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Transcript July 2/3, 2016

Crucial Conversations | Jesus and the Scholar (Northwest) Matt Hessel | John 3:1-16

Hi.Howiseveryone?Good.It’sgoodtoseeyouandIwanttowelcomeyouifthisisyourfirsttimetobewithus.IwanttosayhellotoTradersPointNorthwhoistuninginvialivestreamrightnow.Let’sshowthemsomelove.Loveyouguys.Iwasabletobewithallofyouatthe11o’clockservicelastweek.AlwaysgoodtoseewhatGodisdoingthroughyou.Iftodayisyourfirstdayorifyou’vebeencomingforawhileandyou’rekindofwonderingwhatyournextstepis,IwouldjustencourageyoutocheckoutConnectionCentral.It’sinbothlobbiesateithercampus.Youcanmeetsomeveryfriendlypeople,getsomeinformation,andwehaveagiftforyou.Oneofourpastorshangsoutthereandwe’dlovetogetachancetojustsayhellotoyou.Igetthisquestiononaregularbasisfromalotofpeople.It’s,“HowdoIfeelconnectedinabigchurch?”Andthat’sagreatquestionandit’sonethatwespendalotoftimethinkingabout.Andreallytheanswertothatisassimpleastherelationshipsthatyoucanbuildandthepeoplewhoyoucangetachancetoknow.Sothathappensingroupsthatmeetmid-weekandthathappenswhenevergroupsofpeopleservetogetherontheweekends.InfactwejustpolledalotofourvolunteersattheNorthcampuslastweekbecausewearesixmonthsintothatparticularcampus.Wejustwantedtoknowwhatisgoingwellandwhatwecanworkonanddobetter.Oneofthecommonthemesthatcamebacktousonthatsurveyisthatpeoplesaid,“Oneofthethingsthatisgoingreallywellisthatasweservetogetherwe’regettingachancetomeetsomepeopleandbuildrelationshipsandit’smakingthisbigchurchfeelalotsmaller.SoIjustwanttoencourageyoutokindofputthatonyourradar.SummertimeisagreatopportunitytojumpintothatandConnectionCentralisyourverynextstep.OnequickthingbeforewejumpinisthatbeginningnextweekendIamgoingtobeonmystudybreakforthemonth.IknowitkindoffeelslikeIjustcamebackbutIwasoverseasteachingandnextweekendandduringthemonthofJulyIgetachancetojustpushbackfromthetableabitandreallyseekouttheLordonwhereGodwouldleadusasachurchforthenextyearasfarastheteachingcontentgoes.SoIwilljustbepraying.Youcanprayformeinthat.Prayingandplanning,“Godwhatdoyouwantustohear?WhatbooksoftheBibledoyouwantustostudyasachurch?Whereareweheaded?”I’llbedoingallofthatthisnextmonth.Sowe’regoingtosomethingalittledifferentbeginningnextweekend.We’regoingtohavelivepreachingatbothcampuses.Irealizethatdoesn’treallychangetheexperienceatNorthwest,althoughIwillsaythatyouguyslookatthescreenalotmorethanyoulookatme,alright?It’saveryweirdthingtobepreachingandyou’relookingrightpastmeatthebigscreen.Therewillbesomebodyliveintheroom…Someofyouarelike,“Ididn’tevenknowthattherewasalivepersonintheroom.”Yeah,hereatNorthwestthereis.ButattheNorthcampusthereisgoingtobealivepreacheroverthere.Sowe’vegotourteachingteam.Whattheguysaregoingtodointhisseriestogether—it’sgoingtobethesameseries,thesamesermonpassagesbuttheguysaregoingtowritetheirownsermons.Therewillbepreachinginbothandthenwe’llswapeveryweek.We’llpostbothsermonsthatarepreachedat

CrucialConversations|JesusandtheScholar(Northwest) July2/3,2016

