John 7:53 – 8:11 “The Woman Caught in Adultery”

John 7:53 – 8:11 “The Woman Caught in Adultery”
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

7:53 They went each to his own house, 8:1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and che sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now din the Law Moses commanded us eto stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said fto test him, gthat they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, h“Let him who is without sin among you ibe the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”

“Christ owns it was fit the prisoner should be prosecuted, but appeals to their consciences whether they were fit to be the prosecutors.” Jesus “builds upon an uncontested maxim in morality, that it is very absurd for men to be zealous in punishing the offenses of others, while they are every whit as guilty themselves, and they are not better than self-condemned who judge others, and yet themselves do the same thing.

Henry, M. (1996). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume. Peabody: Hendrickson.

Come Thou Fount…

 

“It would be enlightening if the people in the pew could stand on the platform and observe the congregational singing during an average church service. One would soon concur that there are many who appear to have attended church without the express purpose of having a personal encounter with God.”

Kenneth W. Osbeck, Amazing Grace : 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1990), 343.

 

 

If any man thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.

III. The Last Day of the Feast: Division (John 7:37–53)

The seventh day of the feast was a great day of celebration. (The eighth day was one of “solemn assembly”—Lev. 23:36; see Num. 29:35). Each morning of the feast, at the time of the sacrifice, the priests would draw water in a golden vessel from the Pool of Siloam and carry it to the temple to be poured out. This commemorated the wonderful supply of water God gave the Jews in the wilderness. This seventh day was known as “The Great Hosannah” and climaxed the feast. It takes little imagination to grasp what must have happened when Jesus cried out, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink!” (v. 37) as the priests poured out the water. Christ was the Rock out of which the waters flowed (Ex. 17:1–7; 1 Cor. 10:4). He was smitten on the cross that the Spirit of life might be given to save and satisfy thirsty sinners. In the Bible, water for cleansing symbolizes the Word of God (John 13:1–17; 15:3); water for drinking represents the Spirit of God (John 7:37–38).
Instead of heeding His gracious invitation to come, the people argued, and there was division among them. Some believed in Him, some rejected. (See Matt. 10:31–39 and Luke 12:51–52.) The soldiers could not arrest Him because His word gripped their hearts (v. 46). Because the Jewish leaders rejected Christ, they shut the door of salvation to others who followed their bad example (Matt. 23:13).
Nicodemus enters the picture again, and this time we see him defending Christ’s legal privileges. In John 3, he was in the darkness of confusion; but here he is experiencing the dawn of conviction, willing to give Christ a fair chance. Because of this, Nicodemus learned the truth, for a willingness to obey the Word is the secret of learning God’s truth (v. 17). In John 19 we see Nicodemus in the daylight of confession, openly identifying himself with Christ. How did he come to make this decision? He studied the Word and asked for God to teach him. The rulers told him, “Search and look!” and that is just what he did. Anyone who will read and obey the Word of God will move out of darkness into God’s marvelous light.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1997). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (231–232). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

John 7:1-9 “When those whom you love despise Christ”

John 7:1-9 “When those whom you love despise Christ”

1 After this Jesus went about in Galilee. He would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. 2 Now the Jews’ Feast of Booths was at hand. 3 So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For not even his brothers believed in him. 6 Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. 8 You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After saying this, he remained in Galilee. 

When those you love do not love Christ.

What we will discuss today is 1) The unbelief of Jesus’ brothers 2) Jesus’ response to the unbelief of His brothers and 3) How we as Christians learn from this concerning unbelieving family.

First, the unbelief of Jesus’ brothers
It should not surprise us that even Jesus’ own brothers did not believe in Him.  Isaiah 53:3 foretells that the coming Messiah “…was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” 

Second, Jesus’ response to the unbelief of his brothers
In love he draws a contrast between Himself and them in that He is not of this world but they are of this world.  The world cannot hate them because they belong to it, but the world does hate Jesus because He is not of the world.

Third, How we as Christians learn from this section, concerning unbelieving family members.
Remember that we must always pray for them and be a witness to them as Samuel says in 1Sam 12:23, “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

But we must not constantly nag them.  Peter gives this encouragement to wives of unbelieving husbands in 1Pet 3:1-2: “Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.”

Our unbelieving family members should know that we are believers, they should know where you stand on issues, but don’t think that you must badger them about salvation.  Remember, it is the Father who draws men to Christ.  Let us pray for our unbelieving family members, share the gospel with them, and let our conduct prove what we believe as well as our love for them.

John 6:34-71 “Grumbling against the B…

John 6:34-71 “Grumbling against the Bread of Life”

34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”  

Everything is great thus far.  Jesus has told the crowd that they should not labor for food that perishes and the labor that is pleasing to the Father is belief in the One whom He has sent. The crowd likes what they have heard and petition Jesus to give them this bread always.

35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 

Clear presentation of the gospel in that the everyone who comes to Him (in true belief) shall be saved.  No one who truly believes is turned away. 

