John Lesson 4 – John 3

 

Last time we learned about Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine.  We also learned how He cleared the temple of dishonest money changers.

J0hn 3:1-21 – Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

While Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover celebration, a Pharisee named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish council came to Jesus in the night and said, “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.”  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”  Nicodemus asked, “How can a man be born when he is old?”  Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”  (John 3:1-6)

The Pharisees was a religious group and very stringent about keeping laws and traditions.  Since Nicodemus was a part of that group, he probably came to Jesus during the night to conceal his conversation with Jesus out of fear or even embarrassment.  He may have wanted to speak to Jesus without the distraction of a large crowd.  Remember, you can come to Jesus anytime, day or night without fear.  He is always there waiting for you to talk with Him.   

Nicodemus came to Jesus because of His signs and wonders.  He thought the kingdom of God was coming through these signs.  Nicodemus showed respect for Jesus by calling Him Rabbi.  Nicodemus asked Jesus several questions, but didn’t seem to understand Jesus’ answers.  He should have understood since he knew the Old Testament prophecies, but He needed to be convinced or he wouldn’t have asked so many questions. 

Jesus explained it to him first that he must be born again to see the kingdom of God.  Why?  Because the Pharisees externalized religion.  They were all about the rules and regulations that were seen on the outside.  They tried to impress others and God with all the good things they did.  When in reality they had sin in their hearts.  They were trying to win salvation the wrong way.  Jesus’ point was that he didn’t need further instruction in religion and he couldn’t to get to God through good works.  He needed to be born again.  He needed to see himself as a sinner and get a new life from God.  He needed a change of heart.  If not, he was spiritually dead and would be condemned for his sin. 

If you are not born again, you are separated from God and cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.  Many people today don’t understand this either.  I think it’s because they are blinded by sin, too proud or even too stubborn.  We are born physically, but we need to be born spiritually.

What does it really mean to be “born again”?  It is a 2^nd birth, a supernatural mystery.  Your 1^st birth was from water by your mother’s womb and you became a child of your parents.  To be born again is to be born by the Spirit of God.  The Holy Spirit enters and permanently indwells in each believer.  This is a requirement to enter the kingdom of God.  You are born again when you believe.  Believing is being sorry for your sins and realizing you can never be good enough for God.  You have a change of heart.  You know you deserve punishment.  Jesus suffered that punishment on the cross on your behalf.  When you believe in Jesus and have true faith in Him, you become a new person.  You become a child of God and are a part of His family.  This gives you inheritance in heaven.  When you are born of the Spirit, you no longer live to please yourself.  You live to please God.

Flesh in verse 6 here refers to human nature and the physical body - to our will, our emotions, our weaknesses, and all that we are.  It is subject to weakness and death.  Only God can make us spiritually alive.  We become a new creation in Christ when we believe in Him.  He creates in us new emotions and new attitudes.  The Bible calls this “the new self”.

How can you know you have been born again?  In 2 Corinthians 13:5 Paul tells us to examine ourselves.  In 1 John 5:13 John tells us we can know we have eternal life.  God’s Word gives believers that assurance.  Romans 10:9-11 tells us if we declare with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts we will be saved.  John 6:29 tells us the only requirement for salvation is faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection.  Galatians 5:22-23 give us a list of qualities of believers who are born again – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Don’t beat yourself up if you don’t demonstrate these qualities all the times.  Remember we are only human and will fall short from time to time.

In John 3:11 Jesus used witnesses to show Nicodemus that His words were true.  He used ‘we’ instead of ‘I’.  I think He meant Himself, the Holy Spirit, God, John the Baptist, the Old Testament Prophets, and the disciples.

Jesus told Nicodemus that he was Israel’s teacher and he should understand these things.  Jesus said just a Moses lifted up the snake, the Son of Man will be lifted up.  Remember when the Israelites complained and spoke against God and Moses?  The Lord sent venomous snakes to bite the people.  They admitted they sinned and asked Moses to pray the snakes would be taken away.  The Lord told Moses to make a snake and put it on a pole.  Then anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.  This points to Jesus being lifted up on the cross just as Moses lifted up the snake on the pole.

Principle:  Religion can’t save you; to enter God’s eternal kingdom you need the new the birth of the Holy Spirit.

Are you looking for Jesus when it’s safe?

Do you want a relationship with Him only on your terms?

Are you like Nicodemus, religious but not born again?

Do you have true faith in Jesus Christ?

“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 he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” – John 3:16-18.  (This is the first Scripture I learned as a child.  I love these verses.) 