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bothHowiseveryone?Good?It’sgoodtoseeyouguys,andI’vegottosayHappyFourthofJuly.Personally,thisisoneofmyfavoriteholidayweekendsoftheyearbecausenothingsaysGodBlessAmericalikegrillingoutandblowingstuffup.Icannotwaituntiltomorrow.You’reclappingforthat.Atleastyou’reawakeandwe’reexcited.Heyifyou’reaguestorjustvisitingforthefirsttimeormaybeyou’rejustnewtoIndy,welcome.We’regladyou’rehere.MynameisMattandI’moneofthepastorshere.LikeJohnsaid,wewouldlovetogettoknowyou,andyourfirststopwouldbeConnectionCentral.There’repeopleouttherewhowouldlovetotalktoyou,answeranyquestionsyouhave,tellyouhowtogetconnectedinthischurch,whatwedoand,mostimportantly,whywedoit.Also,I’mgoingtobeinthelobbyaftertheserviceandIwouldlovetomeetyouifyou’reaguestandcheckingstuffout.Sopleasecomeandsay,“Hi.”Ifyouweren’therelastweek,letmecatchyouupwithwhereweare.LastweekAaronstartedanewseriesthatwe’regoingtobeinthroughoutthemonthofJulycalledCrucialConversations.Andhere’swhatwewanttolookatinthisseries.ThroughoutJesus’ministryHehadconversationsthatweregamechangers.NotonlydidtheseconversationssetthecourseforHisministry,theyalsoalteredthelivesofthepeopleHewastalkingto.We’veallbeenapartofconversationslikethat,conversationsthatwerereallystake-in-the-groundmomentsforus.Maybetheconversationschangedthedirectionofyourlife.Maybeitwasaconversationthatwassoimportant,andyoudidn’tevenrealizeituntilafterthefact.We’veallbeenthere,conversationsthatstartoffwith,“Willyoumarryme?”That’saprettyimportantone.Soistheonethatstartsoffwith,“Sir,mayImarryyourdaughter?”thenendswith,“Pleasedon’thitme.”Thoseareprettyimportantconversations,right?I’mhavingcrucialconversationswithmykids.Howdowetalktoourkidsabouttruth?SomeoftheconversationsI’mhavingwithmyoldestsonrightnowareaboutwhyeveryyearIUseemstobeatPurdueinbasketball,I’mtryingtoexplainthattohim.I’mjustkiddingPurduepeople,Iloveyou.Butseriously,I’mhavingthatconversationwithhim.Thoseareimportantconversations.Howdowetalktoourkidsabouttruth?Theygethitfromeveryangleaboutallkindsofthingsnowso,asparents,talkingtothemaboutwhattruthis,it’sprettycrucial.Ormaybeit’saconversationwithyourbossaboutthedirectionthecompanyisgoingin,ormaybeanewjobforyouentirely.IstillremembervividlythecrucialconversationIhadwithtwoofmyclosestfriendsfromwhenIwaswrestlingwithwhetherornotIwassupposedtogointofulltimeministry.Irememberwherewewere,Irememberwhosatwhere,andexactlyeverythingthatwassaid.Thatwasapivotalconversationinmylifeanditreallydroveastakeintotheground.We’veallbeenapartofthosetypesofconversationsandtherearegoingtobemoreofthoseinourlives.Someoftheconversationswe’llhitintheseriesyoumightbereallyfamiliarwith,andsomeofthemyoumaynotbe.Butyourfamiliaritywiththemdoesn’tmatteratall,becausetheseconversationsnotonlywerecrucialforthepeopleJesuswasspeakingwith,they’rejustascrucialforusnow.Thesametruththencarriesthesameweighttoday.Thesamegracethencarriesthesameblessingtoday.OneofthewayswecantrusttheGodoftheBible,oneofthewayswecanknowHereallyisGod,isthatHedoesn’ttelluswhatwewanttohear,Hetellsuswhatweneedtohear.That’slove.Becausewhatweneedtohearisalmostalwaysmorecrucialthanwhatwewanttohear.Soifyou’vegotaBiblegoaheadandopenituptoJohn3.Johniswherewe’regoingtohangouttoday.Andwhetheryou’reabiblicalscholarorthisisthefirsttimethatyouareinchurchforalongtime,maybeevenever,you’reprobablygoingtobefamiliarwiththispassage.ThemostfamousverseintheBiblehappensinthisconversation.



