Sermon On the Net

WATER AND SPIRIT

 

John 3: One evening, Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, approached Jesus and acknowledged that He was from God because of all the miracles He was performing, but he did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus explained to him that a person must be born again to be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, verse 3, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” to which Nicodemus asked how it was possible to be put back into the Mother’s womb? Jesus repeated His statement and then explained in verse 6 that a person must be ‘born of flesh and then be born of the Spirit’ (born from above; born of the Spirit). Jesus then told him not to be so surprised; that there are many things that he is aware of and doesn’t understand. When Nicodemus persisted for an understanding, Jesus told him that he wouldn’t understand Heavenly things because he couldn’t even understand earthly things.

 

At this point Jesus tells Nicodemus of His coming crucifixion, but of course he didn’t have a clue of what He was saying. Jesus continued and told him that anyone who would believe in Him would have eternal life. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus also informed him that He did not come into the world to judge it but to save it. Verse 17-18 says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

 

Later, Jesus and His disciples went to Judea and were baptizing people. John the Baptist’s followers went to John to question what Jesus was doing and he enlightened them about some things; he told them ‘a man can receive only what is given him from heaven.’ He also told them that he was not Jesus, that he was a friend and was delighted to be so. He informed them that Jesus must become more prominent than he, as he must become less and less important. He told them that God sent Jesus and Jesus speaks the words of the Father. The Father has given all things to Him and he that believes in Him has eternal life, whereas the non-believer shall not see life but they will see the wrath of God.

 

A most profound aspect of this chapter is that a person must be born from above (from the Spirit of God.) Accepting Jesus as personal Savior is another way of saying the same thing. Please note that a person’s position or qualifications in this life doesn’t necessarily mean anything; Nicodemus is a good example of a ruler of the people ruling them in complete ignorance; a member of the Sanhedrin at that. He didn’t understand because He didn’t believe Jesus and he saw Him face-to-face. It is a matter of the heart, folks. Think about this for a moment: we haven’t seen Him and yet we believe because our heart is right with God; whereas Nicodemus didn’t believe Jesus because his heart wasn’t right with the Father.

 

Verse 14 is a prophecy of the crucifixion fulfilled on the cross: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.” Verse 18 is really something to meditate on: “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” If believers are not to be judged because they accepted Jesus while they were on this earth, then what happens to the non-believers when they die and find themselves before the judgment seat of God? There is no judgment as they have already been judged while on the earth and therefore there is no reason to judge a guilty person, is there? This is the time for sentencing and we know what that is. Make no mistake about what the Bible says; there is no second chance; Romans 9:27 says, “Just as destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” A person must change his natural destiny and choose Jesus’ way. We are not to boast of our position in the family of God, but we should pray for more people to accept Jesus. And as John the Baptist so wonderfully says, ‘we should boast of Him’.

 

This chapter has special meaning to me because I believe God showed me the way through His written word where I was in life; a lost soul, trapped in a prison of religious bureaucracy for all of my life, a prison without bars, without locks on doors. By the grace of God I stepped out of the prison of religiosity in faith and accepted Jesus as my personal Savior. And I continue to enjoy the joy of knowing and growing in the Lord.

 

My heart goes out to all who have yet to take the step of faith that is prerequisite to salvation, to those who for whatever reason choose to stay imprisoned. It is so simple to tell Jesus that you are a sinner and you want Him to come into your heart. He already knows everything about you so you won’t be telling Him anything new. Please rid your selves of the chains, free yourself in Jesus, and look forward to an eternity of joy with Him. God bless you all.