John 1:28-51

Illustration of John 1:31-33 NLT -- [John the Baptizer said,] "I did not recognize [Jesus] as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel." Then John testified, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. I didn't know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'"

Illustration of John 1:47-49 NLT -- As [Philip and Nathanael] 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." Then Nathanael exclaimed, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God — the King of Israel!"

Illustration of John 1:44-46 NLT -- 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.

Illustration of John 1:35-37 NLT -- The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, "Look! There is the Lamb of God!" When John's two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

Inspirational illustration of John 1:50-51 -- You haven't seen anything yet! Before this is over, you will see heaven open and God's angels descending to the Son of Man and ascending again.

Illustration of John 1:31-32 NLT -- [John the Baptizer said,]  "I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel." Then John testified, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him."

Illustration of John 1:40-41 NLT -- Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means "Christ").

Illustration of John 1:33-34 NLT -- [John the Baptizer said,] "I didn't know [Jesus] was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God."

Illustration of John 1:33-34 NLT -- [John the Baptizer continued,]  "I didn't know he [Jesus]  was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, 'The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God."

Illustration of John 1:50-51 NLT -- Jesus asked [Nathanael], "Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this." 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."

Illustration of John 1:41-42 -- The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah!"

Inspirational illustration of John 1:41-42 -- The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah!"

Illustration of John 1:38-39 NLT -- Jesus looked around and saw [John the Baptizer's two disciples] following. "What do you want?" he asked them. They replied, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?" "Come and see," he said. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

Illustration of John 1:43 NLT -- The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, "Come, follow me."

Illustration of John 1:30 NLT -- [About Jesus, John the Baptizer said,] "He is the one I was talking about when I said, 'A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.'"

Illustration of John 1:29 NLT -- The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"

Illustration of John 1:42 NLT -- Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, "Your name is Simon, son of John — but you will be called Cephas" (which means "Peter").

Illustration of John 1:26-28 NLT -- John told them, "I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I'm not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal." This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.