Sermon: Thunder and Love:
Thesis: Exploring the life of John, one of the Sons of Thunder. Jesus renamed these two for their zeal, passion, defense and proclamation of Jesus and The Word.
Mark 3:16-19: The disciples James and John named as “Sons of Thunder.”
Luke 9:51-56: The Samaritan Opposition – James and John in this incident inherited their name from Jesus!
John was a zealous as his brother James was – We have the encounter John had with a person preaching Jesus and casting out demons:
Mark 9:38-41: Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us:
38“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” 39“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us. 41I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.”
John is one who brings this scenario to Jesus who then rebukes him!
Introduction:
The name thunder reveals what Jesus saw James and John becoming for the kingdom of God:They would be Son’s of Thunder!
* It seems like – every time thunder was mentioned in Scripture, it was a display of the power of God. We see on Mt Siani when Moses received the law, we see it around the throne in Heaven from Revelation. We see it, in Job 40:9 says, “Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like His?”
It’s like the voice of THUNDER, was the VOICE OF GOD. So, could it be that when Jesus renamed James and John the “Sons of Thunder” it was HIS way of saying --- THIS is who you’re going to become? You will become the VOICE of God; You will become men who will declare the POWER of God.
These two men would declare the truth of God – by speaking with the voice of God (His Word) and because it was the Word of God power came to back it up from on high. People were healed, people were delivered, they spread the Gospel and planted churches!
• Sons of Thunder – Sons of the voice God!
• Sons of Thunder – Power of God manifest through their lives!
• Sons of Thunder – Voicing the Word of God with power!
• Sons of Thunder – proclaiming the Truth of God with authority!
T.S. – The thunder of God is the voice of God – the word of God - which brings the power of God.
I. John’s 2nd most talked about subject was the subject of Truth – We could ask the question “What is truth?” Many people are asking this question today!
a. Pilate even asked this question to Jesus.
i. Yes, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, did ask Jesus, "What is truth?". This question is recorded in the Gospel of John.
1. John 18:36-38:
a. Jesus Before Pilate … 36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 37“Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason, I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.” 38“What is truth?” Pilate asked. And having said this, he went out again to the Jews and told them, “I find no basis for a charge against Him. 39But it is your custom that I release to you one prisoner at the Passover. So then, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
2. What is truth – Jesus did answer this question during his ministry here on the earth. John picked up on this topic of Jesus and he wrote about it in the Gospel of John and other writings.
a. John 14:6: “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
i. Note this is a absolute statement – no exceptions! Jesus is the only way to Heaven. There is no other way – none!
ii. Jesus is the only person revealed in Scripture who spoke more on truth than John!
b. John 8:32: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
i. Jesus is the door to truth and His truth will set you free from sin and condemnation! Jesus is the only one who can set us free.
ii. Knowing truth – God’s Word in the flesh Jesus – is what sets us free from the chains of sin!
c. John 1:17: “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
i. What came through Jesus – Truth and Grace!
ii. Jesus His life and His message brought us Truth and Grace!
b. So let me ask the question again, “What is truth?”
i. How would you answer this question if someone asked you? Jesus is the truth! Scripture reveals this over and over and John is the biggest promoter of Jesus as the truth!
1. Jesus Words are the truth – His message is truth and God the Father tells us to listen to His words of truth – because these words will set you free.
ii. Let’s look at Truth, in essence, it is the correspondence of a statement or belief with reality backing it up. It's what is real, what is factual, and what aligns with the way things actually are in this reality we live in. In simpler terms, truth is what is, and falsity is what is not.
1. The Bible – God’s Word reveals Truth – It is the bestselling book every single year in the world – it’s sold more copies than any other book in history – The Bible reveals God’s truth – reveals God’s mission – for the salvation of mankind – This revelation from the Word of God brings freedom from sin – it breaks the chains of sin off us and gives us the grace and mercy of Jesus.
a. John’s writings in the New Testament were dominated by speaking absolutely about Truth!
i. He speaks frequently about truth and emphasizes how black and white it is in knowing truth. He uses the word Truth 25x in the Gospel of John and in his three Epistles 20x.
b. John is second only to Jesus in speaking so much about truth.
i. MacArthur states this about John’s focus on truth: “John's zeal for the truth shaped the way he wrote. Of all the writers of the New Testament, he is the most black and white in his thinking. He thinks and writes in absolutes. He deals with certainties. Everything is cut-and-dried with him. There aren't many gray areas in his teaching, because he tends to state things in unqualified, antithetical language.”
