sign in sign up
<<
Home , John the Apostle

1 2

9/13/18 1. The name “Ioannes” means whom Yahweh or Yahweh has been gracious. The . John is one of many named John in the , but cearly distinct from the others. Shoddy investigation in police work can mean the Matt. 10:2; Mk. 3:17; Lk. 6:14; :13 difference between seeing the obvious from seeing the * John is the most common name in the U.S, not so obvious. in fact we name, unidentified cadavers, “John doe’s”. Take two sets of footprints on the ground of a crime a. There is John the son of Zacharias and scene; at first they look like they belong to the same Elizabeth. Matt. 3:1, 4, 13 person, but a closer look reveals that the prints are 1) He was the forerunner of . altogether different. 2) He was the voice crying in the * So with John, having studied James, it is easy to wilderness, the prophet of God. assume John is just like James, but a closer look will 3) He is known as . reveal he has a unique print of his own in the b. There is John the son of Mary, the sister Scriptures! of , surnamed Mark, known as John-Mark. We have looked at three of the first group of four in 1) He witnessed the church gather in his the inner circle, Peter and Andrew and James, using house in . Acts 12:12 Matthew’s order. Matt. 10:2-4 2) He accompanied Barnabas and Saul in the first missionary journey, but We want to look at the fourth apostle John by looking turned back, when they got to Perga at three aspects of his life. in Pamphylia. Acts 13:13 I. The man John. 3) He later became the subject of a strong II. The call of John. contention between Paul and III. The apostle John. Barnabas. Acts 15:37-41 4) He is the author of the of Mark. I. The man John. c. There was John, a kinsman of the High Priest. :6 A. The name of John. 1) He was one of many who confronted the Peter and John, after being 3 4

arrested for the healing of the lame 3. John however seems to have had the man at the gate of the Temple called prominent place in the church at Jerusalem, Beautiful. in Acts James is called the of John. 2) He along with the others wanted to * John is called a “pillar of the church” by know “by what power or name they Paul. Gal. 2:9 had done the miraculous work”. 4. John’s mother is believed to be , the 3) John was silent, Peter the spokesman. sister of Mary the mother of , noted in d. There is John the apostle, the son of our study of James making them cousins to we are studying. Mk. 1:19 Jesus, as John the Baptist. Matt. 15:40; Jn. 1) He is the fourth and last of the first 19:25 group of . 5. John was a fisherman along with his brother 2) He is one of the twelve apostles James in the family business of their father chosen by Jesus after an entire night Zebedee in of . Matt. 4:21; in prayer. Lk. 6:12-13 Jn. 1:44 3) He is one of the three in the inner a. The family business was prosperous with circle of Jesus privileged to be present servants and boats, therefore John came at the raising of Jairus daughter, the from a well to do economic level. Mk. transfiguration and the agony in the 1:20 Garden. Matt. 5:37; Lk. 9:27-31; Mk. b. John’s mother, Salome, the wife of 14:32-33 Zebedee, along with other women 4) He is listed last in Matthew, third in ministered of their substance to Jesus and Mark and Acts and last in Luke. His disciples. Matt. 27:55, 56; Mk. 15:20-41 B. The home of John. c. John’s family was partners with Peter 1. John was one of the two sons of Zebedee, and Andrew, the business was not only the other being James. Matt. 4:21; Mk. 1:19; prosperous but had expanded from it’s Lk. 5:10 inception perhaps. Lk. 5:10 2. John is often called the “brother of James”, 6. John’s family was known to the High Priest re-enforcing he was the older, most likely and for that reason he was able to enter the indicating that he was the older of the two. courtyard and get Peter in, when Jesus was Matt. 10:2; 17:1; Mk. 3:17; 5:37; Lk. 6:14 taken to Anas. Jn. 18:15 5 6 a. We so often have a picture of the e. We now can better understand when apostles as being very poor for the most Peter says, “Lord, we have left all”. Matt. part, but by our study we are seeing that 19:27; Mk. 10:28; Lk. 18:28 it was not the case per say. * “Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to b. Peter, Andrew, James and John by the you, that in the regeneration, when the standards of the day were in a prosperous Son of Man sits on the throne of His family business for themselves. glory, you who have followed Me will c. Matthew was a tax-collector, therefore also sit on twelve thrones, judging the was of considerable wealth by the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone custom of extracting more than was due. who has left houses or or d. Up to this point we see, that five of the sisters or father or mother or wife or twelve were not poor as we perhaps have children or lands, for My name's sake, often thought they were. shall receive a hundred-fold, and 1) If we exclude Judas Ischariot, even inherit eternal life. Matt. 19:28-29 though he stole from the treasury box, it means that at 45.5 % of them, up to C. The brother of John. this point had a fairly good economic 1. John’s brother was James, the son of level, prior to being called to Zebedee. following Jesus. 2. John and James, again like Peter and 2) This does not mean that Andrew, being brothers were different and were wealthy and wore designer yet similarities, at the same time. jeans, like the “Positive confession or 3. Both had the same parents, upbringing and faith movement” teachers have taught, probably the same friends. to corruptly teach their health and 4. Both had the same trade, fishermen. wealth doctrine for Christians, as their 5. Both were disciples of our Lord. “divine right”. 6. Both were chosen to be apostles. * Teachers like Fred Price, Kenneth 7. Both were different, in order to be unique in Copland and Kenneth Haiggan are the purposes and plan of God. some of the more prominent ones! Illustration 7 8

