“MOLDED BY THE MASTER-JOHN: FINDING THE BALANCE …
“MOLDED BY THE MASTER-JOHN: FINDING THE BALANCE BETWEEN LOVE AND TRUTH”
JOHN 20:1-10
INTRO: Last week as we begin this series we saw how the Master molds us
from a life of inconsistency to consistency by looking at the life of
Peter. Today, we will look at John. Most of us like to read and hear
about the exciting and dramatic conversions of others. But the
apostle John’s conversion is not one that is overly exciting. We see
how the Master transformed him gradually from being a “Son of
Thunder” to the “Apostle of Love.” John MacArthur in his book,
Twelve Ordinary Men writes: “But love was a quality he learned from
Christ, not something that came natural to him” (1).
We know little about John’s conversion. It is believed that he came to
know Jesus at a young age. Matthew 4:21-22 tells us, “And going
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.” Their father, Zebedee was a name known
by early believers. At least eight times in the Gospels James and
John are called “sons of Zebedee.” None of the other disciples are
identified with persons like that. Zebedee must have been a believer
to allow his sons to leave his fishing business and follow Jesus
fulltime. Matthew Henry writes: “They had followed Christ before, as
common disciples, Joh_1:37; now they must leave their calling. Those
who would follow Christ aright, must, at his command, leave all
things to follow him, must be ready to part with them. (Matthew
Henry’s Concise Commentary).
Even by his early decision in life to follow Jesus did not mean John
did not possess several character flaws. “He was rugged and hard-
edged, just like the rest of the fishermen-disciples…every bit as
intolerant, ambition, zealous, and explosive” (2). Look at his
character before the Master molded him into what He wanted him to
be:
• He had a violent disposition (Mark 3:17). In Mark 3:13-19 we see Jesus choosing the twelve and in v17 we read, “And James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder.” Jesus nick-named James and John “Boanerges….The sons of thunder..” which literally means “the hot tempered pair.”
• He was selfish in spirit (Mark 10:37). James and John requested Jesus there, “Grant unto us that we might sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.” It seems that a fiery spirit and a competitive nature go hand in hand. Assign to us the two places of highest honor in the coming kingdom. The semblance of a plea for so presumptuous a request might possibly have been drawn from the fact that one of the two usually leaned on the breast of Jesus, or sat next Him at meals, while the other was one of the favored three. (Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary).
• He was prejudiced (Luke 9:54). When a village of Samaritans did not receive Jesus, it tells us, “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 Elijah did?” “John, at times behaved like an extremist, a bigot, and a hard, reckless man who was selfishly committed to his own narrow perception of truth” (Twelve Ordinary Men. John MacArthur. p. 100).
• He was intolerant (Mark 9:39). “John’s zeal for the truth was lacking in love and compassion for people” (Twelve Ordinary Men. John MacArthur. p. 101). We read in Mark 9:38-39—“And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us; and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.” Warren Wiersbe says, “John thought he would impress Jesus with his zeal, but Jesus lovingly rebuked him for his lack of love and discernment. Did the twelve think they were the only ones who were serving Jesus? And had the nine who were left behind forgotten their failure to cast the demon out of the boy? How often we criticize others for success we cannot attain ourselves!…It is dangerous to get the idea that our fellowship is the only one that is right and the only one God is blessing and using” (3).
All of us have innate weaknesses and vulnerable areas. Whatever
your character flaw is, the Lord wants to transform your personality
so you will be more like HIM just as he did with John. Look at how
the Master molded John into what He wanted him to be finding that
balance between love and truth:
1) John became a man who lived in the Spirit (Revelation 1:9-10).
2) John became a man who was unselfish. “Throughout John’s
Gospel…he never once mentions his own name…refuses to speak
of himself in reference to himself. Instead, he speaks of himself in reference to Jesus..uses every reference to himself to honor Christ. Rather than write his own name, he refers to himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’ (John 13:23; 20:2; 21:7, 20), giving glory to Jesus to having loved such a man” (Twelve Ordinary Men.
John MacArthur. pp. 111-112).