John 3:16 is the most quoted verse in the Bible.  Probably because it is filled with hope knowing God loves us and chose to save us by sending Jesus to us despite our sins.  He came to save the lost.  If you truly believe, you will put God first in your life.  How do you do that?  You spent time with Him and you love Him more than anything else.

John 3:36 describes what is true of a person who believes in Jesus.  Whoever believes in Jesus has eternal life,  but whoever rejects Him will not.  They will see God’s wrath.

Someone who does not believe in Jesus is described in these verses:

John 3:16 – if you do not believe, you will perish.

John 3:17-19 – if you do not believe, you will be condemned.

John 3:36 – if you do not believe, God’s wrath remains on you.

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 – if you do not believe and obey, you will be punished.

Jesus didn’t come to judge you.  He came to save you from judgment.  You have brought judgment on yourself by your evil deeds and you have fallen short of perfection.  Jesus doesn’t want to condemn you for that - He’s trying to save you from it.

God is holy and cannot accept us, because we sin.  God sent Jesus to the world, because He is a fair God.  If we do wrong, we deserve punishment.  Jesus suffered our punishment.  God’s loves us.  That is His nature.  Everything He does is because He loves us.  He gave us His most precious thing He had - His Son.  If there were any other way, don’t you think He would have done it?  Then He would have not have had to sacrifice  His Son in such a horrible way.

Do you love enough to send your son to die for others?  God did.  That shows just how much love God has for all of us.

If we accept the gift of His Son, Jesus we will have eternal life.  This gift is free.  We can’t earn eternal life.  The only way to have this free gift is to believe and know that Jesus is God.  Believing is more than just knowing Jesus is God.  Even Satan knows who Jesus is.  We must trust Him, believe His Words in the Bible are true, and obey him.

There will come a time when Jesus will come to judge the world.  Our eternal destination will be determined – heaven or hell.  We try to make salvation hard, but it is so simple.  Believe and trust in Jesus.  It includes commitment and obedience.  To believe in Him brings peace, joy, and hope.  It assures us of eternal life with Him.  It doesn’t mean we have to be perfect, because we are not perfect and in this life we will never be.  BUT at the judgment believers will NOT be held accountable for their sins.  Jesus took our sins away on the cross.  THANK YOU, JESUS!

Have you made Jesus your Savior?

If not, will you get on your knees and ask Him to come into your heart?

Principle:  God sent His only Son into the world not for judgment, but for salvation.

John 3:22-36 – John the Baptist’ Testimony

Not only was John the Baptist baptizing, but Jesus’ disciples were baptizing people as well.  People seem to be going to Jesus’ disciples for baptism instead of John so John’s disciples were concerned.  But John was not envious.  He knew God had given him a special job of preparing the way for Jesus to come.  He had done his job and he was not jealous, but was happy people were receiving Jesus. (John 3:22-30)  John’s position was, “He must become greater; I must become less.” – John 3:30.  What a great example of perfect humility.

Are you envious of someone else’s position?

What is keeping you from being satisfied doing just what God intended you to do?

Do you take the glory for yourself or give it to God?

John 3:31-36 emphasizes clearly that God’s Son is superior to everyone.  He is above all.  Jesus knows what heaven is like and came to tell us the truth about God.  John tells us that God loves His Son and has put everything in His hands.  “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” – John 3:36.

God gave us freedom of choice.  We can believe in Jesus and receive eternal life in heaven or we can reject Him and have eternal life in Hell.

What is your choice?

Principle:  Your eternal destiny hinges on believing in Jesus.

Next week we will study John 4.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site. – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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John Lesson 3 – John 2

 

Last time we learned that John the Baptist baptized with water and Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit.  We learned of the baptism of Jesus Himself and that He is the sacrificial Lamb that every person needs to atone for sin.  We also saw how Jesus called His first disciples.

J0hn 2:1-11 – Jesus Turned Water to Wine

Jesus went to a wedding in Galilee where His mother and the disciples had been invited.  A problem occurred.  They ran out of wine.  Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.”  Jesus asked, “Why do you involve me?  My time has not yet come.”  Then His mother told the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do.  Jesus told the servants to draw water and take it to the master of the banquet.  When the master tasted it, it had been turned into wine.  Everyone thought it was the choice wine and they had saved the best for last.  “… but you have saved the best till now” –  John 2:10b.  This was Jesus’ first miracle and now His glory had been revealed.  His disciples put their faith in Him.  (John 2:1-11) 

There is a principle behind the words, “you have saved the best till now”; the principle that for the people of God, the best is yet to come.

