January 18, 2026 Welcome to Trinity!
Basic Theme: When we encounter Jesus, He sees us, knows us, and gives us a new name. John declares Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the world’ s sin. Two of John’ s disciples follow, and Jesus asks,“ What are you seeking?” One of them, Simon, is renamed Cephas / Peter—“ Rock.” Meeting Christ is never neutral; it always re-identifies us. We leave behind old labels and receive a new identity rooted in who He says we are.
Sermon Snapshot( Key Points): John the Baptist points:“ Behold the Lamb of God!” Two disciples immediately follow Jesus. He turns and asks the most important question we will ever answer:“ What are you seeking?” When they ask where He is staying, He says,“ Come and see.” Andrew brings Simon to Jesus, and with one look Jesus declares,“ You are Simon … you shall be called Cephas( Rock).” Before Peter ever does anything noteworthy, Jesus names what he will become. The gospel still works this way: Jesus sees, calls, renames, and transforms.
So What? What names or labels( failure, addict, unworthy, victim, too busy) do you still answer to that Jesus has never spoken over you? When Jesus asks you,“ What are you seeking?” what is your honest answer— comfort, success, approval, or Him? If your new name in Christ is“ beloved child,”“ sent one,” or“ forgiven,” why do you keep introducing yourself by the old name?
Do This! This week, write down the harshest or most persistent label you carry that is from your past or from the enemy. Cross it out. Beneath it, write the new name you believe Jesus has spoken( or wants to speak) over you from Scripture( e. g., Beloved, Forgiven, Mine – Isa 43:1). Place the paper where you will see it every morning. Speak the new name out loud daily until it begins to feel truer than the old one.
Scripture Reading: John 1:29-42( NIV)
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The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said,“ Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said,‘ A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 Then John gave this testimony:“ I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,‘ The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’ s Chosen One.” 35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said,“ Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked,“ What do you want?” They said,“ Rabbi”( which means“ Teacher”),“ where are you staying?” 39“ Come,” he replied,“ and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon. 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’ s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him,“ We have found the Messiah”( that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said,“ You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas”( which, when translated, is Peter).
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