A Sure Pathway To Living An Overcoming Christian Life.
Bible Passage – 1 Cor 1:17-18; Heb 12:2; Rom 1:16; Matt 16:24-25
Lessons From John The Apostle On The Cross of Jesus and I
John the Apostle is referred to as the closest person to our Lord Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry. For this reason and many other what lessons can we glean and learn from him on we and the cross of Jesus for a fruitful, faithful and finishing strong Christian living?
1. The Revelation of Jesus
It is a deep, engaging, enabling, unique and God given revelation to the one so close and experienced the sufferings of Jesus at the cross above any other apostle or disciples.
He was there, he was at the foot of the cross, he heard the pains, the agony and how live seeped out of the Saviour of the whole world.
He had a life-giving revelation and transformational knowledge of Jesus. John 1:12-14
This revelation and how deep it is in depth and kingdom building capabilities are defining, tugging at the hearts of men, very demanding, not allowing a sitting on the fence, giving a life and death decision window.
This comes from the cross. Let us image him at the cross, what we’re playing on his mind. Imagine him after the cross. Seating and staying at the cross for him stood him out.
The Revelation of Jesus By John in The Book of Revelation – Revelation 1:10-18
What a depth from his actual life relationship that starts and comes from the Spirit-Man. This revelation gives growing in the spirit-man and manifesting greatly and dominating in the physical possible.
What would have been the reality of John when he was out of the spirit of revelation?
Weak in the flesh. Strong in the spirit. Living and led by the spirit. Gives and commits his life and all just to Jesus. Then the reality of for me to live is Christ and to die is also Christ.
Results Of This Revelation of Jesus
a. The revelation of Jesus makes Jesus the most important pursuit of our lives.
b. The stranglehold of things of vanity loses their holds on unto.
c. The flesh possessing, leading and tormenting us loose it’s hold.
d. We become children indeed in the hands of God.
2. The Love God, that God is Love – Revealed By John – 1 John 4:7-11
a. It was John that gave us the reason for the cross which is love.
b. It was John that gave us the foundation of the cross which is love.
c. It was John that showed us how to love God by staying and leaving at the cross.
d. It was John that showed us where to receive the power to love, at the cross.
e. It was John that revealed to us how nothing is possible but at the cross through love.
f. It was John that revealed the solution to the works of the flesh at the cross through love.
According John 3:16, therefore:
a. Love the cross, receive the love of salvation.
b. Love the cross, receive the Holy Spirit.
c. Love the cross, you are commissioned into the ministry of reconciliation.
d. Love the cross, spirit the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
e. Love the cross, begin the journey to heaven: 1 John 4: 16 | John 21:15-17
The reality of the cross is manifested in love and the depth of your love – 1 Jh 1:1-4
We Are Creatures of Love
We are creatures of love – created in love, redeemed by love, can only live in love – living in love made possible by the cross 1 John 4:1-12
a. Power to be born of God comes from the cross through the Holy Spirt.
b. God births his children through love.
c. You cannot know God outside of love.
d. You cannot separate God, the cross and love.
e. Love of God is manifested in the cross: 1 John 4:17-19
Results
a. Manifestation of the fruit of the spirit- remember the first that leads to other part is love.
b. Forgiveness becomes very possible.
c. Love of things we should not love goes away.
d. Love not the world neither the things in the world becomes a reality and our story.
e. This love takes pre-eminence over like – I love dominates not I like.
The Cross Reveals God Indeed As Light
Without the cross there is complete and absolute darkness. We learnt this from John The Apostle greatly and deeply. There is no argument between what is light and what darkness is.
At the cross there is light. This light is in your spirit, soul and body. Total filling and complete. It is at the cross light is generated. Once you stay away from the cross, darkness is creeping in. John 1:4-5 | 1John 1:5-7
The Cross – The Light – Your Light – Fruitfulness: 1 John 2:9-11
You are either staying at the cross or not staying. If you are staying the result is light. The light increases in capacity and strength the more you stay. The more you stay the greater the wattage and power of God.
This is manifested in the category of light – light of the wood, charcoal, stove, gas and welder’s light. The more and deeper you dig into the cross the more your light and power.
Results
a. A clear demarcation from darkness.
b. All around is light – darkness can no longer dominate.
c. The Lord is with us more.
d. The degree of light and shining increases.
e. More good works that draw many to Christ is manifested.
CONCLUSION
Power to love, obey, shine, receive more of the Holy Spirit, the fruit of the spirit, fruitfulness in the kingdom and of course holiness.
If you take a closer look at Jesus as He hung on the cross, you will see a man in love. A man so much in love with you and I that He went through the highest level of physical and emotional pain to save our soul.
Do not let that sacrifice go to waste.
Don’t live your life for the devil, live your life for the One who loves you so much that He gave His life for you.
