Sermon Summary
In this message rooted in the opening of John’s Gospel, Rev. Gilbert Martinez invites the congregation to encounter the transformative question Jesus posed to early followers: “What are you looking for?” Rather than a casual inquiry, this question becomes a spiritual mirror—asking each of us to examine our longings, motivations, and the deeper desires of the heart. Drawing from the lectionary context for the Second Sunday after Epiphany, Martinez guides listeners to consider how discipleship begins not with certainty but with curiosity and honest seeking.
The sermon unfolds in several movements. First, we are called to recognize that our yearnings—whether for belonging, purpose, peace, or change—are spiritual signposts pointing toward God. Second, we learn that Jesus’ invitation to “come and see” is not an abstract proposition but an embodied call to follow, to experience God’s presence in community and life. Martinez emphasizes that faith grows not in isolation but through encounters—in listening, in questioning, and in walking alongside others committed to love and justice.
Ultimately, “What Are You Looking For?” becomes a call to radical presence: to look honestly at our lives, to see God in ordinary moments, and to follow Jesus in ways that shape how we live, love, and serve. Amid life’s complexities, the question lingers—inviting us back to an authentic, relational faith that transforms both the seeker and the world around them.
Key Takeaways
1. Jesus’ question names our deepest longings: Jesus’ opening question—“What are you looking for?”—is not a test of belief but an invitation to honesty. It assumes that discipleship begins with desire, not certainty. The question exposes what we carry beneath our religious language: longings for belonging, meaning, healing, and purpose. Faith begins when we allow those desires to be named rather than disguised. [00:42]
2. Discipleship begins with curiosity, not answers: The first followers of Jesus do not respond with clarity or confidence; instead, they answer with another question. This exchange reframes faith as a posture of openness rather than mastery. Discipleship emerges through curiosity, vulnerability, and a willingness to follow without fully knowing where the path leads. Seeking becomes a faithful act in itself. [04:18]
3. “Come and see” is an embodied invitation: Jesus does not offer an explanation or doctrine but an experience: “Come and see.” This invitation grounds faith in relationship and presence rather than abstraction. Knowing God is not achieved through distance or analysis alone, but through shared time, proximity, and lived encounter within community. [07:52]
4. Being seen transforms seekers into witnesses: After encountering Jesus, the disciples move from seeking to sharing. The sermon highlights how being truly seen and known compels outward movement toward others. Faith that begins in personal longing expands into communal testimony, not through coercion, but through the joy of discovery and connection. [11:03]
5. The question continues to shape the church: “What are you looking for?” is not only a question for individuals but for the church itself. It challenges communities of faith to examine their motivations: whether they are seeking comfort, control, or genuine transformation. When the church remains attentive to this question, it stays rooted in humility, openness, and faithful response to God’s ongoing call. [14:26]
