H2O Church
This is week four in our series called First John, then Me, as we sit at the feet of Jesus’ first follower, the Apostle John, and learn what it means to be an actually disciple, a follower of Jesus.
Back to John’s Resume. Not only was he…
-Jesus first follower
-One of the 12 disciples
-A Witness to the crucifixion and resurrection.
-The Last disciple to die
-But he initially had the nickname, “The Sons of Thunder,” yet became known as the Apostle of Love.
1 John 2:7-8 ESV
John 1:5 ESV
John 13:34-35 ESV
How we treat our community and whether or not we our welcome others into our community; our ability or failure to notice people; our interest or disinterest in others; our willingness or hesitancy to work thru difficulties; our holding on to grudges or offering forgiveness; our remaining aloof or moving toward the person we feel tension toward; THIS IS THE STUFF OF LOVE.
1 John 2:9 ESV
Remember the context is the Gnostics. The word gnosis means knowledge. The gnostics felt that they were enlightened. Because of their “knowledge,” their enlightenment, they had disdain for common folk.
7 marks of being a Christian
Mark 1: True Christians confess and turn from sin (1 John 1:10)
Mark 2: True Christians follow Jesus in His word (1 John 2:3-6)
Mark 3: True Christians Love Each Other (1 John 2:9-11)
1 John 2:10-11 ESV
John 13:12-14 ESV
To wash one another’s feet means to remove the shame, the insecurities, the question of worth we all struggle with, through offering the Unconditional, Agape Love of Jesus.