Andtobecompletelyhonest,here’smytakeonit.Thisverseandthisconversationjustgetsglossedovernow.Thisverse,inmyopinion,isjustsomethingthatyouseeonaflorescentposteratafootballgameeverytimesomeonekicksafieldgoal.Andmaybethat’saboutit.NowI’mabigfanofhighlighting,underlining,andwritingnotesinmyBible.WhenIflippedopenmyBiblethisweektostartstudyingIwenttoJohn1and2andthere’replentyofnotes,plentyofhighlights.Iflippedtochapter3andtherewasplentyofstuffonthebackhalf,especiallyaroundverse30.ButwhenIlookedatverse16nothing,nohighlight,nounderline,nonotes,nothing.Andnotthatunderliningaversemakesitmoreimportant,butthewayitcameacrosstomewas,“John3:16,Iknowwhatthatsays.Icanjustmoveon.”SothequestionIhaveis:Havewe,andI’llspeakformyself,haveIbecomesofamiliarwithJohn3:16thatI’vejustbecomeinoculatedtoitspower?ThisconversationinthisverseisnotonlycrucialforanyonewhofollowsJesus,it’sjustascrucialforanyonewhodoesn’t.Solet’slookatverse1.“NowtherewasamanofthePhariseesnamedNicodemus,aruleroftheJews.ThismancametoJesusbynightandsaidtoHim,‘Rabbi,weknowthatYouareateachercomefromGod,fornoonecandothesesignsthatYoudounlessGodiswithHim.’”Solet’sgetalittlebackgroundonourboyNicodemus.ThisisgoingtosetthebackgroundforwhatJesusisgoingtosaytohim.SoNicodemuswasaPharisee,whichmeanshewaspartofthereligiouselite.ThePhariseeshadthebesttraining,theyhadthebesteducation.Theyspentmostoftheirtimestudying.Theseguyswouldhaveatleast,atleasthadthefirstfivebooksoftheBiblememorized.SomeofthemhadtheentireOldTestamentmemorized.That’sirritatinglyimpressive.TheseguysweretheauthoritiesonwhatScripturesaid.Itsaysalso,“HewasaruleroftheJews,”whichmeantNicodemuswaspartoftheSanhedrin.TheSanhedrinwasthiscounselofabout70differentguyswhoweretheculturalandreligiousauthoritiesoverallIsrael.TheyhadjurisdictionovereveryJewonearth.SoatthistimeIsraelisundertheRomanEmpire.SotheRomansareincharge,andwhenevertheygiveanykindofauthoritytotheJewsitgoestotheSanhedrin.TheRomansarefirst,thentheSanhedrin.SoNicodemusisaveryintelligentman.He’saverywelleducatedman.Heisareligiousman.He’sanadmiredman.He’samanwithalotofinfluence.SowhydoeshecomeandseeJesusatnight?Whydoesn’thewanttobeseen?That’swhyhecomesatnight.Hedoesn’twanttobeseen.There’ssomethingstirringinNicodemus.LikeheknowssomethingisupwithJesus.Heknowsthere’ssomethinggoingon.HeknowsJesushascomefromGod.Hesaysit.That’swhyhecomestoseeJesus.Buthe’sgothisdoubts.He’snotsureyet,andhonestlyhe’safraid.Youcannotgethigheronthepolitical,religious,andculturalladderthanNicodemusalreadyis.Youcan’tgetanyhigherthanheis.Heisafraidofwhatpeoplewillthinkabouthim.He’safraidofwhathemightloseifhe’sassociatedwithJesus.Sohecomesunderthecoverofdarkness.Hedoesn’twantanyonetoseehim.ButJesusdoesn’tcondemnhimforthat.Jesusdoesn’tcallhimacoward.Jesusdoesn’tridiculehim.No,Jesusengageshisquestions.Hesays,“Sure,comeandsee.”Andsometimeswehavethisdefaulttothinkandtobelievethatdoubtistheantithesisoffaith.ThatifIhaveanykindofdoubt,thenImustbeadisappointmenttoJesus.IfIhaveanykindofdoubt,thenmyfaithmustbecounterfeit.IfIhaveanykindofdoubt,thenIcan’tbeaChristianbecauseofthosedoubtssoIshouldn’tevenwastemytimebecausebeingaChristianmeanstheabsenceofdoubt.Thatcouldn’tbefurtherfromthetruth.Doubtisnottheantithesisoffaith.Doubtcanbeacomponentoffaithifitdrivesustoseekthetruth.That’swhat’sgoingonwithNicodemus.It’sdrivinghimtoseekthetruth.Hewantstofindoutforhimself.That’swhyhegoestoJesus.AndJesusdoesn’trejecthisdoubt.Jesusengageshisdoubt.Andmaybethat’swhereyou’reat.You’rehererightnowandyou’vegotsomedoubts.You’renotsure.You’renotsurewhattodonext.You’vegotsomequestionsandthesedoubtsarerealtoyou.WhetheryoufollowJesusornot,yourdoubtsarewelcomehere.They’rewelcomehere.They’rewelcomewith



