The After Effects

Intro: The plan of Salvation was clearly outline in last weeks message. As we looked at how Jesus structured our salvation, we can only draw one conclusion.

The only way to heaven will be through the blood of Jesus Christ. It’s a free gift of God, not something that can be earned or that we deserve.

While Nicodemus never gives us an indication of whether or not he excepted Christ, we can celebrate in the fact that Jesus has made a way and given us a beautiful picture of how to be saved.

We now come to a place in the scripture where the excitement is still high, but the devil is beginning to mingle.

I want to remind you that as a child of the King, when there is a victory, you can expect for the devil to begin pressing upon you.

It never fails, I see it quite often when new believers come to faith in Christ, Satan jumps on them with both feet.

It’s in these moments that if we can recognize the attack, so that we will be more equipped to overcome the battle.

Let’s take a look at what John had to deal with after the victory.

A Frenzy Of Excitement

John 3:22 NKJV

22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized.

There is an excitement after Salvation.

The newness of salvation will bring a smile.

It’s in these moments that one will begin to realize just how much Jesus loves them.

Salvation is a celebration.

Celebration that you no longer have to live as that old creature. You are a new creature in Christ.

So much excitement that we want what is next!!

The danger of the newness.

When there is a newness in Christ, it can be said that one will over look the danger that’s just around the corner.

It’s here that the devil will start his prowl to disrupt what God is doing in the life of a new believer.

Faithfulness Until The Completion

John 3:23–26 NKJV

23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison. 25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”

When you don’t see the end game v.23-24

John didn’t know the total plan of God, so he just keep doing what he was called to until Jesus reveled it.

Be faithful until you are given the big picture.

Share the good news of the Gospel.

Know that confusion will plaque our faith if our eyes are not on Jesus. v. 25-26

John’s disciples didn’t understand what was taking place.

Their thoughts were skewed by their own understanding and not that of Christ.

It’s easy to get in a place where we rely on our own understanding of Spiritual of matters and cut God out of the equation.

The Power We Have

John 3:27–28 NKJV

27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’

Know where your power comes from.

My help and strength comes from the Lord

The Psalmist tells us in 121

Psalm 121:1–3 NKJV

1 I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? 2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. 3 He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.

2. Where do you put your trust?

Is it in the powers of Government

Is it in the structure of Family

Is it in the church

3. John knew that all His power and authority was a gift from God.

Knowing who is really in control of our lives will set us free to operate as we were made to.

Conclusion:

While the excitement of the new birth is something we do not want to diminish, just keep in mind that there are real dangerous after you become a child of the king.

The dangers can present themselves in a host of ways. The important factor here is, keep your eyes fixed upon Jesus for he is the author and finisher of your faith.