SUBJ: John’s identification of himself as being loved by Jesus.

AIM: That we might have our lives influenced by the same knowledge.

INTR:
1. What is an epitaph and what of such statements as “he preached his own funeral?” Perhaps the idea that one writes his own epitaph would be better.
2. Consider the epitaph of John Newton:
JOHN NEWTON
ONCE AN INFIDEL AND LIBERTINE
A SERVANT OF SLAVES IN AFRICA
WAS BY THE RICH MERCY OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST
PRESERVED, RESTORED, PARDONED AND APPOINTED TO PREACH THE FAITH
HE HAD LONG LABOURED TO DESTROY.
3. Consider the anonymity of John and that which would be his epitaph

THESIS: While there is much that can be said of one’s life, there is nothing greater to be said than that Jesus loved him.

I. The character and zeal of John
1. The beginning: See John 1:36 – He identifies Andrew as one of the disciples. It appears that he was the other.
2. While the Lord surnamed Peter: Mark 3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
3. And consider the zeal of John and the fact that the Lord rebuked him.
1) Mark 9:38-39 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. 39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
2) Luke 9:51-55 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
3) And even his mother’s request to sit on the right and the left.

II. Self references
1. At the table: John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
2. At the trial: John 18:15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
3. At the cross: John 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
4. At the tomb: John 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
5. At the seaside: John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.

III. What shall this man do?
1. The vivid memory of John (the tenth hour, what he saw at the cross, what he saw at the Mount of Transfiguration.)
2. His relationship to Peter: see verse 20.
3. What shall this man do – the widespread impact of John at Ephesus and elsewhere – that which is suggested in the epistles of John – the Book of the Revelation.
4. 1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
5. Can John’s epitaph be ours?

IV. What of us?
1. To know what the love of Christ moved Him to do and so it was determined from all eternity, is essential to a proper sense.
1) His obedience to the Father and
2) His determination to deliver His people from their sins.
2. This He would have them to know and we are reminded always of John 17:3!
3. It is to realize that in spite of all that is against us that where there is faith, hope and love it is the result of being loved and more
4. It is that knowledge and that sense that Jesus loves me and the sense of being loved by Him is the most wonderful comfort, assurance and joy we can know.