There could be no greater example of two brothers their father, mending their nets. He called being raised in the same home and at the same time so them, and immediately they left the boat and different, as Cain and Able! their father, and followed Him, declaring two things. vs. 21-22 Application a. They immediately left the boat and their 1. John type individuals have a stability about them. father. 2. John type individuals can appreciate their older or b. They followed Him, Jesus. younger brother. * They left the pursuit of their lives and 3. John type individuals are individuals, yet they see followed pursuit of Jesus and His will. themselves as one of many. 4. John type individuals are in the background, not the B. The call of John came at the is focus, yet used greatly. supplimented by the other . 1. Mark only adds the fact that they had hired This was the man John! servants. Mk. 1:20 2. Luke tells us that when John and James saw II. The call of John. the great catch of fish their boat sinking due to the amount of fish, Peter confessing his A. The call of John came at the Sea of Galilee. sinfulness before the Lord and the Lord Matt. 4:18-22 telling Peter, “Do not be afraid, from now on 1. Jesus had just called two brothers. vs. 18-19 you will catch men”, they brought their a. He was walking by the Sea of Galilee, boats into land and they forsook all and Simon called Peter and Andrew his followed Him. Lk. 5:6-11 brother, as they were casting a net into 3. John Himself supplements the call of Jesus the sea; for they were fishermen. vs. 18 on his life in his own gospel, as he records b. He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will himself as the mysteriously and nameless make you .” vs. 19 , along with Andrew, two disciples 2. They immediately left their nets and of John the Baptist, who were pointed to followed Him. vs. 20 “the Lamb of God”. Jn. 1:35-40 3. Going on from there, He saw two other 4. John by his own admission of being pointed brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and to Jesus earlier says the Galilee call was his John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee 9 10

second, like it had been for Andrew and a. At times men called get out of their call tring to Peter. do things God has not called them to. a. Jesus loves to work in and with families b. At other times they also begin to operate as His instruments to reach the world. outside of their gifts. b. Jesus also works through people c. They become organizers and fund raiser, rather movements as He pours out His Spirit in than shepherds of the flock. particular places and times soveriegnly to d. They become celebrities, rather than servants. do a work of grace. * They make the same mistake bringing hurt to 1) This is kind of what happened when I themselves as Uzziah when he offered up and many of my friends were saved in incense and God struck him with leprosy. the early seventies! 2Chron. 26:16-23 2) Many of us are in ministry today, after 3. The call of God, though it sees potential, is not due twenty-six years or so. to the potential in man, but God’s grace and c. The call of John is like that of Andrew, sovereignty. Peter and James, a call to internship or a. God is indebted to no man. apprenticeship. b. God is dependent on no man. c. God is able to us all men and women. Illustration * Paul says, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the Great was asked how he had conquered the wisdom and knowledge of God! How the world, replied, “By not delaying”. #4782 unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known Application the mind of the LORD? Or who has become 1. The call of John was in the course of his daily His counselor? Or who has first given to profession as so often it will be with us. Him And it shall be repaid to him? For of a. Jesus met them where they were at, “I will Him and through Him and to Him are all make you fishers of men”. Matt. 4:19 things, to whom be glory forever. Amen”. b. Jesus accompanies the necessary gifts, Rom. 11:33-36 according to the measure of grace and faith He gives that we not be lifted in pride. Rom. 12:3 This was the call of John! 2. The call of God on man is never the problem; it is the lack of faithful contentment of the man called. III. The apostle John.

