The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved

John 13:23; John 19:26; John 21:20-22; John 3:16; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15; 1 John 4:9-10; Psalm 8:4; John 11:36; Psalm 34:8

Introduction

Title: The Disciple Whom Jesus Loved — Bro. James Reid

This sermon explores the life and example of “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John’s own description of himself) and what being gripped by the love of Christ should produce in the life of every believer. Using passages from the Gospel of John and key New Testament reminders, Bro. James Reid unfolds how a close, personal awareness of Christ’s love changes our hearing, our service, our courage, our relationships, and our character. The aim is practical: to move ordinary church members—especially young adults—toward a deeper, more consistent, and obedient personal walk with Jesus as revealed in the King James Version of the Bible.

Man, what a tremendous truth there. Two Corinthians five, fourteen, fifteen says, for the love of Christ constraineth. It means to grab ahold of, to move, to pull, to draw, to force. Almost constraineth us.

Outline

Closeness Causes Hearing
1. Scripture anchor
  John 13:23 — John, leaning on Jesus’ bosom, hears things others miss. When you are close to Christ, you will often hear the whispered things of the Master that the casual listener does not.
2. Explanation
  Bro. Reid emphasizes that hearing from God is an invitation extended to every believer. The difference between John and the other disciples was not a special right but a response: John accepted the invitation to be near. Your private Bible reading, prayer time, and pursuit of the Lord make you available for what God wants to speak into your life.
3. Practical help
  Build consistent personal devotions. Treat church services as a continuing feast, not the only meal. Cultivate “fear of missing out” spiritually — not in pride, but in hunger to hear the Lord daily.
Closeness Causes Commission
1. Scripture anchor
  John 19:26–27 — At the cross Jesus entrusts the care of His mother to John. Close followers are entrusted with personal responsibilities for Christ’s people.
2. Explanation
  Being close to Christ is not about prestige but stewardship. John was given a tender, immediate task because he stood near the Lord when it counted. God often entrusts intimate, practical assignments to those who will faithfully remain close.
3. Practical help
  Serve in visible and unseen ways: cleaning, ushering, teaching, sowing time into others. No task in the church is “beneath” Christ’s followers; every act done in obedience honors the Savior who loved us.
Closeness Causes Courageous Calling
1. Scripture anchor
  John 21:18–22 — Jesus tells Peter of the way he would glorify God in death and then redirects Peter back to “Follow me”, even when questions about others arise.
2. Explanation
  Close walk with Christ produces willing obedience even when the cost is high. Peter’s natural curiosity and jealousy about John demonstrates how Christ calls each believer to his own path. The command to follow is personal: compare less, follow more.
3. Practical help
  When you sense a call to obedience, accept it humbly rather than comparing gifts or roles. Pray for jealous hearts and ask God to make you faithful where He places you.
Closeness Causes Conformity
1. Scripture anchor
  Romans 8:29 — God predestinated us to be conformed to the image of His Son. The goal of closeness is Christlikeness.
2. Explanation
  Time with Christ changes us. The more we are with Him, the more our words, habits, and priorities reflect His. This is not erasing individuality but progressively shaping our character to the image of Jesus.
3. Practical help
  Look for daily evidence of transformation: patience, love for sinners, obedience, humility, zeal for the lost. If these are few, deepen your private walk—Bible, prayer, silence, and service.
Closeness Causes Compassion and Witness
1. Scripture anchor
  John 11:36 and John 3:16 — “Jesus wept… Oh, how he loved him.” and “For God so loved the world…” Our experience of Christ’s love compels us to tell others.
2. Explanation
  When you have tasted of the Lord (Psalm 34:8), that sweetness becomes testimony. The disciple whom Jesus loved could not keep silent; the love he knew produced outreach and testimony.
3. Practical help
  Be ready to share one short story of what Christ has done for you. Invite friends to church and go soulwinning. When you have been loved, telling others is not a burdensome duty but a delighted privilege.
Closeness Causes Contented Obedience
1. Scripture anchor
  2 Corinthians 5:14–15 and 1 John 4:9–10 — The love of Christ constrains us so that we no longer live unto ourselves but unto Him who died for us.
2. Explanation
  When the believer is gripped by the fact that Jesus loved him despite his sin, service becomes natural obedience rather than begrudging duty. Christ’s love removes bitterness and self-centered reluctance.
3. Practical help
  Ask God to show any hidden pride or reluctance. Offer the small, humble tasks gladly—cleaning bathrooms, picking up trash, visiting the sick—as acts of love to Christ.

Summary

The image of “the disciple whom Jesus loved” is not an invitation to vanity but to imitation. John’s closeness to Christ produced hearing, commissioned service, courage to follow, likeness to the Savior, compassion for the lost, and contented obedience. Bro. James Reid’s message is a call back to an urgent, everyday pursuit of the Lord—private devotions, church faithfulness, humble service, bold witness, and Christlike character. The great, humbling truth is simple: Jesus loved us first (1 John 4:9–10). That love should grip us, constrain our hearts, and reshape our lives.

When I am consumed with the fact that Jesus loved me, I will want to spend more time with him.

Application for the Week

These are practical steps to help you walk closer with Christ this week. Pick one or more and do them intentionally. Keep a short journal of what God speaks to you during each step.

Daily Fifteen
1. Do this
  Set aside 15 minutes every morning this week: 10 minutes reading a Gospel passage (John recommended) and 5 minutes of prayer. Ask, “Lord, what do you want me to hear today?”
Attend with Expectation
1. Do this
  Come to every corporate service you can this week with an expectancy to hear God’s voice. Take notes—write one thing God said to you in the margin of your Bible or a notebook.
Small Task, Big Heart
1. Do this
  Volunteer for one humble church task (cleaning, setting up chairs, helping with children’s ministries). Offer it as an act of love to Jesus and not for human praise.
One Person to Pray For and Invite
1. Do this
  Identify one unsaved person and one believer who seems distant. Pray for them daily this week and invite the unsaved person to a church service or event.
Confession and Obedience Check
1. Do this
  Spend five minutes one evening asking, “Is there anything in my life that displeases You?” Confess and take one concrete step toward obedience. Record it and follow up next week.

Choose these steps in faith and expect God to meet you. He who knew you and loved you enough to send His Son will not withhold what you need as you draw near (James 4:8 supports this call to draw). Be the disciple whom Jesus loves by responding to His love with daily devotion, humble service, and joyful obedience.

Invitation: As Bro. James Reid closed, take a moment now in quiet prayer. Thank God that He loved you first, repent where needed, and commit to one practical action for this week. If you would like prayer, ask a church leader or come forward after the service.