LESSON 1, JOHN'S SALVATION:

To go as early in a person's life as possible, that's the place you begin a biography. And with John, the future Disciple of Jesus, that's the very week he met our dear Lord!

John was a Jew.

John's family was in the fishing business.

His Father's name was Zebedee.

He had a brother named James.

His family was rather well-to-do, having "hired servants" to assist in the work of fishing. Mark 1:20 mentions "their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants."

John's name means "God is gracious!"

He and his Brother were nick-named by Jesus "sons of thunder!" The name seems to denote "fiery and destructive zeal" that may be likened to a "thunder storm," Mark 3:17.

And when we first meet John he seems to be a follower of John the Baptist. One of that great man's "disciples."

Now ...

Let's try to discern how John met Jesus!

John's Gospel (1:35-36) tells us that one day: "John (the Baptist) stood, and two of his disciples; and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he (John the Baptist) saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus." One of those two disciples was John!

But "following" is not yet "belief!"

Here's what happened next. "Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, which is to say, being interpreted, Master, where dwellest thou?"

A question, showing some definite interest!

"Jesus saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew." The other was John!

The Verse of Scripture that "won" John to Christ? Just three short little words! "Come and see!" John 1:39, King James Version

From that day forward, John came and saw and loved the Lord!

It just might be, too, that John the Baptist's analogy of Jesus as "The Lamb of God" caught John's attention! Being Jewish, the Passover was extremely suggestive to his eager, hungry mind! Jesus, God's Lamb!

For sure, John never got away from that idea of Jesus as an Innocent Lamb, from that word picture. His Book of Revelation is full of such terminology! The Darling LAMB of God! (In fact, I just counted 9 times in Revelation where that exact metaphor, Jesus as Lamb, occurs.)

I like to also think that when John saw Andrew, having just met the Messiah, go and get his brother Simon (Peter) ... that John also went and found his brother James!

Bringing him also to Jesus!

Why else would John 1:41 say of Andrew ... "He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ."

Andrew (the soul-winner) found a relative!

First!

And (implied) then so did John!

Saved and bringing others to Jesus!

John the Disciple!

More tomorrow, Lord willing.

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2, FIRST GROWTH IN GRACE:

After John met Jesus, after that first "Come and see," what did he do? The "short" answer is ... invested the rest of his life around the Saviour, around the Lord!

In Mark 3:14 Jesus called "twelve" (His Disciples) that ... "they should be with Him!" Over three years ... they were with Him!

And since the "first days, weeks, months, year or two" of Christian life mean so much to a new Believer, I thought it might be good to "trace" John's early spiritual development, best we can.

So far John (in his Gospel) has told us of a few men "meeting and following" our Lord. Because of John the Baptist's witness, his preaching about Jesus as the "Lamb of God" ... several of John's followers have "converted" to Jesus. Andrew being the first, apparently. Then John himself. But soon Andrew brought his Brother Peter to Jesus. Then a man named Philip. And Philip "won" Nathaniel to Jesus!

So far, just five men.

But there's my point today!

Christianity is meant to be lived, to be practiced, in community!

As a "group" encircling the Lord for strength and encouragement!

Really I'm talking about the nucleus of what will become the "Church!"

A "society of saved sinners," one Preacher thought. I really love that little phrase!

The "Church," in its simplest form, began that day. When 2 men (Andrew and John) cemented their faith and their behavior in Jesus! Remember Matthew 18:20, with Jesus talking: "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Amen!

Folks, our "justification" is found in Christ Jesus ALONE!

But our "sanctification" is deepened by action and interaction with our brethren in Christ (en masse) via the power of the Holy Spirit.

There is no future for Christianity (not according to the New Testament) apart from the Church, the fellowship of the saints. With, of course, Jesus as the Head.

In the Epistle to the Ephesians this "Church" is likened to a Body! Then to a Building! Then a Bride! And lastly, to a Brotherhood!

Several days with Jesus ... with a few brethren of like mind ... and John the Disciple is already growing in Grace!

Let me prove this so.

Yes, at the wedding in Cana of Galilee, where Jesus made water wine, after all had been done ... these new followers of Christ (John included) "believed the Scripture and the Word which Jesus had said." John 2:22, major growth!

Spend time with Jesus.

Watch Him be Who He is.

Observe his Power in action.

Feel, sense His Love!

And undoubtedly, in conjunction with your brothers and sisters in Christ ... you WILL grow in God's amazing Grace!

That's how it happened to John.

And to every other believer who remained loyal to our dear Lord.

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3, JOHN'S "CALL" TO DUTY:

Somewhere along the "way" a new Christian must come to the realization that being in the "family" of God is not just a "privilege," but also involves "duty" to our Lord.

Service must be rendered to the One Who saved us, not out of "obligation" but out of "love!"

And John the Disciple, must of course, learn that lesson too.

Today we see this man "called to duty!"

Luke 1:74 actually contains these words: "That we being delivered ... might serve Him without fear!"

Saved ... to serve!

In the fourth Gospel, sort of my "pattern" in this Johannine biography, the "call to duty" is less pronounced than in the synoptic Gospels, Matthew and Mark and Luke.

Still, in John 4:35-36 Jesus says to His disciples: "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together."

Yes, that's "duty" beckoning!

But Matthew tells us more. "And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him." Matthew 4:18-22

Mark 1:16-20 adds: "Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him. And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him."

Luke 5:1-11 is fuller yet. "And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken. And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him."

Wow!

"Duty" ... the next step in spiritual growth!

Everyone is not deputized to serve the Lord "full-time," but every Christian is commissioned to serve Him, nonetheless.

And the work to which John was "drafted, conscripted?"

In two words, "soul-winning!"

Becoming a "fisher of men!"

This verb, "zogreo," ("From hereafter thou shalt catch men.") means "to capture, to take alive, to conquer but not kill!" It blends the Greek noun for "life" (spelled "zoon," derived from "zao") and the verb meaning "to hunt" (spelled "agreuo" in Greek, "to pursue eagerly").

"Catching" men and women ... for Jesus!

By the way, "zogreo" is only used twice in the Bible. Here in our Text and again in Second Timothy 2:26 where the devil "takes captive" his prey! This is astounding!

We had better win them ... if not, the devil well might do so!

John now becomes, not merely a neophyte or new convert to the Lord ... but a witness, an ambassador, a herald.

And folks, today I need to say we are ALL called to be "bearers of the good news" ... everywhere we go.

And if we're not doing so ... to some degree anyway ... we are NOT growing in our faith, maturing in our walk ... with the Lord!

John, the fisherman.

No longer of ocean life ... but now a fisher of men!

Do you know someone you can tell about Jesus?

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 4, SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW:

I nearly said that the disciple John (spiritually) grew exponentially because of certain "benefits" that came his way. Namely, all the "time" he was able to spend with Jesus!

Remember Mark 3:14. "And Jesus ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach." Over three years of time, in fact, with Jesus! By the way, the preposition used here, "meta" in Greek, means "right in the midst!"

Of the Twelve, the Disciples themselves, three men were allowed to be "with" Jesus more than all the others. Or maybe they "wanted" to be with Him more than all the others!

Peter and James (John's older Brother) and John himself, these three. I've heard them called Jesus' "inner circle."

And no doubt, John grew spiritually all the more ... because of those special times with the Master.

He saw things and heard things there with Jesus, things he never forgot, never overcame! Things that impacted him eternally! Listen to Peter (John's best friend) in Acts 4:20. "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

Amen!

Here are those three Occasions when John was "especially" (along with Peter and James) with their Lord.

Number one. At the raising of a twelve year old little girl ... who was dead! A daughter of a ruler of one of the Jews' synagogues. At first she was sick ... then dead. Luke the physician best tells us about this event: "There cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they (the crowd) laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all (the scoffing crowd) out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished. Luke 8:49-56

John personally saw Jesus enact this miracle! And thereafter John never quit being impressed by Jesus' Life Giving Power! (Count the times he uses the word "life" in his Gospel! Forty-four times, I just numbered them! Compared to Matthew's sixteen times! Or Mark's eight times! Or Luke's fourteen times! John saw ... and prolifically wrote about Jesus, Who is Eternal Life!)

The second such time John (granted, along with Peter and James) is "with" Jesus (as distinct from the other nine Disciples) was at our Lord's "Transfiguration." Where Jesus revealed His Glory on a mountaintop. Matthew 17:1-8 clearly tells us. "And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only."