1. For example, in his Gospel, he sets light against darkness, life against death, the kingdom of God against the kingdom of the devil, the children of God against the children of Satan, the judgment of the righteous against the judgment of the wicked, the resurrection of life against the resurrection of damnation, receiving Christ against rejecting Christ, fruit against fruitlessness, obedience against disobedience, disobedience, and love against hatred. He loves dealing with truth in absolutes and opposites. He understands the necessity of drawing a clear line.
a. MacArthur, John F.. Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You (pp. 97-98). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
c. But John also wrote the most about Love giving him the name “Apostle of Love”
i. John mentions love 80x in his Gospel and Epistles.
ii. John wrote more than any other New Testament author about the importance of love — laying stress on these subjects:
1. Christian's love for Christ, Christ's love for His church, and the love for one another that is supposed to be the hallmark of true believers.
a. He listened to Paul in 1 Cor. 13:
2. Real love- does not rejoice in iniquity (sin), but rejoices in the truth.”
iii. The theme of love flows through his writings. But love was a quality he learned from Christ, not something that came naturally to him. In his younger years, he was as much a Son of Thunder as James but age and the Spirit helped to balance him out.
1. MacArthur, John F.. Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You (p. 96). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition
d. John changed over the years from being The Son of Thunder (very aggressive for guarding the name of Jesus and the mission) to the Apostle of Love.
i. We all need to learn this lesson of the balance of Truth and Love.
e. It’s the equilibrium we need to become mature Christians!
i. I have met too many unbalanced professing, Christians.
1. The TRUTH Hammers:
a. They speak truth with harsh, judgmental attitudes and demeanors. They beat people up with the Bible and feel God is with them. I see in these individuals a lack of love and empathy for others and usually a self-righteous spirit with them. The Pharisees were like this!
2. The LOVE cupids:
a. They speak about love all the time and flutter around shooting their arrows of love into others. But their concept of love is not a biblical love. It’s a demeanor where God is love and no one will be judged or go to Hell. This out of balance love makes excuses for people who willingly choose to sin against God’s Word and even rewrite the Word of God and have these out of balance individuals telling you are good just the way you are.
f. John learned from Jesus – that you must declare equally Truth and Love – and maintain the balance Jesus did in confronting evil in this world.
c. Other ways to look at the truth:
i. The Correspondence Theory: This is a common philosophical perspective that defines truth as a relationship between a belief or statement and the way things are in the world. If a belief aligns with reality, it's considered true.
1. Jesus words and ministry aligned with the reality of Heaven and earth!
2. God’s Word reveals what is true and what is false in this world!
3. God’s word speaks to crowds as well as to individuals personally!
4. God’s voice is personal – it thunders in our soul awakening the spirit within men – resurrecting the soul of man and sets it free.
ii. Another way to look at truth: Fact vs. Belief: It's important to distinguish between facts and beliefs. Facts are objective truths based on evidence, while beliefs are subjective and may or may not be true. Many people form their own beliefs based on life experience – their experience trumps facts, historical context, science, and the Bible. The Bible facts:
1. While faith plays a crucial role in believing the Bible is trustworthy, there are compelling arguments and evidence that support its reliability – it is a factual book aligning with historical records and witness. :
2. Fulfilled Prophecy: The Bible contains numerous specific prophecies, particularly about the Messiah (Jesus), that were fulfilled centuries later. Examples include the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), his suffering and death (Isaiah 53), and his resurrection (Psalm 16:10). The accuracy of these fulfilled prophecies suggests a divine source for the Bible.
a. The number of fulfilled prophecies in the Bible is a point of discussion among biblical scholars and individuals with different interpretations. Some sources estimate there are around 2,500 prophecies, with about 2,000 already fulfilled. Other sources suggest a different number, with 1,817 prophecies and 789 fulfilled. The remaining prophecies are seen as either having yet to be fulfilled or being progressively fulfilled throughout history.
