Sermon Info
Summary
We can’t understand why Jesus came and what His death meant without understanding, first, our own need. Sin is a spiritual deficit. The price for a restored relationship with God wasn’t free. It was the ultimate price. God’s grace is that you and I didn’t have to pay it. We couldn’t afford it anyway. Instead, out of love, God paid the way Himself with His own Son. That’s the essence of faith and the summary of the Bible. If Jesus isn’t the one true Savior, it doesn’t matter that He was a great moral teacher, remarkable miracle worker, or even revolutionary hero. Without saving knowledge of His death & resurrection applied to our lives, we’ll remain in debt. Because of God’s love, we can be saved and we can be free.
Content
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. John 3:1
Consider for a moment your social bio and what it really says about you.
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.” John 3:2
Just because you
recognize Jesus
& even admire Jesus
does not mean you know Jesus.
Many will say to Me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from Me you evildoers.” Matthew 7:22-23
Wait? Can we talk about that “evildoer” idea for a minute?
It means “practicing lawlessness.” Those who sin. Those who fall short. (Romans 3:23)
Jesus paints a picture of a better future. A way to right standing before and eternity with God.
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” John 3:3
The core of Nicodemus’ life was that spiritual practices weren’t enough.
He needed spiritual transformation. (So do we.)
John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
Ultimately, It’s all about believing,
which is more than you think it is.
When it’s real, it leads to following.
Self-proclaimed Christians who worship a god that requires no sacrifice, no obedience, no submission, and no surrender are not worshipping the God of the Bible, no matter how much they claim they love Jesus. - Dean Inserra, Unsaved Christian
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
What’s your bottom line bio with Jesus?