Again, John never forgot what he saw, Jesus' magnificent Glory! And thereafter John, especially as a writer, talks again and again about this Glory! As in John 1:14. "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

Yes! And think of the many times in the Book of Revelation that our Lord's Glory is emphasized! As in Revelation 1:12-18. "And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last. I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

Wow!

Lastly, in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus as a Prayer Warrior! Mark 14:32-35 tells us: "And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; and saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed ...."

The Lord as a Man of Prayer, especially in John?

This concept is much harder to prove!

In fact, Jesus does not pray in John's corpus, not in the Gospel or the three Epistles or the Revelation.

Except ... John 17!

The greatest prayer ever recorded! The great "High Priestly Prayer" our Lord brought to His Father ... largely on our behalf! By the way, in Psalm 109:4 Jesus says, in Hebrew, "I (am) prayer!"

John never forgot Jesus' agony in prayer that night in the Garden. And he never tired of portraying Jesus as Victor in Prayer for all eternity! I really believe John 17 is Jesus' "pattern" of prayer He uses yet today from Heaven as our Advocate.

Yes, John grew dramatically in his faith!

But he had opportunity to do so.

And this too, the "point" of today's Lesson really ... we also have ample opportunity to spend time with Jesus! Via the Word of God! Via the Presence of the Holy Spirit!

Bask in His Glory today!

Enjoy His Company!

Walk with Him in communion!

He did promise, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13: 5

And just like John long ago ... the more Time you enjoy with the Lord ... the more rapidly you will grow in His marvelous Grace!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 5, BLOCKAGES TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH, TOO BIG AN EGO:

Anytime a Christian is "growing" in the Lord, certain "dangers" to his progress will surface. The devil sees to that! Or maybe it's our flesh, really, behind the "plot." Or just the depraved world system in which we live. Or a combination of them all!

"Pitfalls" on the road to maturity!

John himself faced two or three of these "perils."

Here's the first, with the others coming tomorrow. Luke records the situation for us. "Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him, and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great." Luke 9:46-48

A desire to be "greatest!"

The followers of Jesus actually murmured over this issue! The word "reasoning" translates the Greek noun "dialogismos." Basically it's our word "dialogue." It means "talking" sort of "back and forth" among yourselves, when applied to a group. From "one" man to "another" man ... nearly arguing at times!

At another time John's Mother, thus James' Mother too, since they were brothers ... asked of Jesus this prime "reward!" Matthew 20:20-24 relates the event. "Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren."

Wow!

These two boys (our hero John included) were "in" on this bold request, too. They wanted to be "first" among the disciples! Among everybody ever to be saved!

Sitting on the Lord's Right and Left Hand respectively is as "high" as one can get ... in relation to a King anyway!

John wanted to be "greatest!"

John wanted the "Right Hand!"

In fact, John did get to lean on Jesus' Breast! I'm now hoping he didn't "push" his way there!

Wow!

Folks, here's a "rough place" on John's soul, his character, that must be "smoothed" before he can grow much further in the Lord.

Pride, greediness, that old "better-than-thou" attitude ... all are "death" to spiritual maturity!

In the first instance recorded above Jesus encouraged "humility" upon His Disciples, like a little child possesses.

In the second case our Lord said to give such a thing was not His prerogative, but His Father's in Heaven!

Plus, such self-centeredness engenders "strife" among the brethren. It did above, where the words "moved with indignation" mean "to be very displeased," or "much grieved!"

One of the beauties of studying John's life is this ... watching this "pride" melt away and genuine "humility" grow in its place!

This is, after all, the John who later writes: "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God." First John 4:7

And, by the way, this is the same John who so carefully records in his Gospel the event of Jesus washing the disciples feet! Matthew, Mark and Luke do not tell us about this occasion.

There, in John 13, of all places ... I'm pretty sure John learned that "greatness" comes through "service." Not by arguing over "first place!" What humility, Jesus with a towel ... bathing filthy feet!

John, were you watching? How did you feel when He came to your feet? I suspect thoughts of "first place" have now evaporated! John was indeed a good learner.

And now ... he's growing again!

                    --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 6, THE BLOCKADE OF TOO MUCH "EXCLUSIVISM:"

And no sooner had John been taught one Lesson about the "dangers" of sin ... than he exhibited another "need" in the very same area.

Seems that our friend John, like us all, was a habitual sinner! Though now knowing Jesus, intimately one might say, the Apostle still needed "correction" from time to time, as do all God's children!

Here are the specifics. As Jesus and His men traveled one day, some of them (John specifically) noticed a "strange" occurrence. "And John said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us." Luke 9:49-50

John is upset!

He has seen a man "serving Jesus" who is not "with us!"

He did not belong to John's crowd, to his group, to his fellowship!

Yet ... do notice ... the man was fighting the devil ... and doing so in Jesus' Name, too!

"We saw one casting out devils in Thy Name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us.

Well, John can't let THAT happen, can he?

The verb "forbade" is "koluo," meaning "to hinder, to withstand, to keep from, to not allow!" To refuse! It is derived from "kolazo," meaning "to cut off, to prune," then "to correct" and finally, "to punish!"

Here is the spirit of "Phariseeism" in the bud!

WE are right.

And WE only are right!

No one has access to the Real Truth ... but us and our little "clique," our little "club!"

Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us."

Wow!

I'm sure John thought the Lord was about to "brag" on Him. That he was about to be rewarded the "Defender of the Faith" Title!

Readers, this is "exclusivism" to a fault!

Like ... "Only Baptists will go to Heaven!"

And more so ... "Only our kind of Baptists will go to Heaven!"

Jesus, said John, "We forbad him, because he followeth not with us."

Listen to me. Anyone who has trusted Jesus as Saviour is going to Heaven ... no matter what "label" might be pinned on them!

There will be some Methodists in Heaven, especially the old John Wesley kind!

And some Presbyterians, the Charles Finney crowd!

And some ________________, who have been washed in the Blood! Only God knows who goes in that blank line!

Indeed, John had a lot to learn!

And he later will hear Jesus say: "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice." John 10:16, in part.

Amen!

Now, watch Jesus "correct" John!

The Disciple is about to learn another "peril" to avoid, if he's going to keep maturing in Christ.

"And John said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us."

Do not forbid him.

Let him alone!

We must not be "selfish" of Christ.

He must be "shared" with others who believe!

In other words, Jesus is teaching ... "If a person is fighting the devil, opposing iniquity ... and doing so with the right motive ... with the right Tool (in the Name of Jesus) ... do not hinder that person's work!"

In fact, John's narrow attitude here might have been more dangerous to the Cause of Christ than anything the demon-expelling man had ever thought about doing!

If a person is not "against" us, Jesus taught John ... spelled "kata" in Greek, a little preposition used nearly 500 times in the New Testament ... and meaning "down on," seeking to "put down," maybe even "to stomp" a person into the ground!

Wow!

At the very time Jesus said this, the Pharisees were AGAINST Him.

So were the Scribes AGAINST HIM, plotting His death already!

As were the Sadducees and Chief Priests as well, "down on" Jesus every way imaginable.

So WHY fight this unknown man?

Simply because he did not go to our "school?"

Working in Jesus' Name ... a good "test" by which to evaluate others who declare themselves faithful.

"And John said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us."

Did John learn his Lesson?

Let's see. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." First John 3:14, all the brethren!

Two verses later: "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

And here, our John writing to a Believer named Gaius: "Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers (followers of Jesus we don't yet know), which have borne witness of thy charity before the church." Third John verses 5-6, yes!

Yes, John learned!

And John continued to grow in his faith!

We too can glean from John's impulsiveness today.

                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

This quote I read yesterday. It perfectly "fits" today's Lesson. "The danger of 'depth' alone is 'narrowness.' And the danger of 'breadth' alone is 'shallowness.'"

Wow!

LESSON 7, FROM "FIRE" TO "LOVE," MORE SPIRITUAL GROWTH:

To me Paul's "spiritual growth" is much more easily discerned than John's. I've just always pictured John as a "balanced, mature believer in Christ." But I should have known better. No human is that well-polished, not at the first of his or her spiritual journey!

One more Lesson about John's "rough edges" that had to be "smoothed" by our Lord. By the Holy Spirit. And, I suspect, a host of us today need to read the following thoughts. Especially the following Scripture Verses.

First remember this. John (as well as his disciple Brother James) was known as a "son of thunder!" Mark chapter 3 (and only Mark chapter 3 in all the New Testament, in all the 4 Gospels) specifically tells us this. "And Jesus ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach." And among those were ... "James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder." Mark 3:14 and 18

Something about John was "thunderous!"

Like a storm?