3. Historical and Archaeological Evidence: Archaeological discoveries consistently confirm details about people, places, and events described in the Bible. For example, the Tel Dan Stele mentions the "House of David," corroborating the biblical account of King David. The Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed a blind man, was also recently discovered, further validating biblical narratives. While archaeology cannot prove divine inspiration, it does provide strong evidence that the Bible is rooted in historical reality.
a. It's impossible to give a precise number of fulfilled archaeological discoveries because there are countless excavations and findings happening worldwide. However, archaeological findings have consistently supported, rather than contradicted, historical accounts, including those in the Bible according to Smithsonian Magazine.
4. Manuscript Evidence:
a. The New Testament has more manuscript evidence than any other ancient work, including over 5,800 Greek manuscripts. This abundance of manuscripts allows scholars to compare and reconstruct the original text with high accuracy. The early dating of these manuscripts, some within a generation or two of the original writings, reduces the likelihood of significant alterations or errors. Additionally, the Old Testament's textual transmission is also remarkably accurate, supported by the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Masoretic Text.
5. Internal Consistency and Coherence: Despite being written by diverse authors over a period of approximately 1,500 years, the Bible presents a remarkably unified narrative about God's plan for humanity. Recurring themes and consistent messages across different books suggest an overarching divine authorship.
a. The Bible was written by approximately 40 authors across three continents. The authors were active over a period of roughly 1,600 years. These authors included kings, teachers, shepherds, and fishermen, among others. The three continents where the Bible was written are Asia, Africa, and Europe.
b. The Bible was written in three languages: Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. The Old Testament was primarily written in Hebrew, while the New Testament was largely written in Greek. Aramaic was also used in certain parts of the Bible.
6. The Bible's Transformative Power: Many individuals testify to the life-changing impact of the Bible, experiencing transformation and finding purpose through its teachings.
a. It's difficult to put an exact number on how many people have been transformed by reading the Bible, as it's a deeply personal and subjective experience. However, research suggests that Bible reading, especially regular and consistent reading, can have a significant positive impact on people's lives. Studies have shown that people who read the Bible four or more times a week are more likely to experience transformation in their lives, including sustaining relationships with God, feeling more equipped with insight, and experiencing emotional and spiritual growth.
d. Here's a more detailed look at the impact of Bible reading:
i. Transformation and Faith: Many people report that the Bible has had a transformative effect on their lives, helping them to grow in faith, develop a closer relationship with God, and experience personal growth.
ii. Spiritual Growth: Regular Bible reading can lead to increased spiritual awareness, deeper understanding of God's will, and a stronger sense of purpose.
iii. Emotional Well-being: The Bible can provide solace, comfort, and hope during difficult times, offering guidance and support.
iv. Behavioral Changes: Some studies suggest that frequent Bible reading is associated with reduced engagement in harmful behaviors and a greater focus on positive actions.
v. Generosity and Compassion: The American Bible Society has also found that people who engage with the Bible tend to be more generous and compassionate.
1. How many here have been transformed by the Bible – God’s Word!
vi. The Bible's trustworthiness is supported by a combination of fulfilled prophecies, archaeological and historical evidence, the reliability of its manuscript tradition, its internal consistency, and its transformative power in the lives of believers.
e. Hermeneutics- the branch of knowledge that deals with interpretation, especially of the Bible or literary texts.
i. Correct Hermeneutics of the Bible:
1. In regard to sexuality spoke of in the Bible: Historical Christian Biblical view of sexuality:
a. Scripture – lays the groundwork for true sexuality. Scripture addresses this subject.
i. Matthew 19:4: “He who made them at the beginning made them male and female.”
b. Reason and Science – 2nd way to discover truth about sexuality.
i. We have male and female for the purpose mating and creating new life.
c. Experience – is the last way to define sexuality.
2. Revisionist view of sexuality
a. Experience trumps all other sources to determine the true view of sexuality.
b. Reason/Science subject to a person experience over the facts.
c. Scripture
ii. Objective Truth: Truth is often considered objective, meaning it's independent of personal opinion or feelings. It's what is verifiable and can be supported by evidence.
