Scripture: John 3:16-17
Central idea: Jesus Saves.
Specific purpose: to reach the unsaved.
Introduction: Last week, I had three people tell me that they did not feel Saved. They wanted to know how to be sure. If three people asked me that, I have to imagine that there are others in our mists who have the same question. So how do you know for sure?
A. In the Book of John, chapter 3 verses 1-21 we have the story of Nicodemus who came to Jesus. Jesus told Nicodemus how to be sure of salvation. That story goes as follows.
1. There was an extremely observant Jew, a teacher, and a Pharisee, named Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
2. Jesus told Nicodemus that, "No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” This answer puzzled Nicodemus. "How can someone be born when they are old?”
3. Jesus answered, “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit."
4. Jesus does a little more explaining, Jesus instructs Nicodemus using the best-known scripture in the entire Bible, John 3:16-17, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
5. Jesus tells Nicodemus that "people love the darkness, the way of the world, also called sin, instead of light because their deeds were evil."
B. At the heart of Nicodemus' question is this “Who is Jesus?”
1. The answer to that question makes all the difference. If you get this answer wrong, you get everything else wrong. Who is Jesus? That is what Nicodemus is asking, how a person answers that question depends upon whether or not they are “born again”, whether or not they are saved.
II. Are you born again? Do you know who Jesus is? The Holy Spirit who breathes life into the Word of God is putting this question in front of you today.
A. Jesus says to Nicodemus, “You are Israel’s teacher and do you not understand these things?” Nicodemus is a Pharisee; he knows God’s Word but does he understand it?
B. If you are having trouble understanding this, you are not alone. Do you know what Jesus means when he says that a person must be “born again of water and the Spirit”? You must learn!
1. Simply put, it means, “Get a new life!”
2. As the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 2:1, “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins ...”
C. To be born again we must know that sin makes us dead to God and His Kingdom. In John 3:5, Jesus speaks of “water and the Spirit”. Let us consider them both briefly.
1. In the Old Testament, the Spirit is the one who brings life.
a. We see this in the creation of man in Genesis 2 when God breathes the Spirit of life into Adam.
b. Psalm 104:30 says, “When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.”
c. The prophet Joel 2:13, the prophet says, "God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love." In Joel 2:28-29, the prophet speaks of a future outpouring of the Holy Spirit that will bring new life to God’s people. "I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days."
d. The Spirit brings life. It is the presence of God.
2. As for “water”, in the Old Testament water is a sign of cleansing and rebirth.
a. The Israelites passed through the Red Sea on their way to the Promised Land. This baptism told them God was real. Water cleansed the people.
b. In Ezekiel 36:25-27 the prophet brings “water and spirit” together when he says, “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you ...”
c. New life comes from above and fills you with hope that you with a hope that you have never had before. Being born of “water and spirit” is God’s work in us. Are you born again? Do you have a new life from God? The only way to know is to ask yourself the question, “Who is Jesus?”
C. In Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus draws attention to the work he will do on the cross.
1. He says, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” This refers to lifting Jesus up on the cross. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
2. Do you believe this? Only those who are born again will have the faith to hear the grace of God spoken in John 3:16-17.
III. Let’s consider carefully, in full context, what John 3:16 says.
A. The Evangelist says, “For God so loved the world”. Let us stop here. The first two words, “For God ...” tell us that the gospel begins in the heart of God who loves the people he made in his image.
1. God loves the people of the world and he desires that they turn to him.
2. The word for “love” in this verse refers to “sacrificial love”. This love gives of itself for another. This is exactly what the next part of the verse says.
3. “For God so loved the world that he gave ...”. God gives of himself for the world. God is no impersonal deity. The Sovereign God of heaven and earth is a God who sees, hears, and acts.
4. The God who loves is the God who gives! What does God give, the greatest gift of all, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son ...”.
5. There is only one eternal Son of God. There is only One who was begotten from the Father. There is only One Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God and God has given him to the world.
