The Catalytic Christ - a podcast by Lewis Marsh

The Gospel of John 2021

The Catalytic Christ, John 1:35-50

By Louie Marsh, 4-25-2021

 

One encounter with Jesus Christ is enough to change you, instantly, forever. - Luis Palau

"If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him." – C.T. Studd

"People change when they hurt enough they have to change, learn enough they want to change, receive enough and are able to change." – Tim Goad
 

“You have to be in the light to see the darkness in yourself.” – Unknown pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago

 

“The Christian life is participation in the encounter of Christ with the world.” ― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Ethics

  

When I encounter the Catalytic Christ

 

What’s a Catalyst?

 

Chemistry. A substance, usually used in small amounts relative to the reactants, that modifies and increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed in the process.

 

One that precipitates a process or event, especially without being involved in or changed by the consequences

 

1) I experience of joy of being FOUND.

 

35  The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36  and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” John 1:35-36 (ESV)

 

John uses the word found throughout this passage and it shows us some very important things.

 

• God purposefully SEEKS me out!

 

4  “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7  Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:4-7 (ESV)

 

• Why? Because he loves me & wants to SAVE & TRANSFORM ME.

 

Do you live with the confident knowledge that God is always looking for you?

Do you live knowing He wants to work through you?

 

2) My entire life is radically REARRANGED!

 

43  The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” John 1:43 (ESV)

 

I don’t know what Phillip’s plans for that day were, but hiking all the way to Galilee wasn’t one of them! That would have taken several days walking at least.

 

When you encounter Christ – prepare to have your entire life shake up and rearranged!

 

3) I’m called to a HIGHER PURPOSE.

 

51  And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” John 1:51 (ESV)

 

None of these men had ever dreamed of being part of such huge cosmic events.  They were simple men, living out their quiet little lives. JUST LIKE YOU AND ME!

 

We are all called to a higher purpose – and EVERYTHING in your life feeds into that purpose!

 

28  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (ESV)

 

Recently a lot of us have had some tough times, and our nation and world are going through tough times as well. Do I believe God wants to take that and make the good that will come from it part of His plan for my life?

 

4) Christ becomes the DRIVING FORCE of my life.

 

45  Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46  Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47  Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” 48  Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” 49  Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” John 1:45-49 (ESV)

 

By making that confession Phillip was telling Nathanael his entire life was changed. No longer would he be driven by profit or comfort or popularity. Now his life would be driven by following the Son of God, the Messiah!

 

7  But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— Philippians 3:7-9 (ESV)

 

Ditto for Paul – EVERYTHING changed when he encountered Christ!

• The big question for me: Is that TRUE For Me?

 5) I’m compelled to TELL OTHERS.

 

40  One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41  He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). 42  He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). John 1:40-42 (ESV)

 

All of these men began reaching out to others after they had encountered the Catalyst Christ!

 

 

 

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