In this Gospel story we will see that faith accepts Jesus’ promise of eternal life. Jesus teaches Nicodemus that faith in Him offers eternal life. Jesus declares that faith in the crucified Christ will bring eternal life. We will learn today that whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life, for God did not send Jesus to condemn, but save the world.
Prayer: O Lord, graciously hear the prayers of Your people. That we who suffer the consequences of this broken world may be mercifully delivered by Your goodness to the glory of Your name.
Hymn: Pg.60 “My Faith looks up to Thee’
Confession/Absolution:
LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.
In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone.
And so uphold us by Your Spirit. That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness. And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
John 3: 1-17
Now there was a Pharisee, a man named
Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He
came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a
teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are
doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus
replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless
they are born again.” 4 “How can someone be born when they
are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their
mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus
answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God
unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh
gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You
should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The
wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where
it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can this
be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s
teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very
truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have
seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I
have spoken to you of earthly things, and you do not believe; how then will you
believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever
gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just
as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be
lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have
eternal life in him.”16 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. 17 For God did not send
his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through
him.
Hymn: #61 “My Hope Is built On Nothing
Less”
In our Gospel lesson for this morning we
see the power of faith as Jesus has an Encounter with a man named Nicodemus.
The result is new birth and a new connection with God.
The Father loves you.
1. He sent His Son to be lifted up.
A.
By
nature, we are like the children of Israel in great danger.
B.
In
love, the Father sent Jesus.
2. He gives the promise of everlasting life.
A.
In
the Old Testament wilderness, anyone who looked at the brass serpent was healed
of their disease.
B.
Likewise,
Jesus promises that those who believe in Him have the promise of everlasting
life.
3. He draws people to believe in Jesus.
A.
People
are drawn to Jesus through the message of the cross!
B.
You
can tell if God’s love is drawing you. By loving and serving others.
By faith you know and understand it.
That God the Father loves you. — Jesus
tells us plainly: “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). This
you know and understand by faith.
The Father truly loves you.
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.” Jesus came into this world both in time and space.
He entered this world – in time a
special 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.)
He was born in space – in a specific
place - “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.’
Transition: Do you
understand that the Father loves you? Do you understand that Christ died for
your sins? By faith you do!
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).
All our good intentions. All our
resolutions to do better. All of our efforts could offer what the Son
accomplished.
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? Yes. You know and
believe.
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).
Faith is nothing more than trust.
Faith is nothing more than taking God at
His Word.
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.
Who is this man going to the cross? It’s
Jesus! your Lord, your Savior, and yes, your friend.
Prayer: Thank you, LORD for sending
Jesus to save us.
Thank you that we can have new life and be born again. Help us remember that
every day. Thank you for your love and care.
Collects for Lent 2: O God, You see
that of ourselves we have no strength. By Your mighty power defend us from all
adversities that may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts that may
assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives
and rules with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
The Lord has given us one another and we
give thanks for God’s grace and mercy as we offer prayers on this day.
The Lord has given us the beauty of
worship and the gift of fellowship with one another. We thank you Lord for
gathering us on this day.
The Lord has given us neighbors, friends,
families, and coworkers to share the joys and burdens of this life. We thank
you Lord, for the privilege of loving others.
The Lord has given us a promise that
where He goes, He will prepare a place for us.
We thank you Lord for the gift of life
and for giving us to one another for safekeeping. Bring us home when it is
time. Lord in your grace, hear our prayer.
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