Text: Mar 3:17
A. Rechanneling of priority.
Priority: Highest or higher in importance, rank, privilege, etc.
John was a fisherman (Luk 5:10). a. According to CNN, a study done in 2011 lists fishing as the most dangerous profession in America, as it is in other parts of the world. b. John was a committed fisherman (Luk 5:5).
John became a fisher of men (Luk 5:10). a. He had met Jesus earlier (Joh 1:35-40) and when Jesus called John to follow Him, he “forsook all, and followed him” (Luk 5:11). b. His parents did not dissuade him from following Jesus but his mother also ministered to Jesus (Mar 15:40-41). c. Our Lord rechanneled his priority from being a committed fisherman to a committed fisher of men (Act 4:13).
We ought to rechannel our priorities from worldly pursuits to spiritual pursuits (Joh 6:27). a. Every soul is valuable in the sight of God (Mat 16:26; 20:28). b. Preaching the gospel is the obligation of every Christian (1Co 9:16-17). c. Preaching the gospel is a privilege given to every Christian (Eph 3:8). d. Parents have a duty to instill an evangelistic fervor in their children (Pro 22:6).
B. Rechanneling of personality.
Personality: The essential character of a person.
John was the son of thunder (Mar 3:17).| a. He was inclined to do the sudden and unexpected (Mar 9:38-40). b. He had a fiery and destructive zeal (Luk 9:51-56).
John became the apostle of love. a. He was the only apostle mentioned that was present at Jesus’ crucifixion, whom He entrusted his mother to (Joh 19:26-27). b. He emphasized strongly on love in his books (Joh 3:16; 1Jo 4:7-21). c. He returned to Samaria to pray for the Samaritans and bring to them the gift of the Holy Spirit (Act 8:14-17). d. Our Lord rechanneled his personality from being the son of thunder with a zeal for destruction to the apostle of love with a zeal for salvation of others (3Jo 4).
We ought to rechannel our personalities from worldly-mindedness to spiritualmindedness (Rom 12:1-2). a. Love is the greatest commandment (Mar 12:29-31). b. Love is the greatest quality (1Co 13:13). c. Love is the greatest debt (Rom 13:8-10). d. Love is the hallmark of a Christian (Joh 13:35).
C. Rechanneling of philosophy.
Philosophy: A system of principles for guidance in practical affairs.
John desired to be the chief of the apostles (Mat 20:20-28). a. He requested Jesus for a position of power in His kingdom (Mat 20:2021). b. Jesus granted him the privilege of partaking of His cup and baptism of suffering instead (Mat 20:22-23). c. Jesus corrected him that greatness is measured by service (Mat 20:2527).
John became a servant of Christ (Rev 1:1). a. He, in his humility, did not mention himself by name in four of his five books, except Revelation (Rev 1:1,4,9; 21:2; 22:8). b. He was content to play 2nd fiddle and let Peter have the spotlight. c. Our Lord rechanneled his philosophy from having an ambition to be served to having an ambition to serve.
We ought to rechannel our philosophy from seeking honor of men to seeking honor of God (Joh 5:44) a. We should not serve the Lord for our own selfish agenda (3Jo 9-10). b. We should not serve the Lord to please others (Gal 1:10). c. We should direct our service to the Lord and not to men (Col 3:23). d. We should have the mind of a servant, like our Lord (Php 2:3-8).