John, The Love Gospel

Note: Further down in the message I have a chart on the use of the word love in the gospels, I cannot get it to format correctly on sermoncentral. If you want a Word doc contact me. Blessings! Maurice

John, the Gospel of Love

PPT 1 Series title Behold

To behold means to give something our undivided attention

Behold means here is something incredible for you to observe

Behold means God wants to open your eyes to something.

Behold our great High priest.. Behold what manner of love…We beheld His glory…

Today this is our topic:

PPT 2 Message Title

Today I want to give an overview of the gospels with special emphasis on the gospel of John, and show why it is rightly called the “Love gospel.” Amazing fact, the gospel of John is the only gospel that says God loves us.

The gospels are the spiritual equivalent of the Himalyas of the bible, they rise above all the other books because of their subject matter, and the gospel of John is Mt.. Everest of those peaks. And Jesus is the summit of Everest. No one extols or reveals Jesus better than John as you will see.

I liken the gospels to the four sides of a house. The sides and the back are similar, the front is more grandiose. John’s gospel is the grandiose one. I don’t want you to get the wrong impression of that I am saying the other three gospels are inferior, what I am trying to say is that John’s gospel excels because He shows Jesus in a more magnificent light. And Jesus is the crown jewel of all scripture. It also talks about God loving us in ways the others don’t, as you will see in this message.

I start with Marks gospel, because it was probably the 1st written. Between 50-60 AD

He was not an Apostle. Prior to his gospel the church lived on eyewitness testimony, and oral tradition for between 20-30 years. There were accounts of Jesus life written down but they were never accepted as scripture. More on that when we get to Luke. James and Galations were probably the first NT books written, then Mark.

Mark’s actual name is John, but he was also called Mark.

PPT 3 text

Acts 12:12 And when he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was also called Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.

This verse is talking about Peter when he was miraculously released from jail. Mark’s mother Mary was apparently wealthy it is in her house that Peter went to when released from prison, her house in which the upper room of Acts was situated, and some believe the last supper was also in her house. How much of Jesus life and ministry Mark was involved in we don’t have enough information on. He did travel with the Apostle Paul for a season. After leaving Paul, Mark got much of his material for his gospel from being close to and travelling with Peter. He is later known to have been a bishop. So he became a preacher himself.

Here are some of the unique things about his gospel:

It is the shortest gospel. 16 chapters, next is John at 21, Luke at 24, and Matthews is the longest at 28 chapters. Mark emphasizes healing and demons extensively. In his first chapter Jesus is tempted by the devil, and casts out a demon. This activity of Jesus is front and center in the gospel of Mark and is credited with bringing Jesus much fame. He has more exorcisms than any of the other gospels. And you will be surprised to note there is not one demon cast out in the gospel of John. It is as if John has made a conscious decision to only highlight Jesus.

PPT 4 text

Mark 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

Mark 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Only Mark gives healing commands of Jesus in the Syriac language: Talitha cumi, maiden arise, Ephphatha-be opened. It is also the only place in the New Testament where Jesus is referred to as "the son of Mary", and the only gospel where Jesus himself is called a carpenter;(Mk 6:3) in Matthew he is called a carpenter's son.

Mark 16:9-20 is perhaps one of the most controversial portions of scriptures. Drink deadly poison, speak in tongues etc. It is found in 99% of all ancient manuscripts. There are other scriptures that illustrate or say the same things.