Jesus.Justdon’trunfromthem,pressintoyourdoubt.Doubtcanfuelafirefortruthanditcanfuelafireforfaith.Faithisnottheabsenceofdoubt.Faithisconvictioninthepresenceofdoubt.SowheredoIgetthatkindofconviction?I’vegottoseekthesourceoftruth.Andmaybeyou’rehereandyoudon’twanttobenoticed.You’vekindofcomeunderthecoverofdarkness.You’vegotyourdoubts,you’vegotyourquestionsandyou’renotsureyouwanttobeassociatedwithJesusyetbecauseyou’reafraidofwhatyoumighthavetolose.SometimestheperspectiveofChristianityintheworldisthatit’sallaboutblindfaith,youcan’thaveanydoubts,andyou’regoingtohavetogiveupalot.Here’sthething.Christianity,followingJesus,isnotaboutwhatyougiveupit’sonlyaboutwhatyougain.That’swhatit’sabout.SothisiswhatJesussaystoNicodemusinresponse,thisreligiousleader,thisaristocrat.Verse3,“Jesusansweredhim,‘Truly,truly,Isaytoyou,unlessoneisbornagainhecannotseethekingdomofGod.’Nicodemussaidtohim,‘Howcanamanbebornwhenheisold?’”It’safairquestion.“‘Canheenterasecondtimeintohismother’swombandbeborn?’”That’saterrifyingthought.“Jesusanswered,‘Truly,truly,Isaytoyou,unlessoneisbornofwaterandtheSpirit,hecannotenterthekingdomofGod.Thatwhichisbornoffleshisflesh,andthatwhichisbornoftheSpiritisspirit.DonotmarvelthatIsaytoyou,“Youmustbebornagain.”Thewindblowswhereitwishes,andthenyouhearthesound,butyoudonotknowwhereitcomesfromorwhereitgoes.SoitiswitheveryonewhoisbornoftheSpirit.’”Sothisisalittleconfusing.What’sJesustalkingabout?It’sevenborderlinedisturbing,thiswholebornagainthing,mother’swombsecondtime.Idon’tevenwanttogothere.WhatJesusisreallydoinghereisbreakingdownNicodemus’legalism.SoasaPhariseeNicodemuswouldhavebeenextremelylegalistic.HewouldhavefollowedGod’sLawtoa“T”.Notonlythat,notonlydidhefollowGod’sLawbutthePharisees,theyactuallyaddedonreligiousrequirementstotheLaw.Theysaid,“ThisistheLaw,butlet’saddonmoretobesure.”Theybelievedstrictreligiouspractices,beingperfectinGod’sLaw,wouldearnthemgrace,wouldearnthemsalvation.That’swhatreligionsays.Itsays,“Wewanttoearngrace.”Religionwillsay,“Youknowwhat?Youcanbeyourownsavior.It’sonyoutodoit.”AndwhatJesusissayingtoNicodemusis,“HeyNic,that’snotgoingtowork.Thischecklistthatyouhave,allthesereligiousworksandservices,thesegooddeeds,thesestrictrulesyou’refollowingaregreat,butit’snotgoingtowork.Itwon’tsaveyou.”Thesamethingistrueforus.Wecan’tsaveourselves.Legalismwon’tsaveus,religioncan’tsaveus,andthat’shardbecausewewanttoearnit.Faithisnotalwaystangible.Faithishardforustogetourhandsaround,soreligionwillscratchtheurgeforthetangible.Wewanttohavethisassurancethatwecanholdupsomereceiptandsay,“Look,Ipaidforthis.Icheckedalltheboxes.LookatallthegoodthingsI’vedone.I’vefollowedalltherules.”Wewantthisassurancesowecansaytoourselves,“I’mgood.I’mcovered.I’msaved.”Here’sthething.Religionisliketryingtofixabulletholewithabandaid.It’sjustnotgoingtowork.Idon’trememberwhereIreadthisbutthisismostdirectandplaindefinitionofreligionI’veeverheard:Religionisthepathwaytohellthatleadsitstravelersrightpastthegatesofheaven.Thinkaboutthat.That’sheartbreakingthatsomeonewouldbeunderthisimpressionthat,“I’mheadingtoheaven.I’mgoingtospendeternitywithChrist,”bybeingenslavedtoperformance-basedacceptanceandthenwakinguptoavery,verydifferentreality.That’swherereligionis.That’swhatJesusistryingtodeconstructinNicodemus’mind.



