Hidden In Plain Sight

“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 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. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

John 3:

John 3:10–13 TNIV

Jesus is the “ladder” between heaven and earth + this thought of “elevation” leads to the thought of Jesus being “lifted up”

This thought of “elevation” leads to the thought of Jesus being “lifted up”

John 3:14–15 TNIV

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

Bronze snake cure for punishment b/c of disobedience

Numbers 21:4–9 TNIV

They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” Then the Lord sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the Lord and against you. Pray that the Lord will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. The Lord said to Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived.

Likewise, Jesus was lifted up on a cross for people’s sins

A look of faith gives eternal life to everyone who believes

Transition: But why? Why did Jesus die to bring us eternal life? I used a rope, for the boat was floating away

B. Here’s Why

John 3:16–17 TNIV

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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16 TNIV

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.

God’s motivation is His love of people

God created the world, rules the world and made us to rule the world under Him

We all reject the ruler - God - by trying to run life our own way without him—we fail to rule ourselves, or society or the world.

God’s punishment for rebellion is death and judgment

Because of His love, God sent His Son into the world: the man Jesus Christ.

Jesus always lived under God’s rule

Yet dying in our place He took our punishment and brought forgiveness.

God raised Jesus to life again as the rule of the world.

Jesus conquered death and now gives “new life” (“eternal life”)

New quality of life, which one possesses now and will possess forever

John 10:28 TNIV

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.

John 10:10 TNIV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:38 TNIV

But if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

II. New Life Gives Birth To Freedom

A. An Apparent Contraction

Save vs. Judge?

Save

John 3:17 TNIV

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 12:47 TNIV

“As for those who hear my words but do not keep them, I do not judge them. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.

Judge

John 9:39 TNIV

Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

No Contraction - Judgment is not Jesus’ first or direct purpose

He is coming to save

When Jesus says, “For judgment I came into the world,” He means that inevitably, as I save people by truth and love and righteousness, a division happens and rebellion is revealed and people are confirmed in their unbelief.

John 3:18 TNIV

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.

People’s own rejection of Jesus brings condemnation upon themselves

Jesus saved by being the truth and speaking the truth and doing the truth.

Those that reject His offer are therefore condemned by their own actions.

His ministry inevitably reveals and confirms the blindness and unbelief that condemns.

They are like the sinful, dying Israelites who wilfully rejected the divine remedy (Num. 21:4-9)

Illustration: Mission = Salvation

“The mission of Jesus was not to condemn. It was to save.”TweetShare on Facebook

It’s like a doctor being called to amputate a man’s arm, because of a horrible infection, in order to save his life. Just before the sick man goes under the anesthesia, he asks the doctor, “Did you come to cut off my arm,” and the doctor answers: “I didn’t come to cut off your arm, I came to save your life.” And we would all know what he meant.

Or it’s like a military pest control specialist. They don’t come to you home to say they are there to kill pests but to make your home safe for your children.

team being airlifted behind enemy lines to rescue of POW from certain death. They have grenades and guns and knives, but the commander says, “Your mission is not to kill. Your mission is to get the prisoner out. Do what you have to do.”

B. Freedom From Judgement

John 3:18 TNIV

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.

Romans 8:1 TNIV

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

Romans 18:1

Remember:

We all reject the ruler - God - by trying to run life our own way without him—we fail to rule ourselves, or society or the world.

God’s punishment for rebellion is death and judgment

We are justified, declared righteous, and therefore stand in the grave of God and not under God’s wrath of sin and possess eternal life

III. Freedom Gives Birth To Peace

A. Why People Hate The Light

John 3:19 TNIV

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.

John 3:19–20 TNIV

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. All those who do evil hate the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.

“Light” = Gospel which by default exposes people’s deeds (3-4x’s)

Default the Gospel exposes the deeds of men

People don’t want to be exposed to the light “for fear (lest) their deeds are exposed” = Why?

Illustration: Adam + Eve = Shame

SLIDE -

B. Exposure To The Light Brings Peace

John 3:21 ESV

But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

All righteous deeds are “carried out,” find their source in God Himself

Colossians 1:28–29 TNIV

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

We step into the light, we come before God not to be judged, but to be made manifest.

Is this nor gracious?

His people are drawn to Him and welcome His revelation.

Though the light rebukes their sin, they respond in repentance and faith.

Continue to step into the light (vs. 21) We come before God not to be judged, but to be made manifest. Is this nor gracious? God empowers us to do what we do, and then honors us for doing what He empowered us to do! Jesus is like a magnet. His people are drawn to Him and welcome His revelation. Though the light rebukes their sin, they respond in repentance and faith. They live by the truth (cf. , ; , ). By regeneration they live differently than their former lives of darkness. Their new lives are by faith in Jesus and His Word. And the Spirit, working in their lives, gives them new power, goals, and interests (; ).

And this makes sense given God’s agenda for us

Question:

What does God really want to be your top priority? What is the dominating goal that he wants you to fix your eyes and mind and heart on?

It’s not to have a good and fulfilling career

It’s not to build up financial security

It’s not to find the perfect man or woman to marry

It’s not to give your children the best in life

It’s not to have a healthy body or lifestyle

It’s not to enjoy all the good things of this creation

And it’s not even to go to church

This is b/c on God’s agenda for us in live, God’s overarching purpose for us, under which everything else fits, is for us to receive this new life in Jesus and to become more like Jesus as we step into the light, to clothe ourselves in the character of Jesus.

God’s overarching purpose for us, under which everything else fits, is for us to receive this new life in Jesus and to become more like Jesus as we step into the light

Inherent in our becoming more like Jesus is that our lives turn towards moving others towards maturity in Christ as well. As we fix our eyes and hearts and minds not on all the earthly things that crowd our agenda but on Christ above, where our true life is! God wants His Spirit to work in our lives, giving us new power, goals, and interests (; ).

He wants us to fix our eyes and hearts and minds not on all the earthly things that crowd our agenda but on Christ above, where our true life is!

They live by the truth (cf. , ; , ). By regeneration they live differently than their former lives of darkness. Their new lives are by faith in Jesus and His Word. And the Spirit, working in their lives, gives them new power, goals, and interests (; ).

He wants us to fix our eyes and hearts and minds not on all the earthly things that crowd our agenda but on Christ above, where our true life is! God wants His Spirit to work in our lives, giving us new power, goals, and interests (; ).

Conclusion:

What is holding you back from a closer relationship with Christ? And have you considered, what impact is that having on those around you, those whom God has ordained. But it’s through a life like that by which we make the biggest ripple in this world.

Want the listener to think through their relationship with Christ and consider what is holding them back from following Him more closely.

But it’s through a life like that by which we make the biggest ripple in this world.

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