Apr 20, 20204 min read

Love, Freedom, Fellowship, and Joy: An Intimate Look At John

Heavenly Father strengthen us as we pour out so that You can pour in and lead us as we pour forth in Your name.

April 20, 2020

Good Morning Princesses!

Exciting News!! Last week we started our Spring 2020 Virtual Bible Study. As we jump into this study, it's always a good idea to lay a few tracks of foundation. Some of you may recall watching reality television shows that revisit a person's life. I remember as a teenager watching "Intimate Portraits" on the Lifetime Network. The show provided an in-depth look at celebrities each week.

Filled with footage, interviews and of course a little suspense, the show allowed the viewer to become intimately knowledgeable about the highlighted profile. How many of you recall the show? I'll give you a few seconds!

If you don't remember the show Intimate Portraits, just pick any reality interview show today- (E! True Hollywood, Biography, A Football Life, etc.). So for today, we will take a look at John: Love, Freedom, Fellowship, and Joy.

1. An Intimate Look-The Apostle John (The Beloved Disciple)

The Apostle John was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus (in fact, he was one of the first sets of disciples).
John and his younger brother James were both fishermen and both traded in their fishing for men to fishing for souls for Christ.
It's unknown precisely why (maybe because of their zeal), but both brothers were nicknamed by Jesus as "sons of thunder".
He was at the cross when Jesus died (Jesus asked him to take care of His mother, Mary).
Along with Peter, he went to the tomb to find Jesus had risen from the dead and he believed.
Peter, James, and John were close to Jesus for major events and all three were Jesus' closest confidants.
He was the author of the gospel of John, three books of John and Revelation (New Testament).
A prominent leader in the early Christian church and one of the pillars of the church.
The last surviving disciple of Jesus.
According to commentaries he died a natural death and was not martyred.

2. Coming From A Place of Authority

John does not mince words. In fact, he hits you straight with the unapologetic truth. Could it have been his age or his conviction? Could it have been his Jesus encounter and discipleship along the way or his account at the tomb? Whatever the case, John opens up 1 John- Chapter 1 with an eyewitness account (demonstrating what he has seen, looked upon and touched) that is filled with passion and truth. He does not spare us on the passion quota and his pointed account is full of love. Speaking the gospel and sharing the good news, John creates for us a foundation of Love, Fellowship, Freedom, and Joy. Even up until death, John continued to spread the Good News and to preach about Jesus' love and our freedom we can have in Christ because He is our living word. Can we even begin to comprehend? Oh, what a love.

Let's take a look at the first book of John Chapter 1. Highlight in your mind the "we" and "if we" statements as you read the passage.

1 John 1: 1-10

The Word of Life

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

Walking in the Light

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

3. Join us for WEEK #2- April 21st

"What Love Is" by Kelly Minter. There is still time to sign up, so please feel free to do so using the link below and invite a friend.

How will this virtual online study work? Here's the set-up...

1. Complete the registration and a link will be sent to you to finalize your information;

2. A login link will be sent for you to join the session either via laptop, tablet or iPad, desktop or phone;

3. We will pray, fellowship and spend time in God's word (specifically the letters of 1, 2 and 3 John);

4. Timeframe- 6:00 - 7:00 pm; and

5. Dates-Tuesday's - April 14- May 19.

Our new study is underway "What Love Is". See the Bible Study link to register=> HERE

Oh, princesses of faith...remember

Prayer “empowers and ‘charges up’ every other piece so they can be used effectively against the enemy. Without prayer… your armor, cannot, will not, be infused with the power that only God’s-Spirit can give."

Closing Thoughts