The Guy had a Religion Problem--Do You?

John 3:14-21

• Religion does not produce spiritual life (v. 14-15). Numbers 21:4-9; 1 Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 6:14; John 8:28; John 12:32; 2 Kings 18:4
• Religion does not rescue you from Gods righteous judgment (v. 17-18).
• Option A – Be acceptable before God based on yourself. Revelation 20:12; James 2:10
• Option B - Be acceptable before God based on Christ. Galatians 2:21; John 12:47-48; 2 Corinthians 5:21
• Religion prefers the darkness (v. 19).
• Light and darkness are used in the Bible as a metaphor to represent goodness and evil.
• Jesus refers to Himself as light. John 8:12
• The nature of light:
• The nearer we are to the source, the brighter the light appears.
• The brighter the light, the more revealing it is.
• Light reflects more clearly from a clean surface.
• Light means little to the blind; they can neither see it nor appreciate it.
• A person walking toward the light walks in the light
• Light cannot dwell with darkness nor can darkness dwell with the light.

Religion imparts death … a relationship imparts life.
Religion is based on works … a relationship is based on faith.
Religion is grounded in uncertainty … a relationship is grounded in a promise.
Religion is external … a relationship is internal
Religion brings judgment … a relationship brings salvation.
Religion loves the darkness … a relationship loves the light.
Religion takes credit for salvation … a relationship gives God the credit.
Religion seeks personal glory … a relationship seeks God’s glory.

The Guy had a Problem--Do You?

John 3:1-10

What does NOT get you into God's Kingdom:

• Impressing others with your spirituality Matthew 23:5-7
• Devoting yourself to strict adherence to God’s law Romans 10:2
• Helping others live by God’s rules 
• Gaining great knowledge of spiritual truth John 5:39-40

What gets you into God's Kingdom:

• Being Born A Second Time (v. 3-5) Job 34:14-15
• Spirit in the Old Testament constantly refers to the distribution of life (Gen.2:7; Joel 2:28). God’s Spirit was a symbol of both physical and spiritual life. 
• Water in the Old Testament habitually refers to renewal or cleansing (Num. 19:17). 
• Therefore water and spirit in the context of John 3 come together to signify a cleansing from impurity, a transforming of the heart that enables people to be clean and have a desire to follow God. Ezekiel 36:25-27
• Being Born the Second Time of the Spirit (v. 6). Jeremiah 13:23a
• The flesh has a human nature; 
• the Spirit has a spiritual nature. 
• The flesh has an earthly father; 
• the Spirit has a heavenly Father. 
• The flesh has an appetite for food; 
• the Spirit has an appetite for God. 
• The flesh has an impulse to save its life; 
• the Spirit has an impulse to lose its life for Christ. 
• Those of the flesh are lost; 
• those of the Spirit are saved. 
• Being Born the Second Time By God (v. 7-8). John 1:12-13; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:4-5

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, NIV

Which Soil Describes Your Soul?

Mark 4:1-20

Soil #1 – hard (v. 4)
Soil #2 – shallow (v.5, 6)
Soil #3 – clogged (v. 7)
Soil #4 – good (v. 8)

• #1 –Hardened soil describes the unresponsive soul (v. 15).
• #2 – Shallow soil describes the impulsive soul (v. 16, 17).
• #3 – Clogged soil describes the preoccupied soul (v. 18, 19).
• #4 – Good soil describes the responsive soul (v. 20).
• These are people who hear the word. 
• These are people who accept the word. 
• These are people who practice the word. James 1:22-25

Some qualities that promote good soil: Hebrews 12:11; John 15:16; John 15:5

• Open to God’s sowing
• Eager to learn God’s truth
• Available to grow

Why Follow Jesus?

Luke 19:29-44

At age 19, I had a renewed interest in playing the piano (I took lessons when I was in grade school). I bought a book and arranged to take lessons from a friend of mine. That lasted about one month. When I was 14, I threw myself into lifting weights (I was a 4’10” little kid). That only lasted about two months. Lately, I have tried to lose weight by using various diets, but that has been a roller coaster experience. What these three experiences have in common is an initial desire and passion followed by some good effort, ending in losing interest and quitting the pursuit. I am sure you could tell me similar stories from your experiences.

This year our theme is about helping others passionately pursue Jesus Christ. It has been my observation and experience that many people seriously struggle with keeping an interest in and passion for this pursuit. It often can be like the experiences I described from my own life. Initial enthusiasm, followed by good effort, only to end up quitting the pursuit. Has that ever happened to you? Presently, how would you rate your desire and effort in pursuit of Jesus?

The sermon text for this Sunday, Luke 19:28-44, gives us some key insights about our motives for pursuing Jesus. If those motives are mixed, we will seriously struggle and find ourselves on a roller coaster ride in walking with Christ. I invite you to read the text and see what answers you find for the question.

Pastor Charlie

Core reasons people abandon their faith:

1. Spiritual truth is viewed as a matter of personal experience and opinion.
2. Spiritual truth has become a man-centered theology.

Perspectives of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem:

• For Jesus, it signified His official presentation to the nation as King and Messiah.
• The twelve disciples thought He would immediately set up is rule on the throne of David.
• Others in the crowd saw the event in terms of meeting personal or political need. John 12:17-18
• The Jewish leaders saw Jesus as a threat to their power base. John 11:47-48

Why Follow Jesus?

• We follow Jesus because He is the Lord of authority. Matthew 28:18; John 10:18-19; Acts 4:27-28; Psalm 103:19; Psalm 115:3; Philippians 2:9-11
• We follow Jesus because He is the Lord of creation. Deuteronomy 21:3; John 1:3
• We follow Jesus because He is the Lord of prophecy. Psalm 118:22-27; Zechariah 9:9; Daniel 9:24-27; Psalm 2:1-4
• We follow Jesus because He is the Lord of judgment. 2 Peter 3:9; Exodus 34:6-7; Revelation 19:11-16
• We follow Jesus because He is the Lord of salvation. John 1:29; Romans 6:23; Mark 10:45; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:21-22

We follow Jesus because…

• He is the Lord of authority, Who works all things after the counsel of His will.
• He is the Lord of creation, Who spoke the universe into existence, who created you for His purpose.
• He is the Lord of prophecy, Who has revealed in His Word in advance the course of history.
• He is the Lord of judgment, before Whom every knee shall bow.
• He is the Lord of salvation, Who gave His life so that all who believe in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

"Then He said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after Me,
he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me."
(Luke 9:23, NIV)