaited Messiah
C. He identified Jesus as the Son of Joseph from Nazareth

III. Nathanael responded to Phillip’s Testimony
A. Because of Nazareth, Nathanael discredited Phillip’s Testimony (Why do others discredit your testimony?)


Phillip’s response to Nathanael’s statement is our topic today, Come and See for Yourself. Sometimes, words are not enough. Some people are determined to not be convinced by others of anything. You might as well go argue with a sign on the side of the road than try to get some people to change their minds. Therefore, sometimes witnessing can be stressful and even feel like a waste of our time. But yet Christians are admonished to spread the gospel or the good news of Jesus Christ. When we find ourselves torn between the call of discipleship and the fear of failure or disappointment, then we should just recommend that people would come and see for themselves. There are times that I would like to be a great statesman for the Lord but my words get all tangled up and sometimes they will just dry up on me. All I know to say is just come see for yourself. Phillip is not credited with writing a gospel account or a letter to a church. Phillip, however, was successful at getting Nathanael to come see a man who fulfilled the very prophesies of God. Nathanael didn’t go looking for Jesus because Phillip said something that convinced him of who Jesus was. But he followed Phillip’s advice and decided to check this Jesus out for himself. I don’t know if I will say anything today to change someone’s opinion about Jesus but I suggest that you just come and see for yourself. If you are confused and don’t know where to turn, I could tell you how Jesus has regulated my troubled mind at times but you might not be convinced. So why don’t you call upon Jesus for yourself. If you’re in trouble and can’t see your way out, I could tell you how Jesus rescued me time and time again but you might not believe me. Come and see for yourself. If you’re lonely and feel like you don’t have a friend in the world, I could tell you about times when Jesus had to keep me company but you might not believe me. Try him and see for yourself. I don’t know what’s going on in your life but I do know that life can be filled with ups and downs. I could tell you that the joy of the Lord picks me up when I’m down but you might have doubts about that. So try Jesus and see for yourself. I could tell you about the old story of a baby born in Bethlehem who was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger; how he grew up to be a man named Jesus who gave sight to the blind, cleansed lepers, and raised the dead. I could go on to tell you how he was arrested and crucified on a Roman cross and died one Friday and was buried in a cave. He stayed there until Sunday morning when he rose and declared that he has all power in heaven and earth. I could tell you that he still heals the sin-sick soul, cleanses those filthy with immorality, and raises the spiritual dead to newness of life. I don’t want to try to convince you of all of that but rather suggest that you try him and see for yourself.

Robert C. Hudson
September 27, 2009

God is Able

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, Jude 24

The epistle or letter written by Jude is one of the shortest compositions in the New Testament. The tone and content of the letter is like that of Paul’s second letter to Timothy as well as Peter’s second letter. It has the same sense of urgency that warns Christians to beware of the future because things are going to get much worse before they are made better at the end of the age or the world as we know it. He speaks of the character of those that will come more so than their person. Christians are warned that the enemy will mix in and be among them and sometimes it will be difficult to tell who’s who. We should not assume that everyone who hangs out with Christians love Jesus. The urgency of the message is that these things are already starting to happen. Christians need to be careful because these days are evil. In other words, humanity, in spite of all of the so called progress, is worse now morally and ethically than ever before. For a short letter it has a very dark overtone. But as Jude begins to bring this letter to a close, there is a bright light shining into the future for Christians. What we cannot prevent or avoid need not overtake us. What causes us to stumble need not cause us to fall. When our pass actions break our own hearts, this need not darken our future. There are some things that we must go through and others we will go through because of poor choices on our part. But even that need not taint or otherwise mar our future. Our text today is a fragment from the doxology of the letter. But there is a treasure hidden in this fragment. And this treasure is able to spiritually enrich a believing Christian. This fragment lets us know that God is able to do some things that we need and don’t deserve. Let’s look at this:


I. God is Able to Keep You from Falling
A. The Flesh wars against the Spirit (Romans 7:23)
B. Men love Darkness more than Light (John 3:18 – 19)
C. Though He fall, He will not be Utterly Cast Down (Psalm 37:23 – 24)

II. God is Able to Present You Faultless
A. All have Sinned and come short of God’s Glory (Romans 3:23)
B. Through Faith, All Trespasses are Forgiven at Calvary (Colossians 2:13 – 14)
C. Your Sins shall be Washed Away (Isaiah 1:18)

