Glorious Day-2021

John 3:1-7; 16-17Welcome/Have congregation standToday we are going to answer 3 questions: Who is Jesus? Why Did He Come? What Does He Give?Introduce song- “In Christ Alone”Congregation-In Christ Alone (shake hands after verse 2)Read-John 3:1-7; 16-17

​John 3:1–7 KJV 19001 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 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. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

​John 3:16–17 KJV 190016 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. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Opening Prayer-seat congregationOpening VideoMixed Quartet-When I SurveyVideo-Who is Jesus?Amber- “I Am”Video-Jesus HealingPastor-Who is Jesus?

I. Who is Jesus?-John 3:2

​John 3:2 KJV 19002 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.

Men have been asking this question ever since the birth of Jesus Christ. If a person wants to know who Jesus is, then they need to go to the source that tells all about Him; the Bible.Nicodemus had this question.Came by nightWe know…want to no moreHe went to the right source…It doesn’t matter what the world says, religion, manIt matters what the Lord says; and we KNOW what He says because it is written down in His Book- The Word of God-The BibleThe Bible is the right source: infallible, incorruptible, perfect

A. He is Eternal God

​John 1:1 KJV 19001 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

​John 8:58 KJV 190058 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

​Hebrews 13:8 KJV 19008 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

​Micah 5:2 KJV 19002 But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Jesus is the Everlasting God.

Jesus Did not begin in Bethlehem, but He continued in Bethlehem. Because He is Eternal God.

B. He is God in the Flesh

​Matthew 1:20–23 KJV 190020 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

​John 1:1–2 KJV 19001 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.

​John 1:14 KJV 190014 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

​1 Timothy 3:16 KJV 190016 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

C. He is the Forgiver of Sins

Not the church, not the pastor, not the priest,Jesus and Jesus alone is the forgiver of sins.We need a “forgiver of sins” because we have a sin nature: Romans 3:23;

​Romans 3:23 KJV 190023 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

The number one issue the “religious” leaders (in Jesus’s time) had with Jesus was His willingness/ability to forgive sins:His dealing with a crippled man:

​Luke 5:18–21 KJV 190018 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. 19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

His dealing with a woman caught in adultery: “she was the one in the video”

​Luke 7:47–48 KJV 190047 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

Jesus has the power to forgive sins.But His power is based on a condition-”IF” you will turn to Him from your sins, He will forgive your sin.Two truths concerning the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ:1. Gospel is exclusive: no other way to salvation except through Jesus.

​John 14:6 KJV 19006 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

​Acts 4:12 KJV 190012 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

2. Gospel is inclusive: Anyone can be saved; any sin can be forgiven.

​Romans 10:13 KJV 190013 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Who is Jesus?Jesus: God in the flesh came to this earth to live a perfect life among men. He willingly gave His life for the sins of all mankind.Now let’s answer the next question....Why did Jesus Come?Video-Why did Jesus Come?Sam & Carly- “The Look”Video-How Love WinsNarration while Carly playsPastor-Why Did He Come?

II. Why Did He Come?

Some say: political reformation, good teaching, help the poor, lead a revolution, etc....if you ask 10 people this question: Why did Jesus Come to the Earth? and you will probably get 10 different answers!!Many today have different ideas about why Jesus came.Let’s go back to the source of truth, the Word of God, The Bible for an answer…Why Did Jesus Come to this world?Turn to John 3:16

​John 3:16 KJV 190016 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.

A. He came to display His Father’s love.

God is the prime mover in the area of salvation. It is not man that sought God, but it was God seeking man.Jesus Christ is the manifestation of the love of God. You want to know what God’s love looks like: Look not further than Jesus Christ.

​1 John 4:9–10 KJV 19009 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Definition=propitiation-a satisfying sacrifice.Jesus is God’s love in human flesh for human flesh!!

B. Jesus Came to deliver us from sin.

Everyone is a sinner!!!

Story of the little boy and the candy bowl: mom-don’t let me catch you eating out of that bowl again; boy: ok mommy but I can’t always hear you coming!!!

We spend our lives trying to convince ourselves and others that we are not so bad or we are not as bad as others are.Truth: All are sinners, we are all born that way and will all die that way!!

​Romans 3:10 KJV 190010 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

​Romans 3:23 KJV 190023 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

We are all sinners.God has no desire for any man to die and miss Heaven.Look at John 3:17-18

​John 3:17–18 KJV 190017 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Those that love God, love this time of the year when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because of all that His resurrection means.Those that do not love God, loathe this time of the year, and do much to mock it and take away the truth concerning it.

