8^th April 2009

“Are you saved?” –  John 3:14-21

It has been said that if you wanted to sum up the whole of the Old Testament in one phrase it would be Deuteronomy 6:6…

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

If, however, you were asked to sum up the New Testament in one phrase, then that would be John 3:16-17….

"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. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John’s gospel begins two chapters earlier with Jesus being referred to as the light of the world.  In John 1:9-10 it says…

“The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.  He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.”

John chapter three begins with Nicodemus – a Pharisee; a Temple ruler – coming to Jesus at night. This is John’s way of showing us that Nicodemus was ‘in darkness’ spiritually, and was coming into the light.  Going to Jesus at night also indicates that Nicodemus made this visit on his own cognisance and he came at night so that he wasn’t seen by any other Pharisees. We then read in John 3:2 that Nicodemus indicated that the Temple authorities could see Jesus was a Godly man, but there was no recognition yet that He was the Messiah. "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."  In other words, “You’re obviously from God, but who are you?” 

John shows here exactly what he said in chapter one – the light had come into the world “but His own did not receive Him…” John chapter three continues with Jesus and Nicodemus speaking on two different levels – ‘spirit’ and ‘flesh’ – heaven and earth interacting. 

• Jesus said, “You must be born again.” to which Nicodemus replies, “But how? Can a man go back into the womb?”
• Jesus then said, “I’m talking about heavenly birth – a spirit thing” to which the Pharisee says, “Sorry, but you’ve lost me…”

Jesus then challenged Nicodemus’ understanding of God’s intentions. “You’re meant to be a spiritual leader, how come this doesn’t make sense to you?” And then Jesus speaks of how God has sent His son to save the world not condemn it, ending in John 3:21 by saying…  “But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

There is no record of Nicodemus saying anything else… it’s as if he just slips back into darkness – at least for the time being.  It’s a fascinating battle of ideals. It’s a unique display of light and dark; of spirit and flesh and it’s also a profound passage on the means of salvation and the end result of those who believe or who don’t.
As a Minister I know it is easy to presume the people in front of you on a Sunday morning are all believers, and yet the reality is that many people who attend church regularly have not ever made that move to full belief.  It has been observed many times that people can remain seekers of truth without actually finding what they’ve been looking for… without salvation.

Who do you know who still have not found what they’re looking for? What is it that people can’t understand about this passage?... "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…”

Firstly verse 16 says that God has acted in gracious love. Then verse 17 says that there is no desire in God’s heart to condemn the world, in fact the contrary applies. Finally verse 18 makes it clear that the way of salvation is obvious and if you end up condemned then it’s not God’s fault! God has given you every chance to believe – His message of love is so abundantly clear!

God is a God of grace and love, and a God of justice and righteousness, but you can’t escape the John 3:16 message. Look again…

“…Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.”  John 3:18

In closing let me affirm for you today the core beliefs of the Christian faith…

• I affirm for you that our God’s intention is that none should perish.
• I affirm for you that our God is a God of grace, love and forgiveness.
• I affirm for you that the Cross is a sacred act of profound love.
• I affirm for you that God wants you to know Him eternally.

But let me also affirm for you today that salvation – eternal life; a ticket into heaven, call it what you will – salvation comes only one way and that is through belief in Jesus as the Son of God. As the old bumper sticker says…  ‘Know Jesus, know eternal life;  No Jesus, no eternal life.’

Do you know Him? Do you know Jesus, and know Him as the Son of God…as your Saviour?
Today, with the Cross of Easter coming into view on the horizon, let me ask you what may seem like a harsh question, yet it’s a question raised by the Scripture passage before us today.  My question is this... If you had died last night, where would you be now?   Would you be with the Lord in heaven or would you be facing a Godless eternity? Are you sure?  Do you believe? In the light of the Gospel message and in the clear Word of God, can I direct you to Jesus – the Son of God, the only Saviour of the world?  Let me direct you to Him so that if you haven’t found Jesus already, then today you might find in Him what you’ve been looking for. Amen 

22nd March ‘09

Rev Rob Tann
Unity Hill Congregation
Port Lincoln Uniting Church SA
E-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you would like to comment: