January 18th, Sermon & Ministry Resources

"Come and See: An Invitation to Follow" (John 1:29-42)

Lectionary Readings — Second Sunday after the Epiphany — January 18th, 2026

Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

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Call to Worship (based on John 1:29-42)

Leader: Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

People: We come to see the One on whom the Spirit has descended and remained.

Leader: Jesus turns to us and asks, “What are you looking for?”

People: Rabbi, Teacher, we come seeking where You are staying.

Leader: Christ invites us: “Come and see.”

People: We have come and seen; we have found the Messiah!

Leader: The first disciples stayed with Jesus that day, and their lives were forever changed.

People: We too will remain with Him. We will follow where He leads.

Leader: Andrew found his brother Simon and brought him to Jesus.

People: We come not alone, but as a community—seeking, finding, and inviting others to come and see.

Leader: Let us worship the Lamb of God.

All: Let us worship Jesus Christ, the One for whom we have been searching, the One who calls us by name. Amen.

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Opening Prayer (based on Isaiah 49:1-7)

Let us pray:

Gracious and Faithful God,

We gather before You this day, knowing that You have called us by name—even before we drew our first breath, You knew us and loved us. Like servants shaped for Your purpose, we come seeking Your presence and Your will.

We confess that there are times when we labor and wonder if our efforts bear fruit. There are moments when we feel spent, when our strength seems wasted, when we question whether our work matters. Yet even in these seasons of doubt, we hold fast to this truth: our cause is with You, and our reward rests in Your hands.

You are the God who restores what is broken and brings light into darkness. You have called us not only for our own sake, but to be bearers of Your hope to a world in need—to be light that reaches far beyond what we can imagine, to the very ends of the earth.

We praise You that You are faithful, that You do not abandon those You have formed. Though we are imperfect vessels, You polish us and use us for Your glory.

Today, open our hearts to hear Your word. Shape us by Your Spirit. Help us to trust in Your purposes, even when we cannot see the way forward. May our worship this day be pleasing to You, and may we leave this place renewed in our calling to serve You and love others.

In the name of Christ, our light and our salvation, we pray. Amen.

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[NOTE to Paid subscribers — scroll down for the full manuscript sermon]

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Sermon Outline: "COME AND SEE: AN INVITATION TO FOLLOW"

Based on John 1:29-42

INTRODUCTION:

• The passage describes three transformative encounters with Jesus

• A progression from witnessing, to following, to sharing

• The question at the heart of faith: “What are you looking for?” (v. 38)

I. SEE (vv. 29-34)

A. John’s Bold Declaration (v. 29)

B. John’s Personal Experience (vv. 30-33)

C. John’s Definitive Conclusion (v. 34)

II. STAY (vv. 35-39)

A. The Decision to Follow (vv. 35-37)

B. The Question Jesus Asks (v. 38)

C. The Invitation Jesus Extends (v. 39)

III. SHARE (vv. 40-42)

A. Andrew’s Immediate Response (vv. 40-41)

B. Andrew’s Simple Action (v. 42a)

C. Jesus’ Transforming Touch (v. 42b)

CONCLUSION:

• Have you truly seen Jesus as He is?

• Are you staying with Him daily, or just visiting occasionally?

• Who will you share Him with this week?

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Full Manuscript Sermon Below for Paid Subscribers