Sharing your faith

introduction

For the month of July we have ben looking at how to share your faith with others. On Wednesday Night we have been talking about some practical ways to do so. While on Sunday we have been more focused on the reasons t do so.

This morning we are going to bring the two together by looking at a way to share your faith. And I can think of no better example of this than Jesus Himself. So join me in John 3.

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 

We are introduced to a man named Nicodemus and it is sadi he was a aprt of the Ruling council. This meant that he was a member of the Sanherdrine. He was also a Pharisee. Pharisees were individuals who wer econcerned about following th erules in the Scriptures. THey wer eoften admired for their faihtfulness but could at times appear a little to ridged. And in many cases hyportical. This is one of the main problems Jesus will have with them.

THis brings me to my first point when it comes to Sharing your faiht, understand who you are talking with. Becaus eNicodemus is Jewish and a Pharisse he knows the Scriptures and trust them. He is also concerned about spiritual matters and having a relationship with God.

When we share our fiaht is good to know what spiritual beliefs a person has and their background with church. It makes little sense to talk about Jesus being the Son of God when someone does not believe in God. In that case you need to step back and talk about God and who God is.

2 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.”

There is a number of reason (good and bad) why Nicodemus came to Jesu at night. But by coming to Him at night there would be less people around and being more free to talk.

When talking with someone be aware of the souroundings. Respect there time and if necessary plan to meet where you can spend more time together.

It is also important to listen to what they are saying and asking. We can be so focused on presenting the Gospel that we miss what a person is asking. this can often “muddy the waters.

What we see in John chapter of three is a series of questions and answers.

Nicodemus begins by ointing ut that he believes that Jesus has been snet by God, that words he says are true, and this is because of the signs Jesus has been doing. This would have fit with the description of a prophet in the OLd Testament. Nicodemus is nt believing in Jesus as Savior but as a prophet. ANd if he sees Jesus as prophet then his question for Jesus would be, “When will we see the KIngdom of God.”

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]”

Jessu answers Nicodemus question about the Kingdom not by saying when it will come but wether Nicodemus would see the Kingdom of God.

Nicodemus working of the idea that he was a part of the Kingdom of God and just wanted to know when it would happen.

Jesus reveals he is not even in the Kingdom.

People often see themsleves as good and therefore worthy of God’s love and goodness. And threfore it only seems logical that God should allow them into His kingdom.

Jesus makes Nicodemus aware that hehas a bigger issue at hand That he has a sin problem and a radicla change is needed.

Jesus uses the term “Born Again”. When we think of being born we think about being brought into existence. You are a person, with a name, personality, and independence.

Thus in the sameway to be in God’s Kingdom requires a radical transformation. It is something outside ourselves.

4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 

The problem with metaphors is sometimes people struggl e ot understand them. Nicodemous is struggling to understand Jesus illusration. Although he does understand that something radical needs ot happen in his life.

As we share our fiaht in Jesus is can seem at times for people something that is impossible. Once they become aware of their sin they might think it would be to hard to not sin. Or they might think it would .....

Jessu reveals that this transfromation requires divine work. That is is spiritual and therefore must be done a spiritual level.

7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 

Jesus express here that Nicodemus should understand that a radical translformation needs to happen. And that the transfromation is not just necessary fo rNisodemus but for everyone.

Nicodemus, like most people, ar elooking for answers for themselves. But the Gospel is message is just not for one person, it is for everyone. Everyone is caught in sin and everyone needs ot exprience a rdicatical spiritual transformation.

It can be helpful in sharing your faith to remind ourselves, and to tel the person you a re speaking with, that you alsoneed the Gospel message and that you also would be resistent to it if not for the fact that you have experienced that work in your own life.

8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”[d]

There is an interesting play on words here because the Greek word for wind is the same Greek word used for Spirit. SO even as Jesus changes the metaphor He is staying focused the work of the Spirit.

This is also a reminder that the work of the Holy Spirit is a person is not visible physically. There is evidence and fruits fromthe Spirit in a paerson’s life, but the actal work of how the Spirit transforms a person remains a mystery .

9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 

Nicodemus now presents another question (third) which might be understood as sayinf , “Explian this?”

Jesu points out to Nicodemus thta he is explaing it and in the same maner Nicodemu s would do so.

But if Nicodemus needs evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit he need only look around him. Note Jesus use of “we”. He is proably referencing the Apostles and disciples. Look what is going on in their lives. Note the radical difference that has occured in them.

We should avoid tryin th “fluff up” our testimony so as to present a wild salvation story. But we should share our story and talk about the changes God has made in our lives.

12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

he exact understanding is not clear but I believe Jesus is contrasting the earthy examples of birth and wind to the spiritual issues of regenaration (redical transformation) and belief

As we speak to a person about spiritual matters (about sin, salvation, God’s Kigdom, salvation) there comes a place where that person nees to be willingto accept these things to be ture. Until they can accet the baic truth of our Sinfulness and God’s right to Judge are we capable of going furhter.

This is why sharing yourfaith witha person is rsrelly a one time experience but the result of long term commitment.

 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.[e] 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,[f] 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”[g]

Jessu now comes ot the heart of the Gsoeple message, belief in HIm.

If Nicodemus hopes to enter into the Kingdom of God then e needs to experience a radicaltransformation. That transformation is only possible through the work of the Holy Siprit. and the only way to recieve the Holy Spirit is by belief in Jesus .

16 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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.