11 12

A. John like James was a strong aggressive and b. “And when His disciples James and John zealous individual but the lesser of the two. saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want 1. Jesus remember had given to John and us to command fire to come down from James the name Boanerges, “Sons of heaven and consume them, just as Thunder”. Mk. 3:17 did?” vs. 54 a. Mark alone gives us this particular c. But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and characteristic of the Zebedee boys and I said, “You do not know what manner of don’t think Jesus gave the name “Sons spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did of Thunder” because they were mild not come to destroy men's lives but to tempered or a pacifist. save them. And they went to another b. The Lord gave them that name due to village.” vs. 55-56 their young hot tempered zeal, being very 1) John and his brother James thought assertive, John was a go getter. they were of Elijah’s spirit to Bar-Be- c. As we stated in our study of James, I Que these , who dared to think when people saw the brothers insult and dishonor their Lord. coming they got out of the way. 2) John and his brother were naturally d. You would be a foolish Galilean to try yielding to their carnal flesh and and cheat John and James in business! confusing it for spiritual zeal. 2. Jesus one day as we have pointed out was 3) John and his brother were impatient in rejected by the Samaritan because He was their spirits and intolerant in their headed towards Jerusalem. Lk. 9:51-56 thinking! a. “Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He B. John was a very ambitious individual. steadfastly set His face to go to 1. One day John and his brother James Jerusalem, and sent messengers before petitioned to reign with Jesus. Mk. 10:35-45 His face. And as they went, they entered a. John being one of the inner circle, like a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for James had been given special privilege Him. But they did not receive Him, and considered themselves as favorites of because His face was set for the journey Jesus, asking “We want You to do to Jerusalem.” vs. 51-53 whatever we ask. vs. 35 13 14 b. John as James petitioned to sit on the and be baptized with His baptism, to right and left hand, in His glory. vs. 37 which you know, they responded without 1) John was one of the three who saw hesitation, “We are able”. vs. 38-39a-b Jairus’ daughter raised. Mk. 5:37;Lk. * They were self-centered individuals 8:51 who were ambitious to be great by 2) John had also been one of the three to thinking that they were greater than see Jesus transfigured in His glory the other ten! speaking with both and Elijah. d. Jesus then prophesied about how John Matt. 17:1-8; Mk. 9:2-8; Lk. 9:28-36 and his brother would partake of the 3) John later would be one of the four on sufferings of Christ, drinking the cup and the Mount of Olives to ask the Lord the baptism. vs. 39c-d when His coming would be, the sign * Remember John and James thought of His coming, the end of the age. Jesus was going to Jerusalem to James therefore concluded whatever destroy , to set up His kingdom! he asked Jesus, He would not deny e. And when the ten heard it, they began to him, but he was wrong. Mk. 13:3-4 be greatly displeased or indignantly a) The strange combination of angry with John and James. vs. 41 aggressive zeal, ambitious with a 1) The reason being, that the ten had the sectarian attitude of a couple of same thing in mind but the two beat ruffians, yet kind of Mamas boys as the ten to it. Matthew tells us their mother 2) The ten could not believe the interceded for this very request to presumptuous, sell-centered, arrogant Jesus. Matt. 20:20-28 ambition of the two. b) I wonder if they did not get some f. John was a very ambitious person of these traits from their mother, even wantiing to be great and had the strong a learned his conniving from aggressive personality to go for things, Rachel, his mother. not considering the damage they cause. c. Jesus knowing their motive for personal benefit asked if they knew what they C. John being a very strong, aggressive, zealous were asking and about their ability to and ambitious individual became a great drink of the cup He was going to drink instrument of God. 15 16