In those days a wedding celebration went on for a week and it was the host’s responsibility to provide food and drink.  It would be very embarrassing and would bring scandal and humiliation to run out of wine.  Mary knew what Jesus was capable of and she knew His generosity.  She wasn’t afraid to tell Him about the situation, although she never specifically asked Him to fix it.  She had faith that He would take care of it.  She took the problem to Him, perhaps because she knew He had the power to do something.  Unlike some of us, she didn’t try to fix the problem herself. 

The lesson is we can take even the smallest things to Jesus.  We don’t have to be fearful.  He will take care of all our needs.  We learn of Jesus’ compassion and kindness.  We learn we should approach Jesus the way Mary did by stating our problem and then let Him handle it according to His will.  We can invite Jesus to be in every part of our lives.

When Jesus said His time had not yet come, He was referring to the time to begin His miracles.  He chose to do the miracle of turning water into wine in private.  It wasn’t time to do miracles in public.  He didn’t want to provoke His enemies to seek His life because He had work to do.  John calls this miracle a sign and it was the first of Jesus’ His miracles. 

We see attributes of Jesus in the story.  It shows His divine power and glory.  He cared for this family and He cares about every one of us and our concerns.  This started off Jesus’ ministry showing His benevolence, kindness, and understanding.  When the disciples saw Jesus’ glory revealed, they put their faith in Him.  He performed many miracles while in Jerusalem and many people believed.

John 2:11, “He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.” – this miracle was not for the bride and groom, but for the disciples so they would believe in Him.

Principles: 

For the people of God, the best is yet to come.

We can take even our smallest needs to Jesus and He will take care of them.

What miracle has God done in your life?

How can you show concern and kindness to others? 

John 2:12-25 – Jesus Cleansed the Temple

It was almost time for the Jewish Passover so Jesus went to Capernaum with His mother, brothers, and disciples where they stayed a few days.  He went into Jerusalem to the temple and found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others exchanging money.  They were selling because the people needed an unblemished animal to celebrate the Passover.  What is Passover?  Remember in the Old Testament when the Lord passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared their first born.  Jesus was very angry and made a whip and He drove all of them out of the temple.  “Get out of here!  How dare you turn my Father’s house into a market!”  The Jews asked Jesus, “What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?  Jesus answered them, Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” (John 2:12-22).  Of course they didn’t understand what He meant. 

Jesus showed His human side here and we learn a lesson about anger.   It’s ok to be angry for the right reasons, when it’s something against God.  Jesus’ anger was controlled anger.  He didn’t just burst out in anger.   He took time and made a whip.   A lot of the time we get angry and don’t stop and think.  We just let go with a burst of unkind angry words.

This raises the question is it wrong to have a church fundraiser in the church?  I think this is very different.  These merchants’ selling became a focus on making money instead of God.  They were taking advantage of the people even cheating them; many of whom were poor and needed their services.  Animals were required for offerings as well as tithes in acceptable currency.   Today purchases at a church fundraiser or craft sale are entirely voluntary.  There is no purchase necessary to attend worship.  Also worship should not be commercialized.

Jesus didn’t attack the practice of selling sheep to those who traveled to Jerusalem.  He attacked the money changers for being thieves.  In Deut. 14:22-26 God told the people they could sell the first fruits of their crops and convert the goods into money.  He was not against selling animals for their sacrifices in Jerusalem, but against selling blemished animals as good.  He was against cheaters and thieves.  He wants the church to be a place of prayer and community worship.

Jesus’ actions caused His disciple to remember the Messianic prophecy in Psalm 69:9, “for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.”

The prophecy Malachi 3 is fulfilled in John 2.  “See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.  Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come…..he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver….” – Malachi 3:1-4.

What does Jesus need to drive out of your life?

Where have you seen the wrong kind of tolerance in the church and what does Jesus want you to do about it?

Principle:  Jesus wants the church to be a place of prayer and community worship.

The Jews (referring to the Jewish religious authorities) demanded that He give them a sign to prove His authority.  This question was not a bad question.  After all He was disrupting to business.  What was wrong was that they demanded a sign to prove His authority.  There was no repentance on their part for how they had defiled the temple.  Their question revealed they were dodging their sin.