1. There are two sexes:
a. Male
b. Female
iii. Absolute Truth: Which is a statement that is always true regardless of context or circumstance.
1. For us having a biblical world view the Bible is the absolute truth of reality.
iv. (What we see has happened to truth today) we have the rise in Subjective Truth: In some contexts, truth can be seen as subjective, meaning it is relative to the individual or their perspective (experience). However, this perspective is often debated, as objective truths are generally considered more reliable.
1. This view of truth changes with each persons own wishes or experience – what is right for you may or may be not right for me.
v. In essence, truth is a foundation for understanding the world and making reliable statements about it. It's the cornerstone of knowledge and the aim of all inquiry.
1. Therefore, as Christians Jesus is the truth and the Word of God is absolute truth.
f. Illustration on new Truth: Contributed by Emile Wolfaardt on Jul 13, 2001: These truths are not new truths. There are no such thing as new truths. If it’s new it’s not true, and if it’s true, it’s not new. There is such a thing as freshly discovered truth, or freshly applied truth, or freshly revealed truth, but there is no such thing as new truth. That is why we receive truth by revelation - revelation implies by its very nature seeing something that is already there.
i. Are new truths surfacing every day? Or is the same truth repackaged? There are no new truths!
ii. We need to be aware when people 1,000 of years later come up with their own idea of who an author is in the Bible – a new doctrine.
1. This is what happened to Mormons leader Joseph Smith (Angel of light appeared to him to write the book of Mormon) – Jehovah Witness Charles Taze Russell – He rewrote parts of the Bible to watchtower translation.
a. Both deny that Jesus is was both divine and human and is the Savior of the World.
2. I could add to this list David Koresh of Waco Texas too and a host of others.
a. Who had divine revelations or visions which allowed them to supersede Scripture, and it became a cult and a distortion of the truth.
i. They became false prophets! Leading many people astray!
3. Lazarus – is the disciple Jesus Loved – not John and author of John’s Gospel!
a. The idea that Lazarus is the "disciple whom Jesus loved" rather than John arose later in biblical scholarship and commentary, not in the earliest church traditions. The traditional identification of the beloved disciple as John the Apostle, son of Zebedee, dates back to the 2nd century and is supported by figures like Irenaeus and Polycarp.
b. Early Tradition:
i. For centuries, the church universally identified the "beloved disciple" in the Gospel of John as John the Apostle himself.
c. Counter-Arguments:
i. Some scholars have proposed Lazarus as the beloved disciple, citing various reasons, including Jesus's stated love for Lazarus in John 11:5 and the fact that the beloved disciple is not mentioned before Lazarus is raised from the dead in John 11.
d. Scholarly Debate:
i. While the Lazarus theory has gained some traction in recent years, the majority of mainstream biblical scholars still identify the beloved disciple as John the Apostle.
1. Historical writing also not Mary lived in Ephesus with John as he pastored there – there are historical writing of him even building her a house there.
e. Support for Traditional View:
i. The Synoptic Gospels confirm that only the Twelve Apostles were present at the Last Supper, excluding Lazarus. The beloved disciple is also present at the Last Supper, the crucifixion, and the empty tomb, which aligns with John's actions as an apostle, not Lazarus.
1. We need to stick with Biblical context!
iii. Be careful when you state adamantly with Thunder that a new theory or belief is (Godly) when it’s a recent interpretation.
T.S. – John spoke on truth and its utmost importance so as not to becoming deceived in this world. Let’s listen to his instructive words in 1 John.
II. Scripture 1 John 4 is a prime example of John’s writing’s where he emphasizes his two main themes: Truth and Love: Johns favorite themes!
a. Test the Spirits: 1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
i. What worldview do you adhere too?
1. Is it Biblical?
2. Is it secular?
3. Is it humanistic?
a. Is it man’s view or God’s view?
4. Islam?
5. Religious?
6. Buddhist?
7. Marxist?
8. Postmoderism?
ii. Worldviews – we all have one whether we know it or not – but we need to evaluate and discern what our worldview is.
