What Are You Looking For? Finding Purpose and Hope in Jesus
What Are You Looking For? Finding Purpose and Hope in Jesus
What if the peace, purpose, and answers you've been searching for aren't found in something, but in someone?
Everyone is looking for something. For some, it's peace in the middle of a difficult season. For others, it's a sense of purpose, a fresh start, or the hope that life can be different.
Maybe you're searching for answers to questions you've carried for years. Maybe you've tried everything you know to find happiness, but something still feels missing.
What if the answer isn't another achievement, relationship, or experience?
What if what you're really looking for is Jesus?
In John chapter 1, Jesus asked a question that is just as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago: "What are you looking for?" (John 1:38)
The way we answer that question can change everything.
What Are You Really Searching for in Life?
Imagine someone offered to give you anything you wanted. No limitations. No strings attached.
What would you ask for?
Financial security? Better health? A stronger marriage? A chance to start over?
Our answers often reveal what matters most to us.
There's nothing wrong with wanting a better life. But sometimes we spend so much time chasing what we think will satisfy us that we never stop to ask why we're still searching.
We believe the next accomplishment will bring fulfillment. The next relationship will make us feel complete. The next season of life will finally bring peace.
Yet even when we get what we thought we wanted, we can find ourselves searching again.
What if the deepest longing of your heart points to something this world cannot provide?
Jesus came to offer something greater than temporary happiness. He came to give us a relationship with God that changes how we experience everything else.
And it begins with a simple invitation.
The Question Jesus Asked That Still Matters Today
In John 1:35–39, two disciples of John the Baptist heard him identify Jesus as the Lamb of God.
They began following Jesus, and when He noticed them, He turned and asked: "What are you looking for?"
Think about that for a moment.
Jesus could have started with a sermon. He could have explained His identity, challenged their theology, or demanded a commitment.
Instead, He asked a question.
Their response was surprisingly ordinary: "Rabbi, where are you staying?"
They didn't deliver an impressive statement of faith. They just wanted to know where Jesus was going.
And Jesus responded with three powerful words: "Come and see." (John 1:39)
That invitation changed their lives. Jesus didn't demand that they understand everything before spending time with Him. He invited them to come close enough to discover who He really was. And He extends that same invitation to us.
You Don't Have to Have Everything Figured Out to Come to Jesus
One of the biggest misconceptions about following Jesus is that you have to get your life together first.
Maybe you've thought:
He doesn't say, "Fix yourself, and then you can come." He says, "Come and see."
You don't have to change your life before coming to Jesus. Coming to Jesus is where real change begins.
Think about any meaningful relationship in your life.
When you first met someone who eventually became important to you, you didn't know everything about them. You got to know them by spending time together.
Relationships develop through connection, trust, and shared experiences.
Your relationship with Jesus is no different.
You can memorize Scripture, understand theology, and know the stories of the Bible without ever developing a personal relationship with Him.
Knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus.
The invitation isn't simply to learn more information. It's to encounter the One who can transform your life.
Jesus Sees Who You Can Become
After Andrew spent time with Jesus, he immediately went to find his brother Simon.
He told him: "We have found the Messiah." (John 1:41)
Then Andrew brought Simon to Jesus.
What happened next is remarkable.
Jesus looked at Simon and gave him a new name: Cephas, which is translated Peter.
The name Peter means rock.
But if you know Peter's story, you know he didn't always act like a rock.
He was impulsive. He spoke before thinking. He made bold promises he couldn't always keep. And when Jesus was arrested, Peter denied even knowing Him.
Yet Jesus saw something in Peter that Peter couldn't see in himself.
Jesus wasn't just looking at who Simon was in that moment. He knew who Simon could become through God's transforming work.
That's good news for all of us. Maybe you look at your life and see failure, weakness, insecurity, or regret. Maybe you feel defined by your past. But Jesus sees beyond your mistakes.
Jesus doesn't wait until you become the person you should be before He calls you. He calls you and begins making you into that person.
