Gospel of John Series - If I Speak of Heavenly Things Part 2

                                         If I Speak of Heavenly Things Part 2

John 3:16-21

We have seen in the world throughout the ages, man seeks a kingdom, ultimately to be the king. Jesus came from his kingdom, ultimately to seek and save mankind which was lost. He came as one with authority, yet humbled himself to show that his kingdom was of righteousness and light. 

Many in Jesus’ days on Earth sought his presence and power, not to be ruled but in order to rule. Nicodemus was on the ruling religious counsel, yet even he didn’t understand the concept of the kingdom of God. Let’s look at the text that literally encapsulates the entire of the New Testament,  “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. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” 

“For God so loved the world” John and the disciples were still in the honeymoon period of their relationship with Jesus. The love of the Son of God was evident in the outpouring of light upon a world that was ravaged from sin and the powers of darkness. The world’s understanding of love was conservative at best and selfish and degenerated into the bases of animalistic lifestyles. Jesus came and healed without discrimination, he drove out spiritual darkness in order for the people to see the light of who the Father truly was. 

They had learned from teachings of Moses that God was compassionate, merciful, forgiving, and just, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,  maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.” Exodus 34:6-7, but they believed his love only extended to the people of Israel, the chosen ones. They have not seen or understood that God loved the whole world. 

Application - It is interesting to look back in time, hindsight is always 20/20. People haven’t changed. They continue to fall for the schemes of the devil. Mankind still wants to build their own kingdoms, use little of Jesus’ moral teachings, and then construct a kingdom that is built upon the sands of sin and error. The American dream is just such a kingdom-mindset of selfishness, greed, and pleasure-seeking. 

In Jesus’ kingdom, the greatest is the servant. Matt. 23:10-12 Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. He came in love for those he created, to save them from the devil and his lies. Jesus’ submission of love to the Father’s will is the example of the love of the Father.

Next, John switched, from the personal revelation of God to Nicodemus, to the audience to whom the entire gospel was written. God was revealing to them the prominence of sonship, of the giving of a son, especially the first born, who was special, just and proper. From the time of Abraham through Jacob, the Jewish people understood God’s order of inheritance and succession. Let’s look at the rest of verse 16, “that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

Jesus came to this time, not only as God’s one and only Son, but as the rightful heir apparent. John in stating to the recipients of the gospel letter, Jesus was God’s son or the Son of God. This was the one thing the Jewish religious counsel, the Sanhedrien couldn’t and wouldn’t understand. The darkness of the enemy had blinded them so much that Jesus called them blind guides (Matt. 23:24-25). They had the symbolic type of God giving his one and only Son in the story of Abraham and Issac, Gen. 22:1-19, yet they couldn’t conceive the correlation. 

This brought John to the concept of faith in Jesus, to believe in him.  “that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” For generations, the Jewish people had believed in the written law of Moses, and the oral law of the Torah. It was institutionalised in the minds of the rabbinic leaders and the teachers of the law. But Jesus came with a new message, faith came by believing in God and His Son, and the forgiveness of sin and eternal life. Jesus had not only upset the tables in the outer court, he was upsetting the teachings about God’s redemptive plan. The law was never meant to bring salvation, it was to reveal sin, and the righteousness and justness of God. John’s words struck like lightning to the heart of rabbinic teachings in the synagogues, for there had been only one way, the law. Now God had sent his Son, who was the visible image of God, “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Col. 1:15 and he spoke with the authority of God. God would forgive sins by people believing in His Son, and to receive eternal life. 

The jewish people believed the law taught the sanctity of life and life was precious and had infinite value, and the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of life was a distant future event only known by God. 

John’s words on eternal life were not new, but God’s Son as the means of eternal life was revolutionary. 

Application - To many in the world today, Jesus Christ is still a stumbling block. They want to work their salvation by good deeds, by following a set of rules and laws, but in doing so they negate the one who wrote the laws, and created them. To many, faith is not in God’s work but in their own. They are blind to the gospel of light and the love of God for mankind by the god of this age (2 Cor. 4:4). They have placed their faith in the abilities of mankind.

God the Father made a way, the way for people to be redeemed, restored, and established in the kingdom of God through his Son, Jesus Christ. It is by grace (God’s infinite favor) through faith that mankind will be saved (“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Eph. 2:8-9). 

This verse alone makes it possible to understand God’s plan and purpose for mankind.

Next, John opens the eyes of the world to the light, that they don’t have to be condemned with the sinful darkness of evil. Let’s read the text, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” 

The Jews as well as the world were standing condemned before God because of the sin that riddled the lives of all mankind, but God had a plan and purpose, salvation through His Son. John and the disciples had listened to Jesus, and the light of His words was setting them free from condemnation before God the Father. 

