Today we begin a new teaching series on the Kingdom of God. This is a subject that shows up in the Old Testament and New Testament. It is mentioned over 100 times in the New Testament.
How are you spending your life?
1. When did you graduate from High School?
2. Do you remember your dreams, goals, desires for your future?
3. What did you do immediately after High School?
4. What have you achieved since High School? Did things change?
- Was your dream then still your dream now?
- Did you achieve your dream only to realize it didn’t fulfill you?
- Did your dream turn into a nightmare?
5. How has life been? Are you: bored? cozy? discouraged?
My prayer is that this series will lead us to see life & the world as God sees it.
The Message – Why would Nicodemus follow Jesus? John 3:1-21
1. It was too risky. v.1-2
- Nicodemus excelled as a young Jewish boy. He advanced as a pupil under a rabbi to become a rabbi. Then he advanced to become a Pharisee. Next he advanced to become a part of the Sanhedrin (Jewish ruling counsel).
- Coming to Jesus for this night time conversation was risky. He was risking reputation, his leadership position, his job, his wealth, his family, his friends, and even his future.
- He was laying his security and comfort on the line.
2. It was a high challenge. v.3-8
- What do you do when God shows you that your beliefs are wrong?
- What do you do when God shows you that your behavior is wrong? (False God = religion)
- How do you see heaven and earth?
- Can you see the Kingdom of God? You must be Born Again!
3. It was a high invitation. v.9-21
- Eternal life is gained by believing in Jesus (Jews and Gentiles)
- “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
- Light —> Truth —> Exposes vs. Dark —> Evil —> Covers
The writer John leaves the tension because at the end of chapter 3, we do not know what Nicodemus does with this conversation.
- See John 7
- See John 19:38-42 Nicodemus, now publicly, takes the body of Jesus and buries him like a King!
How are you spending your life?
1. Can you spiritually see? Are you a Christian? (Not religion)
2. Is there a lack of connection between your beliefs and your behavior?
3. Are you living for God or you? (Kingdom of God)
4. What implications does Christ have over your life?
What is the real risk? I started the message talking about how risky it was for Nicodemus to come at night. I think it was now more risky for him to walk away from this conversation and continue to live for his religion — for himself. Because if his life of success and achievement were enough, then why did he come that night to talk to Jesus. Or is it safe to say that what he heard from Jesus, and what he witnessed from his life spoke something deeper of what he was missing.
Now it is your turn. What will you do with this conversation with Jesus?