Volatile?

Impetuous?

Violent if provoked?

We do not precisely know what Jesus meant when He "nicknamed" these men in such a fashion. But for sure our Lord "needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man." John himself wrote these words in his Gospel, John 2:25. Jesus even knew what was in John, apparently!

Fervency, strength of spirit?

Or just loudness?

A son of thunder!

Now to Luke 9, the pertinent incident. I'll give you the whole story, the entire account. "And it came to pass, when the time was come that He should be received up, He stedfastly set His Face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers before His Face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for Him. And they did not receive Him, because His Face was as though He would go to Jerusalem. And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt Thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But He turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of Man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village." Luke 9:51-56, King James Version

Wow!

Did you see that?

John wanted to call fire down and incinerate a whole city! And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt Thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

Like Elijah of Old Testament history!

All because ... a little village of Samaritans rejected Jesus!

Why, they must be cremated!

That, folks, is a true son of thunder talking!

And these quick-to-judge, quicker-yet-to-kill types still exist! Even at Church, I mean! In some pulpits!

Jesus, of course, will calm the brothers. Jesus turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of Man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."

Thunder abated, apparently!

But watch Jesus take this weakness, temper it, and use it for the Glory of God! In later life John, still faithful to our Lord, writes against others who have rejected Jesus! Who have spurned disciples.

John's pen flowed these words: "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." Second John, verses 10-1, there's still some "thunder" here! But read the previous verses, too. "And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments." Verses 5 and 6, thunder ... but now preceded by love!

John's "weakness" (calling fire down to kill a crowd) is being made into a "strength" (still fighting unbelief but now loving the faithful as well). 

Folks, Jesus did come to save, not destroy!

He has not predetermined multitudes of souls to be "slain by fire!"

Such a belief, such rank vindictiveness, is NOT of the Spirit of the Lord!

Oh Lord, teach us Thy True Character.

Help us learn ... as John did two thousand years ago!

Amen.

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 8, MAYBE THE "GREATEST LESSON" OF ALL:

Is there a "greatest lesson" to learn, in the area of serving the Lord? In living for Jesus? In growing more mature in our faith?

I think there may be.

Every Christian must familiarize himself with the idea that "trial" and "hardship" will accompany his walk with God.

That "suffering" and "patience" and "endurance" might even define one's "character," in the Eyes of God!

And play a great part in gauging one's eternal rewards!

And from the life of John the disciple I have chosen an event that illuminates these foregoing remarks. A situation we've already discussed some, but today in more detail.

This time we shall use the Gospel of Mark's account of the discussion, rather than Matthew's. "And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: but to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared." Mark 10:35-40

Wanting to "be first."

To be in positions of "great honor."

Wanting the "supreme reward!"

Please notice the Lord did NOT rebuke them for asking! "And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you?"

Jesus always encouraged prayer, big prayers at that! Mountain moving prayers, to be picturesque.

But John and his brother, not the least bit shy, boldly continue: "Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory."

The Lord Jesus, patiently, responds: "Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" In other words ... "Can you suffer what I must suffer ... to ever have such a Throne in the first place?"

And they, brashly but sincerely, answer: "We can." Yes Lord, we will drink of that Cup, death! We gladly will suffer to that degree, may we sit by You most closely? In Thy Kingdom, in Thy Glory?

Then Jesus reveals a vital truth. If we are going to be rewarded, recognized, considered mature in Heaven ... "surviving hardships" and "being faithful under fire" must be involved! "Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized." Wow!

By the way, James did suffer the same fate of our Lord. He was killed for His faith in Jesus! In Acts 12:1-2 Luke tells us: "Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword." The first of the disciples to be martyred! To "drink that cup" and undergo that "baptism!"

And John?

He did not die as a martyr, far as history can tell. Rather, ironically, he lived the longest of all the disciples! Into old age! During a time of suffering though! And stayed faithful his whole life long! So he too, in a different sense, "drank that cup!"

Still, Jesus said: "But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared."

Yet I shall make a little "prediction" here. We learn in Revelation 21:14, of the New Jerusalem, "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."

James and John, their names among them!

In fact, according to Ephesians 2:20 we are all "built" (as the Church) "upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets." Wow, with Jesus being the Very Chief Cornerstone, of course.

I would not be one bit surprised, when we get into that Heavenly Kingdom, to see two men surrounding Jesus. One on His Right, the other on His Left. Men who drank from His Cup and followed Him into the Baptism of suffering!

One of whom just might be ... John!

Our John, the subject of this study.

Maturing faith!

Asking Jesus for whatever.

Spiritual hunger that is phenomenal.

Boldness in longing to be near Jesus!

And a willingness to suffer whatever ... in order to achieve that goal, that noble goal!

The "greatest lesson" in the spiritual growth process?

You can get as close to Jesus as you wish!

If you are willing to "pay the price!"

Which might involve great "difficulty!"

Paul taught all his new converts ... "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22

What a lesson to learn!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, John ... even when here on earth ... always positioned himself as CLOSE to Jesus as possible! Read John 13:25 and John 21:20 for proof. Guess who?

LESSON 9, "KNOWING" THAT YOUR SAVIOUR "KNOWS," WHAT GROWTH:

We always "learn" through the experiences of life. Everyone does. And John was certainly no exception to this fact. Let me show you an example of what I mean.

"And Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover." Luke 22:8-13

Watch this carefully!

Jesus KNEW a man would be available exactly when John and Peter arrived in Town, in Jerusalem. And that the man would be carrying a container of water! That's was women's work back in those days! A man very seldom did such!

And Jesus KNEW this man was on his way to a "house." And that the owner of the house would be sympathetic to Jesus and His Cause. And that the home had an upper room, a guest chamber! And that it was large enough for a sizeable group of men to have a meal! And Jesus was also aware that the goodman would say "yes" to all these requests!

Jesus' AWARENESS here impressed John! You can verify this fact by John's later written material! He's always noticing the things Jesus knew!

In his Gospel he has the Samaritan woman say, "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" John 4:29, "all things!"

And Jesus, in John, even knows what men are thinking! "But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man." John 2:24-25

And in First John, one of our disciple's little epistles, he writes of the Lord: "God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things." First John 3:20

Now back to our Text.

Where even later the same day when John and Peter followed Jesus' instructions and "made ready" the Passover ... Jesus already KNEW who was going to "betray" Him, Judas Iscariot.

Wow!

Readers, realizing that Jesus knows everything will aid your growth in the Lord, exponentially!

Blessed is the day when a believer realizes the truth of Psalm 44:21. "Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart."

Oh, the peace Psalm 139:1-3 gives. "O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways."

And this one, too. A fact of which John is now sure! "There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets." Daniel 2:28, because He knows everything!

But even more so. "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." Amos 3:7, and John is a "servant!" Really a "prophet" too!

All that development ... starting with seemingly mundane events like that man with the water vase on his head!

And starting with a young disciple (John) who now KNOWS his Saviour is omniscient, all cognizant!

And then, suddenly, we have ...

The Book of Revelation!

Written by whom?

John, our little John!

Twenty-two chapters, four hundred and four verses, each proving that God KNOWS everything! Even to the end of the age ... and what follows as well!

John, having grown in his assurance of Jesus' Veracity, of Jesus' Wisdom, of Jesus' unlimited Knowledge ... now is trusted to "unveil" God's once "secret" schema for all eternity!

"The Revelation (in Greek, unveiling) of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew (in Greek, put on public display) unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass. And He sent and signified (in Greek, to give a hint, to point) it by His angel unto His servant John." Revelation 1:1

Something BIG (the last Book of the Bible) having grown out of something little ... a man carrying a waterpot!

That's maturity!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 10, GETHSEMANE AND JOHN:

Today I want to write about a special Event in Jesus' Life at which John was present. John and his Brother James, plus Peter ... these three being the only humans to witness the Battle! And they slept through most of it!

But the Lesson, of necessity, must be a two-part discussion. Yes, the "Garden of Gethsemane" Ordeal.

Here's how Matthew relates the Happening. "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me." Matthew 26:36-46

But even Mark is uncharacteristically "full" in his description too! "And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; and saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand." Mark 14:32-42

Luke also is interesting here, but more sketchy. "And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." Luke 22:39-46

But John tells nothing! The John whom we're studying! Yet Gethsemane surely impacted him ... for the good! "When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place ...." John 18:1-2, where Jesus is immediately arrested! No "agony" here! Just more determination to go to the Cross and die for lost humanity!

"Whom seek ye?" Jesus, in John's Gospel, asks the armed guards!

