Journey With the Gospel of John
Part 1: The Witness – “Called to Connection” | John 1-3
WHAT MAKES THE GOSPEL OF JOHN UNIQUE?
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The Gospel of John emphasizes the deity of Jesus as the Son of God.
John 1:1 NKJV
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 20:31 NKJV
“But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
John reveals Jesus as the pure radiance of God’s Glory through witnessing.
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I. RECOGNIZING THE REDEEMER
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John 1:29 NKJV
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’”
Witness experiences begin with a revelation of seeing Jesus not as religion but as a relationship.
- The Word will create a Presence
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- The Word will create an experience
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- The Word will create a voice
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2. RESPONDING WITH READINESS
John 2:5 NKJV
“His mother says unto his servants, Whatever he tells you to do, do it.”
When Jesus invites us into deeper fellowship, do we respond with immediate interest, or do we delay, make excuses, or resist?
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In John 2:1-3, He tells us to:
- Admit that there is a problem (1-3)
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- Bring the problem to Jesus (3-4)
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- Do Whatever He tells you to do (5-10)
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Biblically, this teaches us:
- Jesus Meets Us With Invitation, Not Pressure
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- Discipleship Begins When We Say Yes, Even When We Don’t Have Everything Figured Out
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- Our Response Opens The Door To Transformation
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Responding with readiness in daily life means:
- Saying Yes To Spiritual Growth, Even When It’s Uncomfortable
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- Being Open To God’s Promptings
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- Making Space For Jesus
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Ask yourself:
- What Is Jesus Inviting Me into Right Now
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- Have I Been Hesitating, Or Am I Responding With Readiness
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- What Can I Do Today To “Come and See” More Of Him
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3. REBORN THROUGH RENEWAL
John 3:3-5 NKJV says:
“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
John 3:16 NKJV says:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
No matter where you have come from in life, there is value inside you that God desires to use through you to become a blessing for you. Nicodemus came wanting to know more, to do more. Jesus said learn what’s in the package of Witnessing (it’s not about more, discover what you already have):
1. By Knowing Sometimes, the Greatest Poverty is among those who are the most Gifted
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a. When people don’t have a sense of your need, they ignore you out of deference to how they perceive you. Ex. That’s just them. A mother’s example with her family. Mama is tired, her back hurts, and she resents you because you’ve eaten all the chicken and haven’t washed one dish, waving at her while she does.
b. People don’t help you when they perceive that you are efficient. It is the worst kind of poverty.
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c. God so loved that He gave
d. It is your need that releases someone’s greatness
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i. It is possible for someone to perceive you to be great, but you never open up their real need? You can never benefit from greatness until you become vulnerable enough to admit your need. Greatness inspires, but it’s vulnerability that actually connects. You can only be helped with the needs you’re brave enough to admit.
ii. Jesus exposed Nicodemus’ need. His fear of starting over, beyond the perception that was created by his talent
iii. God gave us a gift of Salvation- to rescue us from ourselves
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2. By knowing, sometimes God will command you to give to somebody so God can use them to give you something more valuable than you gave to them.
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a. Here’s a Kingdom principle that deals with mutual exchange for one’s kindness.
b. Never let someone be good to you, and you do not do anything back. Reciprocity is a part of your faith.
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c. Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will men pour into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
d. He thought coming to Jesus and recognizing was a blessing, but what he didn’t realize was that his being there was a gateway for God to give him a blessing. You thought giving someone something was being a blessing, but God was giving you a blessing through it.
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e. What you give to them will never get you what you need. God says that if you give up what you have, He will give you what He has. He Says: Just Trust ME
f. Jesus could not introduce himself to Nicodemus from the perspective of intellectual need because Nicodemus had adjusted to his barrenness.
3. Know, sometimes people who serve you are more aware of what you need and are better able to serve you than you can yourself.
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a. We adapt to environments and our conditions quite quickly. It is a gift from God, until we adapt to being sick, beaten, burdened, unhappy, or lonely.
i. Part of adapting is developing a new normal. The things that are given to us from the world. We love it
ii. IQ- Intellectual Quotient. Tells us how much information we can absorb. Sometimes we want things from people intellectually that they are not able to give. Be thankful for people whose IQ may be higher than yours. God gave them smarts to bless you.
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iii. EQ- Emotional Quotient. The capacity to handle things naturally. Good at giving blessings but not at receiving. Most givers don’t express their needs. It’s normal to be neglected; it is normal to give to people who don’t give back to you. It takes a lot of strength to need, to want. It takes courage to say I matter. To admit this is humbling
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iv. AQ- Adaptability Quotient. How well do I adapt to change? How well you adapt determines how far you will go. Most people want everything God has for them, but they don’t want to change. Your AQ may have more to do with how God can use you than anything else.
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v. We must get to a place where our IQ, EQ, and AQ are in alignment, to feel safe to say I need you
b. The fight of faith is to readapt to what is in front of you
i. We’ve built our lives on what’s behind us. It’s time to Re-Adapt!
1. How many blessings of God are you going to say no to?
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2. I uncover my value the more I believe. Believe what? His Word
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ii. Believe- This Gift will bless us, change us, Protect Us, fight for us, but most of all free us to share The Gift that’s been paid for by the cross
Application To-Do List
- Reflect On How You Recognize Jesus As The “Redeemer” In Your Life
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- Respond To Jesus’ Call By Deepening Your Commitment To Follow Him
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- Evaluate Your Spiritual Rebirth And Areas Needing Renewal Through The Holy Spirit
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- Share With Someone What Being ‘Born Again’ Means In Your Walk With Christ
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Memory Verse for the Week:
John 1:29 NKJV
“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
iii. Pass It Own
It is time to go and proclaim the Gospel!