How Close Do You Want To Get?
James 4:8
Intro: James is filled with references to God’s
interaction with man, and man’s relationship with God. Just at a glance, we learn.
A. God’s relationship with us is God’s choice –
James 2:4, 5
·
John 6:44 No man can
come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:
B. Our relationship with God is our choice – James
4:4;
·
John 6:37 All
that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in
no wise cast out.
C. BUT – how close we get is entirely up to us. James 4:8
·
James 4:8 Draw
nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
I got to thinking today about
how Jesus during his earthly ministry had so many different relationships with
so many different people. It reminded me
of people today. Let’s look at the
different levels of closeness to the Lord.
I. The Casual Relationship – the multitudes (numbering in the thousands)
This describes the
relationship the world has. They know who He was. They know where He is from.
·
Matthew 13:55 Is not
this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren,
James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
They know what He has done. They
know what He can do.
·
John 6:2 And a great multitude followed him, because
they saw his miracles…
II. The Church Relationship – the 120 in Acts 1 (the hundreds)
What do we know about them?
·
They were
faithful – 1:13 they went to Church even after Jesus had left, and the Spirit
had not come yet
·
They were unified
– they were in one accord vs. 14
·
They were praying
– vs. 14, vs. 24
III. The Concerned Relationship – the 70 sent out to preach and heal
·
Luke 10:1 After
these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two
before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
·
Luke 10:17 And the
seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto
us through thy name.
IV. The Companion Relationship – the 12
·
Matthew 10:1 And
when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against
unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all
manner of disease.
We know:
·
Their names
- Where they came from - A little bit
about their families
·
Their
accomplishments, their actions, their good side, their bad side, their faith
and their fears.
V. The Confidential Relationship – the inner circle
The picture of a relationship
that is characterized by -
·
Inquisitiveness – the inner circle asked most of the questions
·
Insight – the inner circle got most of the answers
·
Intimacy – they saw Jesus in his transfigured character on the
Mount
·
Intercession – opportunities to pray with Jesus
VI. The Communion Relationship – John the Beloved
·
John 13:23 Now
there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
·
John 13:25
He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
·
John 21:20 Then
Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also
leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth
thee?
What do I learn from the fact
that John was allowed to lean on the Lord’s bosom; on his breast?
·
Place of
Direction - He heard the very
heartbeat of God. Heard every word; felt
every word.
·
Place of
Discernment - He was the first to
know when He was troubled; sad, angry, happy.
·
Place of
Denying Self – He wasn’t concerned
about what the others thought of him doing that.
Conclusion:
NOTE: None
of the other gospel writers mentioned John leaning on Jesus’ bosom. (Greek:
kolpos)
Either they didn’t think it
was significant enough to mention, or they realized they could have and didn’t.
Question:
Why do you think John thought it was a good thing to lean on Jesus’ bosom?
Answer: John 1:18 No man
hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the
Father, he hath declared him.
·
Same Greek word:
Kolpos
John knew that Jesus was in
the bosom of the Father. And he knew
that if he could be in the bosom of Jesus, that was as close to God as he could
get. He stayed there, and Jesus loved
him for it.
How close to Him do you want
to get?
