May 27, 2013

"Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices. And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place." Hebrews 10:17-20

"And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”Hebrews 8:12

“I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again." Isaiah 43:25
 

The first holiday of the Summer season, Memorial Day. Several things will be predictable, most people will overdo it and most will get sunburned.
 

It is great that we have a holiday set aside to remind us of the cost of our freedom and to remember those who gave their lives in the struggle for freedom. There have been a lot of wars and a lot of deaths. 25,000 in the Revolutionary War, 570,000 in the Civil War, WWI - 117,000, WWII - 408,000, Korea - 53,000 and Vietnam - 58,000. The Gulf Wars are 5,000 and counting.
 

Saturday night I went to a very moving ceremony at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery where 15,300 soldiers lie buried. It is a solemn place to visit any time of any day, but on Memorial Day moments after sunset with every grave marked by luminaries and a trumpeter playing taps - it was deeply emotional moment. That sight is etched on my memory forever.
 

You cannot drive past a cemetery this week-end without seeing decorated graves. It is important to remember.

 

Now that Memorial Day has come, I want to take a moment to comment not on what we should remember, but on something that has been forgotten. Not only do we focus on what has been forgotten but on Who has forgotten. God, Who is the all omniscient and everlasting God has chosen not to remember something - our sins. That is huge!
 

How can that be? How can God forget?
 

He has chosen to forget what is forgiven. Our Scriptures remind us that when we receive the forgiveness of sins through His Son Christ, He not only forgives those sins but He forgets about them!
 

So, during this week-end of remembering honor the memories of those who died for your freedom, also pause to be thankful for something that has been forgotten - your sins!

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!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 24, 2013

^"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 3:14-16

 

What a great salvation is ours through the grace of Jesus Christ!

 

In an instant microwave what have you done for me lately culture we are prone to forget the greatness of what Jesus has done and what God continues daily through His Spirit!

 

Nic reminds us of that in John 3. This man who came to Jesus as a seeker and left as a saint. He came in the darkness but left in the light! He reminds us that we don't have to yearn for salvation - we have all we need in Christ! He reminds us that we don't have to earn our salvation - we just accept what He has done for us on the cross! And today, we complete this study with the reminder that we don't have to burn!

 

I am sure you have heard the stories of near death experiences where people have slipped into eternity and gone through the tunnel of light into a beautiful place. I wondered why I never heard accounts of near death experiences of folks who went into darkness and terror. A little research on the world-wide web yielded plenty of such horrific stories. They are chilling.

When you study this part of the conversation Nic had with Jesus it is clear that Jesus him, "Believe or burn"! That applies to you and me as well. But the good news of the Gospel is that you don't have to burn!

The glory of the cross is that Jesus took Nic's penalty, and yours, and mine, when He went to the cross as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. He took the judgment of God on Himself! You must know that! You must believe that! You must receive that!

Hebrews 2:3 declares this fundamental truth -  "So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?"

The answer is, "You won't escape!"

Therefore, Nic's reminder that we don't have to burn is reason for great celebration! Remember it! Receive it! Rejoice in it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 23, 2013

 

^"Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” John 3:3

 

On this week leading up to Memorial I am making time to remember our great salvation provided by our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

All month we have been studying the encounter Nic had with Jesus one evening. Though he came under the cover of darkness he came to the light when he met Jesus. Looking at how Nic came to faith brings three reminders of the greatness of our salvation.

 

In our last post we saw that Nic reminds us we don't have to yearn. Our salvation satisfies every need.

 

He also reminds you you don’t have to earn.

 

If there ever was one would have earned his salvation it may have been Nic. He was a REALLY good guy. He had devoted his entire life to his faith and to the people of God. He had studied well and he had served well. But he couldn't! No one can.

There are 613 religious rules that devout Jews must observe in order to be judged righteous. Can you imagine remembering 613 rules, let alone observing all of them!

 

How long do you think it would take you to grow weary of counting how many steps you take on the Sabbath? How annoying would it be to have make sure you don't carry anything that would weight enough to be considered labor on the Sabbath. This is the way Nic lived as a religious leader. What a drudgery!

 

So no wonder when he came to see Jesus he fully expected to hear another rule or set of rules from Jesus. But much to his surprise, Jesus told him that pleasing God is not about what he had to do but it is about believing what Jesus would do for him.

 

That is another thing to celebrate about your salvation, we don't have to earn it! We just receive by faith what Jesus did for us!

 

The Apostle Paul, himself a one-time phariseew put it like this: “ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

 

Nic came under the darkness of religious performance and left in the light of personal relationship. He came under the darkness of legalism and left in the light of love!

 

Have you found the love and grace of God or are you still trying to earn them?

 

The good news of salvation is that Jesus paid the price for our sin! Have you received His Spirit.

                              

REMEMBER THAT YOUR SALVATION MEANS FREEDOM!

 

May 22, 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

 

Coming up on Memorial Day, the first holiday of the Summer season and the time to remember those who have died in service of their nation.

 

It is a good thing to remember significant events and people. As we close our study on Nic at night it is good to remember and celebrate the significance of what he discovered during his encounter with Jesus. He came in darkness but he left in the light! He came to discover the joys of salvation that many of us know.

 

Remember you don't have to yearn.

 

Nic was a highly educated, highly respected, powerful and influencial man. He had attained his professional goals and dreams. You would think he would have been totally fulfilled but when he came to Jesus it is fairly obvious he was yearning for something more.

 

It seems there is something in the human spirit that always yearns for more. Perhaps it is the subconscious longing for paradise lost.

 

That is why it is important to remember that when Nic met Jesus and became a follower there is evidence that his yearning stopped. If he yearned for anything it was more of God.

 

In this week-end of remembering one thing to remember is that, like Nic, when you find salvation you no longer have to live life yearning for something more. When you have Jesus you have everything you need!

 

Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10

 

Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life’.” John 4:12-14

 

When Jesus fed the thousands, the 5,000 and the 4,000, they all ate until they were satified and had bread left over. No one went away yearning for more. In fact, there were baskets left over both times. With both of those miracles in mind, "Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35

 

Nic reminds us that though you come to Jesus yearning, you don't have to leave that way! Jesus satisfies like nothing else!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 21, 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 3:16

 

Nic came to Jesus as a seeker. We know that for sure.

 

How did he leave? Was he still a seeker or did he find what he came for?

 

The Apostle John provides some hopeful and helpful insights.

 

“The officers then went back to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, "Why did you not bring him?" The officers answered, "No man ever spoke like this man!" The Pharisees answered them, "Are you led astray, you also?  Have any of the authorities or of the Pharisees believed in him?  But this crowd, who do not know the law, are accursed." Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them" Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” They replied, "Are you from Galilee too? Search and you will see that no prophet is to rise from Galilee."   John 7:45-52            

 

“After this Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds' weight. They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. John 19:38-42

By these accounts we must assume that Nicodemus was "born again" as Jesus had prescribed.

 

We also know according to Jewish tradition, that Nicodemus died as a martyr for Christ. Non believers don't die for their cause. Therefore, we must conclude that Nicodemus believed in Jesus. He had found the joy of salvation that is better than life.

 

Have you found a faith worth dying for?

 

Have you been born again?