1. Look around at society today – all the tension and propaganda, fights, arguments etc: This is what happens when worldviews collide – so the questions come charging at us - What do we do compromise? Be tolerant? Be silent? What happens to a society or a culture when conflicting worldviews fight for power and influence? What happens to a society where the Biblical worldview is dismissed as ancient or out of date and irrelevant? Just look around at our own society today – this is what happens. But we do have the Spirit of the Lord to even change the culture and worldviews around us with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit!
a. Charles Colson stated, “How do we redeem a culture? ...The answer is simple: from the inside out. From the Individual to the family to the community, and then outward in ever widening ripples. We must begin by understanding what it means to live by (Biblical) Christian worldview principles in our own behavior and choices. Unless we do, we will interpret the biblical commands according to the spirit of the age and will therefore be conformed to the world rather than to God’s Word (Colson, How Shall We Live page 307)
b. Charles Colson also goes on to add insight into what is wrong with our culture today – “…Polls consistently show that Americans worry most about social and moral decay-crime, family breakdown, drug abuse, sex and violence in the entertainment media -all results of moral choices made ultimately by individuals. Given these facts, one might expect the nation’s bully pulpits would be devoted to encouraging people to take responsibility for their lives, to exert the self-discipline needed to change behavior. Instead, for the past few decades, the dominant (non-biblical) cultural voices have argued that individuals have a right to live in any way they choose and that society has a responsibility to pick up the tab for any negative consequences that result…The attitude is not confined to the government. It’s amazing how many ordinary Americans have fallen into the trap of expecting someone else to pick up the costs of their own irresponsibility…Where did this idea of value-free lifestyles come from? What are its worldview roots? How do the categories of creation, fall and redemption help us to diagnose what’s wrong with the predominant secular view – and see how a (Biblical) Christian worldview leads to better, healthier, and more rational way of living? (Colson, page 308-309)
iii. Let’s revisit our question - What is the truth?
1. John revealed truth very plainly in His Gospel:
a. Biblically, truth is defined as God's self-expression, the way things truly are, and the Word of God. It is the standard by which all truth claims should be evaluated and is rooted in God's character and being.
b. Here's a more detailed look:
i. God as the Source and Standard of Truth: The Bible portrays God as the ultimate source and determiner of truth, with His character and Word as the foundation for truth, according to Grace to You.
ii. Truth is Revealed in God's Word: The Bible itself is considered the "Word of God" and a source of truth, with Scripture serving as a benchmark for evaluating truth claims, says Grace to You.
iii. Truth is Objective and Immutable: Biblical truth is not dependent on individual belief but is objective and unchanging, meaning it exists independently of human opinions or feelings, notes Christians Engaged.
iv. Jesus as the Truth: Jesus, as God's Word made flesh, is also identified as "the truth," representing the embodiment and fulfillment of God's reality, states Scripture Way.
2. Truth – What is the opposite of truth?
a. A common antonym for 'truth' is 'falsehood. ‘While 'truth' refers to the quality or state of being true, 'falsehood' denotes a false statement or a lie, representing the opposite of truth.
b. John never compromised the truth and that is why his second most written about topic was truth!
i. John was passionately devoted to the proclamation of truth. No one in Scripture, except the Lord Jesus, had more to say about the concept of truth. His joy was proclaiming the truth to others and then watching them walk in it (3 John 4).
ii. This should be our mission too! Proclaim truth and walk in love.
1. But love does not compromise truth – why because truth is God’s Word – thunder – the power of God.
2. When we love God first we maintain His truth – love compels us to do this – if we undermine God’s truth with compromise then we show we do not truly love God.
iii. John strongest condemnation was for those who perverted the truth and led others astray, especially if they claimed to be believers (1 John 2:4).
1. I hear some preachers today compromising the Truth – The Word of God to appease people sin and they think this is the way of love but that is not what I read in Scripture!
c. John’s passion for truth fueled his concern for the sheep who might be deceived by false teachers, and his warnings about them take up much of 1 John. He had no qualms about identifying as “false prophets” and “antichrists” those who tried to pervert the truth, even proclaiming them to be demonic in nature (1 John 2:18, 26, 3:7, 4:1-7).
T.S. – Johns wrote the most about love – Yes love.
