Sermon Title: “The Seeker – Come and See” Key Scripture: John 1:35-42 Introduction: Good morning, church! Today we begin a new series entitled “Following Jesus: From Seeker to Disciple Maker.” Over the next few weeks, we’ll walk through the four stages of spiritual growth and discipleship modeled by Jesus, as presented in the "Four Chairs" framework by Dann Spader. These chairs represent the journey we all take from discovering who Jesus is to becoming someone who helps others follow Him. Today, we start with Chair 1: The Seeker—the phase where someone is curious about Jesus but hasn’t yet committed. In John 1, we see this stage in the lives of the first disciples as they encounter Jesus for the very first time. Jesus' words to them are simple yet profound: “Come and see.” Scripture Reading: John 1:35-42 (NIV) Jesus’ Invitation to the Curious – “Come and See” (John 1:39) In John 1, we find John the Baptist with two of his disciples. When John sees Jesus passing by, he says, "Look, the Lamb of God!" Upon hearing this, the two disciples—one of whom is Andrew—leave John and follow Jesus. But instead of immediately launching into deep theological teaching, Jesus turns around and simply asks them, “What do you want?” This question from Jesus isn’t just about their physical location or their desire to walk with Him. It’s a probing question that asks, “What is it you are truly seeking?” And how do they respond? "Rabbi, where are you staying?" Their response reveals that they’re intrigued. They want to spend more time with Jesus, but they don’t yet know how to express the deeper spiritual questions they have. So, Jesus doesn’t overwhelm them with answers. He just says, “Come and you will see.” Jesus’ Invitation to the Seeker: His first words to these seekers are not, “Repent,” or "Follow me," but “Come and see.” It’s an invitation to explore, to spend time with Him, to observe, and to discover. Jesus meets them where they are—curious, searching—and offers them a space to learn more. The Characteristics of a Seeker At this stage, seekers are people who are spiritually curious but haven’t yet made a commitment to Christ. They may have questions about faith, doubts, or a desire to explore who Jesus is. Perhaps this describes some of you here today, or it describes people you know in your life—friends, family, coworkers. Let’s explore some of the common characteristics of a seeker: Questions but No Commitments: Seekers often have many questions about God, faith, purpose, and the meaning of life. They might be wrestling with doubts or exploring various spiritual paths. They’re not ready to commit to a relationship with Jesus yet, but they’re open to learning more. Observing from a Distance: Many seekers are hesitant to dive into church or religion right away. They might be attending services or Bible studies, but often they are on the fringes, observing from a safe distance to see if this “Jesus thing” is for them. Curiosity Over Conviction: At this point, seekers are motivated by curiosity. Like Andrew and the other disciple in John 1, they are interested enough to take a step toward Jesus, but they’re not yet convicted in their hearts to fully follow Him. Need for Relational Connections: Seekers are often drawn to Jesus through relationships. Notice that Andrew first encounters Jesus through the testimony of John the Baptist. Later in the passage, we see Andrew immediately going to tell his brother, Peter, about Jesus. Relationships matter in this stage! Jesus Meets the Seeker Where They Are One of the most powerful aspects of Jesus’ ministry is how He always meets people exactly where they are. He doesn’t demand that they be perfect before coming to Him. He doesn’t insist on immediate belief or action. He allows space for curiosity, for doubt, and for exploration. Example of Nicodemus (John 3): Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to Jesus at night because he didn’t want to be seen. He had questions about Jesus but wasn’t ready to publicly declare his faith. Jesus patiently explained the concept of being born again, answering Nicodemus’ questions while giving him space to process. Example of the Samaritan Woman (John 4): When Jesus encountered the woman at the well, He didn’t begin by accusing her of sin or demanding that she change her life. Instead, He asked her for a drink and engaged her in a conversation that eventually led to her discovering who He really was. Example of Zacchaeus (Luke 19): Zacchaeus was a tax collector, an outcast. Jesus didn’t confront him with condemnation. Instead, He said, “Zacchaeus, I must stay at your house today.” This act of relational kindness led to Zacchaeus’ transformation. In each of these examples, Jesus invited people into a relationship before demanding anything of them. He met them in their curiosity and their questions. The same is true for seekers today—Jesus doesn’t require perfect faith. He simply says, “Come and see.” Application: Creating a “Come and See” Environment So, how can we as a church and as individuals foster an environment where seekers feel comfortable to "come and see"? How can we be like Jesus, meeting seekers where they are and inviting them to explore faith in a safe and relational way? Be a Welcoming Church: One of the greatest gifts we can offer seekers is a church that feels welcoming, non-judgmental, and open to questions. This doesn’t mean we compromise the truth of the Gospel, but it does mean we create space for people to explore without pressure. Ask Questions, Don’t Just Give Answers: Often, people in the seeker stage are not ready for all the answers. Jesus started by asking, “What do you want?” We should do the same. Instead of overwhelming seekers with information, let’s ask questions that help them discover their spiritual needs. Build Relationships, Not Just Programs: Programs are good, but relationships are where discipleship happens. Andrew followed Jesus because John the Baptist pointed him in the right direction, and then Andrew brought Peter. People come to faith through relationships. Who in your life needs to be invited to “come and see” Jesus? Be Patient: Spiritual growth takes time. It’s a process. As a church, we need to be patient with seekers. Jesus didn’t rush people into faith; He allowed them the space to explore. We should do the same. Conclusion: Are You Inviting Seekers? As we close today, I want to ask you two questions: Where are you on this journey? and Who can you invite to ‘come and see’? Maybe you are a seeker today. Maybe you’ve been observing Jesus from a distance, curious but not yet committed. Jesus’ invitation to you is simple: Come and see. Explore. Ask your questions. Spend time with Him. He’s not demanding immediate action, but He is inviting you into a relationship. For others of you, you’re further along in the journey, but you know seekers—people in your life who are curious about faith. How can you invite them to “come and see”? Who are you building relationships with that might lead them to Jesus? Let’s make a commitment to be a church that meets seekers where they are, just as Jesus did. Let’s be a church that invites people to come and explore faith, to ask their questions, and to find Jesus for themselves. Prayer: Lord, we thank You for Your patience and kindness toward us, especially when we were seekers, full of questions and doubts. Help us to create an environment where others can come and see who You are. Give us the courage to build relationships and invite people into a journey with You. In Jesus' name, Amen. Final Challenge: This week, I encourage you to think of one person in your life who may be seeking. Reach out to them. Invite them into a conversation about Jesus, and more importantly, invite them to “come and see.” Go in peace, and let’s walk this journey together!