John 3:1-18 A God encounter Discovering a religion encounter is not enough

Got back from vacation .

We felt very safe while we were gone

A few vacation photos that show why

Washington state is great at telling you what to do if you encounter something big

What to do in an

Encounter with a Volcano – take the volcano evacuation route

Encounter with a Tsunami – take the Tsunami evacuation route

Or if by foot – run as fast as you can up a 600 foot cliff – love the ways

Encounter with a bear – no guarantees – but be sure not to remove the sign – others might get hurt

More help – don’t panic (yeh sure) back away slowly, leave area

Immediately – keep dogs under control

Another new sign for us

Encounter with a cougar – this is reassuring DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS – BE LARGE

Face to face with something big is scary? Good to have help in knowing what to do

Perhaps it would be good to have another sign - Beware God is here

Encounter with God – what would you do if you encountered God?

Let’s take a few weeks and see people as they encounter God. John records various people who encounter God in the person of Jesus.

Today

John 3:1-18 A God encounter

Discovering a religion encounter is not enough

I. A God encounter: Not the solutions we think John 3:1-2

A. Had it all yet incomplete

(NKJV) John 3 1 There was a manof the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

1. A man that seemed to have it all.

2. Yet, he obviously felt something was missing

3. Saw others encounter Jesus and something real occurred

4. So he slips in by night (John – light /darkness themes)

B. Religion not satisfy (Pharisee)

(NKJV) John 3 1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

1. Good characteristics

a) Conservative in belief / Moral – obey God’s word

b) When Greeks tried to cause Jews to compromise precursor of Ph said no – ultimately were part of the group that won their independence

c) In Jesus time they were People’s leaders (Not Saduccees)

2. Bad characteristics

a) Build a fence to protect Israel from committing the sin that caused the exile

b) External – the measure of spirituality

c) Proud / sufficient

d) Religion will become the enemy of grace / and of God

C. Power not satisfy (rler)

(NKJV) John 3 1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

1. Sanhedrin - Definition: Council of 70 (ruling body)

a) Tradition – began with leaders assigned by Moses

2. History

a) After Babylonian exile

(1) High priest leader / Fellow priests - aristocrates (Sadducees)

(2) Later others Pharisees and Scribes

b) Romans

(1) Judeah - Roman leader – ultimate authority / Civil rule – high priest –Sanhedrin

3. Good

a) Protect Israel

b) Rule civil affairs

4. Bad

a) Protect position / status quo / personal power

b) Group became major opponents of Christ

D. Recognition not satisfy (the teacher) John 3:10-11

(NKJV) John 3 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know

1. A system where the authority was primarily in people – great rabbis (teachers) – they interpreted the Law

2. Good

a) Gave his life to Help others understand scripture

3. Bad

a) Was really ignorant of what God truly desires – So taught sincerely, but wrong

II. A God encounter: A need for spiritual transformation

A. A need to recognize one’s own inadequacy John 3:3-4

(NKJV) John 3 3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

1. Spiritual life cannot be generated humanly

2. Confused but gets it to a degree – how can I go back and do it again

a) Can’t undo what I have done wrong

b) Couldn’t get it right even if I could go back and do it over

3. Dead from sin – in need of life – comes from a spiritual birth – a different kind of birth

B. A need for spiritual birth John 3:5-6

(NKJV) John 3 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

1. Must be remade from within /

2. Made alive in a fresh way

3. Born from the dead spiritually

C. An unseen but radical event John 3:7-8

(NKJV) John 3 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

1. Can’t see the Spirit or the birth

2. Can see it’s result – new life / transformation

3. A need for a radical new life

III. A God encounter: Life only from trusting in Christ

A. Requires being reassessing your viewpoint John 3:9-11

(NKJV) John 3 9 Nicodemus answered and saidto Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.

1. The issue is only partly knowledge

2. Real issue is receptivity – do I want to know the truth

3. Ultimate issue is response – will I respond to the truth

B. Requires seeking the truth from Christ John 3:12-13

(NKJV) John 3 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.

1. Only one has true perspective

2. Came down from where the Father is

3. Lived from all eternity as God the Son

4. Came to earth and took on humanity

5. We can believe this one instead of some inner feelings / some thoughts by some limited human person

C. Requires trusting Christ alone John 3:14-16

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

1. Required that the Son of God die in our place

2. Requires us to respond in faith to His death and resurrection

3. Not just knowing – but trusting

4. And to those who trust Him as Savior – new life / eternal life is given

D. Death continues without Christ John 3:17-18

(NKJV) John 3 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

1. Or you can remain dead

2. Christ did not come to condemn – we already are

3. He came so that we could be free of this condemnation if we choose to