III. The Love of God and our role in loving others.
a. God’s Love and Ours: 1 John 4: 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.13 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), 1 Jn 4:1–21.
i. Yes, John preached the most in the New Testament about love – Yes at the same time of being aggressive with the Gospel speaking about truth he spoke on love too. This is how John becomes known as the “Apostle of love.”
1. In his own Gospel, he refers to himself as “the one whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23, 20:2, 21:7, 21:20). He is depicted as the one leaning against Jesus’ breast at the last supper. His brief second epistle is filled with expressions of his deep love for those in his care. His close relationship with Jesus taught John the importance of truth and love!
ii. John addresses his first epistle to a group of believers “Whom I love in the truth” and exhorts them to “love one another” by walking in obedience to Jesus’ commands (1 John 1:1, 5-6).
1. This is the balance of Truth and Love!
a. Quote by MacArthur “Truth without love has no decency; it's just brutality. On the other hand, love without truth has no character; it's just hypocrisy.”
i. MacArthur, John F.. Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You (p. 106). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
iii. Love is the most excellent way! Paul said it and so did John!
1. To be able to love well means I must embrace the 4 letter word, “Love” in its original definition and its created application – Because that word “Love” has been twisted and distorted by this world – But the true meaning of love goes back to God’s meaning of love!
2. Scripture Text: John 13:34-35: Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
3. 1 John 4:7-10: 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
4. LOVE’s original definition is spelled out in Scripture - “God is love” says 1 John 4:8 or to reverse this thought “Love is God” God created and defined what Love is and what it should look like and act like. John 1:1 tells us Jesus and God are one which implies that Jesus is God’s love manifested in the flesh – in other words a recognizable expression of love in the flesh that all can see, touch and model (See 1 John 1:1-4).
5. As we continue to explore the definition of “Real Love” all for the purpose to “Love Well.” We discovered the word love being used in all kinds of contexts and in connection with all kinds of things or objects today:
a. For example:
i. I say, “I love snow!” and many would disagree with this especially today!
ii. I say, “I love Dunkin Donuts Coffee” which I do! Some may disagree and say, “I love Starbucks Coffee!” I am not a big fan (Sorry).
iii. I say, “I love Giordano’s Pizza” another person would say, “I love Luminate’s Pizza.” Vernon and Ashley.
iv. I say, “I love donuts” another would say like Arnold Schwarzenegger, “Never eat a donut – they are bad for you!” I disagree 😊
v. My daughter Tiffany would say the same but my grandsons Ayden and Keagan would say “Grandpa lets get donuts at Dunkin!”
vi. I say, “I love White Castle cheeseburgers!” my wife says, “I hate White Castle cheeseburgers!” “She also says “How can you like those things!”
vii. I say, “I love oatmeal!” my wife says, “Gag me!”
viii. I think that reaction comes from having Oatmeal for breakfast so much growing up on her parent’s farm in MN.
ix. I say, “I love wilderness survival shows” my wife says “Why?”
x. In a given day we may say, “Love you” to our kids, spouses or even a friend! We may even tell our pets “I love you!” We may or may not get a response from them though.
xi. I say, “I love going out to eat alone” my wife says, “No way I will never go out to a place to eat alone!”
6. WHAT'S Real love got to do WITH using the word love in these many different contexts, statements or applications?
7. If you “Google” the word love, and you have to be very careful doing this, you will find all sorts of websites focused on love: I discovered 11,150,000,000.
a. Here are some examples that you will find:
b. I love Dogs.com
c. I love Cats.com (Although this one is a plea to spay or neuter them – I ask the question do you really love them if you do this too them?)
d. I love Cheese.com
e. I love Lucy.com
f. Betterlove.com
g. True Romance Dating Service.com
h. Love Test.com
i. Matchmaker.com
j. The Love Calculator.com
k. On this site you type in your name and your mates name and it gives you the odds of your relationship lasting. John Harvey the person I pulled this statistic from said “Alana and I got 41%.” I was scared to do with Kathy and my name!
l. The interesting observation from all these sites is love is seen as almost an entirely human endeavor – it’s really portrayed as an emotion.
iv. The truth is you cannot love White Castle Cheeseburgers like you do your kids or even your spouse – well at least this not a good idea right? I suppose you could, but I don’t think that would go over very well with your spouse or your kids! They are two different views or objects of love.
