SF641 - SOMEONE CARES FOR YOU.. WHEN YOU ARE SERCHING (John 3 1-21)
SF641
SOMEONE CARES FOR YOU..
WHEN YOU ARE SEARCHING
John 3:1-21
INTRODUCTION
Have your ever lost something Important?
My wallet in Hilton Head....
The Little Boys who lost God....
We live in the Information Age!
We have lots of facts - but few reasons!
Many today are like Nicodemus - you know the facts what you are looking for is the truth...
1A. WE SEE A SEARCHING MAN
1B. Nicodemus was a Religious Man
He took his faith seriously (1)
He took Jesus seriously (2)
2B. Nicodemus was a Reasoning Man
He had a head knowledge - but no heart knowledge (3-4)
(Matthew 15:8) ""'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me."
3B. Nicodemus was a Reflective Man
Jesus tries to explain the new birth (5-8)
Picture of baptism... (5)
Water=repentance
Spirit=regeneration
Principle of birth...(6-7)
We reproduce after our kind; Flesh=flesh
Spirit=spirit
Puzzle of the wind... (8)
Unseen
Uncontrolled
Unpredictable
Nicodemus’ troubled response to the new birth (9)
Nicodemus was worried about the how of salvation rather than the who of salvation!
(John 14:6) "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
2A. WE HEAR A SIMPLE MESSAGE
1B. It is a Message Rooted in Facts
They are understandable facts (10)
(John 5:39‑40) "You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, {40} yet you refuse to come to me to have life."
They had a heart problem not a head problem!
They are verifiable facts (11)
Know = unwavering certainty
Men will not die for a lie!
Seen = eyewitness account!
(1 John 1:3) "We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ."
They are essential facts (12)
2B. It is a Message Revealed by Symbols
Only Jesus can bring us to God (13)
(1 Timothy 2:5‑6) "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, {6} who gave himself as a ransom for all men‑‑the testimony given in its proper time."
Only Jesus can free us from death (14-15)
(Numbers 21:4-9)
Rebellion (4-5) - Result (6) - Remedy (7-9)
(1 John 2:2) "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world."
3A. WE CONFRONT A STANDARD TO BE MEASURED BY (16-21)
1B. The Measure of Love
The unconditional love of God (16)
God gave - Jesus came
We believe - We receive
The uncondemning love of God (17)
(2 Peter 3:9) "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
The uncompromising love of God (18)
No faith - No forgiveness
We are condemned because of who we are!
Our condemnation is both positional and actual.
2B. The Measure of Light (19-21)
The light repeals our darkness (19)
(1 John 1:5) "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all."
The light reveals our darkness (20)
(Matthew 6:21) "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
The light rewards our devotion (21)
APPLICATION
Are you searching?
If you knew the “truth” what would you do with it?
Jesus is the Living Truth!
Do you know Him?
Will you come into the light today?