Jesus responded to their question by saying, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” – John 2:19.  He was talking about Himself and His crucifixion and resurrection.  He is the temple they would destroy.  He would die and rise again in three days.  This was a sign of His authority.  He is divine and powerful and cannot be destroyed.  Their asking Him for a sign only showed their unbelief and rebellion against Him.  They would use His words against him at His trial and crucifixion. 

He explained in John 10:17-18 that He has the authority and is willing to lay down His life and take it up again.  No one takes His life from Him.

Principle:  Jesus’ divine power cannot be destroyed.

How do you rebel against God?

Where do you need Jesus to confirm His authority over your life?

Jesus still loved the people, but didn’t trust them because He knew men’s hearts.  They would believe his miracles and would follow Him 1 day and be against Him the next. (John 2:23-25).  People are like that today.  They follow Him when it suits them and their needs.  When life is going like they want, they forget Jesus and live for themselves.

Principle:  Jesus is divine and powerful and cannot be destroyed. 

Are you a true believer or is your faith superficial?

Are you a Sunday Christian and then do whatever you want during the week?

This chapter shows us some of the attributes or character traits of Jesus.   

John 2:1-11 – He is all powerful (changed water into wine).  He is full of compassion.  He shows love for His mother.  He chose to do this first miracle even though He wasn’t ready to go public.

John 2:16 – He is judge.

John 2:24-25 – He is Omniscient. (He is all-wise and all-seeing.  He knows all things.)

Next week we will study John 3.  We will discuss what it means to be “born again”.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  – I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below. 

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John Lesson 2 – John 1:19-51

 

Last time we learned that Jesus is the Word and has always existed.  He is the One and only true God.  He is part of the Trinity.  He created everything.  He gave us life.  He is GOD. 

John 1:19-28 – Jesus Revealed to the World

John continued writing about John the Baptist in John 1:19-18.  John the Baptist lived in the desert, he wore clothes made from camels’ hair, and he ate strange food.  He was the son of the priest, Zechariah and the cousin of Jesus.  Like Jesus he also had a miracle birth.  He was not a political leader, but was powerful and many people listened to his message recognizing his authority was from God.  He told people to repent and be baptized.

The Jewish leaders asked John the Baptist five questions:  Who are you? (Implying are you the Messiah).  Are you Elijah?  Are you a prophet?  What do you say about yourself?  Why do you baptize?  He replied, “I am not the Christ.” – John 1:20.  “I am the voice of one calling in the desert.  Make straight the way for the Lord.” – John 1:23.  “I baptized with water, but among you stand one you do not know.  He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose scandals I am not worthy to untie.” – John 1:26-27. 

John the Baptist’s responses revealed a lot about him.  He was a bold preacher and knew the Scriptures.  He teaches us to be bold, to know the Scriptures and to be ready to quote it, and to be humble and always give Jesus the glory.  He wasn’t full of pride.  He never took the glory for himself.  The world  will always give us opportunities to think more highly of ourselves than we ought.  We need to be less and exalt Jesus as more.  People don’t need to be impressed with us, but with Jesus.

Principle:  We need to be clear who we are, who we are not, and who Christ is.

John’s baptisms with water were only a symbol of true spiritual cleansing.  Baptism is a witness for others.  The true cleansing is done by Jesus’ blood on the cross.  His baptisms only prepared for the real baptism with the Holy Spirit.

John 1:29-34 – Jesus’ Baptism

John the Baptist was the first to introduce Jesus to the World.  He saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’  I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.” – John 1:29-31. 

John was referring to the Old Testament in (Lev. 4, 5) of Israel’s ceremonies that were part of worship.  Lambs were required as a yearly sacrifice for all Jewish families to atone for their sins.  This was for celebration of Passover.  Remember the story in Exodus 12 of the deliverance of the people of Israel from Egypt when the Israelites sacrificed an unblemished male lamb and put its blood on the doorposts so the angel would pass over their houses and not kill their 1^st born?  Jesus was without blemish or sin.  Jesus is the Ultimate Passover Lamb.   He is our Deliver.

Principle:  Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb that every person needs to atone for sin.

“Then John gave this testimony:  I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.  I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’  I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” – John 1:32-34.  For more on Jesus’ baptism see the other Gospels – Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22.

God had previously told John that this sign of the Holy Spirit will show Jesus is the promised Messiah.  Jesus being baptized shows He is identifying with sinners.  This was His first public event of His ministry.  It was a picture of His death and resurrection.