"Jesus of Nazareth," they answer.

Then the classic "I am He!"

No fear.

Just Power and perfect Obedience!

I seldom do this in a lesson ... but I want you to read again the foregoing Biblical accounts of the Gethsemane Crisis.

What does one author include that another does not? Why are some more detailed? And why does John "skip" the whole sequence?

And then tomorrow, I plan to (Lord willing) give you a different interpretation of Gethsemane that you may have ever heard.

Jesus, never flinching a second from the Cross!

Jesus, faithful as our Great High Priest!

I remember Hebrews 3:1-2 adds: "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to Him that appointed him ...." Faithful to His Father!

I'm going to suggest that John's life-long, amazing, inexplicable faithfulness to his Lord ... may have been learned in places like Gethsemane. Especially Gethsemane!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Come back again!

LESSON 11, GETHSEMANE AND JOHN, GROWING IN GRACE:

No one will ever convince me that, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was trying to "avoid" death. That, having come to earth to be the Saviour of mankind, somehow then "reneged" on that Commitment.

He is NOT there asking His Father to "spare" Him from the Cross! Not after Isaiah 50 has Him saying things like these: "I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? Let him come near to me. Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me?" Isaiah 50:6-9

Our Lord has set His Face like a flint! He is resolved, determined to die vicariously for our sins! And He never "wavered" once!

And watch Him here "challenge" the Devil! "Who will contend with me?" The verb "contend" means "to strive," particularly in a legal sense.

And "Let us stand together" is the equivalent of saying to Satan, "Bring it on!" No, our Lord is not fearful of "laying down His Life!"

 And the term "adversary" is "baal" in Hebrew, translated "owner" 14 times in the Bible!  The Devil will not "own" Jesus, then at Calvary or ever! "Who is mine adversary?"

Then ... if I'm right ... what is happening in that Garden? And why did Jesus want John to be so "close" to the events that night?

I believe the Devil, who is smarter than many realize, was trying to keep Jesus "from" the Cross! Trying to kill our Lord prior to Jesus shedding His precious Blood there to atone for sin!

The Devil had already attempted to kill Jesus ... many times.

For example, when just an Infant, Herod's soldiers!

Or when Christ preached His first recorded Sermon! The hearers became so angry they ... "rose up, and thrust Him out of the city, and led Him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast Him down headlong." Luke 4:29, is that not an attempt on His Life, before Calvary? Is Satan not the sponsor of such?

Then ... "the Jews took up stones again to stone him." John 10:31, notice the adverb "again."

The Deceiver wanted Jesus dead ... any way except on the Cross dying to us sinners!

And when a man begins to sweat "as drops of blood," he is dangerously near death, according to many a physician.

Folks, that's the "cup," premature death, that our Lord asked to "pass" from Himself that night. Jesus was pleading with His Father ... to allow Him to live to reach the old rugged Cross! "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." Luke 22:42

(By the way Hebrews 5:7 says that God HEARD Jesus' prayer that night ... and did not allow the Son to die in the Garden! "Who in the days of his flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that he feared.")

What intensity!

And somehow John (along with James and Peter apparently) needed to see that Agony! Clearly it would help them grow in the Lord. Help prepare them for future spiritual battle!

Help "arm" John for his exile on Patmos!

Help "stabilize" John when Herod kills his brother ... James. "Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword." Acts 12:1-2, John not "flinching" a bit, staying faithful to his Lord!

Gethsemane also helped our disciple better understand the "wiles" or "tactics" of the Devil, too. Something that would have been necessary for a man who would later write the Book of Revelation!

I am amazed at what "training" our Lord inculcated into John's life. What time and energy and "suffering" and patience.

This is why John can objectively write lines like these out of a sense of duty to the Lord. "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." Revelation 6:9-11

John told this sad, truthful story matter-of-factly, without hysteria, largely because he was a "veteran" of Gethsemane!

Learning through the "mysterious" times of life!

I think maybe ... more again tomorrow ... from the Garden of Gethsemane! I'm seeing one more "nugget," evidence of Jesus' pedagogical "Genius," as He prepared his disciples for future (successful, faithful) service.

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12, GETHSEMANE AND "FELLOWSHIP:"

In the Garden of Gethsemane John heard our Lord say, "What, could ye not watch with me one hour?" Matthew 26:40

It is as if Jesus were ... lonely.

That our Lord needed, maybe even craved ... "fellowship" with a few of His men, His disciples.

"Watch with Me," the clause utilizes the Greek preposition "meta." It means "in company with," and "on the side of," not "against!" It's a clear word of commitment here.

Jesus NEEDED someone.

I submit to you John never forgot that Lesson!

Hereafter "fellowship" becomes a grand theme to this dear man of God. It's almost his "specialty!"

As in First John 1:6. "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."

Then three verses later: "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth."

Then in his Gospel, John constantly emphasizes fellowship or communion or "abiding" in the Lord! And do remember he wrote that beautiful Gospel after Jesus' Death and Burial and Resurrection, several years after apparently.

After the Garden of Gethsemane experience.

In fact, as John records it, the first words of Jesus he ever heard were, "Come and see!" John 1:39, an invitation to fellowship!

How's this for "fellowship?" John 15:7 ... "If ye abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." Jesus' very sentence, verbatim. "Abiding" is fellowship, par excellence!

And John is "big" on the theme of fellowshipping with Jesus ... and NOT fellowshipping with the enemies of Jesus, too! Listen to this from Second John: "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." Wow!

John hereby leaves us a lesson today. Our Lord still hungers for fellowship with His people! His pen again, a statement of theological fact: "True worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him." John 4:21, still Jesus talking. And if the Father seeks worshippers ... so does the Son!

And not to write much more, but just think about the "fellowship" with our Lord that is pictured in the Book of Revelation, John's magnum opus! John and Jesus, in 22 chapters of communion!

Perhaps all this "fellowship" aspect of John's life ... and the pertinent Literature he wrote us as well ... sprang from the Garden of Gethsemane!

Don't be asleep!

Stay awake!

Look for opportunities to "fellowship" with your Lord!

"What, could ye not watch with me one hour?"  

Lord, help us to be able to say, Yes!"

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 13, STAYING CLOSE BY JESUS' SIDE:

I'm thinking of an event that occurred after the Arrest of Jesus. A situation where John acted so very differently than his best friend, Peter. (John and Peter are "linked" time and time again in the Gospel narrative. By the way, with Peter always first, eight different texts.)

Our Lord has been "taken" and is being "interrogated" by the Jewish High Priest, an impostor and a reprobate named Caiaphas. "And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not." John 18:15-18, where the "other disciple" is John, doubtlessly so.

One disciple (John) clearly "went in" with Jesus ... into the very place of inquisition!

While the other disciple (Peter) "stood without" ... until John summoned him to enter the "courtroom!"

Then John apparently went back to Jesus' Side, listening to every libelous word being spoken against the Lord Jesus.

This left Peter standing "at the gate," by a "damsel," being the Greek term "paidiske," just a "young girl." Likely a "mere" slave!

But Peter just stood there!

Not getting any closer to Jesus' side!

Not even staying "with" John!

Luke expresses it this way: "Then took they Him (Jesus), and led Him, and brought Him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off." Luke 22:54

Here's what I'm saying this Monday morning.

Peter got into "trouble," ending up "denying" His Lord, because He was hesitant about getting "too close" to Jesus ... particularly at such a "dangerous" time!

The girl, the gatekeeper, to  Peter. "Art not thou one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not."

That's a denial, folks!

"I am NOT."

In Greek, "Eimi ouk!"

Meaning "absolutely" not!

How did John avoid this pitfall?

What lesson had he learned ... that Peter somehow missed?

STAYING CLOSE TO JESUS!

AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE!

By John's having pursued a three year lifestyle of "leaning on Jesus' Breast" at every opportunity! See John 13:25, written by John himself, our "hero!"

By John's focusing on Jesus then acting on that Object of one's affections!

Peter did not seek to be by Jesus' Side.

John did.

Peter denied. In fact this "negligence" began a string of three such denials!

John never denied!

John unashamedly, boldly, stood near our Lord!

Peter did not, staying closer to the doorway, "outside" of any major tension, any real danger.

There is a word I omitted earlier. I will both capitalize and underline it for you now. "Art not thou also one of this man's disciples?" The girl to Peter!

In other words, "We know John is His disciple. He's standing by Him, up close! What about you? Are you ALSO one of "them?"

John is "open" about his devotion.

And you, Sir, Peter?

Wow!

There you have it.

