Jn. 2:23-3:16
Politicians questioned.
Three stages of Inquiry
John (11) most early p of any NT book (A&A, 85)
Radically Different Book
Eye-Witness
Purpose of Book--20:30-31
99* "believe"
Passover--thousands of people; blood; animals and smell
At Night--Nicodemus-"Ruler of People"
Defended
Jesus at Feast of Tabernacles (
Assisted in
Jesus' burial (
I v. 2-Who
are you?
Q=four fold
description of Jesus by Nic.
Rabbi-master,
overseer
Teacher-instruction
From
God-not from the Devil
Miracle
Worker-not a magical, but authentic
A=Gets
right to the crux of the discussion (He knew all men- Ch. 2 ending)
born-to
be begotten, i.e., conceived (cf. Mt. genealogy)
again-again
or above (cf. Gal. 4:9=again)
II v. 4-What
do you do?
Nicodemus
expects a negative answer (2 Cor.
Water
Baptism
(Jn. 4:2)
Word
of God (Eph.
Natural
Birth
context
physical
birth is always in water
best
contrast with spiritual birth (Jn. 6:63)
v. 6 Man
produces physical birth / Man cannot produce spiritual birth
v. 8 Spirit
and wind=pneuma
three
ways spirit is like wind
invisible
not
totally predictable (like women)
you
can see effects
III v. 9-How
can we participate?
The teacher
Serpent
(Nu. 21:4-9)
After the
people had repented (“we have sinned”), the Lord instructed Moses to construct
a serpent on a pole (an image was made of an affliction, which was presented to
the deity who would banish the pest--a practice well-known outside the
Bible). The serpent was copper or
bronze. "The word for brass or
copper comes from the same root which signifies a serpent, probably on account
of the color; most serpents . . . have a
glistening appearance, and those that have brown or yellow spots appear
something like burnished brass. . ." (Clarke Commentary, vol. 1, p.
684.) The Lord judged the people's
rebellion, and then provided the means of salvation through faith (by looking
at the serpent on a pole). The Serpent
represented: 1) The cure for sin's
consequences, 2) A picture of the cross, and 3) The thing that caused the
problem. The people first had to
acknowledge it. If only they would
behold the serpent on a pole they would live.
John
2
Corinthians
Whosoever
(“when they looked”)-unlimited
Preaching Portion:
John 3:1-7
Sermonic Process:
Modification
Subject: The Kingdom
Theme: Entrance into
the
The Road to the Kingdom
Introduction
Approach
Sentence: The
Outlined
Portion
1. Kingdom--The ultimate in satisfaction
2. There is an easy way to find the Kingdom
Explanation
1. Jesus knows all men (previous chapter), and
knows Nicodemus is looking for a way into the
2. Jesus does not even wait for Nicodemus to ask
Him concerning the Kingdom. He gets
right to the heart of the matter and gives Nicodemus explicit instructions on
how to enter the
3. This type of sermon is based solely upon
scripture and is just as relative today as it was when it was first penned.
Proposition: We can
enter into the
Transitional Sentence:
We can enter into the
Main Divisions
1A Seek Jesus (vv. 1-2)
1B Nicodemus (v. 1)--Niko-dhmoV, "Ruler of People"
1C Defended Jesus at Feast of Tabernacles (
2C Assisted in Jesus' burial (
Illustration: I thought I knew all there was to know about
buffers, and did not ask. Nicodemus was
supposed to know it all, but still inquired.
2B By night (v. 2)
Illustration: Gideon would do God's commands only by night,
but he got it done (Judges
3B Addresses Jesus as (v. 2):
1C Rabbi--rabbi, my master
2C Teacher
3C God sent
4C Miracle worker--not magical, but authentic
2A Be Born Again (vv. 3-7)
1B Again (v. 3)--anwqen, from
above (the heavenly world)
2B See (v. 3)--oraw, to
experience, encounter, participate in
3B Nicodemus expects a negative answer (uses mh, v. 4)
4B Water (v. 5)
1C Baptism
Illustration: Thief on the cross was never baptized (Luke
2C Word of God (Eph.
3C Natural Birth
1D Fits the context
2D Physical birth is always in water
3D Best contrast with spiritual birth
5B Born of the flesh; born of the Spirit (v.
6)--man produces physical birth, but cannot produce spiritual birth
6B "Ye must be born again" (v. 7)
Conclusion:
Therefore, we should seek diligently to enter the
Preaching Portion:
John 3:18-21
Sermonic Process:
Modification
Subject: Judgment
Theme: Christ the
Judge
Step into the Light
Introduction
Approach
Sentence: Christ's judgment brings
results.
Outlined
Portion
1. Christ is the Light.
2. The Light manifests truth and evil.
Explanation
1. Christ had come into the world and wanted
Nicodemus to believe on Him.
2. After a lengthy discussion concerning the New
Birth, Jesus turns his attention to judgment.
3. This type of sermon is based solely upon
scripture and is just as relevant today as it was when it was first penned.
