Trusting the Lifted Savior
Gospel of John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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ILLUST - Spyder hunting
“I found one!” - Lifted up, for all to see
READ John 19:31-42
Nicodemus - reappears
The teacher of the Law, the Law is important to Him, adherence to that Law
He can quote the Law
He could write the Law
Components of trusting this lifted Savior
Observed with Joseph and Nicodemus here
(Focus on…)
1) What was Written - What Was Said
1) What was Written - What Was Said
Think about the Gospel from the Old Testament
The Gospel from the Law and Prophets, Nicodemus knows this
PROMISE - Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”
Paul echoes Yahweh’s promises in 2 Cor 1:20 (written by Paul 30+ years earlier than John writing this)
For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.
PROPHECY - Is. 7:14
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”
Nicodemus knows ALL this!
PLACES OF GREAT DELIVERANCE BY YAHWEH
Red Sea
Return from Exile
Hope from Malachi (last prophet prior to JTB)
The Pharisees, Sadducees - knew Scripture, what it SAID
Those who searched Scripture - found Jesus (>100 prophecies)
A) OT prophecy quoted here - vv 36-37
B) NT reality - John 3, John 12:32
“As Moses lifted up the serpent”
“If I am lifted up…will draw…”
Pay attention to what has been written - Jesus said this over and over
Then, eyes open to….
2) What was Done - Finished
2) What was Done - Finished
Nicodemus was at the trials
and (see John 7)
He saw, heard, knows what happened
He sees Scripture unfold - being fulfilled!
So He helps Joseph
Joseph of Arimathea
A disciple, a believer, though quiet about it
Wealthy, Sanhedrin member
Typically - those crucified, poor, tossed in a common grave together
Nicodemus brings a hundred pounds of spices
Not planning a temporary burial
This burial is hasty, though (time is short)
This burial is suitable for royalty
“it is finished” - Nicodemus has seen enough - He’s in
This death was wrong, unfair, unjust
The wicked are the ones who seemed to win
Jesus’ words to Him a few years back:
“Are you the teacher of the Law and you don’t know these spiritual things?”
“So must the Son of Man be lifted up”
“Everyone who does evil hates the Light”
He chooses to help Joseph, exposing himself as a believer
By taking Him down from the cross and burying Him, He “lifts Jesus up” as more important than himself
He “gets it” and is compelled to action
3) Follow and Serve
3) Follow and Serve
First things first - Trust Christ, get saved, confess your sin and ask forgiveness
Why? Well, it’s not forced, but Phil 2:10
so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
One day you will bow and agree that Jesus is Lord
If you have trusted Him and asked forgiveness, you’re with Him in glory
If you have not, you will still bow, prior to be sentenced to the Lake of Fire
Joseph of Arimathea is called a disciple; Nicodemus appears likewise
Then…follow Christ, serve Him
Nicodemus, knows the Law, he’ll be unclean for seven days, for helping Joseph
But he’s a disciple, and disciples do what disciples do, follow and serve
He has a lot of worldly success to walk away from, leave behind
Likely removed from the Council, him and Joseph
(Truth, we don’t hear more of him in Bible)
His focus is now on Jesus
People seeing Nicodemus and knowing him will get that
It will be clear and evident
Tall roadside signs for fuel, food, etc.
You know where it is
The signs need to be tall to clear trees, obstructions, etc.
They need to be “lifted up”
CLOSE
Jesus was lifted up for all to see - lifted high on display
What the enemy thought was to be meant for disgrace turned out to be the ultimate gift from God
QUESTIONS:
Have you “found” Jesus?
When did that occur for you? “I found one!!’
“I found Jesus”
John 12:32 reminds us that this sacrifice was to be done in order to draw, call, invite ALL to Jesus
Nicodemus lived with these “lifted up” statements
You claim to be a Christian…are there people you know who have no idea?
One day, all believers will be lifted up in resurrection to join Jesus, who will meet us in the air
Meanwhile…
How are you “lifting up” Jesus
Disciples stand out
To make Jesus seen
Unmistakeable, no misunderstanding
Nicodemus had to leave the comfort of the rigid Law, his religious ways
He stood out
Christ’s love compelled him - see 2 Cor 5:14-15
2 Corinthians 5:14–15 (NASB95)
For the love of Christ controls us…so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
TRUE DISCIPLES CANNOT HELP BUT LIVE FOR HIM
Choices, priorities, actions, decisions
Being a witness for Jesus
Old self is dead - sinful ways should be uncomfortable
New self is here - Godly choices may make unbelievers uncomfortable
GOOD! Let the Holy Spirit work!
We know what was written - God’s Word
We trust what has been done - FINISHED
Now we get to be witnesses
Your life is now to be a testimony of the love you claim to have for Jesus
LAST QUESTION:
Are your choices encouraging others to follow Jesus more closely?
Your friends, family, co-workers, kids, see very clearly the choices you make
You will all face many decisions where following and serving God are directly opposed to something else that seems more fun or more important
Those little, everyday options and choices add up to a lifetime of living for self or living for Jesus
Whatever the earthly cost, it will be worth it, eternally