One of John's "secrets" of spiritual growth.

Staying by the Lord's Side, no matter what!

Being unashamed, or better, that much in love with Jesus!

"And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple (John) was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not."

Now read John's whole New Testament corpus, everything he wrote. He ALWAYS tries to talk about Jesus! He always focuses on the Saviour!

In His Gospel.

In his Epistles, all three of them.

And in his Book of Revelation as well.

John.

Faithful John.

I must close today.

Is there anything between YOU and JESUS?

If so, confess and forsake that hindrance, that sin ... and get closer and closer to the Shepherd! James words it this way: "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you." James 4:8

Wow!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Reminds me of the words of a song the choir used to sing. A truth John learned a long time ago!

Nothing between my soul and my Savior,
Naught of this world’s delusive dream;
I have renounced all sinful pleasure;
Jesus is mine, there’s nothing between.

Refrain:
Nothing between my soul and my Savior,
So that His blessed face may be seen;
Nothing preventing the least of His favor;
Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.

LESSON 14, HEARING THEN SPEAKING:

Somehow John, to aid his own spiritual growth, developed a keen ability to "hear," to really "comprehend" what Jesus taught.

And having been given "ears to hear," a phrase he uses numerous times in his writing, John carefully and personally applies the Doctrine he learned at Jesus' Feet!

One day our Lord was preaching, teaching is a better term on this occasion, and Jesus succinctly said: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15, where John was present! In fact, John is the one who recorded the words for us to enjoy yet today!

John heard those golden words!

Then a little later, this Same Jesus: "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." John 15:14

John's still listening!

Jesus then adds this Sermon note: "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." John 14:23

By then John was "all ears."

He heard.

He obeyed.

Meaning He loved ... the Lord!

Then, the "heart" of today's Lesson ... John also "taught" this Truth to others. What he heard ... he learned ... and he shared!

That's a "pattern," a "paradigm" of spiritual growth, dear readers!

Paul to young Timothy: "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also." Second Timothy 2:22

Amen.

But do we have "proof" that John heard ... then shared the Words of Jesus, our Lord's Doctrine?

Yes we do!

In this case, specifically.

I invite you to the little Epistle of Second John, just for a minute. There John writes to a godly "Lady," maybe a code name, a symbol, of a local Church somewhere: "And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it." Second John verses 6 and 7, hearing then telling! Hearing and obeying first, I should say.

Why did John, unlike Judas, stay faithful?

And why did John, in many ways unlike Peter, stay steadfast, not denying His dear Lord?

Because he "heard!"

Because he obeyed too, proof of his "love" to Jesus!

And then because he "shared" what Jesus taught!

Once more, John, from memory: "And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it." 

John writing, preaching ... what he had many years earlier heard Jesus say! Up to sixty years earlier, many experts believe!

Remember: "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17

James 1:25 warns us to not be "forgetful hearers!"

Next time you're in Church ... soon I trust ... be a good "listener."

Be "attentive."

Hear "well."

Build your little "storehouse" of wisdom and knowledge and discernment ... then go out living what you've learned ... sharing it with others as opportunity allows!

Here's Jesus in John 13:52. "Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old."

Folks, "hear" well.

Build that "treasure."

Then around others ... "bring forth" Truth that will point them to Jesus. Or help them too "grow" in Jesus!

You cannot "give out" what you have  not first "taken in," common sense!

John, the consummate "listener!"

                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Is anyone "hearing" me today?

LESSON 15, MAYBE THE "SECRET" TO ALL JOHN'S FAITHFULNESS:

A single verse comes to mind this morning. It points to the importance of the Cross ... Calvary ... in the life of the Apostle.

Do remember that John is the only disciple who was even at the Cross! The rest of the brethren, apparently, fled the scene! Both Mark 14:50, and Matthew 26:56 say so. "And they all forsook him, and fled."

But John either came back, having reconsidered, or was the sole exception, remaining loyal to Christ. He certainly stood near Jesus' Cross, watching the Saviour die!

Does the following not sound like an eye-witness report? "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved (John), he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple (John), Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple (John) took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst." John 19:26-28

Then John almost immediately penned these words. "And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe." John 19:35, just after a soldier took a sword and pierced Jesus' Side! John here "validates" as True his account of the Crucifixion. 

John ... at the Cross!

And our little hero never forgot what he saw!

Never allowed "to slip" from his memory what a Price Jesus truly paid for our salvation!

John, John alone of all the Gospel writers, records Jesus saying ...

"As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep." John 10:15

"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again." John 10:17

And this classic Statement, one John quoted later in one of his Epistles. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

To be precise, repeated and applied in First John 3:16. "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

Wow!

This may be the "secret" of John's entire Christian life!

What love!

What sacrifice!

What transfer of values!

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

And none of such altruism would have been possible had John not been present ... WHEN JESUS DIED!

My point today?

Make MUCH of Jesus' Death on Calvary!

Mentally visit, re-visit, the Cross every day you live!

Seek to come to the place you can, along with Paul, truthfully say: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." Galatians 6:14

John and Jesus ... and the Cross.

Tell us again, John. "And he that saw it (John himself) bare record, and his record is true: and he (John) knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe." John 19:35

The Cross became John's "raison d'etre," his very "reason to exist!"

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

John is the only disciple who did not die a martyr's death! Yet he successfully lived under the influence of Calvary all his days. Golgotha was the "impetus" of John's outstanding Christian life.

May the same be true of each of us.

LESSON 16, JOHN AND HIS EMOTIONS:

I am not trying to overemphasize the "emotional" part of life. Especially the Christian life. Faith must be the major component of our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed!

But when He saved us, He did save us "all over!"

And the "emotional" part of my being was given to Him as well. In fact, He "bought" it on the Cross, "redeemed" me ... spirit, soul and body! And of the soul, its components: mind, will and emotions!

As proof ... I now enjoy being saved!

My emotions still are subservient to my faith, even to my mind and doctrinal belief ... but alive nonetheless!

I am often "happy" in Jesus, in other words.

And when I am (emotionally) discouraged ... I do not try to hide such a thing from the Lord. With the Help of the Holy Spirit, we just "deal" with the matters at hand, those troublesome "feelings."

It is not my emotions that will give me the victory, living for the Lord. It is "faith!" First John 5:4 has it right. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

Why am I starting our Thursday Lesson this way?

While supposedly studying from the life of the disciple and Apostle John, of all people?

Because of some things we are told about him, John's initial response to the Resurrection of Jesus!

Our Bible Text today will be found in John's own Biography of our Lord. John chapter twenty, to be specific. Where Peter and John have just learned that our dead Lord's "tomb" has been disturbed!

Mary Magdalene told the men. "The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him." John 20:1-2

An empty tomb!

Now watch.

"Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple (John never names himself), and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre." Now John 20:3-4

John "outran" Peter. The Greek verb is "protrecho," to "run" down the road noticeably "ahead" of anyone else!

Of course, we believe John was the younger of the two.

But still ... running like that? 

Yes, John got "emotional!"

He was excited that His Lord was "gone?" And within minutes he also learned, not just "gone," but "risen!"

Then, soon as the Fact was established, via the undisturbed graveclothes, JESUS LIVES ... watch what happens!

"Then the disciples (including John, especially John) went away again unto their own home." Strange, John 20:10.

Why didn't they find the rest of the Twelve?

Or go back to speak to Mary Magdalene? Obviously she was still lingering near the Sepulchre, verses 11 and beyond clearly prove this fact.

Why home, for John specifically?

Because someone was there!

Jesus' Mother!

At John's house!

John HAD to tell her!

It was not only an "obligation" he felt, but an "emotional" response as well. "Mom" had to know!

Go with me back to the fourth Gospel's Crucifixion account, remembering now that John never names himself. He always uses some sort of "descriptive" phrase or clause. "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved (John), he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." John 19:26-27

Wow!

Running to the Tomb!

Rushing home to Mary!

Both clear "signs" that John, even though the Lord was thought to be "dead," still had "feelings" for Jesus!

Still had faith.

Still believed.

And did so "with all his heart!"

Did so ... emotionally!

I suggest to you this morning ... John's deep "feelings" for his Faith helped "carry" him through this dark time.

He gave God his whole self!

Including his "emotional" composition.

His constant "excitement" for the cause of Christ ... may well have been one of the (major) contributing factors to John's success, to John's reliability, to John's stability as a Christian!

Do YOU have such deep "feelings" regarding your faith?

Do YOU ever get "moved" thinking of the Cross, the Empty Grave, the soon Return of our Lord?