The Bible says: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." — 2 Corinthians 5:17
Your past doesn't have to determine your future.
In Christ, a new beginning is possible.
What If You Have Doubts About Jesus? Not everyone in John chapter 1 responded to Jesus with immediate excitement. When Philip told Nathanael that they had found the One Moses and the prophets had written about, Nathanael was skeptical.
His response? "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46)
He had already formed an opinion about Jesus before meeting Him.
Maybe you can relate.
Perhaps you've been disappointed by a church. Maybe someone who claimed to follow Jesus hurt you. Maybe you've watched Christians behave in ways that made you question whether their faith was genuine.
Or perhaps you simply have honest questions about God, the Bible, and Christianity.
Those questions matter. And you don't have to pretend they don't exist.
Notice how Philip responded to Nathanael's skepticism. He didn't start an argument. He didn't shame Nathanael for doubting. He didn't try to answer every objection.
He just said: "Come and see."
Sometimes the most powerful response to someone's questions about Jesus isn't an argument. It's an invitation to discover Him personally.
One Encounter With Jesus Can Change Your Perspective
Nathanael accepted Philip's invitation.
And when he approached Jesus, something unexpected happened.
Jesus described Nathanael as a man without deceit.
Nathanael was surprised.
"How do you know me?" he asked.
Jesus answered that He had seen Nathanael under the fig tree before Philip ever called him.
We aren't told everything about that moment under the fig tree. But whatever it meant to Nathanael, Jesus' words deeply affected him.
His response was immediate:
"Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" — John 1:49
The man who had questioned whether anything good could come from Nazareth was now declaring Jesus to be the Son of God.
What changed?
He encountered Jesus.
Nathanael didn't receive more information about Jesus. He experienced something that challenged his assumptions and opened his eyes to who Jesus really was.
And that raises an important question for us.
Have you formed your opinion of Jesus based on what other people have said or done, or have you taken the time to discover Him for yourself?
Churches are made up of imperfect people. Christians don't always represent Jesus well.
But don't let someone's imperfect example keep you from discovering the perfect Savior.
Come and see for yourself.
Who Do You Believe Jesus Really Is?
This is where the story becomes deeply personal.
It's one thing to believe Jesus was a good teacher, a compassionate leader, or an important figure in history.
But Jesus claimed much more.
In John 14:6, He said: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
That's an extraordinary claim.
Jesus didn't just claim to know the way to God. He claimed to be the way.
John the Baptist introduced Him with these words:
"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" — John 1:29
Jesus came to do what we could never accomplish on our own.
Our sin separates us from a holy God. No amount of good behavior, religious activity, or personal improvement can erase that separation.
But through His death and resurrection, Jesus made forgiveness and reconciliation with God possible.
Christianity is not ultimately about becoming a better person through religious effort.
It's about being made new through Jesus Christ.
And that begins when we place our faith in Him.
The Best Is Still Ahead
When Nathanael declared Jesus to be the Son of God, Jesus told him something remarkable:
"You will see greater things than these." (John 1:50)
Then Jesus spoke about heaven being opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. He was pointing back to Jacob's dream in Genesis 28, revealing Himself as the One through whom heaven and earth are brought together.
Nathanael thought he had just experienced something amazing. Jesus was telling him he had only seen the beginning.
The same truth applies to our walk with Christ.
Giving your life to Jesus isn't the end of the story. It's the beginning.
There's more to discover about His character. More to experience of His grace. More opportunities to grow, serve, love, and become the person God created you to be.
Following Jesus doesn't mean life will always be easy.
But it does mean you never have to walk through life without Him.
The longer you walk with Jesus, the more you discover that there's always more to Him than you first imagined.
The Most Important Question You'll Ever Answer
Jesus began this story by asking, "What are you looking for?"
But as we read through John chapter 1, another question emerges: Who do you believe Jesus is?
Not who your parents believe He is. Not what your friends think. Not what you've heard from someone else.
Who do you believe Jesus is?
Because the answer to that question changes everything.
