Lent 2

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church-Friedheim
Celebrating our 169th Year
Chartered February 25, 1838

A 21st Century Parish with a 1st Century Faith
Acts 2:42

Lent 2
February 17, 2008
John 3:1-17
“I am the Son of Man”
Who is this man going to the cross?

The power of faith is demonstrated as Jesus has an Encounter with a professor: new birth is the result.

Who is this man going to the cross? When it comes to understanding spiritual truth, some can become like Nicodemus in our Gospel lesson for this morning. They just do not understand the teachings of Jesus. Jesus was amazed that Nicodemus, a teacher, did not understand the need for and method of spiritual rebirth. What we need to understand is that salvation is by grace through faith and not by works of the Law.  In our Gospel lesson for this morning we see the power of faith as Jesus has an Encounter with a professor. The result is new birth and a new relationship with God.

Do you understand —

I.        That God the Father loves you? — “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.”  (Vv. 16-17).

A.     The Father truly loves you.

B.     Because of His great love – He sent His only Son into our world. John will remind us, “And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.”[1] He came into this world both in time and space.

1.      He entered this world – in time – “in those days when Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)[2]

2.      He was born in space – “In Bethlehem in Judea,- for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’[3]  

Transition: Do you understand that the Father loves you? Do you understand that Christ died for your sins?

II.     That Christ died for your sins? —  “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.  Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”  (Vv. 13-15).

A.     All our good intentions. All our resolutions to do better. All of our efforts could offer what the Son accomplished.

B.     Faith must look to Christ and Him alone to be our one redeemer.

Transition: Do you understand that the Father loves you?  Do you understand that Christ died for your sins? Do you understand that faith brings eternal life?

III.   That faith brings eternal life? —   “that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.  “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.” (Vv. 15, 16).

A.     Faith is nothing more then trust.

B.     Faith is nothing more then taking God at His Word.

Conclusion:  What must you know to have this new birth in God? Only three points are necessary. On this day know and believe that the Father loves you. Know and believe that Christ died for your sins. Know and believe that faith brings eternal life. Know and believe!  Who is this man going to the cross?

 +Soli Deo Gloria+

[1] John 1:14

[2] Luke 2:1-2