' In The Third Person '
(Caps Used for Divine Emphasis)
John 7: 16 ~ 18
Jesus ... said, My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of The doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh His glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
John 5: 41 ~ 44
(Jesus said) I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I Am come in My Father's Name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the Honour that cometh from God only?
John 12: 43 ~ 45
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me. And he that seeth Me seeth Him that sent Me.
In the Bible, over and over again, I've been immensely blessed and encouraged by Christ's closest followers for various reasons. This message addresses several of them in particular. John, 'the beloved' of The Lord, Peter, Paul, and Barnabas. Why? These dear men of God, brought only Christ and His Word to the forefront; never their self. We are wise in ministry or not, to develop such a heart with God and man. Their example is most inspiring to 'whomsoever will' ~ 'go and do thou likewise'.
In them, we see no 'center stage' antics, no 'big me-little you', or 'dropping famous names' in a ploy to gain personal advantage, thinking their self some great one. Nor, flaunting their self with titles of reverence given to them by man, which too many today do with 'college degrees'. (Such 'titles and degrees' do not 'qualify nor validate' the person nor that 'truth' is being preached) Is 'The Anointing' present?
Indeed, we are coming to people about Jesus Christ. Sometimes, His Wisdom teachings show up more in the speech and works of the poor lil' ol' man out in a shanny of a field, than from some of the pulpits in the world. Sad truth! Such a man, you can be sure, is serious about God. A praying man (woman) of God too, that is anointed by The Spirit cares what God thinks of him, inside and out. For sure, nothing else will matter to any of us, when our last breath is leaving our body.
We don't see any of these Bible preachers/teachers ~ using gimmicks to reach the lost or to fill their church gathering places. The Truth and The Anointing of The Holy Spirit multiplied converts in their gathering places. We see no competition between them nor copy-cat tactics to add to their numbers either. Rather, we do see them praying, fasting, studying The Word, preaching Jesus, His Word and praying for the sick. We see them refusing to take the glory. Instead, in each instance they remind the people that they are humans such as they; that there is one God and we are all to focus upon and Worship only Him.
We see their single-mindedness to their own busyness with Christ, following His leading and Word. We see them crucifying their carnal ways in order to be able to have and flow in The Anointing of The Holy Spirit. This is for the good of all, for we are Anointed to 'serve Christ' to the people, in Word and deed. Hallelujah!
We see no focus brought upon their self, what they are doing or even saying such things that would cause others to think they were some great one. There was no need for the hooplah and praise of ~ acceptance of ~ man. They could not have cared less! They lived to bring souls and pleasure to God. They knew who they were with God and, so did He. That is tantamount; all that matters.
We see them just as we see Jesus. Sincere, without guile or hypocrisy and faithful. Strong in their personal relationship with Christ. We also see them bringing and keeping the focus upon Him and His Word. In itself, His teaching in His Word is sufficient. The Word is Spirit. He doesn't need us to add 'fluff or theatrics' to it in order to get someone to listen or to believe. Our part, is as theirs was ~ to give out His Word from our heart, leaving The Holy Spirit to do the convincing, as we stand back in prayerful intercession for souls. The Holy Spirit is at work and knows exactly what and how to convince us all.
Each of these men, referred to themselves merely in 'the third person'.
Each of them, were individually devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Each of them, were Unctioned from God to lead others to Heaven.
Each of them, kept the focus on Christ and His teachings.
Each of them, Chosen by God Himself to be trusted with The Gospel as His Minister.
Each of them, with Visions, Angel and other deep Spiritual Visitations, from God.
Each of them, were unwavering in their heart with God and souls.
Each of them, exalted only Him, keeping themselves under Christ. Love.
John, the writer of The Gospel of John, the one Jesus held to His heart (bosom) with His Loving Arm cradling him there; is the only one of all the Apostles to die a natural death. While the others were martyred for The Name of Jesus Christ and following His teachings in doctrine, he was not. Oh yes, they tried to kill John by dipping him into extremely hot oil but, failed. Why? God wasn't done with Christ's 'beloved John'. God had one more plan for him to fulfill. John's destiny.