Romans 10:9 says:
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
You don't have to understand everything about Christianity to begin following Jesus. You don't have to pretend your past never happened. You don't have to have all your questions answered.
You can come to Him with your doubts, your struggles, your failures, and your hopes. And you can trust Him with your life.
Take the Next Step: Come and See
Maybe you've spent years searching for peace, purpose, acceptance, or a fresh start.
Maybe you've tried finding those things in success, relationships, possessions, or personal achievement.
And maybe you're beginning to realize that something is still missing.
Jesus is inviting you to discover something more.
Not just another religious experience.
Not another list of rules.
A real relationship with the God who created you, knows you, and loves you.
You don't have to figure everything out today.
But you can take the next step.
Start reading the Gospel of John. Talk honestly with God about your questions. Visit a church where you can learn about Jesus and grow alongside others.
And consider these questions this week:
Andrew didn't. Peter didn't. Nathanael didn't.
But their willingness to come changed their lives.
And it can change yours.
Jesus is more than you think. And when you come to Him, you'll discover that what you've experienced so far is only the beginning.
You're Invited to Reach Church
If you're searching for answers, exploring faith, or looking for a place to belong, we'd love to meet you.
At Reach Church, you don't have to have everything figured out before you walk through the doors. Come as you are, bring your questions, and discover what it means to follow Jesus.
Join us at our Asheboro or Liberty campus.
Come and see. There's more waiting for you.
What if the peace, purpose, and answers you've been searching for aren't found in something, but in someone?
Everyone is looking for something. For some, it's peace in the middle of a difficult season. For others, it's a sense of purpose, a fresh start, or the hope that life can be different.
Maybe you're searching for answers to questions you've carried for years. Maybe you've tried everything you know to find happiness, but something still feels missing.
What if the answer isn't another achievement, relationship, or experience?
What if what you're really looking for is Jesus?
In John chapter 1, Jesus asked a question that is just as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago: "What are you looking for?" (John 1:38)
The way we answer that question can change everything.
What Are You Really Searching for in Life?
Imagine someone offered to give you anything you wanted. No limitations. No strings attached.
What would you ask for?
Financial security? Better health? A stronger marriage? A chance to start over?
Our answers often reveal what matters most to us.
There's nothing wrong with wanting a better life. But sometimes we spend so much time chasing what we think will satisfy us that we never stop to ask why we're still searching.
We believe the next accomplishment will bring fulfillment. The next relationship will make us feel complete. The next season of life will finally bring peace.
Yet even when we get what we thought we wanted, we can find ourselves searching again.
What if the deepest longing of your heart points to something this world cannot provide?
Jesus came to offer something greater than temporary happiness. He came to give us a relationship with God that changes how we experience everything else.
And it begins with a simple invitation.
The Question Jesus Asked That Still Matters Today
In John 1:35–39, two disciples of John the Baptist heard him identify Jesus as the Lamb of God.
They began following Jesus, and when He noticed them, He turned and asked: "What are you looking for?"
Think about that for a moment.
Jesus could have started with a sermon. He could have explained His identity, challenged their theology, or demanded a commitment.
Instead, He asked a question.
Their response was surprisingly ordinary: "Rabbi, where are you staying?"
They didn't deliver an impressive statement of faith. They just wanted to know where Jesus was going.
And Jesus responded with three powerful words: "Come and see." (John 1:39)
That invitation changed their lives. Jesus didn't demand that they understand everything before spending time with Him. He invited them to come close enough to discover who He really was. And He extends that same invitation to us.
You Don't Have to Have Everything Figured Out to Come to Jesus
One of the biggest misconceptions about following Jesus is that you have to get your life together first.
Maybe you've thought:
- I need to understand the Bible better before I come to church.
- I need to deal with some things in my life before I can follow Jesus.
- I have too many questions and doubts.
- I've made too many mistakes for God to want anything to do with me.
He doesn't say, "Fix yourself, and then you can come." He says, "Come and see."
You don't have to change your life before coming to Jesus. Coming to Jesus is where real change begins.