Nowlet’sbeclear.TheBibledoestalkaboutwhatgoodreligionis.It’sveryclearonthat.InfacttheBookofJameslaysthatout.WhatNicodemushasdoneforhisentirelife,whatI’vedonebefore,whatyoumighthavedonebeforetoo,maybeevenunknowingly,isthatwetakeallthesegoodworks,wetakeallthisservice,wetakeallthesereligiousthingsinordertoearngraceinsteadoflettingallthesethings,asgoodastheyare,bearesponsetograce.That’swhatChristianityis.Religionistryingtoreachuptograbgrace,thegospelisGodreachingdowntograbyouwithgrace.SoNicodemus’mindsethastobeflippedupsidedown.That’swhatJesusisdoing.He’sgottodothatbeforeHecaneverunwrapthetruthforhim.Andhestartswiththetruthinverse5.Hesays,“’Truly,truly,Isaytoyou,unlessoneisbornofwaterandSpirit,hecannotenterthekingdomofGod.’”Sothisisstillalittleconfusing,butit’sstartingtomakesenseforNicodemus.AtthistimeJohntheBaptistwasonthescene.Hewasareallywell-knownguy.NicodemuswouldhaveknownwhoJohnwas,hewouldhaveknownwhatJohnwasallabout.HewouldknowJohnwasearninghisnicknamebybaptizingalotofpeopleinwaterasasignoftheirinwardrepentance.Atthesametime,whenJesussaysthis,Ezekiel36wouldhaveflashedintoNicodemus’mind.Andinthatbook,thisiswhatGodsaystothepeopleofIsrael,“’AndIwillgiveyouanewheart,andanewspiritIwillputwithinyou.’”Ifyouwon’tdoit,I’lldoit.“’AndIwillremovetheheartofstonefromyourfleshandgiveyouaheartofflesh.’”Sohere’swhatJesusisgettingat.Beingbornagain,waterandspirit,meansrepentanceandregeneration.That’swhatitmeans.ItmeansturningawayfromallsintoJesus.That’srepentance,turningfromsinandturningtoChrist.AndthenrespondingtotheappealGodismakingtoyou,theappealGodismakingthroughthegospel,thegoodnewsofJesusChrist.Andwhenyourespondtothegospel,theHolySpiritwillgiveyouanewheart,willgiveyouanewspirituallife.That’sregeneration.2Corinthians5:17laysitoutperfectly.“Therefore,ifanyoneisinChrist,heisanewcreation.”Regeneration.“Theoldhaspassedaway;behold,thenewhascome.”That’swhatbeingbornagainmeans:RepentanceandRegeneration.Bornagaindoesnotmean,“Isubmittoalltherules.”Itmeans,“I’mbeingtransformedbyarelationshipwithJesus.”It’snotbeingagoodperson,it’strustingtheonlyperfectperson.It’snotself-improvement,it’slettingtheHolySpirittransformyouthroughgrace.It’snotexcusingorignoringsin.It’srepentanceofallsin.It’snotdofill-in-the-blankforyourbestlifenow.Itissurrenderyourbrokenlifeforeternallifenow.Beingbornagainisnotpractice,itisposition.AndthereforeanyonewhoisinChrist(position),heisanewcreation.Theoldisgone,thenewhascome.Thegospelisnotaboutwhatyouaredoing,thegospelisaboutwhathasalreadybeendoneforyou.Andit’senough,it’senough.Thissoundssimplebecauseitis,butwestillwanttoearnit.Westillstrugglewithit.Wewanttoearnitbecauseweliveinaculturethatlovesjustice.Wewanttogetwhatwedeserve.HowdoIknowwelovejustice?BecauseatanygivenmomentonTVthereareninedifferentversionsofCSI.CSINewYork,CSIL.A.,CISMiami,CSIToledo,it’sgettingoutofhand.ThereisareasonthatJudgeJudyhasbeenontheairfor38seasons.Idon’tknowifthat’strue,butshe’soldenoughtobeoneoftheoriginalGoldenGirls.It’sbeenonforever.Here’sanotherexample.IfIsaytoyourightnow,“Youcan’thandlethetruth,”youknowexactlywhatcrucialconversationthatwas,don’tyou?Icandothewholething.Butwhatmovieisthatfrom?AFew