Proposition: Christ
is judging everyone.
Transitional Sentence:
How Christ is judging everyone is by using powers as set forth in John
3:18-21.
Main Divisions
1A Condemns Evil/Unbelief
1B The unbeliever is condemned (v. 18)
1C Because he has not believed in Christ
2C Condemned is in the perf.
tense indicating a continuous state of condemnation
2B Because men love darkness and not light (v.
19)
3B Their deeds are evil (v. 19)
1C All who do evil (fauloV--bad, foul, worthless) hate the
light (v. 20)
2C All who do evil do not come to the light (v.
20)
1D Their deeds would be reproved
2D Reproved, elegcw--"properly
sifted, tried, tested, and then, if needed, convicted, to show how faulty they
are and to reprove" (Rienecker/Rogers,
Linguistic Key)
2A Manifests Truth/Belief
1B The believer is not condemned (v. 18)
2B The one doing truth comes to the light (v.
21)
1C Doing--pres. part., therefore continually
doing truth. This is a life of truth.
2C That his deeds may be made manifest that they
are wrought
1D Wrought, ergazomai--to
work, to produce by work
2D The perfect tense points to the permanence of
these works
Conclusion:
Therefore, we should seek diligently to believe and do the truth. Otherwise we fall into condemnation for
unbelief and doing evil. Christ is
judging everyone.
Acceptance
Jn. 4:1-30
The woman at the well was not astonished that Jesus knew
what she had done. All in that area
probably knew what she had done. She was
amazed because He knew her and still accepted her.
Acceptance-Eph.
1:6
John 4.5-26
From
Temporal to Eternal
v. 5,
Jacob gave to Joseph (Gen. 48:22)
Well—about 100 ft. deep; physical;
shows Jesus’ humanity
Give me—people want to satisfy their
flesh
v. 9, Jews
have no dealings with Samaritans
Half Breeds; 2 K 17.24ff.
Ch. 3—deals with a moral Jewish man;
Ch. 4—deals with an immoral Samaritan woman
v. 10, Gift
of God and Living Water
Not to be earned
v. 11, physical vs. spiritual, like Jn. 3
v. 13-14a,
Jesus separates the physical from the spiritual
v. 14b,
Well of water, springing up, everlasting life
Not having to dig
Never ending supply
v. 15, Give
me this water
v. 16,
Repentance; reading the scriptures is like holding a mirror to our life
v. 19, You
are a prophet
v. 20,
Where to worship
Gerizim
and
v. 22,
Today, tolerance is elevated over truth
v. 23,
Worship in spirit (Jews) and truth (Samaritans)
Move from natural to spiritual (not
WHERE, but HOW)
Spirit is God (syntax, like Jn 1.1); pn in us
Preparation for the future, Acts
8.4-8
v. 25, The
Messiah—Jesus probably thought it safe to make that claim there in
First Jew, then Prophet, finally
Messiah
Egw Eimi (Ex 3.14)
Communion
Service
Jn. 6:25-63
The day before,
Jesus fed c. 5000 men. These followed
him to
v. 35: to come=never
hunger; to believe=never thirst
v. 47: believe; the
majority of mss. say "in me"; 99x in this book; all people want to
know their destiny
v. 51: He gave His
flesh (died on cross) for the life of the world; place your faith and trust in
what He did.
v. 52: Jews pressed
Him on flesh; but Jesus was speaking of spiritual things (1 Cor.
v. 53: Mark 4:11-12
(faith precedes proof; these people said "Let us see, and we will
believe--but Jesus said "Believe, and you will see"); Drink
blood--detestable to Jews (Lev.
v. 57: How did Christ
live by the Father? Jn. 10:30. That's what Jesus meant by eating him (come
to--a part of); "To partake of the Messiah truly is to partake of Himself,
His pure nature, His righteousness, His Spirit; and to live and grow and
receive nourishment from that participation of Him." (2 Pet. 1:4)
v. 62-63: How can you
eat/drink me if I go to heaven? The
Spirit quickeneth--the flesh profits nothing
Come, and believe.
-EX 12:21-28: The
Passover is instituted
-MT 26:26-28: For
those who have partaken of this faith, we now invite you to partake of the
Lord's Table.
1 COR
"O Lord, we praise thee for the gift of thy Son Christ
Jesus who died upon the cross. We do not
presume to come to thy table trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy
mercy. Forgive our transgressions,
cleanse our hearts, and put a new spirit within us. Make us aware of the presence of our living
Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen."
(Traditional)
Move to the table.
Ushers approach the table
Ushers receive bread plates and serve. I sit.
Ushers return to table and give me plates. I serve ushers, platform, and myself.
1 Cor. 11:23-24, break , and "Let us now partake of the
bread."
Ushers receive juice plates and serve. I sit.
Ushers return to table and give me plates. I serve ushers, platform, and myself.
1 Cor. 11:25-26, and "Let us now partake of the
cup."
