The Giver, The Gift, The Gain

Introduction

Today we will be looking at probably the most famous verses in the entire Bible.

Background

Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews.

We have spoken of Nicodemus as being the “man with the mask.”

Not only did he have the education, but he also was a member of the Sanhedrin and was a ruler among the people.

Nicodemus comes to Jesus in the night with questions about Christ.

He was also a ruler among the people

John 3:2 KJV 1900

The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

JOhn 3:

Jesus knew what Nicodemus needed. Nicodemus did not need to see more miracles, he did not need to be more educated, he needed to be saved.

Many people have questions about the Bible and about God, but the most important act that we can take is not just educate them about the Bible, but that we must lead them to Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV 1900

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Jesus told Nicodemus that a man must be born again to see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus is confused. Can a man enter his mother’s womb a 2nd time?

Salvation does not make sense to the lost. God chooses to use the simple things in life to confuse the wise to show them how small their intellect is in comparison to His. Jesus knew what Nicodemus needed, but he needed Nicodemus to understand how little he really knew.

Nicodemus is confused. Can a man enter his mother’s womb a 2nd time?

Jesus brings in the illustration of Moses and the bronze serpent.

Numbers 21:4–9 KJV 1900

And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread. And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

It is just believing in Jesus Christ as being the one that took the punishment for the sins of the world that we must believe in to be saved.

The Giver

Here we get into

John 3:16 KJV 1900

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.

What we see is first the GIVER.

The Giver is God - what do we know about God?

God is loving

God is just

God is righteous

Notice the use of the word “love”

In Greek this word is agapeo - a complete and total devotion

Also notice that the word for world is cosmos - all of it.

The Gift

God loved us so much, that He gave His only begotten sone.

This has the idea of this is God’s one of a kind son.

God was willing to give his unique Son for sinners like us.

This is the gift that we celebrate every Christmas.

The Gain

This gift must be accepted. We have to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior.

We realize that we are a sinner

We find that there is a God that loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for you and me

We then must believe that this sacrifice is enough to pay the penalty for our sin debt.

The gain is that we deserved hell, but received eternal life and restoration of that relationship with God.

Conclusion

Introduce “Thank you” Cards