III. God is Able to give You an Abundance of Joy in His Presence
A. No Flesh shall Glory in His Presence (I Corinthians 1:27 – 29)
B. God will Wipe away Your Tears (Revelation 21:4)
C. Your Depression will be replaced with Celebration (Psalm 30:11)


No matter what the situation or the circumstances, we must remember that God is able. Our outlook does not depend on our strength but on our faith. There is no limit to God’s strength, wisdom, or availability. He alone has all power. God alone is all knowing. When God helps others, it does not diminish or lessen his ability to help me. God’s strength is not determined by the strength of my faith. God’s willingness is not controlled by my faith. God is sovereign and he moves when and if he decides to move. God is pleased by my faith but not limited by it. God does not need to prove his willingness to me by answering my selfish prayers. God has already done everything to prove who he is and his great love for mankind. He desires to save us from our sins. He desires to clean us up and make us sinless throughout eternity. God desires that we live a life believing in him and believing on him. God is not like this because we can show ourselves worthy of any of this. Rather, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us to bring us back to God. Jesus’ life was a ransom given for our souls. We may not be the best people in the world at all times but we can still be thankful that God is able to make us as he would have us to be.


Robert C. Hudson
September 20, 2009

Do You Understand the Times?

And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment. 1 Chronicles 12:32

In the pretext of today’s scripture, Israel’s first king, Saul, had been killed in battle and the warriors of Israel were now responding by endorsing David as Israel’s new king. Those warriors came in groups of thousands according to their tribe and clearly stated that they were pledging their allegiance to David. Even the tribe of Benjamin, the tribe of Saul, responded in kind with their brethren. David was previously on the run for Saul had a death warrant out on him. But apparently David was hiding in plain sight because they all knew where to find him. Most of the warriors that came were described according to their battle skills and experience. Some were adept at slingshots or bows and others were skilled with swords and shields. Still others were described as sure-footed and swift such as the Gadites. Others were commanders or military leaders. But when the sons of Issachar came, they were described differently than all of their brethren. Jacob had prophesied that the descendants of Issachar would be strong and would yield themselves as servants. In today’s text, Jacob’s prophecy unfolds. Only the leaders of Issachar came but they had the authority to speak for the entire tribe. These leaders were described as having understanding of the times and they knew what Israel ought to do. What does this really say about the leaders of Issachar?

I. Understanding
A. Prudent (Pay Attention; Take into Consideration)
B. Intelligent (Knew; Sensible)
C. Insightful (Heed or Deal Wisely)

II. To Know
A. Divine Wisdom
B. Divine Plan

III. Leadership
A. They had the Trust of Those who Followed Them
B. They had the Loyalty of Those who Followed Them
C. They had the Commitment of Those who Followed Them


It was given to the children of Issachar to know what Israel should do. They knew the plan that Israel should follow. This kind of wisdom only comes from God.

Again, all of their brethren were at their command makes a statement of unity. The tribe of Issachar was united in purpose. Up to this point, some tribes were divided in opinion between David and Saul. When Issachar came, they came as one. They were determined to do even as God had shown their leaders what needed to be done. They were not coming to debate or vote but they were coming as warriors determined to get the job done and those who came represented all of them. So much time and energy are wasted when there is an absence of unity and a singular purpose. When everyone wants to do their own thing then chances are the group is doing nothing. Success with excellence requires everyone working together and moving in one direction. The question before us today is, “Do you understand the times?” Has it been revealed to you what ought to be done? Are you putting forth effort that’s in agreement with current directions? Are you still caught up on what could have been or what should have been or what used to be? At all points in time God has provided a vision that sets forth a clear direction of movement. It is no different with us today.

Sometimes having a vision can make you feel like the loneliest person in the world. There is a sense of inadequacy that overshadows you when you try to explain or just communicate the vision. But I see something in the sons of Issachar that I find encouraging. When you know what ought to be done, its best to get started by just doing your part. They came prepared to do their part. Do you understand the times? They did not come half-hearted or just in case so that they would not be left out but they came totally committed to the plan. They had understanding of the times. Do you understand the times? Do you understand what God is doing with the church today? Twenty years ago people had a hunger and thirst for the word of God. Sunday School and Bible Study meant everything. People just wanted to know the word of God. Today people have a hunger for ministry. There is a God-given desire to do something worthwhile. People want to know what to do and how should it be done. Do you understand the times? God did not leave us here to grope in the darkness but he has given us the supreme example in his son, Jesus. Jesus understood the times and he worked according to his Father’s will. He worked while it was yet day for he knew that the night was coming and his working would end. Are you about your Father’s business today? Do you understand the times?