Think about any meaningful relationship in your life.
When you first met someone who eventually became important to you, you didn't know everything about them. You got to know them by spending time together.
Relationships develop through connection, trust, and shared experiences.
Your relationship with Jesus is no different.
You can memorize Scripture, understand theology, and know the stories of the Bible without ever developing a personal relationship with Him.
Knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus.
The invitation isn't simply to learn more information. It's to encounter the One who can transform your life.
Jesus Sees Who You Can Become
After Andrew spent time with Jesus, he immediately went to find his brother Simon.
He told him: "We have found the Messiah." (John 1:41)
Then Andrew brought Simon to Jesus.
What happened next is remarkable.
Jesus looked at Simon and gave him a new name: Cephas, which is translated Peter.
The name Peter means rock.
But if you know Peter's story, you know he didn't always act like a rock.
He was impulsive. He spoke before thinking. He made bold promises he couldn't always keep. And when Jesus was arrested, Peter denied even knowing Him.
Yet Jesus saw something in Peter that Peter couldn't see in himself.
Jesus wasn't just looking at who Simon was in that moment. He knew who Simon could become through God's transforming work.
That's good news for all of us. Maybe you look at your life and see failure, weakness, insecurity, or regret. Maybe you feel defined by your past. But Jesus sees beyond your mistakes.
Jesus doesn't wait until you become the person you should be before He calls you. He calls you and begins making you into that person.
The Bible says: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." — 2 Corinthians 5:17
Your past doesn't have to determine your future.
In Christ, a new beginning is possible.
What If You Have Doubts About Jesus? Not everyone in John chapter 1 responded to Jesus with immediate excitement. When Philip told Nathanael that they had found the One Moses and the prophets had written about, Nathanael was skeptical.
His response? "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46)
He had already formed an opinion about Jesus before meeting Him.
Maybe you can relate.
Perhaps you've been disappointed by a church. Maybe someone who claimed to follow Jesus hurt you. Maybe you've watched Christians behave in ways that made you question whether their faith was genuine.
Or perhaps you simply have honest questions about God, the Bible, and Christianity.
Those questions matter. And you don't have to pretend they don't exist.
Notice how Philip responded to Nathanael's skepticism. He didn't start an argument. He didn't shame Nathanael for doubting. He didn't try to answer every objection.
He just said: "Come and see."
Sometimes the most powerful response to someone's questions about Jesus isn't an argument. It's an invitation to discover Him personally.
One Encounter With Jesus Can Change Your Perspective
Nathanael accepted Philip's invitation.
And when he approached Jesus, something unexpected happened.
Jesus described Nathanael as a man without deceit.
Nathanael was surprised.
"How do you know me?" he asked.
Jesus answered that He had seen Nathanael under the fig tree before Philip ever called him.
We aren't told everything about that moment under the fig tree. But whatever it meant to Nathanael, Jesus' words deeply affected him.
His response was immediate:
"Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" — John 1:49
The man who had questioned whether anything good could come from Nazareth was now declaring Jesus to be the Son of God.
What changed?
He encountered Jesus.
Nathanael didn't receive more information about Jesus. He experienced something that challenged his assumptions and opened his eyes to who Jesus really was.
And that raises an important question for us.
Have you formed your opinion of Jesus based on what other people have said or done, or have you taken the time to discover Him for yourself?
Churches are made up of imperfect people. Christians don't always represent Jesus well.
But don't let someone's imperfect example keep you from discovering the perfect Savior.
Come and see for yourself.
Who Do You Believe Jesus Really Is?
This is where the story becomes deeply personal.
It's one thing to believe Jesus was a good teacher, a compassionate leader, or an important figure in history.
But Jesus claimed much more.
In John 14:6, He said: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
That's an extraordinary claim.
Jesus didn't just claim to know the way to God. He claimed to be the way.
John the Baptist introduced Him with these words:
"Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" — John 1:29
Jesus came to do what we could never accomplish on our own.
