English Service by Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso

THE APOSTLES JOHN-I WAS IN THE SPIRIT ON THE LORD’S DAY

SERIES: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH GOD

TEXT: JOHN 20:21-25; REVELATION 1:9-11.

 

This morning we continue with our series of messages on “Close encounters with God.” We have also been talking about the fact that now more than ever before you and I can have close encounters with God because these are the last days. These are the last days of Elijah, the days of John the Baptist and as last church on earth we are preparing for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. These are the days of “MARANATHA” come Lord Jesus Christ.

No matter who you are; no matter what you have done, no matter your gender or position in life, you can have close encounters with God.

We have been studying some characters in the Bible, both men and women who had close encounters with the Living God. So far we have talked about Adam, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Job. This morning, we are going to look at one of the greatest and most influential apostles of all in the word of God and his name is JOHN-John 21:20-25.

Here we find one of the most intimate accounts in all the word of God between man and God.

Notice that John was known as the one who “Leaned of Jesus breast” at the last supper.

You talk about close encounters, intimacy and love for our Lord, it was here, leaning on Jesus breast. John could hear the heartbeat of our Savior.

Let us break John’s life into 3 parts.

  • His person.
  • His principle.
  • His passion.

JOHN-HIS PERSON.

  • We first read about him when Jesus called him to be his follower-Matt. 4:20-22.
  • John and his brother James were out there working on the nets and Jesus came by and said, drop everything and follow me, and they did!!
  • They John and James left their business.
  • They left their father (Zebedee) and family.
  • They left anything familiar and they followed Him!
  • The essence of Christianity is leave all to follow Christ.
  • As for me, I was 23 years when I left to serve Jesus Christ. Jesus saved me when I was 20 years.
  • Jesus Christ wants you and me to follow Him fully.
  • James and John, the sons of Zebedee were a handful-they were something else.
  • These are the two fellows that wanted to call fire down from heaven in Luke 9:54.
  • These are the two fellows who requested for choice seats at Jesus right hand-Mark 10:35-45.
  • John was the one who got upset about someone casting out devils that was not part of their group in Mark 9:38-41.
  • The two guys were constantly missing it, continually messing up, tenacious, tough, temperamental, rugged-Type “A” personalities.
  • But both encountered GOD and John became the writer about love.
  • In John 4:8 John tells us “God is love.”
  • History tells us that when John was an old man, he would sit around the church and say, “Little children, love one another.”
  • What a great transformation John had in his encounters with God.
  • It does not matter who you are-but who you are becoming.
  • It does not matter where you have been, but where you are headed.
  • It does not matter what you have done but what Jesus did on the cross of calvary.
  • God takes our raw materials, our hang-ups habits prejudice and turning them for His glory.
  • John was the “Disciple who Jesus loved”-John 13:33; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7; 21:20.
  • Notice that it is never said, “The disciple who loved Jesus.”
  • Jesus loves us just the way we are imperfect, talented-His love comes to us by grace.
  • When Jesus was dying on the cross, He asked John to take care of His mother-Mary!!!
  • History tells us that he never left Jerusalem until Jesus’ mother Mary died.
  • Please notice that sometimes our ministry is to one person!!
  • It is not always that we are called to minister to crowds, but to one-

A sick spouse, mother, father, sister or brother.

  • John did not care what other disciples were doing with the crowds-He was taking care of Jesus mother.
  • When the church started, the first disciple to be killed was James the apostle and John was the last apostle to die.
  • Even when he lost his brother James, John went on to serve God. Never let the death of a loved one stop you from serving God.
  • No matter who has left you in death or by choice, you can still have close encounters with God!! John went on to write John, Revelation, 1st, 2nd, 3rd

JOHN-HIS PRINCIPLES.

  • John started his principles in the 5 books of the Bible that he wrote.
  • Other than the apostle Paul, John was the greatest writer of the New Testament.

He wrote the book of John.

  • The gospel of John is the most intimate and powerful portrayal of Christ.
  • John’s gospel has 21 chapters, each chapter portrays Jesus Christ.
  1. Jesus Christ is God, the word (Logos) was God.
  2. Jesus Christ the miracle worker (turned water into wine).
  3. Jesus Christ the Savior of the world-John 3:16.
  4. Jesus Christ the soul winner (woman at the well).
  5. Jesus Christ the healer (The man at Bethesda).
  6. Jesus Christ the bread of life (He fed 5000 men).
  7. Jesus Christ satisfies whosoever is thirsty.
  8. Jesus Christ the forgiver of sinners (woman caught in adultery).
  9. Jesus Christ the opener of blind eyes (I was blind, but now I see).
  10. Jesus Christ the door and good shepherd!
  11. Jesus Christ is the resurrection and life!
  12. Jesus Christ the lifted up one!
  13. Jesus Christ the servant as he washes the disciple’s feet.
  14. Jesus Christ the way the truth and the life.
  15. Jesus Christ the true vine.
  16. Jesus Christ our comforter and peace in a world of tribulation.
  17. Jesus Christ the high priest.
  18. Jesus Christ the Lamb of God.
  19. Jesus Christ as the sacrifice for sin.
  20. Jesus Christ the resurrected Lord.
  21. Jesus Christ the restorer.
  • John ends his gospel by saying “I just cannot write it all!-John 21:25.
  • He wrote the epistle of John 1, 2, 3.
    • In these epistles John emphasizes love and the necessity of knowing-1st John 5:13.
  • He wrote the book of Revelation.
    • At the time of writing Revelation, John is an old man, most of the apostles have died.
    • Christianity was strong but still small and vulnerable.
    • Revelation 1:10, “I was in the spirit on the Lord’s Day and I heard behind me a great voice as of a trumpet.”
    • John finally closes up the Bible by saying COME!!-Rev. 22:17.
    • If you know how good Jesus Christ is-COME.
    • If you know how close the end was-you would –COME.
    • If you only knew how much He loves you, you would-COME.

JOHN’S PASSION.

  • John is leaning on Jesus breast. He could hear the very heart beat of God!!
  • If you want to have close encounters, find out what makes God’s heartbeat.
  • John knew that Jesus heart beat for human souls, for service, for His church.

CONCLUSION

  • If John were to be here today, he would say LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
  • If John were here today, he would say Don’t give up on yourself, if Jesus could change me, He can change you.
  • The Lord is come sooner than later.
  • Do not let the death of a loved one keep you back.
  • Fall in love with Jesus Christ, rest in Him and on Him.
  • Come to Jesus Christ today!!
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Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso

Rev, Dr. Willy Mutiso is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Athiriver. He is widely known for his practical and dynamic teaching style which helps people apply the timeless truths of Scripture to their everyday lives.

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