1. If you look up the word love on dictionary.com this is what it says: a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend. sexual passion or desire.
2. As you read the three definitions listed in dicitionary.com most people would agree with them and not think twice about it. But it portrays love as an emotion.
3. If you keep searching the word love you will discover around 28 different definitions of this word love.
v. But these definitions of love don’t align with the real biblical meaning of love spoken about by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 and by the Apostle John in I John or the Gospel of John.
1. In the Bible, "love" (agape) is defined as a selfless, active commitment to the well-being of others, regardless of their response or if it's reciprocated. It's not just a feeling but a choice to serve and prioritize others' needs over one's own. Biblical love is also sacrificial, showing itself in action, and ultimately demands obedience to God's commands.
a. Here's a more detailed breakdown of the biblical understanding of love:
i. Agape Love: This term, often translated as "love" in the New Testament, is a selfless, sacrificial love, prioritizing the well-being of others.
ii. God's Love: God is love, and his love for humanity is a central theme in the Bible, demonstrating itself through his creation, the law, the prophets, and ultimately, Jesus Christ.
iii. Love as a Choice: Biblical love is not just an emotion but a deliberate choice to act in a way that benefits others, even when it's difficult or requires sacrifice.
iv. Love as Action: Love is shown through actions, not just words. It involves actively seeking the good of others, whether through acts of service, forgiveness, or compassion.
v. Love and Obedience: Loving God also means obeying his commands, which are not burdensome but reflect the path to true well-being.
vi. Sacrificial Love: Jesus's sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate example of biblical love, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to saving humanity.
vii. Love as a Virtue: Love is the greatest virtue in the Bible, exceeding other virtues like faith and hope.
viii. Love Fulfills the Law: Love is the fulfillment of the law, as it encompasses all of its commandments.
IV. The third word most talked about subject in his writings was the word “witness” referenced about 70 times!
i. He refers to the witness of John the Baptist, the witness of Scripture, the witness of the Father, the witness of Christ, the witness of the miracles, the witness of the Holy Spirit, and the witness of the apostles. In each case, these were witnesses to the truth. So his love for the truth remained undiminished.
1. Witnesses put a spotlight on truth – on God’s Word on the miracles of God – not on sin or tolerance of sin.
a. MacArthur, John F.. Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You (p. 116). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
i. I have learned that time does this for many people who serve the Lord – perspective changes as we age, judgmentalism starts to move into balance with, love which comes to the forefront. The two become in equilibrium with each other.
ii. I think it is what the Bible calls gaining wisdom with age. You learn to look at people differently. We also look at ourselves differently too!
1. I have learned to look at people who fall short or fall into sin with the reality thought – All but for the grace of God I could fall too – it’s having an eternal mindset and a heart with empathy for others – it’s understanding the more I know, the more I understand I don’t know!
2. John impresses me – he started strong and finished strong – Revelation reveals his love for Jesus as He is the spirit on the Lords Day and Jesus appears to Him in all his glory! John gets a vision to spread throughout the persecuted church!
a. Yes, John goes through maturing in the spirit as he ages. How do I know – you hear him wanting to smite people with the power of God – but then later in life he writes a lot about love! John wrote more (did you catch this emphasis in my message) than any other New Testament author about the importance of love—laying particular stress on the Christian's love for Christ, Christ's love for His church, and the love for one another that is supposed to be the hallmark of true believers. The theme of love flows through his writings. But love was a quality he learned from Christ, not something that came naturally to him. He had to learn how to love the unlovable! He had to learn to walk and immerse himself in love. But love and truth need to maintain a healthy balance.
i. I had to do the same thing in my walk with the Lord – Jesus taught me how to love but yet remain rooted in truth.