Do I get that involved, emotionally deep enough?

Years ago a conscientious English teacher shared with me the word "enthusiasm," its definition. It's Greek in background. The "thusi" root is the noun "theos," God's very name! It's prefix, "en," means "located deep down, heart-felt, soul-centered, middle-zoned" in an individual's psyche! Blended together ... enthusiasm, a sign of God being within a person!

Enthused!

A synonym, "emotional!"

Excited!

Thrilled!

Yes, also "God within!"

John running!

Outrunning Peter!

Then zipping straight home, not to Church! On Easter morning, the very first one ever!

Yes, he got emotional!

And I think, stayed that way for the next seventy years or so!

Writing about Jesus ... until John, a very elderly man by then, died and went to Heaven! Likely ... to an emotional arrival!

Maybe I need to be more excited!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 17, JOHN LEARNED "TO WAIT," WHAT A BLESSING:

The event on my heart today occurred after Jesus' Resurrection, not long before our Lord ascended to Heaven. Seven of Jesus' Disciples, including John, had gone fishing.

John chapter twenty-one tells the story. They caught no fish, after trying all night! Jesus immediately told them where the fish were ... just on the "other" side of the boat ... and immediately their catch was abundant!

Meanwhile, by the time their boat(s) got to shore, Jesus had cooked breakfast for the hungry crew. Soon He is asking Peter, "Do you love Me?" You remember that sequence I'm sure. That conversation closed with a "hint" of how Peter would die. Apparently, by crucifixion.

Then ... the heart of today's Lesson. Peter asks the Lord, concerning John: "Lord, and what shall this man do?"

Peter wants to know, I think, if John will also die a violent death! "How will John 'end up,' Lord?"

Then John 21:22 tells us: "Jesus saith unto Peter, If I will that he (John) tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me."

But we need an explanation here. And Scripture provides it. "Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" John 21:23

Well, John did die. This we know. But at a very advanced age, and without violence, if history be correct. And not having been crucified!

Back to Jesus' last words on the subject: "If I will that he (John) tarry till I come, what is that to thee (Peter)?"

The verb "tarry" used here is "meno" in Greek, meaning "to remain, to abide, to continue," even "to endure."

Sounds like John's job ... serving Jesus ... is largely to wait! Just to remain faithful! To keep on being True to the Word of God! To continuing the lifestyle Jesus had propagated!

Luke 19:13 comes to mind, the Parable. "Occupy till I come."

Wow!

John's secret to success was ... for sure ... his God-given ability "to wait." To "stay" on task! To keep preaching ten years, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty ... maybe more ... until He died, still loving his Lord!

Folks, if this be true of us ... "If I will that they tarry till I come" ... let us too walk the walk, fight the fight, keep the course, run the race (a marathon), never veering from the Truth, from God's Word!

Waiting!

Waiting on God!

May Isaiah 40:31 be true of us, as it was of John the Disciple. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
 

Amen!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 18, THE HOLY SPIRIT IN JOHN'S LIFE:

We're trying to "map" the life of John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Especially marking his "epochs" of spiritual growth. What were the secrets of his success as a Christian?

Today we arrive at another of these, undoubtedly.

The Day of Pentecost!

Not the day of John's first experience with the Holy Spirit. That occurred years ago. Maybe that first moment when He heard Jesus say, "Come and see!" By the way, John did come and he did see!

But the Holy Spirit as the very Vicar of Christ! Meaning that when Jesus ascended, the Holy Spirit descended. In an "official" capacity, as the Continuation of Jesus' Ministry!

And without John, especially the Gospel he wrote, we would be much more ignorant of the Holy Spirit. We wouldn't have even known that the Holy Spirit could not be given in fullness ... until Jesus had been glorified! "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified." John 7:37-39, one of the more than dozen times John references the Spirit, in twenty-one chapters, the fourth Gospel.

So today I'm saying, bluntly, the Secret to John's faithfulness and fruitfulness and longevity as a witness of Christ Jesus ... was the indwelling Holy Spirit of God!

And John's first Epistle is nearly a Manual on the Holy Spirit's Ministry in our lives. In First John 3:24, for example: "Hereby we know that he (Jesus) abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us." The Holy Spirit, the Giver of our Assurance!

Then John teaches us that not only is there a Spirit of Truth (the Holy Spirit) in this world ... but also a "spirit of error." Here: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." Also: "We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error."

Wow!

Here's John's fundamental "secret" ... "Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world." First John 4:2-3, the discerning Holy Spirit! He, the Holy Ghost, is how John stayed "straight" in his faith, orthodox.

The we learn of the "Gift" of the Holy Spirit! "Hereby know we that we dwell in him (Jesus), and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit." First John 4:14

What a major Truth!

Talk about the "fruit" of the Spirit! I might even say that "John himself," as a believer in Jesus ... is a prime example of such fruit!

Paul said "I am what I am by the Grace of God." See First Corinthians 15:10 for the whole statement.

John could have as easily said, "I am what I am by the Holy Spirit of God!"

To which we all might chime, "Amen!"

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 19, A LIFETIME OF SUFFERING, YET FAITHFUL TO HIS LORD:

If John truly "realized" it, Jesus had already forewarned him that his life would be filled with much "suffering," for the sake of his faith.

John had just asked Jesus for a certain "favor." And Jesus responded: "Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able."

Wow!

And Jesus saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to ...." Matthew 20:22-23, clearly strong admonition that suffering, maybe even death, awaited James and John!

Did John remember?

Anyway, after Pentecost, shortly so, John gets his first real "taste" of hardship, persecution even. "And as they (Peter and John) spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold (jail) unto the next day: for it was now eventide. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes, and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem. And when they had set them (Peter and John) in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole. Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Acts 4:1-13

John, interrogated and arrested!

A little later, John still being among these early "sufferers" for Jesus ... "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." Acts 5:41, John certainly had "readied" himself, and was also full of the empowering Holy Spirit of God!

Then that event with James, John's natural as well as spiritual brother! It's hard to get closer to a person (excepting your Mate of course) than to a brother. "Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the (lost) Jews ...." Acts 12:1-3

A brother dead, "hacked" to death in fact, with a sword.

And John didn't run?

Didn't quit?

Doubtlessly, John was "prepared" to suffer!

And through it all, he remained faithful!

And sixty years later, if not more, John is still suffering for Jesus. "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 1:9, Patmos being a penal colony for Rome under the Emperor Domitian, a wicked man.

Folks, the "secret" to any long-enduring Christian life is to be "tuned" for hardship. Paul to Timothy: "Therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." Second Timothy 2:3

Expect it, persecution! Realizing that ... "We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." Acts 14:22

That such difficulty of life may be our very "calling" as Christians! "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake." Philippians 1:29

Peter, often John's companion in suffering wrote: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." First Peter 4:12-13

They were "ready!"

John was "ready!"

And he too, like his Brother in Christ Paul ... "bore in his body MARKS (scars) of suffering for Jesus' Sake!" See Galatians 6:17 for the exact quote.

Someone said, "To be forewarned is to be forearmed."

John certainly might have agreed!

                 --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." Jesus in John 15:18, with John listening nearby!

LESSON 20, JOHN A "PILLAR" OF THE CHURCH:

I've never written on our current subject before, "The Life of John the Disciple." Especially regarding his "spiritual development, his growth in godliness." But it's all beginning to come into focus, particularly the fact that certain "lessons, principles, truths" had to be emphasized in his life again and again! Until he finally learned them! Sort of like "refresher" courses at school.

And gradually the man became a "giant" in the Faith!

I thought last night about a compliment Paul gave John. The sentence is part of Paul's written "testimony," part of his validating himself before the Galatian Churches. "And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision." Galatians 2:9

"John" ... who seemed to be a "pillar!"

Wow!

The result of years and years of knowing Jesus!

Of following Jesus!

Of being with Jesus!

Of experiencing both sweet times and bitter times ... in pursuit of excellence in the Christian life.

John, a "pillar."

The Greek noun used here is "stulos." It means of course a "pillar," as of a building. But also it can mean "column, support, prop." It is derived from a root verb, "stuo," meaning "to stiffen!" And the whole word family is akin to the verb "histemi," meaning "to stand!"

Wow!

John would "stand."

John would help be a "support."

John was trustworthy.

And faithful.

This again is not what John said about himself. Others saw and knew him to be this reliable!

By the way, John being such a "pillar," rest assured that he is set on the right Foundation, Jesus Christ our Lord. John was aligned with the proper Cornerstone, again that's Jesus Himself!

