Saturday, May 25, 2013

May 26, 2013

"Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 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.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” John 3:1-3
 
I have heard people criticize Nicodemus because he came to Jesus at night. I suppose I could understand that criticism, but let me take Nic's side on this.
 
I think it is more important that Nic came to Jesus WITH his darkness than the fact he came IN the darkness.
 
Nic saw something in Jesus that he didn't see in himself or any other religious figure of his day. There was authority in what He said and authenticity in how He lived. What was this light of truth and sincerity shining from this Galilean? He had to find out!
 
How could you fault Nic for that?
 
What better Person to go to with his darkness than the One with so much light?
 
Often I have seen people who choose to let their darkness keep them away from Christ and away from the church thinking they must deal with their darkness and THEN go to God. That is 180 degrees out of phase!
 
If Nic could have dealt with His darkness on his own, don't you think he would have done so?
 
Are you struggling with an area of confusion or darkness in your spirit? Then, like Nic, take it to Jesus! Take it in the darkness or take it in broad daylight or anytime in between - just take it to Jesus! Nic did and He left in the light!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

May 25, 2013

"Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 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.” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”“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!”Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You  must be born again.’ 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.”“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things?  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.  I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?  No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him. 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." John 3:1-16
 
I hope your Memorial Day week-end is off to a good start! I hope you will take time to honor
some vets and also, thank God for your freedom.
 
After spending nearly a month dealing with John 3, I will wrap it up with a summary of three great themes that come from this great portion of Scripture.
 
First is the mission of our Faith.
 
The mission is to reach those who have not come to know Jesus as their personal Savior.
 
Jesus demonstrated this throughout His earthly ministry that convincing people to trust Him for their eternal salvation was job one for believers. He did it by preaching and teaching and demonstrations of supernatural power. But mostly, He did it by being authentic, living what He talked about. And He did it by being approachable, showing a manner and demeanor that drew people to Himself. Also, He did it by being available. When Nic wanted to come to Him he knew exactly where to find Him.
 
Jesus also demanded it with His last words, otherwise known as the Great Commission.
 
Jesus' mission is the mission for all followers of Christ. You are to be authentic in how you live, approachable in your disposition and available to those who are seeking Jesus.
 
Have you made His mission your mission?
 
Second is the method of our Faith.
 
When Jesus talked to Nic about faith He gave us a pattern for how it should be done.
 
Jesus got to the point. Without much small talk or idle conversation He simply said, "You must be born again!"
 
Jesus used questions. Questions engage the listener mentally, emotionally and intellectually. When He wasn't asking questions He was making statements that drew questions.
 
Jesus kept it simple. He painted a clear word picture of being "born again" and Nic readily identified with it.
 
And then, Jesus went for the close. Once He explained what Nic needed to do and once Nic understood it, Jesus pressed Nic for a commitment.
 
What method do you use for sharing the Gospel with seekers?
 
Third is the message of our Faith.
 
The message that Nic received from Jesus was threefold:
 
He no longer had to yearn. He didn't have to settle for mere religion he could have a personal relationship with God through Christ!
 
He no longer had to earn. Nic was coming from a tradition with 613 rules to be observed by those who wanted to be righteous. What a relief when he learned he only had to trust in Jesus' righteousness rather than his own!
 
He no longer had to burn. Jesus made it clear that Nic was spiritually dead and must be born again. And He emphasized that Nic was snake-bitten by sin and would die unless he looked to Jesus.
 
What a great message we Christians have!
 
You don't have to yearn because Christ can fulfill your every need!
 
You don't have to earn because Christ can furnish your righteousness!
 
You don't have to burn because Christ can forgive your sins!
 
Do you believe the message?
 
The great mission - evangelism. The great method - example. The great message - accept Christ by faith! Three wonderful truths in one great chapter!