Our sin separates us from a holy God. No amount of good behavior, religious activity, or personal improvement can erase that separation.
But through His death and resurrection, Jesus made forgiveness and reconciliation with God possible.
Christianity is not ultimately about becoming a better person through religious effort.
It's about being made new through Jesus Christ.
And that begins when we place our faith in Him.
The Best Is Still Ahead
When Nathanael declared Jesus to be the Son of God, Jesus told him something remarkable:
"You will see greater things than these." (John 1:50)
Then Jesus spoke about heaven being opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. He was pointing back to Jacob's dream in Genesis 28, revealing Himself as the One through whom heaven and earth are brought together.
Nathanael thought he had just experienced something amazing. Jesus was telling him he had only seen the beginning.
The same truth applies to our walk with Christ.
Giving your life to Jesus isn't the end of the story. It's the beginning.
There's more to discover about His character. More to experience of His grace. More opportunities to grow, serve, love, and become the person God created you to be.
Following Jesus doesn't mean life will always be easy.
But it does mean you never have to walk through life without Him.
The longer you walk with Jesus, the more you discover that there's always more to Him than you first imagined.
The Most Important Question You'll Ever Answer
Jesus began this story by asking, "What are you looking for?"
But as we read through John chapter 1, another question emerges: Who do you believe Jesus is?
Not who your parents believe He is. Not what your friends think. Not what you've heard from someone else.
Who do you believe Jesus is?
Because the answer to that question changes everything.
Romans 10:9 says:
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
You don't have to understand everything about Christianity to begin following Jesus. You don't have to pretend your past never happened. You don't have to have all your questions answered.
You can come to Him with your doubts, your struggles, your failures, and your hopes. And you can trust Him with your life.
Take the Next Step: Come and See
Maybe you've spent years searching for peace, purpose, acceptance, or a fresh start.
Maybe you've tried finding those things in success, relationships, possessions, or personal achievement.
And maybe you're beginning to realize that something is still missing.
Jesus is inviting you to discover something more.
Not just another religious experience.
Not another list of rules.
A real relationship with the God who created you, knows you, and loves you.
You don't have to figure everything out today.
But you can take the next step.
Start reading the Gospel of John. Talk honestly with God about your questions. Visit a church where you can learn about Jesus and grow alongside others.
And consider these questions this week:
- What am I really searching for in this season of my life?
- Have I been looking for lasting fulfillment in things that can only offer temporary satisfaction?
- Are unanswered questions, past hurts, or personal struggles keeping me from drawing closer to Jesus?
- Who do I personally believe Jesus is?
- Who could I invite to come and see what Jesus has done in my life?
Andrew didn't. Peter didn't. Nathanael didn't.
But their willingness to come changed their lives.
And it can change yours.
Jesus is more than you think. And when you come to Him, you'll discover that what you've experienced so far is only the beginning.
You're Invited to Reach Church
If you're searching for answers, exploring faith, or looking for a place to belong, we'd love to meet you.
At Reach Church, you don't have to have everything figured out before you walk through the doors. Come as you are, bring your questions, and discover what it means to follow Jesus.
Join us at our Asheboro or Liberty campus.
Come and see. There's more waiting for you.
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Archive
2026
2025
December
Day 17: Your Will Be DoneDay 9: You Are a Child of GodDay 10: Coming to God With ConfidenceDay 11: Hallowed Be Your NameDay 12: The Name Above Every NameDay 13: Worship Aligns the HeartDay 14: Asking in Jesus' NameDay 15: Your Kingdom ComeDay 16: Living Under the KingDay 1: Lord, Teach Us to PrayDay 18: Give Us This Day Our Daily BreadDay 19: Trusting God as Our ProviderDay 20: Forgive Us As We ForgiveDay 21: Deliver UsDay 8: Our Father in HeavenDay 7: Fasting is Preparation Day 6: Raising the SailsDay 5: Preparing for BreakthroughDay 4: When You FastDay 3: When You PrayDay 2: Prayer Is an Invitation
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