Then I recalled this. Pillars are not only functional, strengthening and fundamental to a building's composition. They can also be lovely to behold, pretty. And John was certainly qualified in this area. He successfully reflected the "beauty of holiness," quoting Psalm 29:2.

Yes, with only a few lessons remaining on John the Disciple, we can clearly see his trajectory toward maturity. He is, again using Paul's descriptive words, a man who had ... "come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect (having reached the goal) man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." Ephesians 4:14

John, a "pillar."

No a stumbling stone!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 21, JOHN THE WORSHIPPER:

I want to present John to you today as one of the greatest prophets who ever lived. After all, he is the human writer of the Book of Revelation, the greatest of all the Bible's apocalypses. And the only Book of Scripture that contains a self-described promise for just reading it! "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Revelation 1:3, again from the hand of John as received from the Holy Spirit.

But as a prophet John also was a worshipper! This is always the case, Biblically speaking. Even Jonah did, finally ... worship God! Essentially, the Bible is a Book of Worship, a Manual one might even claim.

I'd like to suggest today that being a worshiping believer is essential to any healthy Christian life.

It may even be "foundational" to John's success, his faithfulness, his longevity, his maturity in Christ! One of his "secrets" of spiritual growth.

How deeply do we worship our Lord? How fervently? How energetically?

I several years ago spotted a "progression" of worship in the New Testament Book of Revelation. Remember, written by John! And last week I saw it again, this beautiful sequence. So today I share the thought with you.

We begin at Revelation 1:5-6 where John's outburst of praise and worship is two-fold. "Unto him (Jesus) that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." Both "glory" and "dominion!"

Now watch Revelation's praise and worship as it is expressed in chapter four. Saints in Heaven being involved ... "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:11, triple praise now!

From two to three. See! The whole idea of worship "intensifies" as the Book of Worship, Revelation, unfolds!

Now by Revelation chapter five, it's four-fold! "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." Count them, precisely four, quoting Revelation 5:13.

Worship indeed builds, true worship does!

Now to Revelation chapter seven. Watch this! "And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen." Revelation 7:11-12, seven-fold worship!

Growing joy!

Maybe even growing song!

And certainly ... expanding vistas of worship!

More and more of the traits of Almighty God being ascribed to Him!

Maybe the "heart" of the Lesson is ... the BETTER we know our God ... the BETTER we can worship Him!

John the Disciple, the worshipper par excellence!

And yes, JESUS IS WORTHY!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Remember these growing spans of worship Sunday Morning, folks!

LESSON 23, BOTH "IN" THE WORLD, BUT MUCH MORE SO "IN CHRIST:"

I don't want to get too repetitive in this Series on the Life of the Disciple John. But the same "principle" keeps surfacing, more than I would have ever imagined!

That of keeping one's eyes on JESUS ... especially when trials and adversities beset the pathways of life.

Chronologically we're sort of been meandering through John's Biblically reported biography. We've finally arrived at the Book of Revelation.

Read: "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ." Revelation 1:9

Notice the two strands of thought here. "Companion in tribulation!" Then "for the testimony of Jesus Christ!"

Heartache ... right beside Glory!

Buffeting ... right beside Blessing!

The isle that is called "Patmos," still known by that name, was likely a large "prison compound" in John's day. During the reign of wicked Roman Emperor Domitian. John, now an old man, had been "banished" to that bleak place!

Yes, John was being persecuted!

But he was still "happy" in Jesus!

As though already in the "kingdom" of Heaven!

The world fighting all around!

The Lord ruling all above!

And that glorious, mighty Monarch, Jesus not Domitian, living deep inside one's heart, John's innermost Comforter!

John "in Patmos."  Remember? "In the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God."

But John also "in the Spirit!" As in Revelation 1:10. "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet."

Wow!

Paul faced the same dilemma.

He was often "in jail."

But much more often (in fact, always) "in Christ!"

In the world.

But more so, in Christ!

Read Colossians 1:2 for an illustration. "To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

They were "in Colosse."

They were too "in Christ."

Moses ... "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward." Hebrews 11:25-26

Suffering, in fact choosing to suffer!

With an eye on Jesus!

On Eternity!

John learned well this technique!

He had heard Jesus teach it many a time. "These things I (Jesus) have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John (note who reported such an astounding statement) 16:33!

This "truth" helped build John, his character, into spiritual Goliath status!

It can do the same for us as well!

"In" Christ.

"In Christ!"

What can the world possibly do to that man or woman?

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 24, JOHN'S VISION OF JESUS, FROM PATMOS:

John, in his path of spiritual growth, had already invested over three years of his life literally "living" with Jesus! (Mark 3:14 tells us that Jesus called His twelve Disciples ... "that they should be WITH Him." Constantly, or nearly so.)

But after Jesus ascended to Heaven, John was yet again privileged to see the Lord! To see Him in all His Glory! Yes, while John was "banished" to a small Aegean Island named Patmos.

Let me give you the account of the marvelous event. From John's own hand, nonetheless. "I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; and his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Revelation 1:9-18, from an eye-witness!

John sees Jesus!

More clearly than Paul did on the Damascus Road!

In greater detail than did ever Isaiah or Habakkuk or Nahum!

Or David or, surprisingly, even Moses!

"In the Spirit," I take to be the Holy Spirit Who is the True Revealer of Jesus! He yet today "points" men and women to the Lord!

The "Voice," the "Majesty" identifies Himself too. "I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last."

This is Jesus!

A Voice so Real that he can be "seen!" Oh, what must be the POWER of the Voice of Almighty God! "And I turned to see the Voice that spake with me." The verb is "blepo," seeing the "Form" but even more, seeing with "perception, understanding!" Discerning more than the merely physical!

Now Jesus is "like the Son of Man." This is the Title for God used by Old Testament Prophets like Daniel. Used by Jesus, speaking of Himself, nearly a hundred times in the Gospels too!

Look at Jesus' wardrobe now, the one John observes our Lord wearing. "Clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle." This is the dress, the "uniform," of an Old Testament Priest! Called the "curious girdle" in the Book of Exodus, worn by Aaron! Jesus no longer a carpenter! Jesus the great High Priest!

Then the Lord's Head; "His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow." Teaching us, I think, that Jesus is "pure" of thought. "Unstained, untainted" in His Mind. White hair, He's also the True "Ancient" of Days, another Term used by Daniel of God in Heaven!

And John notes our Lord's Eyes that day. "His eyes were as a flame of fire." This depicts Jesus "vision," all-knowing and ultra-perceptive, penetrating everything! Jesus is "Judge" also, according to John 5:22. "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son." Wow! Piercing Eyes now, once "languid" Eyes as He died on Calvary!

The Seer (John) even noticed our Lord's Feet! "His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace." Brass in Scripture typifies "judgment" for sure. (Gold pictures Deity and Silver symbolizes Atonement as well.) Burning, cleansing, punishing Feet ... as they return to earth, at the Battle of Armageddon I mean. Feet that crushed the serpent's head, too! On the Cross He did.

And that Voice again, "His voice as the sound of many waters." Powerful roaring! Earth shaking! (Amos 1:2 promises: "The LORD will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem." Amazing!)

Jesus' Hands, Mouth and overall Countenance: "And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength." Pretty inclusive! The Hand of His "Power," the "right" one in Scripture, holds (grasps, grips, surrounds) seven "stars," learned earlier to be Seven Churches! God's redeemed people! The Sword is God's very Word! And one's "countenance" is his "facial appearance," his "presence." Jesus "glows," radiating the very Essence, the very Brightness of God!

Oh yes, I suspect this all would have been further impetus for John to be "faithful" the rest of his life, never wavering from service to Jesus his Lord. Plus these words, from Christ Himself: "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

One British writer, Griffith Thomas, said this "vision" gave John assurance and authority and then appointment ... to further pursue John's life work, work given him by Jesus long ago. Nearly a lifetime ago! To John ... "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter."

If Jesus is this BIG to a man, this BRIGHT in one's eyes (even if by faith) ... that man will not waver! I suggest this paragraph in Revelation chapter one may be the greatest thrust yet, in John's life, to keep on serving God!

And serve God he did!

How about us?

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 25, MATURE, BUT STILL FALLIBLE:

We have for nearly a month traced John's "path" to maturity. How the Lord "built" this great man of God into the spiritual giant he became.

Yet at no point did John ever become "perfect," certainly not in the sense of being "sinless." Many a Lesson he had to be taught twice! Yet the transformation he experienced, even when seen through the lens of Scripture, is phenomenal!

Let me give you an example.

