Tag: Salvation

The Gospel As Seen Through John’s Eyes – John 3:22-36

The last couple of weeks we have seen the gospel as told to us in Jesus’s own words. Ye must be born again was His declaration. The remedy He gave was Himself. Condemnation was already here. Man is born condemned and Jesus declares He is the only way for condemnation to be removed. Praise the Lord, He removed it for all who believe in Him –

John clarifies the difference between the Messiah and John the Baptist

A. John the Baptist pointed men to Jesus.
B. John stated clearly “I am not the Christ”.
C. John was the friend of the bridegroom – indication here that John the Baptist was never a part of the church.
D. The profound statement – v.30 He must increase, but I musts decrease.

THIS IS THE KEY TO THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF CHRISTIANITY.

  1. If man is the center, it is not Biblical.
  2. If man claims any power outside of what God is doing through Him, he is not biblical.
  3. If man is pushing a personal agenda that promises riches and fame, he is not biblical.
  4. A true minister of Christ will NEVER try to bring attention to his self.
  5. A true minister will allow Jesus to be the one the light shines on

John’s declaration

A. God is true – v33.
B. God the Father loves God the Son – V.35
C. God’s way to salvation – v 36

Here we see, in v 36 what Johns feels is of utmost importance.

A. John repeats this in the book of I John 5:11-13 -And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
B. God has given us the record (the proof) that eternal life is in Jesus.
C. One must possess, not just confess.

Romans 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

D. Unbelievers will experience the wrath of God if they do not repent and turn to Jesus.

Psalms 2:12  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

1 Thessalonians 1:10  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Hebrews 2:3  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Revelation 21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Revelation 6:16-17 – 16  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:17  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

The Most Wonderful Story Ever Told

John 3:15-21

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

There has never been a greater story told than the one of God’s redeeming love.  Think about it.  God created the worlds and everything in it and the last thing He created was man.  Man was created in God’s image, placed in a perfect environment, walked, and talked with God daily and could pretty well do whatever he wanted too, except one thing. 

Genesis 2:16-17 –   And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

The simple facts

  • Eat of all the fruit of the trees but one. 
  • One simple thing is all God asked. 
  • One.  What did man do? 
  • He ate of the tree anyway.
  • Eat at your own peril, but if you do, you will die!
  • Isn’t that just like man today?

The problem

  • A sneaky snake.
  • It tricked Eve. (side note) It appears that God told Adam not to eat before He created Eve.
Genesis 2:18 - And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
  • Eve did not get the facts right – Genesis 3:2-3 – And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
  • Eve is not the one God held responsible.
  • Adam was responsible.

Why

God gave the message to Adam, not to Eve.

Adam was responsible to properly relay the message to Eve.

Adam was present when Eve ate the fruit, but made no attempt to stop her.

Eve was tricked – deceived!

Adam was fully aware he was violating God’s command.

The cure

Genesis 3:14-15 –  And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:15  And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel

  • Adam did not fully understand God’s statement of redemption to come.
  • Satan surely did.
  • Satan brought condemnation to all man kind
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
  • The message of Christ is not one of condemnation, but of hope.
  • The world’s message is one of darkness and despair

John 3:19-20  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

You and I are to shine the light –

Matthew 5:14-16 –  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

What will our light Do?

  • It will reveal the truth to those who have no hope.
  • It will focus on the cure, not the curse. Jesus came to remove the condemnation, not to condemn – our focus should be the same. (you and I can not remove someone’s sin, only Jesus can do that – we are to make Him known.)
  • The true light will lead sinners to eternal life.
  • Man can not respond if the light is not revealed.
  • You and I are indeed the way God has chosen to take the light.

I Corinthians 3:8-11;16 – Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 16   Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

God’s plan:

  • Provide a way to Him.
  • Use us (you and me) to share the good news.
  • To remove man’s condemnation and replace it with eternal life.
  • To make man’s part simple – Believe!!

Romans 10:9-10;13 –  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:14-17 – How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Matthew 28:19-20 – Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Ye Must be Born Again

John 3:1-15 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:2  The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.4  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?5  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.8  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.9  Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?10  Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?11  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.12  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?13  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

I want to focus today on the words Jesus used with Nicodemus, ‘YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN”.  This was hard for Nicodemus to comprehend.  I contend with you today that this is still hard for people to comprehend.  Fact is, the world and even some “so called” Christians mock others when they use this term: but Jesus said “Ye Must Be Born Again” to enter His kingdom.  So, let’s look at this today.

What Born again is not!