36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 

After telling the crowd that no one who believes will be turned away, Jesus tells the crowd that they do not believe.  In fact, this verse and verse 64 help us to better understand the statements Jesus is about to make.  There are “disciples” who do not believe that He is from the Father.  They believe He is a good man, that He is a great man and that God has given Him power to work miracles, but they do not believe He is the Son of God, the Messiah.  It appears that Jesus, knowing who doesn’t believe, attempts to shock/offend those who are not sincere in order to show them their insincerity.  Basically, Jesus wants to demonstrate to them that they are not true believers by causing them to be offended by Him. 

He starts by telling them the fundamental truths of salvation, namely…

37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”  

First, there is a Divine giving of persons by the Father to the Son.

Second, those who are given to the Son will persevere until the last day.

Third, everyone who believes in the Son will have eternal life.

41 So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 

[Interesting that they did not grumble about the topic of election]

42 They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” 

They demonstrate by this statement that they do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, sent by the Father into the world.  They think He is a great man who can do mighty signs and wonders, but they do not believe.

43 Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. 

They demonstrate what is drawing them to Jesus: their own lusts (John 6:26)…not the Father (John 6:44).  The words of Jesus is offensive to them because they are not being drawn by the Father, if the Father was drawing them to Jesus, these words would not cause them to stumble.

45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me- 46 not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. 47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. [*See third truth in verse 40 notes*]

It is at this point, I am convinced that Jesus, knowing their true intentions (6:15) and that they are offended by His words, seeks to go even further in offending and shocking them.

48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”  

Jesus is getting very literal and we see the reaction from the Jews…

52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 

Not being drawn by the Father, they naturally see no spiritual meaning in these words.   

53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.  

Jesus, perceiving that they do not have ears to hear and eyes to see, continues to speak very literally.

60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”  66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 

How could these disciples turn back and no longer walk with Jesus?  They were offended by His words.  Why were they offended by His words?  Because they didn’t like what He said.  Why didn’t they like what He said?  Because it isn’t what they wanted to hear.  Why didn’t they want to hear it?  Because they were not being “taught by God” (v.45) and were not drawn by God (v.44) and they were not given to the Son by the Father (v.37).

The question we must answer is “Does this offend us?”  Are we offended by the words of Jesus, would a statement recorded by Jesus in the Bible cause us to turn back and no longer walk with Him?  If so, it reveals a false faith.

Compare the reaction of the crowd with the reaction of the Twelve Disciples…

67 So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 

The difference between Peter’s reaction and the crowds reaction is not based on intellect but on grace.  Peter demonstrates that even though he might not understand everything Jesus says, nevertheless he believes.  This reveals, not that Peter is much smarter than everyone, but that he is taught by God and is being drawn by God and has been given to Jesus by the Father.

70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him. 

This is Jesus’ Divine statement of knowing who would betray Him.

Jesus increases His disciples faith through the feeding of the 5,000

John 6:1-15 ESV After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.  (2) And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick.  (3) Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples.

(4) Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. (5) Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”  (6) He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.  (7) Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.”  (8) One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him,  (9) “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”  (10) Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.  (11) Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. (12) And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” (13) So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.

The Feeding of the Multitude

Why did Jesus feed the multitude?  First, because they were hungry, but another reason is that Jesus desired to increase the faith of His disciples.

When Jesus asked Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”; He said this to show Philip and the other disciples what was in their heart and to show them how much faith they had.

Philip

Philip’s answer was given, if I may quote John Gill, “Very quick and short, and in a carnal and unbelieving way.”  Philip responded by discussing how much money would be needed. “”Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” (v. 7)

Andrew

Andrew’s answer reveals that he had about as much faith as Philip.  “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”

Both answers reveal the lack of faith of the disciples.  But rather than rebuke them, Jesus demonstrates His power and compassion in the feeding of the multitude.

Jesus made the five loves and two fish feed the entire crowd by giving thanks and distributing them to the people.  How did Jesus do this?  Same way He turned the water into wine, the same way He told an invalid to take up his bed and walk: through the power of God.  Jesus is the Son of God, Son of Man, the Messiah, the Lord of all creation.  Because He is the Son of Man, God the Father has granted to Him authority to give life and also judge.  The food obeyed Jesus, because Jesus is the Lord of the food.

Application

How do we respond to the situations of life?  Do we, like Philip and Andrew, see everything from a worldly perspective?  Do we see things through eyes that do not see God?  While God has not promised to perform a miracle in every situation in our life, have we abandoned all hope of seeing God’s miraculous work?

Let us trust God and grow in faith.  If something seems hopeless, pray to the Lord for He is rich in mercy and grace.  Eph 3:20-21 says, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

John 5:30-47

John 5:30-47 ESV “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.

(31) If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true. (32) There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. (33) You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. (34) Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. (35) He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. (36) But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. (37) And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, (38) and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. (39) You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, (40) yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. (41) I do not receive glory from people. (42) But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. (43) I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. (44) How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? (45) Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. (46) For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. (47) But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”

Context

This section of Jesus’ dialogue focuses on the witnesses that testify concerning Him, namely who send Him and by whose authority He works. The context of this dialogue is that Jesus, to the dismay of the Jewish leaders, has healed a man on the Sabbath. On top of that, Jesus speaks of God in a familial manner, “His own Father” in which the Jewish leaders interpret as “making Himself equal with God”; thus they charge Him with blasphemy. (See John 10:33).