Robert C. Hudson
September 13, 2009

Trading His Promises for His Presence

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:8-10

Abraham is described in the scriptures as the father of the faithful. It follows therefore that true faith can be understood by examining the biblical life of Abraham. The evolution of faith within a person appears to go through three distinct phases. First there is saving faith. Here faith acts as a channel or conduit by which grace is applied to a person. We are saved by grace through faith. This saving faith causes us to believe in God and in the power of Jesus’ blood to wash away our sins. After we are saved, then there is overcoming faith. We learn to apply faith in situations that would otherwise overwhelm us. We are able to hold on because we know that Jesus promised to never leave us or forsake us. We are more than conquerors through Christ. This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Finally, there is mature faith. Mature faith looks beyond circumstances and time and peeks into eternity. Mature faith continuously reminds us that everything in life must be taken in the context of eternity. True reward comes beyond this existence. Whatever comes in this existence, prosperity or poverty, health or sickness, friends or loneliness, cannot be compared to what is to come. Those that attain to the level of mature faith have transcended the world and it is said that the world is not worthy of them. How do we go through these three phases? The process of faith evolution is driven by the promises of God. However, the last step, mature faith, cannot be attained until one is willing to trade God’s promises for his presence. Let’s see how Abraham went through these three phases. There are three things that take place in our text today.


I. Acceptance: Accepting God’s Promises

A. Taking Baby Steps to Haran
B. Carrying the Family along for Company

II. Appraisal: Appraising Possessions

A. Recognizing God as the Giver
B. All that Glitters
C. Taking a Second Look (Being Thankful Anyway)

III. Aspiration: Desiring God’s Presence

A. Something is wrong with this World
B. We will never be totally Satisfied at all Times living in this World
C. In the City of God Everything is Right at all Times


It is dissatisfaction with trying to make an ideal life in a sin-sick world that leads one to long for the presence of God. It has been said that God uses his promises of earthly possessions to draw us towards his presence. Possessions are never to be considered an end in themselves but only a means by which God draws some. It has also been said that too often people seek God’s hand when he has called us to seek his face. God’s face is not to be found in things. In fact, things are a distraction from the real intent. How then are we as Christians to look at this? We are constantly bombarded by messages of prosperity. Sometimes, we are made to feel bad if we don’t have the proper things such as clothes, cars, houses, and money to present as evidence that we are “blessed and highly favored of God”. When we don’t have a lot of things, some say it is because we lack faith or the knowledge of God’s promises. I have lived long enough to know that as a people, we demonstrated more faith and knowledge of God’s promises when we possessed very few things. Today, we have so many things and we are so busy accumulating more that we lack sufficient time to enjoy what we already have. Spiritual maturity causes us to begin to see ourselves as sojourners. We realize that material things do not bring joy or lasting happiness. So we pass our time here desiring to do God’s will as we continue to look for a city whose architect is the moral Architect of the universe. We are destined for a city whose foundation was laid by the eternal Carpenter of all existence. We don’t need a GPS or a fold-up map. We keep our eye on the Star Post in Zion for we have a guide who is able to deliver us to our final destination. Abraham was promised a land but he traded it to seek God’s city. David was promised a kingdom but he traded it to be reunited with a son who was Solomon’s elder brother. He knew that his son could not come back to him but he would one day go to be with him. Solomon was promised wisdom and wealth above all others but he declared it all to be vanity and knew that one day all must stand in that Holy City before the eternal Judge. He knew that God’s presence is preferred above his promises. Jesus left the eternal city to come into a condemned world and seek out lost humanity. Jesus did not burden himself with things in this world but labored tirelessly to prepare people to seek his Father’s face. Jesus could have returned to that City at anytime but instead he chose to die in this world that he might set at liberty those that were slaves and captives to sin. If he had remained dead, then God’s promises would be all that we have. But on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead securing the greatest of the promises that he might offer mankind an opportunity to live eternally in God’s presence. Are you still chasing promises or have you begun to seek his presence? Are you standing on promises or walking in the direction of his presence?

Robert C. Hudson
August 30, 2009