B. Why has God given Jesus? “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish ...”
1. God loves; God gives; we believe! This is so that we will not perish.
2. By human nature, we are all perishing.
3. By human nature, we are objects of God’s wrath because sin cannot be in heaven. By nature, sinners have nothing to look forward to but condemnation.
C. The gospel proclaims a different story. The gospel says you do not have to be who you are by nature. God has loved you from eternity; God has given you his only begotten Son; you do not perish if you believe in him.
1. Jesus was not guilty of any sin. The sinful world hated this. Rather than call down a legion of angels to put his haters to death, Jesus chose to punish those who hated him by punishing them, but rather, Jesus chose to show us love by giving us all a chance to accept his love.
2. This choice is why we still talk about this humble carpenter from Nazareth 2,100 years later.
IV. Who is Jesus? That is the ultimate contextual question. John 3:16 tells us that Jesus is the one and only Son of God, the only Begotten of the Father.
A. It then proclaims God’s grace. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
1. God loves; God gives; we believe; we do not perish; we have eternal life.
2. What begins in the heart of God overflows into new life for the repentant sinner. By grace, God invites you to believe.
3. By faith, you will. To be born again by the water and the Spirit is to receive grace and the gift of faith.
B. The reason Nicodemus went to Jesus was to find an answer to the most important question, "Who is Jesus?""
1. Aren't you in church today for the same reason?
2. Maybe you come simply out of tradition? Maybe your parents made you? Your spouse made you come? There may be several reasons why we find ourselves together on this day.
3. However, if you have come here to flatter God with some pious and nice words you should have saved your time, your breath, and your money. If you have already tuned out the gospel proclamation then do not be too sure that you are still on the path that leads to life. In context, John 3:16 drives us to consider the burning question in our hearts, "Who is Jesus?"
V. God chose to send his one and only Son so that you may have fellowship with him. To know this grace of God you need to know Jesus and to know Jesus you must be born again.
A. When you know Jesus, you will not stay the same. You will know the One and only Hope of the world. Your worldview will enlarge and you will love what God loves and God loves the world.
C. It is a demanding gospel that we hear in John 3:16. Love so amazing and so divine demands your soul, your life, your all.
D. Nicodemus received much more than he expected on that night he visited the Lord. We know from later accounts of him in this gospel that he became a follower of Christ; indeed, Nicodemus objected to the way the Jews treated Jesus at his trial. He helped Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus. This great-learned man, Nicodemus, chose to follow the carpenter from Nazareth. How about you?
E. John tells us his story that we too might believe and follow Jesus. The One who came from the Father full of grace and truth is calling. His own will answer and follow.
VI. I try never to say John 3:16 without saying John 3:17, "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
A. God did not send Jesus to condemn us.
1. Not a month goes by that someone does not ask me, "How do I know that I am saved."
2. Here is your answer. So many people think of God as the One who will send them to hell if they have not been good enough. You cannot be good enough.
3. You cannot save you but God can.
4. If you read the Book of Job, you see that the devil is the one who tried to undo Job and the devil is the one who wanted to report back to God that Job had failed.
B. God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; God sent Christ that the world might be saved.
1. That word might is the only part you play. If you ask God for His presence in your life, it is there.
2. If you do not ask God for His presence in your life, He is not there.
3. You have free will.
VII. In conclusion, you cannot regenerate yourself. Indeed, no one can regenerate you but God.
A. God gave you free will. You have to choose God or the world. The Holy Spirit will fill you if you let it and invite it in.
B. If you invite the Holy Spirit in, it will protect, sustain, and comfort you no matter how many difficulties you must overcome. The Spirit is there to help you fight temptations. When Satan tempted Jesus in those forty days he spent in the wilderness, the Holy Spirit was there. That same Spirit can be with you.
C. That same Holy Spirit will grow you over your remaining years.
D. Why does God send his Holy Spirit to us? He knows we will need it for God knows that the toughest job on earth is following Jesus' example. It cost Jesus his life. Are you ready to give your life to Christ?
VIII. The alter rail is open. If you are not sure of your salvation, I invite you to come; confess your sins, and meet the Spirit of God Almighty.