A. Reforming
B. Being a good church member
C. Religion
D. Confessing to a man
E. Doing good deeds
F. Being good, better than the next man
G. It is not even some prescribed prayer.
H. It is not baptism – that would mean it is based on something you do.

What Born again is!

A. It is a new birth – a recreation of the inner man – I Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
B. It is a repentance of one’s sinfulness and a turning to Jesus – Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
C. It is the Holy Spirit transforming you and enabling you to change your thinking about things. – John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
D. It is all God and zero man – Ephesians 2:8-10 – 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

So how is one born again?

Acts 16:30-34 –  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.32  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.33  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34  And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

Believe What God says about:

And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
A. Believe What God says about:

  • Your sinfulness. Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
  • Your inability to earn your way.
  • His love for you. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in His should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 5:8 - But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
  • His provision – His only begotten son.
  • His requirement – perfection II Corinthians 5: 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
  • His satisfaction – Isaiah 53:4-11 – Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
So, let us examine:
  • Man’s sinfulness – Romans 3:10 – As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.
  • Man’s condition – Hopelessly lost! Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
  • Man’s greatest need – The removal of the sin debt. Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
  • Man must move from a head knowledge to a heart knowledge – Romans 10:9-11 – That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Review:

Agree with God – You are a sinner.
Agree with God – Sin must be paid for.
Agree with God – Be willing to turn from your sinfulness to God.
Agree with God – Jesus did die for your sin and He alone can save you.

John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.


Agree with God – Jesus died, was buried and rose again for your sin.


1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:


Agree with God – Call out to Him –

Romans 10:13 – For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.


Agree with God today –

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Standing Strong – What about our responsibility in the matter -Part 4

Often we focus on the sin of others, not the sinful condition of others.  The sin they commit today is not what sends them to hell, but their sinful nature.  All are born sinners.  One cannot help but to sin.  It is in one’s nature.  Without the cleansing blood of Jesus, all are condemned because of this sinful nature, 

John 3:17-19 –  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

– all lost people are living a condemned life regardless of what sin they commit.

– Belief in the right thing is necessary to remove the condemnation,

– The purpose of Jesus in not to condemn the already condemned, but to offer a pardon and mercy to those who are condemned.

Now, let us examine our text verses for today. Romans 1:14-21 The first three are the three I ams,

Verse 14 –I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

Debtor – To take Jesus to everyone possible – We are all debtors to the world to take them the gospel.

Why: Because of what Jesus has done for us. We were all undeserving sinners.  All of us.  We are saved by Grace and Grace alone.  We are underserving of such love.  Now that His grace has been manifest within us, we MUST carry this good news to others

Verse 15 – So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Ready – Eager to share the gospel of Jesus with those who have rejected His love an also had rejected Paul.

He took the gospel to those who oppose Him.

Verse 16-17 (Key to understanding the book of Romans) – 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Ashamed of the gospel. 

          It is power (dunamis – word for dynamite).

          Power of GOD to save (deliver from Judgement)

          I was saved, I am saved, I shall be saved.

          NOTE:  the Jews were the first to hear the gospel, but they rejected it. 

          Paul took the gospel everywhere He went

Who are you taking the Gospel to?

John 3:16-17 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Pardon is only complete in Jesus – there is no other way!

          It is offered to all who will believe.

          One becomes righteous – to be made right (right before God and Man)

          Judged innocent.

          Salvation is the subtraction of sin and the addition of righteousness.

Psalm 103:12. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Isaiah 43:25  I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Hebrews 13:15-18 –   Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.18  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

NEXT WEEK: THE CONDITION OF OUR WORLD!

Verse 18-21 –   For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

The Trip to Gethsemane

Today, I want us to stop and think of why the garden. Why not just stop, tell His disciples have a good day and just return Home. Why not just tell the Father I have had enough of this, I am coming Home. Why not just find another way. Have you ever stopped to think about it. Ever go to the store and decided not to buy something because the price was just too high? Maybe went looking for a car, but decided the price was just too much? We all have been there, and we all have decided not to pay the price.

Let us look at this from a point of view we might all understand.

Hebrews 9:19-28 – For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20  Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21  Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24  For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25  Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; 26  For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

God set the price and it was non-negotiable.

Isaiah 53:7-11 – He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8  He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10   Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

Acts 17: 3  Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.

Jesus’ love for us is greater than the price that was required.

John 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 5:6-8 –  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.7  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

1 John 4:7-11 –  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.11  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

Full payment must be made for one to be redeemed.

Acts 4:8-13  Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9  If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10  Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. 13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

One must accept the payment that has been made. No other payment is acceptable.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John 3:36  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

1 John 5:11-12  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Hebrews 2:1-3 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.2  For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;3  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

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