GoodMen,right?NowIknowwhatyou’regoingtowatchitthisweekend.BecauseifthatmovieisonTVandyou’reflippingthrough,youhavetostoponitbecausewelovejusticeandJackNicholsonyellingatTomCruise.It’sawesome,weloveit.Andthiscanbehardforustounderstand.Itis.ItwashardforNicodemustounderstand.Becausewewanttogetwhatwedeserve.Butthegoodnewsofthegospelis:Youdon’tgetwhatyoudeserve.Thegoodnewsofthegospelis:Yougetwhatyoudon’tdeserve.That’sgrace.SoNicodemuswastakenabackbythis.Itsoundstoogoodtobetrue.Wheneverwehearsomethinginourlivesthatsoundstoogoodtobetrue,whatquestiondoweask?How?Howcanthisbetrue?Andthisisprobablythemostcrucialquestionyou’lleverseeintheBibleinverse9.“Nicodemussaidtohim,‘Howcanthesethingsbe?’”Howisthispossible,Jesus,thisbornagainthingjustseemswaytoogoodtobetrue?“Jesusansweredhim,‘AreyoutheteacherofIsraelandyetyoudonotunderstandthesethings?Truly,truly,Isaytoyou,wespeakofwhatweknow,andbearwitnesstowhatwehaveseen,butyoudonotreceiveourtestimony.IfItoldyouearthlythingsandyoudonotbelieve,howcanyoubelieveifItellyouheavenlythings?Noonehasascendedintoheavenexcepthewhodescendedfromheaven,theSonofMan.’”That’sanothernameforJesus.ThisiswhereitclicksforNicodemus.“‘AndasMoseslifteduptheserpentinthewilderness,somusttheSonofManbeliftedup,thatwhoeverbelievesinHimmayhaveeternallife.’”Alright,serpent,wilderness,Moses,thisseemsalittlebitbizarre.Butthisiswhereit’sbecomingreally,reallyclearforNicodemus.ThisreferencetoaserpentbeingliftedupwithMosesinthewildernessandtheSonofmanbeingliftedup,whatJesusisdoingrighthereisreferringtoNumbers21,whichNicodemuswouldhavehadmemorized.Here’swhathappensinNumbers21.Youcanreaditlatertodaybutletmegiveyouthecliffnotes.Thisisduringthe40yearsinthedesertwherethepeopleofIsraelwerejustwanderingaround.OnceagaintheyhadsinnedagainstGod.Onceagaintheyhadrebelled,theyhadspokenoutagainstGod.ThishadreallybecomeareoccurringpatternforIsrael.It’swhytheyweretherefor40yearsinthefirstplace.Becauseoftheirsin,Godsendsintotheircampallthesesnakes.Allthesesnakesstartbitingthepeople,andalotofthepeoplestartdying.SothepeopleofIsraelcryouttoMosesandtheysay,“HeyMoses,we’vesinnedagainstGod.We’vesinned.WouldyoupleasepraytotheLordandaskHimtotakeallthesesnakesaway?”It’sareasonablerequest.SoMosespraysandGodsaystoMoses,“Okay,here’swhatIwantyoutodo.IwantyoutomakeabronzeserpentandIwantyoutoattachittoapole.ThenIwantyoutotakethepoleandraiseitupinthemiddleofthecampandtellthepeoplethis,‘Anyonewhohasbeenbittenbyasnake,alltheyhavetodoislookupatthebronzeserpentraisedupandthey’llbehealed.They’lllive.Theydon’thavetodosomespecialritual.Theydon’thavetomakeupfortheirsin.Alltheyhavetodoislookatthesnakethathasbeennailedtoapoleandtheywilllive.’”Doyouseewherethisisgoing?Jesusispaintingapictureoftheresurrection,He’spaintingapictureofthecrucifixion.Numbers21isaforeshadowingofthecrucifixion.He’ssayingtoNicodemus,“HeyNicodemus,youandeveryonewho’severlived(andthatincludesallofus),everyonehasbeenbittenbythesnakeinGenesis3andsinisthevenom.Theonlythingyouhavetodotobesaved,theonlything