So, being frustrated, determined and full of hate, they exiled him to the Isle of Patmos. (Revelation 1: 9 - 11, see) Out there all alone on that Island, they figured they'd be done with him. After all, they had to do something drastic with him to shut him up. It was for sure that he, like all of Christ's followers after His Ascension, wasn't about to compromise, stop, bend or bow to their whims of unbelief against Christ. There he was, out there away from them all.
Where, they thought he wouldn't preach The Gospel any longer.
Where, they didn't have to listen to him any more.
Where, these unbelievers didn't have to be concerned about him 'drawing away disciples' (followers) after Christ.
Where, they didn't have to feel 'threatened' by him any longer.
Where, his words wouldn't cause their 'conscience' to be stirred up in unrest.
You know....remove that Light; it is showing up all the dark places and stirring hearts!
Well, as God and time would have it, there on that very Island is exactly where God came to him by way of giving him in detail, The Book of Revelation. How Awesome is that?!! This was his ultimate Destiny. God knew John's Spiritual heart condition and what he would do. He had shown himself Faithful. His heart...is what caused him to refer to himself only in 'the third person' at the bottom end of The Gospel of John. This man, God could Anoint and work through.
Out there alone with God on that Island, smelling the fresh Sea air, listening to the sound of it and the birds, God's Holy Spirit moved upon him. He wrote it all down like he was told to do. Wrote it on what? One can only believe it and speculate. One can think that if there were no paper, he was innovative enough a man, to write or carve it on bark from trees, etc. The bottom line is that God wanted us to have it for He knew we would need it.
Paul, once zealous in the Jews religion that he had been raised up in, embraced Jesus Christ as his Messiah, after his mighty Visitation from Jesus on the road to Damascus. Saul, (later Paul) thinking he was doing God's service, in the name of God had gathered up men, women and children even from their homes and delivered them up to be imprisoned and/or killed if they didn't denounce this Christ. He was on the way to get written permission from the high priest to be given to the synagogues in Damascus, that would permit him to gather up from there all people 'of this way', to bring them back to Jerusalem bound, so he could do more of the same. But God. Jesus changed Saul's mind Divinely intervening as he was on his way to do so. See Acts 9 for this accounting of Saul's conversion.
Peter, shows us the same heart condition with God and man, in different ways such as:
Acts 10: 25, 26 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man.
We also see this heart with Peter when he refused to be crucified as Jesus had been, upright. (Fox's Book of Martyrs see) Rather, he insisted on being hung on the cross upside down, counting himself not worthy to die the way The Lord had. Agonizing.
You'll want to check these texts out in detail, because I am only placing herein, the text that pertains to them speaking of their self in the third person.
The Apostle Paul, speaking here of himself in the third person:
2 Corinthians 12: 1 ~ 6 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to Visions and Revelations of The Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third Heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say The Truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
'The Beloved, John' speaking of himself in the third person:
John 13: 23 and 25 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. ... He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto Him, Lord, who is it?
John 18: 15, 16 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: (John) that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
John 19: 26, 27 ('the disciple' here~ he's referring to himself in the 3rd person again) When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold (look at) thy son! Then saith He to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
Paul and Barnabas, both Prophets and Apostles of God; Ministers of Christ's Gospel, reveal their heart condition with God and man on this line:
Acts 14: 9 ~ 16 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent (tore) their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities Unto The Living God, which made Heaven, and earth, and the Sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. (Note: They would not let the people exalt them ~ rather ... God)
It is a wonderful thing to witness and to feel their heart for God. It brings true clarity and perspective to the days we live in and how things are so much of the time on this issue. With them, we see that no matter what their cost, they counted it as nothing that they their self may win Christ. May He find each of us with such a heart. (See Also John 20: 1 ~ 8 and John 21: 7, 20 - 24 for more speaking in the 3rd person references) Shalom, dear heart.
John 7: 16 ~ 18
Jesus ... said, My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me. If any man will do His will, he shall know of The doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh His Glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
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