Jesus’ response is that He is not guilty of blasphemy because He speaks the truth. Jesus is equal with God because He is God. In John 5:18-29, Jesus responded to their charges by speaking of His authority and in these verses He addresses the witnesses that verify His claims. Interestingly, while Jesus is presenting witnesses to verify that He is the Son of God, He is also accusing them for failing to believe the witnesses.

Witnesses that testify about Jesus:

First, Jesus Himself (v. 31)

• But can’t witness to oneself, must have at least two or three other witnesses (Deut 19)
  

Second, John the Baptist (v.33)

• Dilemma of Matthew 21:25 – from heaven or man?
  

Third, The works themselves (v. 36)

• John 3:2 – We know you are from God because of signs…
  

Fourth, God the Father (v. 37)

• Matthew 3:17 – Beloved Son
  

Fifth, The Scriptures (v. 39)

• Isaiah, Micah, etc.
  

Sixth, Moses (v. 46)

• Deut 18 “Prophet from among you”
  

With the evidence presented, the Jewish leaders have no excuse to fail to see Jesus as the Son of God, the long awaited Messiah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Therefore even though they thought they were putting Jesus on trial, He is in fact putting them on trial for their unbelief and upon the evidence of at least two or three witnesses they are guilty and in their sins.

Application

Modern day skeptics
Bible is trustworthy
Jesus is real
Speak about how that affects us: 1) Need for salvation 2 ) Need to share the gospel

John 5:18-30 “Christ’s Authority to Judge and Grant Life”

John 5:18-30 (English Standard Version)

Jesus Is Equal with God

¹⁸This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

The Authority of the Son

¹⁹So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. ²⁰For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. ²¹For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. ²² The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, ²³that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. ²⁴Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

²⁵“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. ²⁶ For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. ²⁷And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. ²⁸Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice ²⁹and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Sermon Notes:

John 3:22-36 – Freedom from Self-Love and Self-Preservation

John 3:22-36 ESV After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. (23) John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (24) (for John had not yet been put in prison).

(25) Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. (26) And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness–look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” (27) John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. (28) You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ (29) The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. (30) He must increase, but I must decrease.”

(31) He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. (32) He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. (33) Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. (34) For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. (35) The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. (36) Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

The completion of the transition from John the Baptist to Jesus the Christ

1. The decrease of John
   1. A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. (v. 27)
   2. He must increase, but I must decrease (v. 30)
   3. Law and Prophets prophesied until John (Mat 11:13, Luke 16:16)
      1. The Law revealed sin and thus showed us our need for Christ (Rom 3:20)
      2. The Prophets brought God’s message of judgment and restoration (1 Peter 1:10)
   4. John preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 19:4)
2. The increase of Christ
   1. The true Bridegroom! (v. 29)
   2. Above all things (v. 31)
   3. Utters the words of God and gives the Spirit without measure (v. 34)
   4. All things given into His hand (v. 35)
   5. Gives eternal life (v. 36)
3. Practical Application
   1. A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. (v. 27)
   2. He must increase, and we must decrease (v. 30)
   3. For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? (1Co 4:7 ESV)
   4. Denial of Self-Love
      1. As Christians, we are not to love ourselves the most.
      2. “Can humans truly empathize? Or do they, for the most part, just want somebody to finish their…story so they can get back to worrying about themselves?” – Brian Murphy ESPN writer
      3. Christ frees us from the bondage of constantly looking out only for ourselves, the sting of insults, the pain of rejection, etc.
   5. Denial of Self-Preservation
      1. As Christians, we are not to be consumed with our comfort and our protection
      2. “God of our fathers…Strengthen my soul so that the weakening instinct of self-preservation, which besets all of us in battle, shall not blind me to my duty to my own manhood, to the glory of my calling, and to my responsibility to my fellow soldiers.” General George S. Patton
      3. Christ frees us from the bondage of constantly seeking to make ourselves comfortable and from being weakened by fear of man so that we are blinded to our true calling.

John 3:1-21 – The Necessity of the New Birth

John 3:1-21 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. (2) This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”

(3) Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

(4) Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

(5) Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7) Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (8) The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

(9) Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”

(10) Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? (11) Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. (12) If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? (13) No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. (14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, (15) that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. (16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (17) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. (18) Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (19) And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. (20) For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. (21) But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

The Necessity of the New Birth

This passage must be understood in the context of verse 18 “whoever does not believe is condemned already”

Physical birth brings physical life, but each of us is born spiritually dead.

1. Physical Birth – brings us physical life
   1. “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” (1 Corinthians 15:50)
   2. “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Rom 5:12)
   3. Because of the sin of Adam, death comes to all who are physically born.
2. Spiritual birth brings spiritual life
   1. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
   2. Spiritual birth only comes through faith in Christ (v. 16)

This is why the gospel is so wonderful, God sees our condemnation and offers the light to expose it to us, so that we will confess it and seek forgiveness!

Rom 10:8-13 “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); (9) because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (10) For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (11) For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” (12) For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. (13) For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”