The Unknown Apostle John 1:43-51

1. The Unknown Apostle John 1:43-51

2. We don’t really know who this Nathanael is. • There are several scholars who equate him with Matthew, and others equate him with Bartholomew. • However, only John mentions Nathanael, and it’s possible, therefore, that he was a disciple, but not an apostle. • Jesus had many disciples who were not apostles. • “When it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles” (Lk 6:13). • “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go” (Lk 10:1). • But, Nathanael teaches us much.

3. Nathanael Was brought to jesus by a friend vv 43-45

4. Jesus found Philip and said to him, “Follow Me.” • Philip found Nathaniel and told him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote--Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph,” v 45.

5. Church Growth Center in Monrovia, CA on why people attend church. • 48.2% attend through the influence of a friend. • 14.8 attend through the influence of a relative. • 6.5% attend through the influence of the preacher.

6. Nathanael was prejudiced v 46

7. We need to be careful that we are not prejudiced. • Prejudice is a sin. • “I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality” (1 Tim 5:21). • “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors” (Js 2:8-9).

8. Nathanael was without guile v 47

9. The mention of a true Israelite in whom there is no deceit is certainly a wordplay on Israel. • “Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing” (Gen 27:35). • “What have you done, that you have tricked me and driven away my daughters like captives of the sword?” (Gen 31:26, ESV).

10. Scripture exhorts us to be without guile. • “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth” (1 Pet 2:22). • “In their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God” (Rev 14:5).

11. Nathanael confessed jesus vv 48-49

12. Confession is necessary for salvation. • “Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matt 10:32-33). • “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Tim 6:12).

13. Jesus promised Nathanael would see great things: (v 51). • “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the River Chebar, that the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God” (Ezek 1:1). • “He dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it” (Gen 28:12). • Thus, Jesus becomes the true Israelite who reveals the will of God to nation of Israel.

14. We know very little about Nathanael. But, he was a disciple of Jesus!

15. The world knows little of you. Will you be a disciple of Jesus?