In the Book of Revelation, as you know, angels often guided John into various realms of truth. In fact, the whole Book is said to be "sent" from the Lord to John via an angel! "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John." Revelation 1:1, its very first verse!

I just counted the word "angel" in Revelation 51 times! And its plural form 23 more times! Astounding!

In fact, John became so overwhelmed by these "angels" that he nearly overemphasized their importance.

Now here's my proof text. "And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things." Revelation 22:8

John knows better!

He's the man who often leaned on Jesus' Breast!

But he's here at the feet of an angel, a mere created being.

Now watch the angel "correct," mildly "rebuke" John.

"Then saith he (the angel) unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God." Revelation 22:9

But folks, and this is important ... earlier in the Book John had already made this same mistake. And I might say that worshipping, bowing, before the wrong entity can be a very serious error!

Back in Revelation 19:10. "And I fell at his feet (yes, an angel) to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

John, at the very height of his Ministry, twice falling down prostrate before the wrong personage, an angel. Twice now being "corrected!"

That's today's point!

No matter how "mature" we might be, or think we are ... we are still apt to err, to drift. Still "slow to learn" truths taught us previously!

John's "humanity" is still alive and well!

Now please understand Brother Bagwell has to be taught lessons a lot more than twice, at least that has been the case on several occasions. And I'm still a way-too-slow learner. But John's fallibility just helped me a lot!

Right now I'm so thankful for the words of Psalm 103:14. "For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust."

Even John.

Even Mike.

Even you.

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 26, "SPIRITUAL GROWTH" IN JOHN'S EPISTLES:

In John's longest "Epistle," not his Gospel or the Book of Revelation, he leaves us a classic example of his now well-developed idea of "spiritual growth." And what a great Book "First John" is! Five chapters, 105 total verses.

There, in chapter two, John writes to three "groups" of Christians, three "levels" of development being indicated.

"I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one."

Then John immediately repeats his three levels of designation. With further advice for each.

"I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one." First John 2:12-14

Little children, not infants six months old!

But "little children" in the faith! New Believers in Jesus! Those just starting their spiritual journey! Neophytes, newly planted in the Lord!

Fathers, next addressed in the Text, are again not men of ripe old age, not necessarily.

But men who have "advanced" in the Faith. "Grown up" in Christ, you might say! Filled with wisdom and discernment, having walked the "straight and narrow" way for some time!

Then young men are mentioned. And the "calendar" or the "birth certificate" in not in view here!

From the context it appears they are Believes who have trained and prepared themselves to "fight" or "contend" for the faith! These have "grown" in the Lord enough ... "to overcome the wicked one!" To help fight the devil!

Wow!

John the Disciple now sees all the "Church," the entire "Body of Believers" ... as individuals in various levels of spiritual progress!

And John then advises them accordingly, as per their stage of growth! Let me show you again. "I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you."

Little Children ... just saved, but they at least "know" the Father!

Fathers ... have a "history" of faithfully walking with God! Stable faith, "from the beginning." Long enough to "know" God is True, Dependable!

Young men ... having been to "boot camp," strong because they have disciplined themselves to learn and apply ... to internalize ... the precious and powerful Word of God!

Yes, John himself certainly grew over the years ... from infancy to pristine maturity ... by loving Jesus and obeying the commands of our Lord.

So must we.

Wow!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, do not give a "child" an "adult's work!" And do not, for example, put a man in the pulpit (pastoring) who is still a baby in Christ!

Spiritual growth, a reality.

LESSON 27, FROM "BELIEVING" TO "KNOWING," REAL PROGRESS:

Today's thought is brief, but impressive! And it does show "progress" in the New Testament writings of John.

One thing that's great about this man, as an author, is the fact he loves to tell the "reason" he's writing!

He does so, in fact, in his magnum opus, his grand finale, the Book of Revelation. Watch, rather read. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw." The first two verses of the Document! And we already know WHY he is writing! To reveal future things, events!

And yes, John does the same thing in his wonderful Gospel. And the Epistles too. What one "says" indicates what one "is." Jesus expressed it this way, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." Matthew 12:34

So ... what is the "purpose" of John's Gospel? Near the end he tells us. "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." John 20:30-31

That people might "believe" in Jesus, and thus be saved!

Now ... what's the "purpose" of his largest Epistle, for example? Of First John? Wow! "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God." First John 5:13

Now, let me show you.

He slides from "believing" in Jesus, thus being saved ... to "knowing" that one possesses eternal life! Gospel to Epistle, two clearly stated purposes!

First one believes!

Then one knows!

That's progress.

That's spiritual growth.

That the strengthening of one's faith!

And that's the trajectory John's life and ministry had taken for years, apparently continuing even as he neared death! Death as an old man in his nineties, likely.

From simply "believing" (which is wonderful in itself) ... to absolutely "knowing" (which is even more wonderful!)

By the way, have you believed?

Then ... do you have assurance of your salvation? Do you know that you are enjoying eternal life?

In other words, have you grown in Christ Jesus your Lord?

I trust the answer is "yes."

             --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

If the answer is not "yes," read again the Gospel of John (for belief) and then the First Epistle of John (for assurance). Best advice I know to give this Wednesday morning in late March, 2015.

LESSON 28, GROWING WITHOUT "SLIPPING," STAYING LOYAL TO THE TRUTH:

The term most often used is "drift."

I've also heard it called "slip."

The Old Testament might call it "backsliding."

Current fundamentalists no doubt would label it "compromise."

But, by whatever name, John the Disciple did NOT do it!

The longer he served the Lord ... the less he tended to veer from the Saviour! John stayed "on course" all his life!

Too often in old age a man or woman "eases" his or her stance for Christ. A casual "loosening" of standards often occurs.

Again, not with John.

He ended his Christian life "defending" the Truth as much as, if not more, than when he started his journey with the Lord.

Proof?

In his very last Epistle, at least in New Testament Book order, Revelation by name, John is still fighting evil! Still railing against the anti-Christ! Still predicting the fall of the Devil, the Dragon, the False Prophet too! 

And in his Epistles?

Still standing strong!

In Second John he is opposing those who "deny" that Jesus is the Christ, come in the flesh! "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." Second John, verse 7.

Now to verses 10 and 11 of Second John, sounds like "boot camp" to me. "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine (the Deity of Christ), receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." Wow! This is not a soft approach to apostasy, folks!

Then Third John! There's a man in the Church there who "loved to have the preeminence" among the brethren, among the Church folks! And John named him for what he was, a "Church Boss!" And I really mean named him. "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church." Third John verses 9 and 10, not running from a problem, at age 90 or older, John the Disciple.

Friends, as we grow in the Lord ... deepening in our love and joy and peace and longsuffering (the multiple fruit of the Spirit) ... let us not in the process lose our spirit of "earnestly contending" for the faith!

Do not "sell out," especially after all those years of faithful service.

This may be the ultimate secret of spiritual growth, becoming more like Jesus ... in every way. Including one's love for Righteousness, and one's hatred of Ungodliness!

Maybe old, but still tenacious!

Thank you, John, for standing true through all those years.

Like your Lord, Who Himself was perfectly Faithful in all He did.

                    --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 29, JOHN AND HIS FOCUS ON JESUS, CONCLUSION:

To close our series of studies on John the Disciple, his spiritual growth, I am going to quote one of the last things he ever said. At least that's on record. Writing in Revelation 22:20. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

I mean, literally, the man the places his pen aside, and continues serving Jesus ... until he is dead. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus."

The one remaining verse he wrote, Revelation 22:21, is a benediction. "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Suddenly, John's writing career is over! Again, as far as we know.

And we last see John ... praying!  "Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Maybe prayer is the "secret" to his maturity in Christ.

Also ... we last see John thinking about Jesus! "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Maybe "occupation with Christ" was the "key" to John's great stature among the Brethren.

And this too, we last see John focusing on what you might call "Prophecy." Faith in the Second Coming of our Lord, yet future ... but as sure as the sunrise. More sure, in fact. "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Maybe this is the "heart" of John's faithfulness, what drove him so relentlessly to serve His Lord.

Prayer, constantly thinking about Jesus, and longing for the Second Coming ... five words in English! "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Less, just four words in Greek!

Wow!

I sincerely pray this group of Lessons has been an encouragement to those of you who have followed them, have read them.

This should be the by-line of every Christian, constant growth and progress in the Life Jesus taught us to live.

John did what Peter last wrote. "Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." Second Peter 3:18

"Lord God, help us all to be conformed more and more into the beautiful Image of Thy Dear Son, Amen."

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell