At Home With Jesus: Freedom Found

PLAY “THEY SAID YES” VIDEO

Memorial Day we remember and honor those who gave up their lives for our freedom. We must be thankful for our freedom but without sacrifice freedom would not be possible.

One thing we discover about how Jesus does life with people is that HE wants to meet with people, even on their terms… in their setting … in their life routine. At a wedding, in a house, in a crowd, or even in the darkness of night.

Jesus will do whatever it takes to meet with us so that HE can change our life.

In John 3, we see that Jesus meets with a man by the name of Nicodemus.

Nicodemus was a leader in the community, respected, an expert teacher of the law, lived a pure life, pursued righteousness according to the letter of the law.

He had the appearance of a life that was all put together but he was still searching. His religion still left him wanting more. And then Jesus came healing, forgiving, and giving the people freedom while Nicodemus, the one who was suppose to have all the answers was still broken, lifeless, and empty.

John 3:1–17 NIV

1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. 10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Pray

Nicodemus came to Jesus at night because his group of association the pharisees were against Jesus and against those who followed HIM… they were threatened by Jesus because HE called them out with an authority that they didn’t have.

Even though Nicodemus had the appearance of a put together life he still came to Jesus… Curious. Looking for something real and wanting an opportunity for a new life.

Nicodemus came to Jesus curious

He was a pharisee… He was a member of the Jewish ruling counsel… he had authority. He came from a great family… he had it all together… So why would Nicodemus be curious about Jesus?

Jesus was a controversial teacher, He was a polarizing figure, especially within his tribe. But… nobody could deny or explain HIS power. The signs, the wonders, the miracles that Jesus did only God could do.

Nicodemus came to Jesus saying…

John 3:2–3 (NIV)

2 For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

Nicodemus saw that Jesus’ credibility came from the miraculous signs. But then Jesus flip Nicodemus’ statement by saying “no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Both Natural birth and spiritual birth are dependent on God. Jesus explains it further in verse 5

John 3:5 NIV

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.

Born of water and born of the Spirit…

Some view the “water” as natural birth, and the “Spirit” to the birth from above.

Some view the “water” as the Word of God.

Some view “water” as a reference to baptism as an essential part of salvation.

Some view the “water” is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.

However, the most historically and theologically accurate view would be that “water” would represent the repentance ministry of John the Baptist, and the “Spirit” refers to the application by the Holy Spirit.

Nicodemus recognized John the Baptist as one who stirred the nation by his ministry and stress on repentance. “Water” would remind Nicodemus of John’s emphasis. So Jesus was saying to Nicodemus, in order to enter the kingdom he must to turn to Christ (repent) in order to be reborn… regenerated by the Holy Spirit... be born again.

Repentance is the beginning of a process and it cannot be skipped… Repentance is not optional.

Repentance is the beginning of freedom… being free from our old way of doing life, our old sinful patterns, our old sinful habits, our old religion and traditions.

That curiosity turned from a mere wondering to a step of faith. Even in the shadows of night, Nicodemus simply had to meet Jesus.

Jesus was willing to meet with Nicodemus on his terms so that Jesus could present Nicodemus new life on HIS terms. His curiosity led him to a new freedom he never had.

It’s more than just getting to heaven… It’s about seeing and entering the kingdom of God here on earth empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill our God given purpose. Nicodemus saw something different about Jesus and had to meet Jesus himself.

Never stop seeking the wonder of Jesus. Never stop coming to Jesus because HIS blessings are new every morning. Nicodemus knew God, HIS Word, and had faith but Jesus showed him HIS kingdom and the way to see HIS kingdom by being born again. He heard about Jesus, but in order to hear from Jesus, he had to go to the source. His curiosity brought him to the source… Jesus.

Nicodemus was tired of the empty religion.

The fake people, the empty traditions, the lifeless religion was something that Nicodemus was very familiar with. But when he encountered Jesus, He knew this was something different. Jesus taught with authority and backed up his teaching with power… miracles, signs and wonders. Things that have never been done before.