(Intinction)
Give instruction
Take elements and move down
Serve
Replace elements
"Please stand for our hymn of commitment, #247,
"Are You Washed in the Blood?"
Benediction.
JN 12:24-26
The Decisive Point
Names like
Jesus at the feast. Jews were believing, Greeks were
seeking. Jesus had reached that decisive
point.
1. A Necessary Death
a. Foreign to all religions but Chr.; 1 Cor.
1:18-25
If
man had written the Bible, IC wouldn’t have died
Without
the shedding of blood; Mt.
b. Produces life with His resurrection
Jn.
11:25
Mal.
4:6 (smite the earth)
c. Illustr.: boy gives blood to his sister
2. A Change of Mind (metanoeo) (destroy enemy’s will to fight)
a. Loving this life; 1 Jn. 2:15/Mk. 8:36
b. A means to an end; 2 Cor. 4:17-18
c. Jesus spent much time with parables (from
flesh to spirit) (Illust. 264)
3. An Example to
follow
a. Serve God or Sin; Lk.
16:13/
b. Follow Him; cat eyes (stop and listen); 1 Jn.
1:5-7
Wars and the decisive point.
Jesus, during His last week, was at that decisive
point. Seize that opportunity
today. Secure victory.
John 12:42-43
The Praise of Men
Intro: I climbed up
the hill to Hohenberg castle. There was really nothing there. Jack Higgens, author of such successful novels as The Eagle Has
Landed, was asked what he would like to have known as a boy. His answer: “That
when you get to the top, there’s nothing there.”
We
spend time we don't have, to make money we don't want, to buy things we don't
need, to impress people we don't like.
v. 42a, Many believed
believer
(John
disc. (Eph. 2:10; Lk. 14:26-27, 33)
v. 42b, They did not confess Him
Because of the Pharisees
Because
they would be put out of the synagogue (they would not get that promotion,
assignment, or school)
1 Sam.
15:24, And Saul said unto Samuel...I feared the people, and obeyed their voice
John
v. 43, They
loved the praise of men more than the praise of God
Eph. 6:10-13, the world is
controlled by Satan; 1 Jn.
Eph. 6:5-6; don't try to please the created, but the Creator
John 15:18-19; 2 Tim. 3:12; Mt. 5:10-12; Lk
16:15
Don't try to straddle the fence--it's concertina
Conclusion
Hohenberg
ruins. The praise of men. There's nothing there.
Preaching
portion: Jn. 13:4&5
Subject: Service
Theme/Proposition: The example of service.
Introduction:
1A He made a move to serve v. 4
2A He put away the things that hindered v. 4 (Heb. 12:1)
3A He used the tools he had at hand
4A He took action
Jn
20.19-31
Without
Faith, It is impossible to please God (Heb 11.6)
Intro: p. 197, Swindoll
v. 19,
First Day of the Week, together
The Sabbath
commemorates the creation of the world (six days); but Sunday commemorates the
redemption of the world (six hours).
9 out of 10
commandments repeated in the NT
Heb 10.25,
forsake not the assembling of yourselves together
Fear of the
Jews
1 Sam 15:24
And Saul said
unto Samuel...I feared the people, and obeyed their voice
John 7:13
Howbeit no
man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
John 9:22
They feared
the Jews: for the Jews had agreed
already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out
of the synagogue
John 12:42
But because
of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the
synagogue
John 19:38
And after
this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus,
but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the
body of Jesus
Mt
10.28—Fear not them …
“Peace be
with you”
Not that
the world gives (Jn 14.27)
Resurrected
Body
v. 20,
showed his hands and side
Jesus had a
real body; Gnostisism denied this
Disciples
were overjoyed
Proves the
resurrection; most died a martyr, for a LIE?
v. 21, I am
sending you (17.18)
Commission
them
v. 22,
breathed on them, “Receive the Holy Spirit”
pneuma—breath,
wind, spirit
Empower
them
v. 23,
“Forgive sins”
The
PROCLAIM
God's forgiveness
v. 25,
Thomas, “I will not believe”
Not doubt
v. 27,
“Stop doubting and believe”
v. 28, “My
Lord and my God”
v. 29,
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”
That
includes you here today.
Everyone
has faith--the difference is the OBJECT of faith
vv. 30-31,
recorded miracles lead to belief, which leads to life in his name (21.25, the
world could not contain the books written about Jesus and his works”
1. Signs:
Miracles
Water into wine
Healing the nobleman’s son
Healing the impotent man
Feeding the 5,000
Walking on the water
Healing the blind man
Raising Lazarus
Providing the catch of fish
2. Believe:
Trust or commit (99x in John)
3. Life:
the gospel’s purpose is to produce life in the hearts of those who
believe
Justice and
Mercy
John 19:30
We must strike a balance in our lives--Love, Matt. 22:35-40;
Truth, 2 Jn. 5-9
God also had to strike a balance in His life--Love, John
3:16; Justice, Naham 1:2
He did this at the cross.
King declares eyes put out for offense of the law. His son offended the law. He had one eye of his son put out, and one of his own.