Sermon Central
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Repentance Series
Contributed by Michael Monica on Dec 25, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: Understanding Sanctification
Repent + Believe | John 3:1-21
Jesus + Nikodemus
(1) Niko is a Pharisee (religious leader of the day.)
(2) He is curious about Jesus. While a Pharisee, he is curious about Jesus (identity and agenda).
(3) Meets him @ night (out of custom) and wants to protect his identity / position within the Sanhedrin. He was curious about Jesus but he was not at a point in his life where he was willing to surrender his position / title to Jesus.
The Message of Jesus:
(1) We are triune (body + spirit + soul). We are born alive (body + spirit) and we are born dead in sin (soul).
(2) Born of water and spirit = When we place our faith in Christ Jesus, we are made alive to God through Christ and we are baptized by the Spirit of God.
(3) Flesh gives birth to flesh; the Sprit gives birth is spirit.
(4) Key Term - Kingdom of Heaven:
a. When Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of Heaven, Israel would listen because they believed (and still do) that the coming Messiah would deliver them through military force and would set Israel up as leaders.
b. Israel was looking forward to the day when they were liberated, achieved independence and were set up as world leaders.
c. But I believe that Jesus capitalized on that predisposition and mindset. He knew that the phrase “Kingdom of God” would instantly grip the heart of every Israelite to the point of undivided attention and be saved.
(5) Niko was trying to understand in the flesh that which could only come through the Spirit of God.
(6) If we are to surrender to Jesus (really to anything) we must believe and be convicted first that surrender is the best option for us.
(7) Moses lifted up the serpent.
(8) Following the miraculous exodus from Egypt, Israel would “complain” about everything. 1st it was Moses led them into the desert to die. The Egyptians of course were pursuing them and God used this opportunity to lead them across the red sea.
(9) Jesus’ message is to repent and believe the good news.
(10) Key Term: Repentance:
a. The Greek term for repentance is “metanoia.” Meta (change) Nonia/Noew (Mind).
(11) The idea of repentance is that we come to the conclusion, in our own minds, that the direction we are heading is wrong and not the best option for us. When we come to this conclusion, we repent (change our minds) about where we are heading.
(12) Key Term: Belief:
a. The Greek term for belief is pisteuete/pistis. It is translated throughout the NT as faith/belief and trust. The misunderstanding of this term causes many to miss true conversion. Belief and trust is not intellectual but commitment to their belief/trust.
What is God asking Israel to do?
• To repent (Metanoia) to change your mind ? actions about Jesus being the Son of God.
Change from the Inside Out
• Creation (all is good) sin enters which leads us to the law of God HOWEVER, there was an extended period of time in between the exile from Eden to the Law where the covenant of God was initiated by God to Abraham and Israel lived under the covenant of grace. ((Abram believed God and it was counted as righteous)).
• The Law then became the basis for Israel’s understanding of how God operated and how they related to him. ((Rules based)).
• God’s way of relating to us was always through love and grace.
Signs + Prophecies [Examples]
• Seed of a women: Genesis 3:15
• Descendant of Abraham: Genesis 12:3 + Acts 3:24-26.
• The Passover Lamb: Exodus 12:1-8 + John 1:29
• Virgin Birth: Isaiah 7:14 + Matthew 1:22-23
• Birth Place: Micah 5:2 + Matthew 2:1-6
The Issue: Israel was looking for a military leader who would deliver them from the oppression from Rome.
Settle Out of Court
• Romans 1:18 – 2:6
• Jesus was pleading with them to repent and believe in him and settle out of court before the day of judgement.
Why do people NOT follow Jesus?
01. Unbelief (Fear)
02. Hate.
03. Hypocrisy. (Focus on others).
What is the Gospel? (and do Christians need the gospel)?
(13) Good news
a. A hearld would be sent out, after a war was won and would proclaim the gospel (good news) that the war was over and we had one. However, there are still several battles being fought that the hearlds need to reach those battles.