youhavetodotolive,theonlythingyoucandoislookattheSonofManliftedupandbelieve.Theonlythingyoucan,theonlythingyouhavetodo,islookatthecrossandbelieve.”That’swhatHe’stellingNicodemus.Ithinkitstuck.Wedon’thearmuchmorefromNicodemusthroughouttheGospelofJohn.Hecomesupintwodifferentplaces.ThelastplaceweseeNicodemusheisatthecrucifixion.HeisactuallyoneofthetwoguyswhotakeJesus’bodyoffthecross.Hewenttoseeit.HewenttoseeJesusliftedup.Howcanthisbe?Yousee,hecomesfromagroupofpeople,hecomesfromalifethatalltheytriedtodowasremovethevenomthemselves.Jesusissaying,“Youcan’tdothat.Youcan’tremovethevenom.OnlyIcan.”WhenIwasincollegeIworkedonthemaintenancecrewofagolfcourseandwewouldrunintosnakesalot.Thereweretimeswhenwewouldactuallyhavetoremovethesnakes,especiallyiftheywerearoundtheclubhouseoraroundabiggroupofpeoplewheretherewasanoutingoraparty.DuringthattimetheCrocodileHunterwasarealpopularshow.Doesanyonerememberthatshow?IhopeI’mnottheonlyone.Thatguyinspiredme.Iwantedtodowhathedid.Sooccasionally,whenwewouldhavetoremoveasnake,Iwouldjustgoandpickitupwithmyhandstogetridofit.Now,incaseyou’rewondering,yes,Iwasthatdumb.Butworstcasescenario,ifIgotbittenIcouldjustsuckthevenomoutofthebitebecauseifyousucksnakevenomoutofabiteyouhavethecooleststoryforanypartyyouevergoto.Youcanchangeyourtwitterprofileto“Isuckedvenomoutofasnakebiteonmyarm#winning.”That’sthebeststoryever.Butpeopleactuallybelievedthatmythforalongtime,thatyoucouldactuallysuckvenomoutofasnakebite.Andifyoustillbelievethat,letmegiveyouasurvivaltipincaseyougocamping.Youcannotsuckvenomoutofasnakebite,youcan’tdoit.Youcantryallyouwant,butintheendthatvenomisstillgoingtokillyou.SoIdidsomeresearchonthisjusttomakesureincasethisopportunitypresentsitselfsometimetome.Notonlycanyounotdoit,butifyoutrytodoit,itwillactuallycausemoredamage.You’lldamagethetissuearoundthebiteandyou’llactuallymakethevenomspreadmorequickly.Sohere’sthesurvivaltip.Ifyougetbittenbyasnakegotothehospital,rightthenandthere.Go.Thehospitalhastheantidote.It’stheonlyplacetogo.ComingtochurchbecauseyouthinkGod’skeepingattendance,orservinginordertoearnHisfavor,ordroppingsomemoneyintheofferingjustincaseGodiskeepingaledger,tryingtodogoodthingstobalanceoutyourkarma,tryingtobeagoodperson,tryingtoremovethesinyourself—religion,religionisliketryingtosuckvenomoutofasnakebite.It’snotgoingtowork.Youcantryallyouwant.Youcanthinkyou’remakingprogress.Youcanthinkyou’vetakencareoftheproblem.Butintheendthatvenomthatissin,it’sstillgoingtokillyou.Soletmeaskyou:Areyoutryingtoremovethevenomyourself?Or,andhere’sthegoodnews,here’swhatJesusistryingtolayout.TheonlyantidotetothevenomisJohn3:16.“ForGodsolovedtheworld,thatHegavehisonlySon,thatwhoeverbelievesinHimshouldnotperishbuthaveeternallife.”Whenyoulooktothecross,thevenomthatissinisremoved.Whenyoulooktothecross,deathisconqueredandeternallifeisgiventoyou.Whenyoulooktothecross,youaredeclaredinnocentofallguilt.Whenyoulooktothecross,thenrealhealingcancome.Whenyoulooktothecross,youridentityisnolongerinyourtitle,oryourtalent,oryourmoney,youidentityissecuredforeternityinJesus.



