Sermon Tone Analysis

What does it mean?

A methodical theological journey continues.

We know exegesis means “what does the word say” and hermeneutics means “what does the word mean.”

Here in John chapter 3 we are rich in hermeneutics for it is mandatory to understand if one is to be saved.

Previously we have looked at a few things here in John chapter 3.

Maybe take some time on your own and consider these questions and see what you remember from our previous lessons and write some notes for yourself.

What does it mean to be born again?

What does it mean born of water and Spirit?

What does it mean, must be born again?

I think a key verse to start tonight is a reminder from last week.

Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus about spiritual things using earthly concept (the wind).

And it is vital that he grasp it.

Jesus is going to use history now to continue to help Nicodemus to understand things for eternal life.

(Insert -snake on pole medical here)

When you see the symbol of snake on a pole like this, what do you think of?

What does it mean, what does it represent?

(Insert Moses snake on a pole picture here)

Now when you think biblically about a snake on a pole what does you think of?

The illustration that Jesus uses in our passage is a historical one that would mean something to Nicodemus as a teacher of the Jews and is found in Numbers 21.

Tonight may we look at these things

Our Text (Jn3:14-15)

History of whosoever believes (Num21:4-9)

A promise about whosoever believes (Jn3:14-15)

Our Text

May we lean and learn from the text itself and we will grow and go from there this evening.

What did you notice?

Do you see an imperative (v.14) if so, what is it?

Do you see a promise with a condition in (v.15)If so, what are they?

Consider as you look at this passage can you know what this means?

(Transition) This is all a part of a bigger narrative we know as John chapter 3 and the interaction between Nicodemus and Jesus.

Nicodemus had questions, Jesus had answers but the answers were not what Nicodemus was expecting or comprehending, so illustrations had to be used.

Birth, Wind, History from Numbers 21 and promise concerning the Son of Man.

What Jesus uses as the illustration is from the Torah that Nicodemus would have had memorized as a young boy, so it would be significant to him.

But now let’s turn to Numbers 21 and look at that passage so we can get a deeper understanding why Jesus used it in our passage tonight and the similarities and differences.

History of whosoever

There is much we can learn about what was written before as noted in (Rom15:4).

And the use of this historical remember is a perfect illustration for what Jesus would do and become.

For there is a problem and there is a solution, let’s turn and look together (Num21:4-9)

Can you identify the problems (vv.4-5)?

They were impatient, they knew the promise of God, but they were not happy with the time from promise to fulfillment.

Can we get impatient at times too?

They also spoke against God and Moses, about words, about God’s provision, they did not like it.

So what Israel is saying is God I know your promises but I don’t believe you anymore that you are going to fulfill them.

God I know you have provided for us, but I don’t like the provision You are giving us.

They are in rebellion to God in belief, in trust and in provision.

God had a way, the problem is they were not willing to accept God’s way, and any other way keeps them out of heaven, out of God’s promised land.

God is just, and God is good, so God has to punish rebellion (sin) or He would not be God.

Because of the problem what did the Lord do (v.6)?

What was the result?

Sent serpents and many died

What did the people realize was the true problem (v.7)?

They had sinned, they had spoken against the Lord

Moses did intercede for the people, but wait, there is more to come.

What is the solution to the problem (vv.8-9)?

Moses was to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole and lift it up.

Pay close attention to the end of the instructions on (v.8) - everyone who is bitten (sinners) when look at the serpent (God’s solution will live

Moses made the serpent and what did the people need to do? Needed to look to live.

- - - God’s way has always demanded action.

For Adam/Eve something to do and not to do.

For Abram something to do.

For Israel something to do.

This is not a work, God through Moses did the work here, there part was to believe and to look at God’s solution (by faith).

Keep that in mind when we return to our passage in John shortly.

Lessons to learn and apply from this passage

Admit you are a rebel, a sinner.

and then consider Dan9:5 “5 we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances.”

and Jos22:29 “29 “Far be it from us that we should rebel against the Lord and turn away from following the Lord this day, by building an altar for burnt offering, for grain offering or for sacrifice, besides the altar of the Lord our God which is before His tabernacle.””

Consider God’s mercy

Know God is merciful and gracious and receive it by faith.

Believe and look to God’s solution

(Transition) OK, I think by now you can see a parallel with our passage tonight and now may we turn back there for there is more to pull from it.

The promise about whosoever believes

Jesus is trying to help tie the importance of belief and action up for Nicodemus, and for us too.

This chapter is so theologically strong we have to take our time with it.

Interesting term lifted up.

It actually can have two meanings to it.

Lifted up meaning crucified (Jn8:28, 12:32-34)

What will the lifting up prove according to (v.28)?

It will bring belief for it fulfills the scripture

Even with the right information (knowledge) but it needed belief and they still did not have it.

Lifted up meaning glorified (Jn12:23-24)

As the serpent was lifted up on that pole, so the Son of God would be lifted up on the cross.

To save man from sin and from death as a result of sin.

The serpent problem was due to sin, rebellion, the solution was to look and follow God’s plan, God’s way.

The whole world has a sin problem and Jesus is the sin solution.

The sin problem is universal (Rom6:23) but so is the solution (Jn3:15).

We cannot earn our way to heaven, not to works, heaven must be entered only by the being born again of water and Spirit, to belief

Many today still rebel against God’s direction by saying a prayer or having a prayer said for them, where instructions are clear by faith look to Jesus, by faith follow His commands.

The pole and the cross were God’s solution to man’s rebellion problem.

It is looking to the cross that we can see God’s mercy, it is in believing and being born again that we receive God’s mercy

Everyone needs Jesus and to come to Him His way.

We have time, let me share a story I read.

“On January 6, 1850, a snowstorm almost crippled the city of Colchester, England; and a teenage boy was unable to get to the churchhe usually attended.

So he made his way to a nearby primitive Methodist chapel, where an ill-prepared layman was substituting for the absent preacher.

His text was

For many months the teenager had been miserable and under deep conviction; but through he had been reared in church (by the way both his Father and Grandfather were preachers), he did not have the assurance of salvation (consider 1Jn5:13) The unprepared substitute minister did not have much to say, he kept repeating the text.

He said “A man need not go to college to learn to look”, he shouted.

“Anyone can look- - a child can look!’ about that time, he saw the visitor sitting to one side, and he pointed at him and said, “Young man you look very miserable.

Young man, look to Jesus!” Well, the story goes on to say that he did, that young man was Charles Spurgeon and I think no more needs to be said about him.

I think we have established to look to Jesus is to be born again, born of water and spirit!