John

Lesson 4John 3:11-36

All of us have seen hundreds of examples of public events where someone in the crowd holds up a sign with "JOHN 3:16" on it. Today let’s look at that verse—only let’s do it within the context it was written, meaning that we will look at all of the verses surrounding it and see if God reveals a deeper understanding of this critical passage in the Bible.

Bible

I’m also sure that all of you who study on-line with us have heard the expression "born again believer", or "are you born again?" or "you must be born again". This week we will look at what that means. It’s a question going all the way back to Nicodemus and his meeting with Christ, and it is still relevant today for all who meet with Christ the first time: "What do you mean I must be born again? How is that even possible?"

Let’s pick up our study where we finished last, with two questions about Nicodemus found in John 3:1-10; then we’ll look at John 3:11-21.

  1. Read John 3:1-10, the story of Nicodemus and his encounter with Christ. What does Jesus tell him about "seeing the kingdom of God"? What is the requirement?
  2. Does Nicodemus ever accept Jesus as his savior; and if we believe that he did, what would we base this on?

Now read Chapter 3:11-21 and consider the following questions:

  1. What is Jesus trying to explain to Nicodemus about Nicodemus’ thinking and why he can’t understand Jesus? (see John 3:11-13)
  2. What on earth is the relevance between Moses lifting up a serpent in the wilderness with Jesus’ statement that you must be born again? Why is Christ comparing the Son of Man with the serpent in the desert? (see John 3:14 -15) (To answer this, you will need to read Numbers 21:7-9.)
  3. What is the name of God’s only son referenced in John 3:16? This is important, because this verse tells us that whoever believes in him will not die but have everlasting life. I want to make sure that I’m putting my faith in the right person, so I had better know who he is. So who is he, and how do I know it for sure? (see John 20:30-31)
  4. Did Christ come to condemn the world? If so; is this why mankind rejects him? (see John 3:17, plus 1 John 4:8-14)
  5. Continuing from the above, why didn’t Jesus come to condemn the world? It’s a mess! Shouldn’t Christ have condemned all of the injustice that he saw, all the sin, all the wicked ways of man? Shouldn’t we as his ambassadors do the same? (see John 3:18 and 1 John 4:15-21)
  6. What does John 3:18-21 tell us about the wicked? Have you ever experienced what Christ is talking about in these verses in your own life?
  7. What great assurance in all of God’s Holy Word do we, as Christians, have that the lost of the world do not have? What is it that gives us a hope and a peace that passes all understanding, even in our darkest hour? Read 1 John 5:1-5.
  8. How can we be absolutely positive that what we believe is correct, and that our eternal destiny is assured through our faith in Christ? Read 1 John 5:13-14.

Christ is the hope of the world and the rock of our salvation. Knowing this beyond a shadow of doubt is the good news we are to proclaim to others. Christ did not come to condemn but to proclaim the good news: there is salvation; He has paid the price; you can be free from the death sentence that comes with sin. All you must do is confess that you’re a sinner and believe on the name of Jesus as God’s one and only Son, who came and died for your sins and lives today, resurrected from the grave and sitting at God’s right hand.

Jesus is coming back, and what a day that will be! But for now, for this moment, we need to be about proclaiming the good news of his death and resurrection. Tell everyone you know that Jesus is the answer, Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus is the Christ that we so desperately need. Jesus is coming again!

Have a great week everyone, and thanks for studying with us.

In Christ,

Wes

[2018]

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