The Bible Series John

The feel of this gospel is very intimate. It does not take long to realize that John knows Jesus very closely and describes things with great heart and passion of one who knows Jesus intimately.

The heart of Jesus and His message is deeply felt

John describes himself in this book simply as the one Jesus loved

He realizes who Jesus is and in Light of Christ he can only state… “He Loved Me”

D.L. Moody… Greatest thought or concept that has ever crossed your mind??? “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

This gospel is so simple… it is written in the simplest form of Greek there was, at the level of a grade-school equivalency… YET IT REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST PROFOUND BOOKS WRITTEN!!!

In all its profound and powerful presentation John delivers to us a very CLEAR PURPOSE!!!

Purpose of John

John recognizing that others have recorded things concerning Christ John writes in John 20:30-31

John 20:30–31 NASB95

Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

Therefore: after reading these things understand this.

many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples: (Matthew has 20, Mark has 18, Luke has 20… BUT JOHN has 7)… there is more!

which are not written in this book: the things written were written for a purpose...

but these have been written so that: Purposeful writing

you may believe that: this should occur… it takes thought and intellect

BELIEF: requires BOTH knowledge and choice! John will introduce you so you choose to believe!

Jesus is: introducing His humanity

the Christ: His royalty

the Son of God: His deity

and that believing: your belief will produce something spiritual

you may have life in His name: LIFE is the outcome or the result of this belief we engage in!

John’s purpose for his readers is to introduce them to Christ for the sake of belief and that belief produces LIFE!

This purpose is conveyed throughout his gospel!!!

Overview of John

His gospel BEGINS in a very unique way… Powerfully depicting the INCARNATION

Matthew traces back to Abraham

Mark gets to the point

Luke traces Jesus back to Adam

But John goes to the BEGINNING… before time! John 1:1-5

John 1:1–5 NASB95

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

God comes to this DARK WORLD as LIGHT… John 1:14

John 1:14 NASB95

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God’s heart is quickly evident for this dark world and in a conversation at NIGHT with Nicodemus Jesus sheds LIGHT of God’s love… John 3:16-17

John 3:16–17 NASB95

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

God loves this world He created… He loves mankind… and mankind is perishing, so God sends His Son to bring salvation!

God in the flesh declares His desire for man to BELIEVE in Him… for the purpose of LIFE!

John does not share the parables as others did so much as Jesus teaching of PARALLELISMS…

Light versus Darkness

Law and Grace

Weakness replaced with Strength

Physical hunger versus spiritual hunger

Fear to Faith

Death to Life

These concepts are strategically woven through the teaching of carefully chosen… SIGNS (not addressed as miracles)

These SIGNS (Seven of them) point to prove and show that Jesus is God in Flesh!

1- Water to wine

2- Jesus heals the Nobleman's son “restoration of the gospel”

3- Jesus heals the paralytic

4- Jesus feeds the multitudes (5000) 12 baskets left!

5- Jesus walks on water (power over His creation)

6- Jesus gives sight to a blind man… such a fun passage! John 9:3; 24-34

John 9:3 NASB95

Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

John 9:24–34 NASB95

So a second time they called the man who had been blind, and said to him, “Give glory to God; we know that this man is a sinner.” He then answered, “Whether He is a sinner, I do not know; one thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” So they said to him, “What did He do to you? How did He open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen; why do you want to hear it again? You do not want to become His disciples too, do you?” They reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. “We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where He is from.” The man answered and said to them, “Well, here is an amazing thing, that you do not know where He is from, and yet He opened my eyes. “We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him. “Since the beginning of time it has never been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. “If this man were not from God, He could do nothing.” They answered him, “You were born entirely in sins, and are you teaching us?” So they put him out.

7- Raising Lazarus from the dead!

ALL SEVEN PRODUCED… either Belief or Disbelief…

His teaching with each SIGN pointed to the fact that He was God in the flesh

His teaching rubbed sinful hearts and they chose to BLIND their hearts to His message

Jesus the great “I AM” in thier presence was rejected by many…

John records for us through Jesus teachings SEVEN POWERFUL I AM STATEMENTS:

I am The Bread of Life

I am The Light of the World

I am The Gate for the Sheep

I am The Good Shepherd “who lays down His life for the sheep”

I am The Resurrection (we have a living shepherd)

I am THE Way, Truth, & Life… John 14:6

John 14:6 NASB95

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

I am The True Vine

Arrest, Trial, & Death

As one approaches death, often words are chosen intentionally. Those loved-ones listening tend recall those words with fondness… John records chapters 13-17 in intimate detail as Jesus approaches the cross.

These five chapters cover only a few hours of time

John captures the Lord’s comfort, assurance and peace as He speaks to His disciples

Jesus shares of the “helper” the Holy Sprit who will come

These chapters are known as the Upper Room Discourse… detailing our Christina living

John describes the arrest, trial, and Crucifixion in vivid rapid detail… as one who was there watching in horror and grief.

As John describes Christ death he paints a picture that goes back to John the Baptist words in John 1:29

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

…and three days later!!!

LIFE!!!

John recounts the resurrection… John even records that he got to the tomb first! JESUS WAS ALIVE, HE IS RISEN!!!

John records multiple accounts of Jesus appearing to them and others

John records the fellowship with Jesus

John records the PEACE that comes from His resurrection

John records Jesus breaking bread with them

John records for us an intimate conversation… “Peter do you love me?” x3

John closes showing that those who BELIEVE… will have LIFE because we serve a Savior who LIVES and a Savior who LOVES and FORGIVES!

John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”