(3) John became a man who was unprejudiced (Acts 8:14-15).
Instead of praying down fire to destroy the Samaritans he prays
down Holy Spirit power to bless them.
(4) John became a man who was more tolerant. He wrote in 1 John
1:7—“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have
fellowship on with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin.”
How did such a radical change occur in the life of John? The answer
to that question will help us learn how we too can Find The Balance
Between Love And Truth. Note two things that we must do so the
Master can mold us and achieve this balance in our lives:
(1) WE MUST PROMPTLY RECEIVE THE TRUTH
JOHN 20:8—“Then went in also that other disciple, which came
first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.”
*Note two things in this verse:
A. FAITH BEHOLDS THE EVIDENCE. V8 tells us, “Then went in also
that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and
believed.” Note the words, “He saw”, John beheld the empty tomb, saw
the grave clothes lying there. Notice his description of what he beheld
in vvs. 5-7—“…the linen clothes lying…and the napkin that was about
his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place
by itself.” John’s description of the clothes includes some unexpected
details. The wrapping garment is the same as mention in John 19:40.
Likewise the facial cloth (a type of handkerchief) was a detail mentioned
in the Lazarus story (John 11:44). Such small clothes were apparently
wrapped under the chin and tied on the top of the head (to keep the
mouth from falling open). Hence when John says that the napkin is
“rolled up”, it is likely in an oval loop, as it was during burial. These
items are “lying there”—implying that they are resting in the location
where Jesus was laid. The scene, then, is not chaotic or confused.
Rather, something purposeful has transpired here. If someone had
simply stolen Jesus’ body, surely the clothes would be missing, or at
least strewn about the floor. But here is a scene in which the body is
missing but the clothes appear undisturbed. Jesus’ body simply left
them behind (4). That is what John beheld, but let us also note…
B. FAITH BELIEVES THE EVIDENCE. In v8 it tells us John “saw and
believed." John not only BEHELD THE EVIDENCE but he also
BELIEVED THE EVIDENCE. It was after Mary Magdalene heard Jesus’
voice calling her name that she believed. It was in the upper room
when Jesus appeared to the disciples that Peter believed. After being
invited to touch Jesus only then did Thomas believe. But John
believed when he saw the evidence.
ILLUS: Robertson in his Word Pictures wrote: Peter saw more after he
entered than John did in his first glance, but John saw into
the meaning of it all better than Peter. Peter had more sight,
John more insight. John was the first to believe that Jesus was
risen from the tomb even before he saw him. According to
Luk_24:12. Peter went away “wondering” still. (Robertson’s
Word Pictures).
Many struggle with doubt and are skeptical by nature. Others find it
easier to believe and hardly, if ever, question their faith. Someone has
said, “Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death.” -- Sparks
from the Anvil. Christian Reader, Vol. 33, no. 2. If you believe that God
created this vast creation and your complex human body then there is
no miracle that is too hard for God. If God created matter from nothing
and life from the dust of the ground what is so hard about believing in
the Resurrection, Redemption by the blood, or Rewards for faithful
service. John found it easy to believe. If you think that is too simple
may you are letting pride stand in your way. John saw the grave
clothes and believed. The Beloved Disciple has penetrated the deeper
meaning of this empty tomb despite the fact that he does not yet grasp
the larger biblical and theological context in which these things are
taking place. V9 tells us, “For as yet they knew not the Scripture, that
he must rise again from the dead,” which means that eventually all will
become clear in their thinking…the Beloved Disciple believes that
Jesus is now alive—but as yet does not know the scriptural and
theological under-girding that have made the resurrection inevitable
(5).
We, like John, without the benefit of a visual meeting with the risen
Jesus, may nonetheless be assured that Jesus was truly raised, on the
basis of the available historical evidence. He saw the tomb and the
grave clothes and believed; and so may we! (6).
To FIND THE BALANCE BETWEEN LOVE AND TRUTH we must PROMPTLY RECEIVE THE TRUTH and also…
(2) WE MUST FAITHFULLY PRACTICE THE TRUTH
REVELATION 2:10—“Fear none of those things which thou shalt
suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of your into prison,
that ye might be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days:
be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of
life.”