God didn’t delight in the death of people, “Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?...Say to them, “As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die…” Ezk. 18:23, 33:11 and God doesn’t change, “But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. (Ps. 33:11)   

But God had judged sinfulness, and had already condemned it in the Garden. God sent the One He loved to redeem the ones that he loves from this condemnation. God’s plan was His Son’s fulfillment of His Word through the prophets. All who would believe in Him wouldn’t be condemned but have eternal life with Him. But those who loved darkness more than light, stood condemned with the author of sin, the devil. This condemnation would be fulfilled at the end of time, when God the Son was sitting on the throne, with those condemned under his feet, and those who had believed were standing with him in His kingdom of light, to live with him forever.

Application - What a dark word condemnation is upon all of creation. Yet God in His infinite love, compassion and mercy knew there was light in the word salvation. Here is a story told of President Lincoln pardoning a condemned soldier,

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC

Washington, September 8.

Private William Scott, of Company K. of the Third regiment of Vermont volunteers, having been found guilty by court martial of sleeping on his post while a sentinel on picket guard, has been sentenced to be shot, and the sentence has been approved and ordered to be executed. The commanding officers of the brigade, the regiment and the company, of the command, together with many other privates and officers of his regiment, have earnestly appealed to the Major-General commanding, to spare the life of the offender, and the President of the United States has expressed a wish that as this is the first condemnation to death in this army for this crime, mercy may be extended to the criminal. This fact, viewed in connection with the inexperience of the condemned as a soldier, his previous good conduct and general good character, and the urgent entreaties made in his behalf, have determined the Major-General commanding to grant the pardon so earnestly prayed for. This act of clemency must not be understood as affording a precedent for any future case. The duty of a sentinel is of such a nature, that its neglect by sleeping upon or deserting his post may endanger the safety of a command, or even of the whole army, and all nations affix to the offence the penalty of death. Private William Scott of Co. K. of the Third regiment of Vermont volunteers, will be released from confinement and returned to duty.

By command of Maj.-General McClellan,

Imagine when Private Scott received the news of forgiveness and restoration from President Lincoln. It had been a matter of earnest prayer to the only one who could pardon this man’s life. In compassion and mercy, Private Scott not only received his life back, he was restored. Oh the joy of salvation he must have felt.

God knows the state of our world is condemned and sin has ravaged his creation. This is why He sent His Son, the only one who could pardon our sins, stay the condemnation that we truly deserve and give us eternal life in His kingdom.

Last the verdict from God, the one true judge. Let’s look at the text, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”

John had already revealed that Jesus had come as the Light to the world. The Light wasn’t just to show up sin, just like the law, (“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord...The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rom. 6:23; 1 Cor. 15:56-57) 

but the Light was the gift of God to bring eternal life. 

The jews had no concept of eternal life outside of obedience to the law of Moses and the Torah. This led them into the darkness of sins of the flesh, and the inability of obeying the law to perfection, the darkness of works. John points out that God has come up with the verdict on sin and darkness. He brought the Light to reveal the darkness and the truth.

God knew people loved darkness because it hid their sinfulness. From the garden, Adam and Eve were hiding from God because of sin(Gen. 3:8-10), Cain’s denial before God of the death of his brother tried to hide his sin(Gen. 4:1-10). And the love of darkness increased on Earth to the point God determined to judge sin, and the author of sin, and all those bound by sin, by his Son, the Light. God was revealing the plan for salvation of his creation from the darkness. Those who choose to come into the Light, know the truth, and the truth has set them free. (To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.) Jn. 8:31-36

Application - People today still love darkness, for they believe it hides their sinfulness and the evil one who controls them. They don’t understand evil has bound them, and blinded them to the light. ( The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Cor. 4:4) The Light dispels the darkness, and what is done in darkness will be shown for what it is, sin (“There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.” Luke 12:2-3) 

So what kind of people ought we to be? The world is still in darkness, though the Light has come. Jesus told the church they are the light to the world, and that they shouldn’t hide their light. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matt. 5:14-16 Are we the light to the world today? Is the darkness dispelled by the light in our lives? Jesus came as the Light from God, he gave us his Word as a light (Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Ps. 119:105). Again, What kind of people are we to be? “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. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” This is the message for all mankind today, will you believe in His Son?

  I’m again including the ABC’s of salvation (JD Farag). Please, Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He is Life and that eternal, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second,

 B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, 

C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis

 

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