1. My first sermon was love! Read quotes out of it!
b. Crosby shares about the One – “THE ONE. Ultimately only one person bears the distinction of having been the closest person to Christ during his earthly ministry. I like to think of this person as the One, the closest One. The One sat right next to Jesus at the Last Supper. The One listened closer to Jesus’ words than anyone else and, as a result, recorded more of them than anyone else. The One was the go-to man when Jesus’ disciples had a question they wanted to ask him. The One spotted Jesus on the shore when no one else in the boat recognized him. The One followed Christ to at least one place no other among the Twelve would go.”
i. Crosby, Robert (2014-03-24T23:58:59.000). The One Jesus Loves: Grace Is Unconditionally Given, Intimacy Must Be Relentlessly Pursued . Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
c. John became the closest to Jesus out of the 12 – we all should strive for this position with Jesus.
i. John was the only apostle at the Cross and his closeness to Jesus is highlighted when Jesus gives his mother Mary to John to look after!
ii. John 19:25-27:
1. 25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” 27and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
d. Crosby words it this way:
i. “Our desire for God is a gift we must regularly open and engage if we are to fully realize and enjoy it. While salvation is an unconditional gift of God’s grace, some intimacies with God come only with a relentless pursuit of him.”
1. John did that his whole life!
2. Crosby adds:
a. “Make no mistake, there is one place and one place alone to which Christ wants you to be when it comes to him, and that is closer. Remember . . . followers of Jesus refuse to follow at a distance; if you’re not moving closer, you’re moving away.”
i. Crosby, Robert (2014-03-24T23:58:59.000). The One Jesus Loves: Grace Is Unconditionally Given, Intimacy Must Be Relentlessly Pursued . Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
iii. Remember - John was the youngest of the 12 most likely 17-20 when he started following Jesus – but recall he had been following John the Baptist prior to Jesus!
1. So he had become a believer in his teen years! His heart was connected To God and when John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Lamb of God and Jesus called him to follow him – John and James dropped their nets and became 100% committed to following Jesus.
a. MacArthur, “He was the younger brother of James, and although he was a frequent companion to Peter in the first twelve chapters of Acts, Peter remained in the foreground and John remained in the background. But John also had his turn at leadership. Ultimately, because he outlived all the others, he filled a unique and patriarchal role in the early church that lasted nearly to the end of the first century and reached deep into Asia Minor. His personal influence was therefore indelibly stamped on the primitive church, well into the post-apostolic era.”
Conclusion:
Application: Can I ask you a question: “How big of imprint with your life do you want to make in annuals of Heaven – How many people do you want to influence with the Gospel?” MacArthur, John F.. Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You (pp. 95-96). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
Can I ask another question?
How have you aged or matured in Jesus? Have you matured in Jesus? Are you the stuck and have not grown closer to Jesus? Many people get stuck in their spiritual growth – reasons that cause this are – unforgiveness- pride- apathy-drifting from Jesus and His Word!
What do we need to know from this message?
John wants us to know how to live in truth – how to live in the Word with Love – We do this by resisting and fighting against the three enemies of God and us?
The three enemies you will face in your Christian Life according to the Bible and John:
In Christian theology, the three enemies of God, and of the Christian life, are traditionally identified as the world, the flesh, and the devil. These are seen as forces that actively oppose God's will and the spiritual well-being of believers.
Here's a more detailed look at each:
• The World: This refers to the worldly system, values, and culture that often clash with God's principles. It encompasses things like the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life, which are not of God.
• The Flesh: This represents human nature's inherent tendency towards sin and self-centeredness, rather than seeking God's will. It is the "old sinful nature" that believers inherit at birth.
• The Devil: Is the personification of evil (He is real and at work in this world). He is often depicted as a fallen angel, who actively seeks to deceive and lead people away from God.
These three enemies are seen as constantly working together to hinder believers' spiritual growth and relationship with God. Overcoming them requires Thunder (God’s Word and Truth), It requires love (acting and living like Jesus did), it requires faith, prayer, and obedience!
Ephesians 3:15: Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
Why do we need to know this truth?
Truth – God’s Word – Jesus’ truth is the Thunder – the power of God to transform people and communities. The power is unleashed through the word, and we model it with love. We speak the truth in love – it’s the dynamic duo!
Isaiah 53:9: He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.
What do they need to do this?
We need to speak the truth in love – to grow in our relationship with Jesus and become mature Christians!
