I. Some Motives for Seeking Jesus
A. CURIOSITY. "and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also" (v. 9).
B. SELFISHNESS. '...Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.' (Jn. 6:26)
C. SOUL DISTRESS. Mary came seeking Jesus to honor and worship Him.
II. Sign on a Pulpit for a New Preacher
1. "Sir, we would see Jesus"
2. Next week: "then were the disciples glad when they saw the Lord"
III. The Setting of This Text
1. Jesus had returned to Jerusalem to die
2. The Triumphal Entry had taken place.
3. Thousands of Jews gathered for Passover.
A. It is the Heart Cry of All Races: 'Sir, we would see Jesus.'
1. Jesus is the Savior of the world, not just of the Jews!
2. A few Greeks at the Passover
a. They longed to know God.
b. Grecian philosophy had failed them.
c. Now they sought God through Judaism.
3. They heard about Jesus.
a. Perhaps intrigued by word of His miracles.
b. Curious about how He could speak with authority.
c. They wanted to see Him, thinking He might enlighten them.
4. All people need Christ because all have sinned. (Rom. 3:23)
5. All can be saved by faith in Him. (Rom. 10:9, 10, 13)
6. There is not one way for the English- speaking people and another way for the African nations, or the Orientals, or the Europeans. There is but One Way to God and that is through faith in His Son: Jesus Christ!
B. It is the Heart Cry of All Who Seek Relief Through Religious Ceremony: 'Sir, we would see Jesus'.
1. These Greeks at Passover were still seeking.
2. There are millions in churches like them.
a. People who have been baptized, but are lost!
b. People who have taken communion, but are lost!
c. People who have joined churches, but are lost!
d. People who have followed creeds and doctrines, but are lost!
3. Eternal life is not given through religious ritual. cf Jn. 1:12-13
a. Not by the will of the flesh.
b. Not by the will of man (can't be conferred).
c. Only Jesus saves!
C. It is the Heart Cry of All Who Seek Reality in the lives of Christians: 'Sir, we would see Jesus.
1. These Greeks came to Philip with their request.
a. It is a reasonable request.
b. It might be asked of every Christian.
c. The world wants to see Jesus through His people.
2. We must face up to this responsibility.
3. We are to be the light of the world. (Matt. 5:16)
III. Conclusion
A. Would You See Jesus?
1. Are you still searching for Him?
2. He is revealed in the Bible:
a. In BETHLEHEM as the Lowly One.
b. In JERUSALEM as the Merciful One
c. In GETHSEMANE As the Suffering One.
d. On THE CROSS As the Redeeming One.
e. In THE RESURRECTION As the Victorious One.
f. In THE HEAVENS. As the Glorified One.
3. He invites you to trust Him and receive eternal life.
a. CONFESSION.
b. SALVATION.
c. TRANSFORMATION.
d. SATISFACTION.
e. GLORIFICATION.
B. Would souls seeking Jesus find Him if they come to us?
1. Will they see Him in what we say?
2. Will they see Him in what we do?
3. Will they see Him in our daily life?