Jesus gave Nicodemus that ahah moment…

We all need God’s grace and mercy… religious or irreligious.

For Nicodemus, religion wasn’t working but as he began that relationship with Jesus Christ, he became aware of a new birth, a new life, a new freedom.

Jesus said…

John 3:7–8 NIV

7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

The work of the Spirit is invisible and mysterious like the blowing of the wind. Wind, like the Spirit, cannot be controlled. We must surrender our control and rest in work of the Holy Spirit.

Then Jesus, in vs. 14-15, refers to Numbers 21:4-9 where the children of Israel were in the wilderness.

The Israelites sinned against the Lord, God sent poisonous snakes into the camp. Many were bitten, became sick so they cried out to the Lord. God intervened in a miraculous yet prophetic way commanding Moses to form a bronze snake, put it on a pole and lift it up. When the Israelites gazed upon it, they were healed. In the same way, Jesus said…

John 3:14–15 NIV

14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

Jesus is saying that through the cross all humanity has the opportunity to be born again. Stay focused on the cross.

Jesus knew that through the cross we have healing… a new life… with real love and real freedom.

It’s the Cross that brings us everything we need.

Jesus is telling us the same thing… stop searching, stop looking for empty religion… trying to meet unmeant expectations…

The sacrifice Jesus paid for us through the cross gives us real freedom.

Nicodemus learned about the cross before Jesus faced the cross. The cross gave what empty religion was never going to give… real freedom.

Our choice is still the same… It’s never Jesus and something else… Jesus alone is our healer, our forgiver, our deliver, our freedom.

John 3:16–17 NIV

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Jesus was lifted up on the cross so that HE can be our more then enough… believe in HIM, trust in Jesus, walk with Jesus.

Nicodemus found real freedom in Jesus

God loved the world enough to send Jesus. Jesus gave up HIS life because HE wanted to please HIS Father. If we believe in HIM, we will never die but we will enjoy that new life that only Jesus can bring for us.

John 3:18 NIV

18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

People put their faith in so many different things.

Some put their faith in money, education, status, career, people, relationships, drugs. The devil wants to distract us into thinking that this world has everything we need. The enemy wants us to substitute our faith in Jesus for other things. Don’t be distracted by the world’s forms of faith. Jesus will always be enough.

John 3:19–21 NIV

19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

Jesus came to show us the way to real freedom not to keep us in darkness. Darkness covers up the things that we want kept hidden.

Nicodemus came to Jesus under cover of darkness. “Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”

Jesus connects being born again with dying to ourselves daily through the cross and then allowing the Holy Spirit to illuminate and expose every part of us.

When Adam and Eve sinned, the first thing they noticed was that they were naked. God wants to bring us to that new freedom as the light of Jesus shines into those areas where we want to hide. Nothing is hidden from God’s sight… we are fully known, laid bare, but yet fully loved by God and that’s where freedom begins.

Jesus came to open our eyes through the light of Jesus, and give us a new birth through repentance and the Holy Spirit.

When we put our faith in Jesus, we become alive in Christ to fulfill our purpose; to love, live, and declare Jesus in our world, together.

Don’t let shame and fear deceive you in thinking that God is withholding HIS love from you and keep you in the darkness, hidden from God’s love. Come to Jesus, receive HIS love and forgiveness, and let HIM make all things brand new.

There are only two kinds of religion in the world

“One religion tells you what you must do to make yourself acceptable to God, but the other tells what God has done to make you acceptable to him.”

TAKE AWAY:

Freedom begins when our curiosity goes from mere wonder to faith.

Freedom begins when we get fet up with empty religion, turn to Jesus and die to our self.

Freedom begins when we are alive in Christ and live out that new life daily.

John 19:38–39 NIV

38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.

Nicodemus found freedom literally at the cross.

Always be thankful for the cross… the sacrifice for our freedom came at such a steep cost that we could never repay.