*As John penned these words of the risen Savior to the Church in Smyrna,
I am sure that his mind was flooded with memories of his life and service
unto the Lord. He may have recalled how he was when Jesus called him
and what he became after the Master molded him into what he wanted
him to be! Notice the words “be thou faithful unto death” that means “Keep
on becoming faithful”. “Keep on proving faithful unto death” (Heb_12:4) as
the martyrs have done (Jesus most of all). (Robertson’s Word Pictures).
Notice how the Master molded John to that BALANCE BETWEEN LOVE
AND TRUTH:
A. JOHN CAME TO UNDERSTAND THE RESPONSIBITIES OF
FAITHFULNESS. “John is the only one of the apostles whom the
Biblical record places as a eyewitness to the crucifixion” (Twelve
Ordinary Men. John MacArthur. p. 115). John is the only one of the
apostles with courage enough to take his stand with the women by the
Cross. (Robertson’s Word Pictures). It takes courage to remain faithful
when your world appears to be crashing down all around you! But
even in the midst of trouble we must remain faithful to Christ! “Be
thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life,” the Lord
promised. Many prove unfaithful because they don’t believe they are
receiving the recognition due them or that their responsibilities don’t
match their abilities. Some one has given this sound advice:
Here is a good thought for those who only want the BIG, High Profile
jobs...Between the things that are too small for you to bother with, and
the things that are beyond your ability to accomplish, you actually DO
very little for the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said those who are faithful
in the "little things" will be made ruler of much! - Unknown
ILLUS: During the Reagan Presidency on a Sunday Morning, a
terrorist bombed the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.
Hundred of marines were killed or wounded as they slept. A
few days after the tragedy Marine Corps Commandant Paul
Kelly visited some of the wounded survivors in a Frankfurt,
Germany hospital. Among them was Corporal Jeffrey Lee
Nashton who was severely wounded. He has so many tubes
connected to him he looked more like a machine than a man.
As Kelly approached, Nashton motioned for a piece of paper
and a pen. He wrote a brief note and passed it to the
Commandant. The note consisted to only two words, “Semper
Fi” which is the Latin motto of the Marines “forever faithful.”
with those two words Nashton spoke for the millions of
Americans who have sacrificed body, limb and life for their
country, those who have remained faithful.
John had learned by the Master’s molding the RESPONSIBILITIES OF
FAITHFULNESS. Whatever the task the Lord has given you, “be thou
Faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” But also note…
B. JOHN REAPED THE REWARDS OF FAITHFULNESS. Opportunities
come to those who are faithful! In John 19:25-27 we see two very
important honors that John gained because of his faithfulness:
1. His Faithfulness Brought The Approval of The Savior. At the
Cross, the Lord said to John, “Behold thy Mother!” (v27). Christ
tenderly provided for his mother at his death. He counted John
faithful to watch over His dear mother. Several witnesses in early
church history record that John never left Jerusalem and never left
the care of may until she died (7). When we are faithful it will bring
the approval of Jesus. It is with Him we should be concerned, not
others.
ILLUS: A brilliant young concert pianist was performing for the
first time in public. The audience sat enthralled as
beautiful music flowed from his disciplined fingers. The
people could hardly take their eyes off this young
virtuoso. As the final note faded, the audience burst into
applause. Everyone was standing -- except one old man
up front. The pianist walked off the stage crestfallen.
The stage manager praised the performance, but the
young man said, "I was no good, it was a failure." The
manager replied, "Look out there, everyone is on his feet
except one old man!" "Yes," said the youth dejectedly,
"but that one old man is my teacher." Do we have the
same desire for God's approval as that pianist had for his
teacher's praise? Our Lord's approving smile is what
really matters.
