SJG III–The Master’s Supreme Gift #dumcMY #fb

Pastor Daniel Ho, 26/03/2011

Joh 3:1-21  Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council.
(2)  He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."  (3)  In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. "  (4)  How can a man be born when he is old? Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"  (5)  Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is 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)  I tell you the truth, 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 desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,  (15)  that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.  (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.  (18)  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.  (19)  This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men 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 his deeds will be exposed.  (21)  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

The Master’s Supreme Gift

The gift of salvation (v3)

To enter the Kingdom of God one has to be born from above (Jn 1:12,13)
Joh 1:12-13  Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--  (13)  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.

Born again <> reincarnation.

The Kingdom of God is where Jesus Christ rule as King (Lk 17:20,21)

Luk 17:20-21  Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation,  (21)  nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."

It happens when we enthrone Jesus as our Lord. We must increasingly enthrone Jesus in our lives. We must learn to totally submit to Jesus Christ to overcome our areas of problems, e.g. a bad habit, bad attitude, etc. He wants to deliver us from our bondage.

Being Born of water and the Spirit (v5)

Being born of water reminds us baptism. When we get baptized, it is because of confession and repentance. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. It is a revelation of Jesus Christ given to all of us. (v13)
Jesus himself was baptized to fulfill righteousness. Water baptism is a public witness of a work of God in the inner life.

Through repentance, confession and the baptism of the Spirit

A revelation (v 10-13)

The Master’s work (v14, 15)

To offer salvation,

Our response

To belief (v16)

It comes through receiving Christ. (Jn 1:12,13)

We receive eternal life which is not just the duration but the quality of it.

God has designed us to live in a supreme level. Often we live our lives at a mediocre / average manner similar to non-believers.

Joh 10:10  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The thief wants to prevent us from living life to the fullest.

Joh 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

As Christians, we ought to be concerned about truth and justice. Is 6 and Rev 4 reveal that the heart of God is one that is righteousness and holiness. We must reflect who God is. As we stand on issues of justice, truth and righteousness, we are speaking for the good of the country.

Why are we afraid? Those who loot, rape and pillage the nation are walking around like a peacock. We cannot remain silent.

It won’t be easy and it comes at a cost.

We must become better and better.

The purpose of the Son’s coming (v17)

It is a deception of the enemy that God desires to condemn people to eternal damnation. It is not the design of God.

To draw a faith response. (1 Jn 5:1)

This is where the Christian faith is amazing. It is not about work – it is not about what we do to deserve salvation. It is all because of Jesus dying on the Cross for us. Even a 3-year old child can exercise faith in God. The child comes with simple faith. The faith can come for a young child or an elderly person.

1Jn 5:1  Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.

Consequence of unbelief (v18)

Sadly, some make the choice not to believe. God has come and sent his one  and only son to give us salvation, the supreme gift, Anyone who refuses to believe is condemned.

Cause of unbelief (v19, 20)

The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. Jesus told us the cause of the problem is the evil nature of human. The evil one puts a veil in front of us that we cannot see the need for salvation. The evil nature can pull us down again and again. The evil human nature enslaves us while we think we are enjoying life.

Our sinful nature.

God has designed us to live an everlasting / maxed / quality life.

Sometimes we forget and fall back to the old way. We need to be reminded. It is good to go for missions trip. It’s well worth our lives. God will do a wonderful work of change and transformation in our lives.

We should be smart and make the decision now.

We need to be prepared. Japan is the country that is most prepared for earthquake. However, one earthquake crippled the nation. One of the things to do is to say goodbye to one another before we are caught unaware. Jesus said he would come like a thief.

The result of belief

It must lead to behaviorial change (v21)

We experience a transformation in a wonderful way.

Our life must be transformed (2 Pet 1:3)

2Pe 1:3  His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Transformation comes from the power of God in us. We don’t depend on our own strength and ability.
This becomes a powerful witness to the Gospel.

A changed life is a wonderful testimony of God’s love, grace, goodness and power.

It is a sad travesty of God’s love when belief doesn’t transform life. Our lifestyle draws people to God.
“People don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care.” ~John Maxwell.

Questions for discussion

1. Why and how did you respond to Jesus’ supreme gift of salvation to you? Share your story to encourage one another.
2. What has happened to your life since? In what ways are you sharing your salvation story and life change with people around you and what have been the results? What is your target this year in sharing your faith and believing God for a breakthrough?