R.A. Torrey explores the calling of Jesus' first disciples in John 1:35-51, emphasizing the importance of looking upon Jesus, following Him, and bringing others to Him. He highlights how John the Baptist's testimony led his disciples to seek Jesus, and how their encounter transformed their lives, prompting them to share the good news with others. The sermon illustrates the steps of experiencing Jesus, from hearing and looking to abiding and testifying, showcasing the relational aspect of faith. Torrey also addresses the divine knowledge of Jesus and His ability to see into the hearts of men, as exemplified in His interactions with Nathanael. Ultimately, the message encourages believers to actively seek Jesus and invite others into a relationship with Him.

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS 1. Looking Upon Jesus, vv. 35, 36 What great preacher do we see in the opening verse? How large a congregation did he have? Were they very notable personages? Was it worth while for so great a preacher to preach to so small a congregation of such obscure persons? What was the sermon John preached? What were its characteristics? Had John ever delivered that message before? Ought he not then to have gotten up something new? How much good of which we know came out of that sermon? What was it that caused John to burst out with this earnest cry? What kind of a look was it that he cast upon Jesus as He walked? 2. Following Jesus, v. 37 After looking at Jesus, what did John’s disciples do? Before we can truly follow Jesus, what must we do? By which are we saved, looking or following? (Is. 45:22; John 3:14, 15; Num. 21:9.) What is the relation of following Jesus to being saved by Jesus? (Mark 10:52.) What was it led the two disciples to follow Jesus? (Compare 4:39, 40.) How did John feel when he saw his disciples leaving him and going after Jesus? (See 3:26, 29, 30.) What good example in this matter has John set to all preachers in all ages? Why is it that some men’s hearers never start to follow Jesus? 3. Abiding with Jesus, vv. 38, 39 Were these men regenerated when they started to seek Jesus? Will an unregenerated man seek Jesus? (Ro. 3:11; John 6:44; Luke 7:37, 38.) As soon as they began to follow Jesus, what did He do? What will He always do when we start in pursuit of Him? (Luke 15:20.) What is the full force of the word “saw” (see R. V.)? What question did He put to them? What do men seek when they seek Jesus? (Luke 7:37, 48–50; Mark 10:51; John 6:26, etc.) What are you seeking? What was their answer? What was the meaning of their reply? By what title did they address Him? Had they any reason for giving Him a loftier title than that? Why didn’t they? (Luke 24:25; Matt. 8:26.) What was Jesus’ reply to their request? What is always His word to those who wish to come to Him? (John 6:37; Rev. 22:17.) How did they show their wisdom in the way in which they dealt with Christ’s invitation? Why don’t men today accept Christ’s invitation at once? (2 Cor. 4:3, 4.) Did they do anything besides go to the house? What did they talk about? Was it a happy day? Of what future privilege of ours is this abiding with Jesus a type? (John 14:2, 3.) In how many points is there a similarity? Is He abiding with you? If we cannot now abide with Him what can we do? (John 15:4.) 4. Bringing Others to Jesus, vv. 40–46 Who was one of the two whom John the Baptist had pointed to Jesus? Who was the other? What was the effect of that visit with Jesus upon Andrew? What will always be the effect upon any true brother of a visit with Jesus? Why is it so many professedly Christian young men never go and tell their brothers about Jesus? To whom did Andrew go first? If one desires to preach the Gospel, where is the place to begin? (Luke 8:39.) What was Andrew’s testimony to Peter? Had Andrew been sure when he went home with Him that Jesus was the Messiah? How had he become sure? What is the best way to get assurance that Jesus is indeed the Christ? (John 4:42.) After he had given his testimony, what did Andrew do with Peter? Ought we to stop with giving our testimony about Jesus? What was the first thing that Jesus did as Simon was brought into His presence (see R. V.)? What is the first thing He does when we come into His presence? What kind of look was it? What did Jesus say to Simon as the result of that gaze into his heart? How did Jesus know that Simon would become a Peter (a rock)? (vv. 47, 48; 2:24, 25; 6:70, 71.) What was it that was to transform Simon Peter? (Matt. 16:16–18; 1 John 5:5.) What desire was there in Jesus’ heart next day? Why did He not wish to remain longer where He was? Why did He wish to go into Galilee? Whom did He find there? How did He come to find Philip? Is He looking for any of us? Will He find us? Was it a good thing for Philip that Jesus found him? (Luke 22:28–30.) What was Jesus’ invitation to Philip? Does it pay to accept that invitation? (Matt. 19:28.) How can we follow Jesus today? (1 Peter 2:21; Phil. 2:5–8.) What was Philip’s relation to Andrew and Peter? Had this anything to do with his following Jesus so promptly? As soon as Jesus had found Philip, what did Philip do? When Jesus really finds a man, what is that man sure to do? (See 28, 29.) Why is it some of us are so indifferent about going out and finding some one else? Whom did Philip find? Why did he go to Nathanael (v. 47)? What was Philip’s testimony? What made him so positive? Was Nathanael ready to accept his testimony at once? Why not? What kind of a skeptic was Nathanael? Did he remain a skeptic very long? Will any honest skeptic remain a skeptic very long? What was Philip’s answer to Nathanael’s incredulous question? What is the best answer to any one who questions Jesus’ deity, or that He is the Christ, or that He has the power to save, or that He is altogether what He claims to be? How did Nathanael show that he was an honest skeptic? How do many who claim to be honest skeptics show that they are not? 5. Coming to Jesus, Seeing and Hearing Jesus, and Losing All Doubts About Jesus, vv. 47–51 As Nathanael approached Jesus, what did Jesus do? As He looked at him, what did He see? How did Jesus show that He had penetrated the innermost depths of Nathanael’s soul? What is it to be “an Israelite indeed”? (Phil. 3:3.) What was the effect of Jesus’ declaration upon Nathanael? How was his amazement intensified? How did Jesus know all this? (Ps. 139:1, 2.) What was Nathanael doing under the fig tree? What truth flashed upon him at once? Was he justified in his conclusion? Why did he see it so quickly? (v. 47; 7:17; 8:47.) What was the effect upon Jesus of this ready response of Nathanael’s faith? What promise did He make him? Why should he see greater things? (Matt. 13:12; 25:29.) Why is it that no greater things are given to some of us to see? What were the greater things he was to see? To what is allusion made in the angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man? (Gen. 28:12.) What is meant by their “seeing heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man”? (Heb. 10:19, 20; Eph. 2:18; Heb. 1:4; Luke 24:4; Matt. 25:31.) CLASSIFICATION OF TEACHINGS 1. Jesus Christ (1). His titles: Jesus, Lamb of God, 36; rabbi, 38; Messiah, 41; Jesus of Nazareth, Son of Joseph, 45; Son of God, King (2). His divine knowledge: Of what man was, 42, 47; of what man was to become, 42; of events at a distance, 48. (3). What Jesus is: The medium of communication between God and man, the One through whom God exercises protecting power, 51. (4). Jesus and sinful men: He attracts, 37; He looks at, sees through, transforms, 38, 42, 47; He invites, 39; He welcomes, 38, 39–47; He encourages, 42, 50; He saves, 36. 2. Six Steps of Experience Hearing of Jesus, looking upon Jesus, 36; following Jesus, 37; abiding with Jesus, 39; testifying of Jesus, 41; bringing others to Jesus, 42. 3. Seeking Jesus seeking men, 35, 36, 43; men seeking Jesus, 37, 47; men who have found Jesus seeking others, 41, 45.