2. His Faithfulness Brought Him Opportunity for Service.
From the day on the Cross that Jesus said unto John, “Behold,
Thy Mother!” John took Mary into his home and cared for her as
if she were his own mother until the day she died. “Obviously,
John had learned the lessons he needed to learn…to be a humble,
loving servant—or else Jesus would not have given him the care of
His own mother” (Twelve Ordinary Men. John MacArthur. p. 115).
It is not our ability but our faithfulness that brings us
opportunities for service. Later, John wrote a Gospel and 3 Letters
of the New Testament. Nearing the end of his life he was exiled on
the Isle of Patmos. It was there that God gave him a great vision of
the future and Heaven that John recorded for us in the Book of
Revelation. When we are faithful God gives us more opportunities
for service and by continuing faithful there is great reward!
ILLUS: One stormy night an elderly couple entered in the lobby of
a small hotel and asked for a room. The clerk told them
that all the hotels in town were filled, “but I can’t send a
fine couple like you out in the rain. Would you be willing
to stay in my room?” The couple hesitated but the clerk
insisted. The next morning when the man paid the bill he
told the young clerk, “You are the kind of clerk who
should be managing the best hotel in the United States.
Someday I’ll build you one.” The clerk smiled politely.
A few years later the clerk received a letter form the elderly
man recalling the stormy night and asking him to come to
New York and a round-trip ticket was enclosed. When the
clerk arrived in New York the host took him to the corner
of 5th Avenue and 34th Street where stood a magnificent
new building. “That is the hotel I have built for you to
manage.” The man was William Waldorf Astor, and the
hotel was the original Waldorf-Astoria. The young clerk
was George C. Boldt who became its first manager.
CLOSING: John died, by most accounts, around A.D. 98, during the reign of
Emperor Trajan. Jerome says in his commentary on Galatians that
the aged apostle John was so frail in his final days at Ephesus that
He had to carried into the church. One phrase was constantly on
his lips: “My little children, love one another.” Asked why he
always said this, he replied, “It is the Lord’s command, and if this
alone be done, it is enough” (Twelve Ordinary Men. John
MacArthur. pp. 116-117).
From the transformation of John we learn that faithfulness to the
Lord Jesus Christ brings change and opportunities for service. It
brings to our lives THE BALANCE BETWEEN LOVE AND TRUTH.
Friend, Have you found that balance? Are you grounded in truth
and gracious in love? Ephesians 4:15a tells us we are to be
“Speaking the truth in love..” my friends, are we doing that?
Preacher Fred Craddock said, “We think giving our all to the Lord is
like taking $1,000 bill and laying it on the table-‘Here’s my life,
Lord. I’m giving it all.’ But the reality for most of us is that He
sends us to the bank and has us cash in the $1000 for quarters.
We go through life putting out 25 cents here and 50 cents there.
Listen to a neighbor kid’s problems instead of saying, ‘Get lost’. Go
to a committee meeting. Give a cup of water to a shaky old man in
a nursing home. Usually giving our life to Christ isn’t glorious. It
is done in all those little acts of love, 25 cents at a time. It would
be easy to go out in a flash of glory, it harder to live the Christian
life little by little over the long haul.”
THE BALANCE BETWEEN LOVE AND TRUTH is found as WE
PROMPTLY RECEIVE THE TRUTH and as WE FAITHFULLY
PRACTICE THE TRUTH.
NOTES: 1. John MacArthur. Twelve Ordinary Men. p. 96.
2. MacArthur. p. 96.
3. Warren W. Wiersbe. Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines On The New
Testament. p. 125.
4. Gary M. Burge. John: The NIV Application Commentary. p. 554.
5. Burge. p. 554.
6. Bruce Milne. The Message of John. p. 295.
7. MacArthur. p. 115.
................
................
In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.
To fulfill the demand for quickly locating and searching documents.
It is intelligent file search solution for home and business.
Related searches
- finding the p value statistics
- finding the right college quiz
- finding the right guy quiz
- finding the theme worksheet
- help finding the right college
- finding the theme practice worksheets
- finding the theme 3rd grade
- pursuing the master degree
- finding the theme worksheets
- finding the p value calculator
- finding the measure of angles calculator
- finding the whole number ratio