John, Part 10
Series: The Truth About Salvation, Part 1
John 2:23 – John 3:10
- Welcome to Seasons – intro – we are grateful you’re here today; dismiss children
-- RE: Thursday: What questions do you have? Let’s dive in together!
- Today we begin new series, “The Truth about Salvation”, focus of ~6 messages
-- Never forget: John is less focused on chronology; but on purpose (redemption)
- Read John 2:23 – 3:10 / Pray
Point 1 – What we believe, matters!
- Many began to believe in Jesus – word is that they believed “once and for all”
-- GR: episteusan; means to have faith in a person or thing); “settled”
- SEE: Jesus did not commit himself to men; He knew what they were: (v24)
? GR: ginóskó; to know, to be aware of, to be certain of someone
? He knows our bent to sin; knows we choose self vs. submission to God
? Why? It’s our sin nature that we wrestle with; but He can change us!
-- CHALL: No one can just decide to live for God; He must draw us in; lead us
- APP: We might think we are righteous; or perhaps ‘good enough’, but …
-- Our sin is clear when we: judge, choose to disobey, live unholy, excuse sin…
- Fact: Some who called themselves believers never truly belong to Jesus
-- They said they were followers but left when the requirements became hard
-- EX: Rich young ruler (ref Mark 10:17-22); Jesus saw his true desires
-- Many never fully surrender to Him; instead they create space to rule with Christ
-- APP: It is the theory of “Jesus + something else” (such as…) is “good enough”
- Because of this truth – they were never really His (heard: “depart from me…”)
? Same exists today; it’s worth realizing & checking your own heart here
? Without Christ and His assurance, we can never be 100% sure of eternity
? The spirit leads us to spiritual things: Paul speaks of this in Romans 8:5-6
Point 2 – Nicodemus seeks the Truth
- Consider: Could be called the Bible’s “longest fence sitter”; never rcv’d Jesus
- He was a ruler among Jews; senior member of the Sanhedrin (governing body)
? Also a Pharisee: his position gave him authority over religious teaching
? Was actually considered a “leading teacher” (resp. over all of Israel)
? He was wealthy; had servants; spent $$$ on Jesus’s burial (ref John 19)
? But he was silent at Jesus’s trial; spoke no defense to Christ’s accusers
- He comes to speak to Jesus on behalf of the religionists … “we all know” (v2b)
-- Don’t miss: he comes under the cover of darkness (v2a) (protecting reputation)
-- Curious b/c he was willing to acknowledge Jesus as a teacher “sent by God”
-- APP: Saw the miracles; had to admit that only someone from God could do this
- Now – see the ask (v2c): Prefaces it with “Rabbi” (teacher) out of respect
-- Behind it he’s asking: “Who are you, really?” Now, watch Jesus’s answer! (v3)
- It’s almost as if Jesus ignores the commentary of Nicodemus, isn’t it?
-- But Jesus reveals something many miss: The miracles are not what matter!
-- Deeper: The “things” cannot be the focus of the conversation we need to have
-- TJ: Believe that you and I need to know this more today than we realize
- BIG: We must not get focused on the things that man sees as important
? EX: We do things like this: we compare what God does for someone…
? Or we might focus on church attendance vs. what God is doing in hearts
? Meaning: We count growth by butts in seats vs. heart transformations
- What was important here is (KEY): Nicodemus had to be changed from within
? He to be radically transformed from the way he lived to fully follow God
? SEE: To be changed like this is the literal description of being “born again”
? APP: Nicodemus focuses on biology & missed Who he is talking with! (v4)
- TR: We cannot miss the subtly of Jesus’s responses: Gives the key to life!
Point 3 – Question: How are we transformed?
- See the STRONG assertion of Jesus: “Unless you are born again” (v3)
? GR: “ean mé tis gennaó anóthen”; if not anyone be born from above
? Unless you are changed, renewed, made new, recreated, etc.
? Important result: cannot “see” (GR: eiserchomai; enter, come into) (v5)
- Don’t miss this: Being born again is NOT optional! It is required!
-- Pay special attention (no legalism): the water is NOT what saves! 1 Peter 3:21
-- And … to be born again is something the Spirit must do; man cannot do this!
-- Why? B/C we can only give birth to humans, which transfers sin Romans 5:12
- This is why Jesus tells him to not be surprised when it’s required (v7)
? APP: New birth is to be transformed; experience TOTAL change
? SEE: Jesus emphasized the importance of this to demonstrate requirement
? Why? B/C the sin we take part in daily ruins us; it is what separates us
- EX: Calls attention to the wind (v8): we cannot see where it comes from or goes
-- Yet, every day, there it is – doing what it was created to do (God’s purpose)
-- APP: W/O this understanding, we can’t have fellowship with the Creator!
- Says the Spirit works the same; may not know why but can experience it’s affects
-- We cannot, and should not presume that b/c we can’t see it it’s not happening
-- However, when we live rightly for God, there are changes and indicators (fruit)
-- See Holy Spirit’s results in Romans 8:16 and 1 John 4:13; check yourself now!
The Point:
- Can’t finish without seeing the tragedy of Nicodemus’s life up until now: (v10)
? He was considered a master of Israel; well respected
? He was a member of the ruling class, an aficionado of Jewish things
? A keeper of the Law, one who required/taught others to live by its teachings
? BUT! He did not know about spiritual things!! (How sad is that!?!)
- APP: This is where we have to examine our own heart as we close …
? Where are you in this? Do you understand the simple things we must do?
? Are you seeking to be faithful, to be devoted, to know more about Christ?
? Are you desiring the things of God to be what rules you?
- Salvation is about far more than fire insurance – but about being reborn!
-- Being devoted to the things OF God, because that is all that matters TO you!
- Pray.
