John the Apostle
Grab a 1 John study guide - example of how to read the Bible
John had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. He even had a personal encounter with the risen Christ.
John 20:3-8 NLT
[3] Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. [4] They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. [5] He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. [6] Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, [7] while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. [8] Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed—
John was no saint. He and his brother were nicknamed "The Sons of Thunder". John was passionate, reckless, aggressive when he was younger.
- John asked Jesus to call down fire on a table that rejected them.
- John commanded someone who wasn't part of the disciples to stop casting out demons in Jesus' name.
- John had his mom go talk to Jesus on his behalf to ask about having a special seat on heaven.
2 Peter 1:16 NLT
[16] For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes
John writes about himself as "the one that Jesus loved".
- it's easy to see this as arrogance, but perhaps John was just amazed at Jesus' love for him
- his understanding of God's love helped him grow into a loving person himself
- Jesus saw John's most embarrassing "high school moments". Jesus was the for much of John's life, mistakes and all.
- Jesus even asked John to take care of his mom after he left.
In Johns letter, you won't find 10 techniques to save your soul. You will find a man speaking about how he was transformed, and how you could be too.
Have you ever encountered Jesus?
"Today we have substituted credal belief for personal belief l, and that is why so many are devoted to causes and so few devoted to Jesus Christ"
- Oswald Chambers
1 John 2:6 NLT
[6] Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
Three Purposes
A defiant joy that walks in light
Satan wants to get in your mind. To darken your life.
It is possible to experience deep pain and still hold onto joy. It takes a deep joy, an undercurrent that flows despite all else.
3 John 1:4 NLT
[4] I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.
1 John 2:28-29 NLT
[28] And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. [29] Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.
1 John 4:4 NLT
[4] But you belong to God, my dear children.
You are eternally loved by God. That is your foundation. Now live in this Truth.
An aversion to sin that walks in grace
The longer we follow Jesus, the more vile and gross our sin should become to us.
Have you gotten comfortable with your sin? Have you come to accept it? Do you love it?
If so, you might not be following Jesus. But grace abounds. This is where Jesus wants to love you most deeply.
John won't give you techniques to quit sinning, but he will show you a God who changes everything.
If I still sin, am I still in the family of God.
1 John 5:13 NLT
[13] I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.
It is based on his love for you, not your perfect obedience.
1 John 5:18-19 NLT
[18] We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. [19] We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.
1 John 5:21 NLT
[21] Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.
This is the message that John wants to ring in your ears.
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
[23] Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
Guard your heart because you will want to have a God substitute.
Don't we need some men that have guarded hearts?
We have a lot of people with unguarded hearts.
A guarded heart that walks with Jesus in love
Below are questions that point out idols in your life...
- What is one thing you wish you could change about yourself right now?
- What thing have you sacrificed most for?
- When do you feel most significant?
- What triggers depression in you?
- Where do you turn for comfort when things are not going well?
What might John want to pass down to us if we asked him?
He might say something like: I don't know, but...
Have you met Jesus?
Are you walking with Jesus?
Are you living with an unguarded heart?