John 3 verse 16

Sermon notes from Sunday 9 February 2020 am (Harold Alcorn)

John 3 verses 1 - 17

One of the best known verses in scripture, seen on telegraph poles.  A verse that contains the gospel in the nutshell.  Jesus and his encounter with Nicodemus.  If he hadn`t come at night to Jesus we might never have had these verses.  It was God`s will however that he came specifically at night.  This man had a conviction that brought him to Jesus.  Verse 2 he had a conviction that God was with Jesus. "Except God be with him."  Major step towards salvation when we realise God is at work.  One of the biggest hindrances today is the belief that God is at work in our work today.  Nicodemus had a conviction that brought him to Jesus.  Jesus turns the conversation of who he really is and puts the focus on Nicodemus - "except a man be born again."  That was his greatest need.  Before could see the kingdom of God, born again, before could be in God`s family he needed a new start.  Speaking of spiritual matters.  Nicodemus however is still thinking physically.  How can a man be born again.  Jesus draws a comparison in verse 8.  Cannot explain everything we know that we are saved.  Verse 14 focus on things spiritually.  Reminds him of the story of Moses lifting up serpent in the wilderness.  He would have known that story so well as he was versed in the Old Testament scriptures.  Look at that great event - Numbers 21 verses 8 and 9.  The last great miracle by hand of Moses before people went into the Promised Land.  The people had sinned and were bitten as a result.  God commanded Moses to lift up a serpent and set it on a pole and everyone that looked at it would live.  They were about to go down and do battle with Amelekites.  Comparison with Jesus and the serpent.  Jesus was sent into the world by God his father.  The serpent was lifted up on a pole.  Jesus was lifted up on the cross.  It was a fiery serpent.  Revelation 1 verse 15 comparison with God himself as he was lifted up to die for our sin.  The people looked and were healed and entered into the Promised Land.  We too can be saved when we look at Jesus being raised up on the cross.  Our sins were taken that day.  The people had to believe as they looked to the serpent.  Only when they looked were they healed.  We too need that faith to believe that Jesus died on the cross, to look to him, to have our sins forgiven.  Many scoff at believing in Jesus can give us eternal life.  Salvation is only found through belief.  Moses was commanded to put that serpent on the pole.  God was looking forward to that day on Calvary.  John 3 verse 16.  He didn`t exclude anyone.  Nicodemus believed it was only to the Jews but all are included.  Notice the word "whosoever".  Take out that word and put in your own name.  The words "for God" are repeated again in verse 17.  Our attention is being drawn to consider God himself.  We need to consider what God has done in the past, doing in the present and what will do in the future.  The purpose of God sending his son is made clear in verse 18 "but that the world through him might be saved.  We need to watch don`t overlook a great truth.  Here the world was already condemned before Jesus came.  He came to lift the condemnation.  Jesus will give the final condemnation.  Matthew 25 Jesus talks of separating the sheep from the goats one day in the future still to come.  He will gather all nations and separate as a shepherd.  We need to always remember he says to those on the left to depart from him.  They have brought condemnation on themselves.  Will you know Jesus as Saviour or as your judge?