One Facebook post: It is no coincidence that Easter falls on April 1st, because only a fool would believe in a child’s fairy tale of a resurrected man.

​Psalm 14:1 KJV 19001 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, There is none that doeth good.

There is no middle ground: you are either all in for Jesus or you are all out!!! He was “all in” for your salvation!Jesus came to display His Father’s love; He came to deliver us from sin…these truth’s required an immense sacrifice on His part.Take a moment and remember the pain of His suffering:John 19-they shoved a crown of thorns upon His headLuke 22- they plucked out His beard.Mark 15- They beat Him until He could barely walk.In order for Him to deliver us from sin, He had to shed His own blood.

​Hebrews 9:22 KJV 190022 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

​Ephesians 1:7 KJV 19007 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Ephesians 1:7-Jesus came to provide the only satisfying sacrifice for our sinsWithout the shedding of the blood there is no redemption from sins, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins, without the shedding of His perfect blood there can be no salvation for your soul or mine!!!Without faith in the sacrifice of Jesus there can be no salvation!!Why did Jesus Come? He came to lay down His life as the Only perfect sacrifice for our sins!!The sacrifice of Jesus for sins is only valuable because He is God, because He was God in the Flesh, He alone is the forgiver of sins!Video-What Does He Give?Watson Trio- “Then came the Morning”Congregation-He AroseEnsemble- “Jesus Saves”Pastor-What Does Jesus Give?

III. What Does He Give?

What did Jesus give us on that glorious day? Turn to Luke 24:1-8-“His Words”

​Luke 24:1–8 KJV 19001 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words,

Easter morning is a good time to “remember His words.”

A. He gave the promise of His resurrection

​Luke 9:22 KJV 190022 Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.

“The bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the crowning proof of Christianity. If the resurrection did not take place, then Christianity is a false religion. If it did take place, then Christ is God and the Christian faith is absolute truth.”—Henry Morris

​Revelation 1:18 KJV 190018 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Jesus was seen by more than 500 people after His resurrection. It was as if He was showing proof of His resurrection.Illustration: Leave Costco/Sam’s Club-you have to show them not only the items, but also your receipt…why? To show proof that payment has been made. The Resurrection is Proof that Payment has been made!!!!Jesus showed Himself alive to give proof of His paymentJesus is with us and will always be with us.

The tomb was empty -- contrary to all other tombs of history!

The pyramids of Egypt are famous because in them were found the mummified bodies of ancient Egyptian monarch.

Westminster Abbey in London is famous because in it are the bodies of Browning -- Tennyson -- & other English notables.

Arlington Cemetery in Washington is famous for it is the honored resting place of famous Americans.

Mount Vernon is famous because there is the body of our first president -- George Washington.

That is the difference between the tomb of Christ -- & other famous tombs!

Other tombs are famous & draw visitors from far & near -- because of what they contain.

The tomb of Christ is famous because of what it does not contain!

Other tombs are famous because they are full; -- the tomb of Christ is famous because it is empty!

If it were not empty -- you & I would have no hope!

But because it is empty -- we know that Jesus is in fact the Resurrection & the Life!

Different tombs are famous for who they contain, but the garden tomb is famous because of Who it doesn’t contain!!!

Jesus prophesied of His resurrection, Jesus promised us of our resurrection, He also provides for our resurrection.

​John 11:25 KJV 190025 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

​John 6:40 KJV 190040 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

​1 Corinthians 15:44 KJV 190044 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

B. He gives to us the provision of Eternal life

Nicodemus came to the place of realization that no one lives forever.

​John 10:28 KJV 190028 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

​Romans 6:23 KJV 190023 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Millions will miss the meaning of this Day. Until we put our faith fully and completely in Jesus we cannot be saved.We must have a moment that we come to the place and put our faith and only our faith in Jesus in order to be saved.Nicodemus was a religious man, but He was on his way to hell.Unless you have ever had a spiritual birthday, you cannot go to Heaven when you die.

Conclusion:

3 vital questions: Who is Jesus? Why did He come to Earth? What does He give?Do you have a day that you can point to and know for sure you are on your way to Heaven?If you have never had a spiritual birthday, will you put your faith in Him today?How do I do that?Realize that God loves youAccept the fact that you are a sinner....Realize that a price must be paid for your sinsbelieve that Jesus died and rose again to pay the penalty for your sinsput your faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection for your sins and ask Him to be your Saviour, claiming His promise of eternal life.