Week 1-Monday June 21

“Knowing John” Bruce Thiessen

John is first mentioned in the Bible when Jesus starts his ministry. Jesus recruits John as recorded in Matthew.

Matthew 4:18-22 (NIV) ¹⁹"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." ²⁰At once they left their nets and followed him.  ²¹Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John.

Jesus calls on the disciples to “follow me,” without question the men leave their current lives behind and follow Jesus. John is in a boat with his father Zebedee, without question follows Jesus.

John receives credit for the letters written to the church, the consideration of Johns letters (I, II, III John) reflect Johns concern for the church and its erroneous belief of Gnosticism. John desired the church to understand the true teachings of God to see the just and loving nature of God.

1 John 1:5-2:12 (NIV)  ⁵This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.

As noted in verse 5, God is the light, there is no darkness with God. In verse 6, John writes if we walk in the light we too can be in the light as God is in the light. The passage continues with a call for all to love each other. Following in verse 9, John pens the verse many memorized at a young age. “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” We can take comfort, knowing our sins are unconditionally forgiven, God keeps His promises and will not fail us as we ourselves fail.

John also was entrusted with the book of Revelation.

Revelation 1:1-3 (NIV)  ¹The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, ²who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

God shows John the prophecy of revelation and spells out His second coming in great detail. God reminds us in the closing of the book of Revelation the Jesus is coming soon.

Throughout the New Testament John gives us a firsthand look at the ministry of Jesus. John shows a recurring theme of loving each other and trusting God. John is referred to as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. They possibly were cousins, which indicates they may have been close growing up. So it is not a surprise John became a trusted disciple when Jesus started his ministry.

John records the ministry of Jesus in the book of “John” showing his love for Christ and commitment to the ministry of Jesus.  It proves fitting that John also was trusted to record the prophecy of the second coming of Jesus, while incarcerated on the Isle of Patmos. According to history all of the other apostles died a violent death, except for John.    

Day 1- Got a Message?

Read Revelation 1:1-3- A key characteristic of Worshiping God is obedience, see John 14:23.  Near the end of his life the disciple John received a message from God.

1.    According to verse 2, what did John do with the message he received?  You probably haven’t received a divine revelation like John, but have you received a message from God you need to testify to?  Are you?

2.    Who are the blessed in verse 3?  Why do reading and hearing the Word produce blessing?  Have you read the something from the Bible and not taken it to heart?

3.    According to verse 3, what is the urgency for John in delivering his message?  Do you live like the time is near?

Day 2- The First Step in Worship

Read Matthew 4:18-22- This passage describes how John, Peter, James and Andrew became disciples and began a life of Worship.

1. When Jesus called these men, how did they respond?  God doesn’t expect you to drop everything, only what might hinder you.  These men couldn’t remain fishermen and follow Jesus.  Are you holding on to something that might keep you from following Jesus?

2. Could John have worshipped Jesus if he never answered the call of Jesus?  Have you taken the first step, and answered Jesus’ call to repentance and forgiveness?  If you don’t know how to answer the call, call or email the church someone there can help you.

Day 3- Me Last

Read Mark 10:35-45- John and his brother ask Jesus for a place of honor in God’s Kingdom, and Jesus replies by teaching them how the Kingdom of Heaven handles honor.  Worship is placing Honor where it belongs.

1. In verse 35 (NIV) they say, “we want you to do for us what ever we ask.”  Have you been more concerned about what God will do for you instead of what you should do for God?

2. How is Jesus the ultimate example of serving instead of being served?  How can you serve instead of being served in church? at work? at home?

Day 4- Fighting Sin

Read I John 1:5-7- This passage by John helps us to understand how sin interferes with our ability to Worship.  John uses light and darkness as a metaphor for righteousness and sin.

1. The world likes to speak of balance in the universe, of light sides and dark sides.  How does verse 5 speak to God’s nature in this regard?

2. What does it mean to walk in the light? in darkness? Can you walk in the light and still sin? Does walking in the light mean you will be perfect?

3. What are the benefits of walking in the light?  How does sin affect your fellowship with God? with other believers?

Day 5- Confession

Read I John 1:8-2:2- This passage by John helps us to understand how to deal with sin in our lives that keeps us from worshiping God.

1. According to the passage, who has sin in their lives?  How is our witness to others affected by denying the sin in our life?

2. What is the cure for sin?  How was this cure obtained and paid for (2:2)?  To whom is this cure available?

Day 6- Love Each Other

Read I John 4:7-12, 19-21- This passage by John shows us how love, worship, and serving others are intertwined.

1. What does verse 8 tell us of God’s nature?  What does knowing God and being his produce in us?
2. Where does love start?  How did God show his love for us?  By this standard, how do we show love for others?
3. If we cannot show love to others, what does that mean about us?

Day 7- Worship in Trials

Read Revelation 1:9-11- John explains how his service of God landed him on Patmos and how God used him there.

1. What put John on the Island of Patmos?  Did that stop him from serving God?

2. John was on a barren island away from his church and most of his friends; yet on the Lord’s Day he was in the Spirit, he was worshiping God.  When you’re in barren places is your response to worship God?  How do you worship in trial?  Is it from habit?  from knowing his word?  from the encouragement of others?

3. In his time of trial, John receives from God the Revelation.  When you are in a time of trial, are you prepared for God to use you for great things?  How can you use the following to be ready for God to use you:  worship, God’s word, the church, prayer?