1. John one day told Jesus, “Teacher, we saw 3. John in his exclusiveness, saw that there was one casting out demons in Your name; and room for the Gentiles to be included in the we forbade him, because he followed not church, apart from the law as he witnessed us”. Mk. 9:38; Lk. 9:49 the grace of God over the Gentiles at the a. Jesus told John, “Do not forbid him, for first church council, giving Paul and no one who works a miracle in My name Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, along can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For with Peter and James, the Lord’s brother, all he who is not against us is on our side”. being pillars of the church. Acts 15; Gal. 2:9 Mk. 9:39-40 4. John in his openness to turn all those sinful * The only time John is mentioned by qualities over to the Lord and was name transformed into more like Jesus. b. John leaned towards intolerance and a. John is know as “the disciple that Jesus exclusiveness and sectarian thinking! loved”. Jn. 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20 c. John learned his lessons well and yielded b. John is identified by his own pen at the to His Lords transformation and known as the one “leaning on Jesus’ as “the apostle of ”. bosom one of His disciples whom Jesus 2. John in his selfish ambition saw the “secret loved”, eager to learn. Jn. 13:23 of greatness”, not in serving, but in being c. John was the only apostle at the cross served by others, till after ! Mk. and Jesus committed His mother Mary to 10:43 John, being sympathetic, “When Jesus a. John and Peter were the instruments to saw His mother, and the disciple whom heal the lame man at the gate called He loved standing by, He said to His Beautiful. :1 mother, “woman, behold your son!” b. John and Peter went down to to Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, confirm the report that they had received your mother!” and from that hour that the word of God and as they laid hands disciple took her to his own home. Jn. on them, the received the . 19:26-27 :14-17 d. John and Peter were told by the woman * He is really behind the scenes, not the at the tomb that the body of Jesus had center of attention! been taken away from the tomb, both 17 18

running, John outran Peter, being e. John is the true and faitful witness of younger. Jn. 20:1-8 Jesus to all who read his books! 1) John stooped down to look and saw 6. John according to tradition was the only the linen but he did not go in. vs. 5 apostle who died of old age around 98 A. D. 2) Peter ran in full speed and saw the a. Tradition tells us that John never left cloths lying there, all folded together. Jerusalem till Mary died. vs. 6-7 b. John according to went to 3) Then John, “the other disciple”, went Rome, “was plunged, unhurt, into boiling in and believed. vs. 8 oil, and then exiled on an island”, e. John., “The disciple whom Jesus loved”, . (Presc.Her. 36) was the one at the Sea of Galilee who c. John in his old age was the Pastor of recognized the Lord first, telling Peter, , after years of leadership in “It is the Lord”. Jn. 21:7 Jerusalem, where he is said to of written f. John was made a rumor by the disciples, the five books. (Hist. III.18,1; 20.9; 23.4) that he would not die till the Lord d. tell that John opposed the returned, namely Peter but it was not heretic and in his old age, what the Lord said. Jn. 21:20-22 when he could not speak with his former 5. John was used by the Lord to be the author vigor, was carried in to the meeting and of five books. simply said repeatedly, “Little children, a. The . love one another”. (Her. III.3, 4, b. The first, second and third of Commentary on :10) John. c. The . Illustration d. In these books he is characterised by the It has been said, “The only apostle that did not certain words. become a servant of Jesus became a traitor of Jesus, 1) Love. eighty-three times in it’s various Judas Ischariot!” forms. * True servants, serve their Master the Lord Jesus, 2) Life, fifty-six times. traitors serve themselves! 3) Light, thirty-one times. 4) Witness, testify and record, seventy- Application nine times. 19 20

1. God takes men like John who are strong aggressive Conclusion and zealous individual and enables them to trust in These are the lessons from the fourth apostle John by their own righteousness but to know Him, the power focusing on three aspects of his life. of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His I. The man John! sufferings, being conformed to His death, and be more II. The call of John! like Christ. Phil. 3:8-11 III. The apostle John! a. Jesus is not so interested in what you are, as much as in what you can become by yielding to Him. Rom. 12:1-2

b. The principle was stated by John, “He must increase and I must decrease.” Jn. 3:30 2. God takes men like John who are ambitious and makes them ambitious for the things of God. Matt. 6:33 a. John was a good listener, better than the others. b. John stayed closer to Jesus than the any other. c. John was a good observer, better than the others. d. John learned from the rebukes of Jesus, not being sectarian, intolerant or a seeker of greatness. e. John came to be know as the apostle of love. f. John lived longer than the others and was used tremendously. * Take all these under the control of the Holy Spirit, a passion for God, His truth, that man will be an uncompromising effective, and a powerful witness of Jesus, revealing the love of God!

This was John the apostle!