COME AND SEE #4: JESUS TALKS ABOUT THE KINGDOM
THE BIG IDEA: In His conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus teaches that we must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom is about a new nature, a new king, and a new lifestyle that includes extravagant loving, generous giving, and unconditional forgiving.
• John takes the time in his Gospel to record several conversations Jesus had with people.
• Jesus is never too busy to sit down and have conversations with people.
• This is one of the reasons we study books of the Bible – to hear Jesus speaking today.
I. WHO WAS NICODEMUS? (John 2:23-25;3:1-2).
“24 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man. 1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
• As a ruler of the Jews, Nick was part of the Sanhedrin, 70 ruling elders in Israel.
• Nick has this amazing opportunity one night to have a conversation with Jesus.
II. JESUS SAID: “YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.” (John 3:3-7).
“3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
• The new birth is not about getting new religion but getting new life.
• Nick was a very religious man, but he wasn’t born again – a new creation in Christ.
• There are many religious people in churches who have never been born again.
III. UNDERSTANDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD:
1. THE KINGDOM IS ABOUT A NEW NATURE:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17).
• Being born again isn’t just about ‘joining a club’ – it’s about getting a new nature.
• Example – like a caterpillar that becomes a butterfly, we have a new nature.
• “3 All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God's anger just like everyone else. 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, 5 that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!).” (Eph. 2:3-5, NLT).
• Our new identity – we are children of God, loved by Him, accepted in the beloved!
2. THE KINGDOM IS ABOUT A NEW KING:
“that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9).
• To become a Christians means to accept Jesus as your Lord – as your King.
• Because He is the King, He has the right to tell us how to live. You can’t call yourself a Christian if you haven’t surrendered your life to the Lordship of Jesus.
• Some people think, “Well, I’ve prayed ‘the sinners prayer’ so I’m going to Heaven.”
• QUOTE: “The Gospel Jesus proclaimed was a call to discipleship, a call to follow him in submissive obedience, not just a plea to make a decision or pray a prayer. Jesus’ message liberated people from the bondage of their sin while it confronted and condemned hypocrisy. It was an offer of eternal life and forgiveness for repentant sinners, but at the same time it was a rebuke to outwardly religious people whose lives were devoid of true righteousness.” (John MacArthur, The Gospel According to Jesus).
• This doesn’t mean we’re saved by our good works. We’re saved by God’s grace alone, but if we are truly saved, that will be evidenced by good works in our life.
• “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:8-10).
3. THE KINGDOM IS ABOUT A NEW LIFESTYLE:
• “Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15).
• To be a part of the Kingdom of God means you repent (turn from your sins) and believe (trust Jesus to be your Lord and Saviour).
• QUOTE: “The Lord will not save those whom He cannot command. He will not divide His offices. You can believe on a half-Christ. We take Him for what He is – the anointed Saviour and Lord who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” (A.W. Tozer).
• This doesn’t mean we’re perfect. It’s not about perfection, it’s about direction.
• Three main aspects of this new lifestyle:
a. THE KINGDOM LIFESTYLE = EXTRAVAGANT LOVING:
• “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7).
• If you’re truly a part of the Kingdom of God – born again – then you will love.
• Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35).
b. THE KINGDOM LIFESTYLE = GENEROUS GIVING:
• “You will be glorifying God through your generous gifts. For your generosity to them will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ” (2 Cor. 9:13, NLT).
• When God gets ahold of someone’s heart, He also gets ahold of their wallet.
• “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21).
• Someone who has been born again will want to invest in the Kingdom of God.
o The first thing the Bible says about giving is to tithe to your local church: “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house,” (Mal. 3:10). The first 10% of your income belongs to the local church.
o God also wants us to be generous in giving to others, especially the poor!
o “Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.” (Prov. 22:9).
o “the godly are generous givers.” (Ps. 37:21b). To be a Christian = to be generous!
o There are many opportunities to give: Our Christmas hamper program; Costa Rica missions; Operation Christmas Child; local food bank; & Union Gospel Mission.
c. THE KINGDOM LIFESTYLE = UNCONDITIONAL FORGIVING:
• “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32).
• God wants us to forgive other people the same way He forgives us – unconditionally.
• “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt. 6:14-15).
• Forgiveness is not a side issue in the Kingdom!
• Unforgiveness is one reason people don’t get their prayers answers.
CLOSING: GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE US JESUS: (John 3:16-17).
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
• The most famous verse in the world: God loved us so much He gave us Jesus.
• God has done His part – Jesus died on the Cross – now we must respond and believe.
• “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:19-20).
QUOTE: “Jesus is Lord, and those who refuse him as Lord cannot use him as Saviour. Everyone who receives him must surrender to his authority, for to say we receive Christ when in fact we reject his right to reign over us is utter absurdity. It is a futile attempt to hold onto sin with one hand and take Jesus with the other. What kind of salvation is it if we are left in bondage to sin?” (John MacArthur).
CHALLENGE: The call to surrender your life to the Lordship of Jesus the King!
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://pastorchrisjordan.wordpress.com/