Acts 2:38 tells us to repent, be baptized and our sins will be forgiven.  Then you will receive the Holy Spirit.  In John 7:38-39 we see that the Spirit was not given to believers until Jesus was glorified.  Today since He has been glorified, we receive the Holy Spirit when we first believe.  1 Cor. 12:13 tells us we are all baptized by 1 Spirit into 1 body whether Jew or Gentile.  When baptized we become Christians and are members of His church with Christ as the Head.  Each of Christ’s members has different roles and is dependent upon each other.

What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?  Our baptism is only a symbol and witness for others.  We are baptized because Christ commands it of us.  It doesn’t save us.  Belief saves us.  When you first believe, you are saved.  You are baptized and sealed with His Spirit.  This is a one-time physical thing.  It occurs once for every believer – it’s a new birth.  All believers are baptized into Christ.  When our faith is exercised and we believe, the Holy Spirit indwells in us.  This is different from being filled with the Holy Spirit. 

Being filled with the Spirit is proof of our salvation.  It is a continuous activity.  It is a daily thing.  When you are truly filled with the Holy Spirit; you will show the love of Jesus; you show self-control; you walk with the Lord and you obey Him.  He continually fills us with His Spirit as we stay in the Word and grow our faith.  We yield to His control.  His influence affects our character.  How we live our life is a witness to others. 

Have you been baptized with the Holy Spirit?

Are you filled with the Holy Spirit?

John 1:35-42 – Jesus Calls His First Disciples

After Jesus was baptized, John the Baptist and two of his disciples saw Jesus.  John pointed Jesus out to them.  Andrew was the 1^st disciple to follow Jesus.  The other disciple is not named, but some believe it is John, the author of the same Gospel.  He told Simon Peter that they had found the Messiah.  Then Jesus found Philip and asked him to follow Him.  Then Philip found Nathanael and told him about Jesus.  (John 1:36-45). 

Andrew and the other disciple responded to Jesus because John the Baptist told them He is the Lamb of God.  John the Baptist said that He is the One who takes away the sin of the world.  Jesus asked them “What do you want?” – John 1:38.  Jesus wanted them to know their own hearts and exactly what they were doing.   

Why do you follow Jesus?  Why do you study the Bible or go to church?  Do you just go to make friends or because you are lonely?  Do you go just because you think you should?  Jesus knew the heart of Andrew and John just as He knows ours.  He wants us to clarify it in our minds.  He wants us to be committed to Him and always be willing to stand firm is all circumstances.

Principle:  Jesus is the One who takes away the sin of the world.

John 1:43-51 – Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

The next day Jesus left for Galilee and found Philip and said, “Follow me.” – John 1:43.  Philip couldn’t keep the good news to himself.  He found Nathanael and told him they had found the Messiah.  At first Nathanael doubted who Jesus was, but Philip didn’t argue with him.  He just said to come and see for yourself.  We should be like Philip.  Invite others and tell them to see for themselves.  Nathanael knew the law and was a thinking person.  He was honest and said exactly what he thought and asked questions.

Jesus reached Nathanael’s heart by showing him a small miracle telling him He saw him earlier under the fig tree.  This convinced Nathanael and he called Him Rabbi.  Nathanael then saw Jesus as the Messiah.  Jesus said, “You shall see greater things than that….  I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” – John 1:50-51.  Jesus’ words can be better understood by referring to Gen. 28:10-22 – the ladder to heaven.  Jesus is the ladder from earth to heaven.  He is the only way to God.  “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6  All the disciples would soon see Jesus do many miracles like opening the eyes of the blind, making the lame walk, feeding 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fishes, and even raise the dead.

The disciples of John the Baptist proved they believed in John’s words about Jesus by following Him and telling others and bringing them to Jesus.  True disciples tell others they have found Jesus and invite others to find Him, too.  They had been waiting for hundreds of years for the Messiah and now they found Him.  Messiah means Anointed One.

Principle:  Friends bring friends to Jesus, because Jesus is the Savior that everyone needs.

Do you believe that Jesus is the unique Son of God?

Do you believe Jesus is the Lamb of God and sacrificed His life on the cross for your sins?

If you are a Christian, are you a true disciple?

Have you confessed your sins to Him?

If you have yet to accept Jesus as Savior, will you prayerfully study the book of John and “come and see”?

Who do you need to bring to Jesus?

Wow!  I love the book of John.  Next time we will study John 2.  Have a blessed day and thanks for visiting my site.  -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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If you have enjoyed my post and have found if helpful, please leave a comment or share this post with the buttons below. 

Resources:

The Holy Bible NIV

Bsfinternational.org

Bibleref.org

Enduringword.com