Whenyoulooktothecross,youarefreedfromtheslaveryofcomparison.Whenyoulooktothecross,youdon’thavetowearamaskanymore.Whenyoulooktothecross,theshameofsexualsiniswipedclean.Whenyoulooktothecross,youareanewcreation.Theoldhaspassed,andthenewhascomeandlookingisbelieving.Beliefisaccepting.That’swhatbeliefis:accepting,notdoingsomething.Itissohardforus.Westillwanttoearnit.Westillthinkthisistoogoodtobetrue.Maybeit’stoosimple.Soyousay,“AllI’vegottodoislooktothecross?AllI’vegottodoisbelieve?AllI’vegottodoisacceptwhatJesushasdoneforme?Wellthatsoundstoosimple.”Sowehedgeoutbets.Wethink,“IfIcandosomething,Icanmeasureit.”Or,“Icancomparemyselftosomeone.I’mmuchbetterthanFrank.HaveyouseenFrank?Frankisatrainwreck.I’mnothinglikeFrank.”I’mreallysorryifyournameisFrank,I’mjustpickinganame,pickinganame.Notcallinganyoneout.WewanttocreatethismetricforwherewestandwithGod.AtleastI’vedonethat.That’swhatthePhariseesdid.TheybelievedinGod.TheyabsolutelybelievedinGod.Theyjustdidn’tbelievesalvationwasgivenandnotearned.Andtheycomparedthemselvestootherpeople.TheyhadtheaudacitytoprayandthankGodthattheyweren’tlikethesinners,completelyoblivioustotheirownsin.Jesuscallsthem“whitewashedtombs.”Ifwewanttodothecomparisongame,weneedtocompareourselvesnottootherpeopleornothowwe’redoingonourownpersonalscorecard.Ifwewanttocompare,wehavetocompareourselvestoJesus.WehavetocompareourselvestoHisperfection.AndIdon’tknowaboutyou,butIdon’twanttoputmyselfupagainstperfection.That’snotgoingtoworkoutwellforme.Idon’tthinkanyoneelsewantstostepuptothatchallengeeither.ButthegoodnewsofthegospelisJesusdoesn’twanttocompareHisperfectiontous.HewantstogiveHisperfectiontous.Thegospelisnotonlyrescinding—paidforandforgiven—butyou’realsogivenJesus’perfection.SowhenwestandbeforeGodtheFatherwestandinnocentandwestandjustified.Westandperfect.Thereasonwe’rejustified,thereasonwe’reinnocentisthatwe’restandingthereholdingJesus’perfection.Youcan’tearnitthough.Manhastriedtoearnperfectionsincethebeginningoftime,thebeginningoftime.Therearesevenbillionpeopleontheplanetrightnow.Nobodyintheirrightmindwouldsay,“I’mperfect,”nobodyissayingthat.We’rezeroforsevenbillion.Youcannotearnperfection,allyoucandoisacceptit.That’swhatbeliefis.Beliefisacceptingit,andthat’sthebeautyofthegospel.That’sthebeautyofJohn3:16.Soinlightofallthat,thisversethatsometimesisjustviewedassomethingweseeatafootballgame,inlightofallthat,inlightofeverythingJesushasjustsaid,here’showwecanbreakdownJohn3:16.“ForGod(TheGreatestLover)soloved(TheGreatestDegree)theworld(TheGreatestCompany),thatHegave(TheGreatestAct)



HisonlySon(TheGreatestGift),thatwhoever(TheGreatestOpportunity)believes(TheGreatestSimplicity)inHim(TheGreatestAttraction)shouldnotperish(TheGreatestPromise)but(TheGreatestDifference)have(TheGreatestCertainty)eternallife(TheGreatestPossession).”That’swhyJohn3:16isthegreatestverseintheBible.ItanswersthecrucialquestionthatNicodemusisasking,andit’sthesamecrucialquestionthateverysingleoneofusshouldaskwhetheryoubelieveinJesusornot.HowcouldJesussaveme?HowcouldHesaveme?TheanswerisJohn3:16.OneofthegreatestliesSatanwilltrytosellyouwhenyoustartthinkingaboutthisverse,whenyoustartbelievinginit,thegreatestliethathewilltrytosellyouisthatyou’reun-savable,“Yeah,John3:16,grace,thatsound’sawesome,that’sjustgreatbutthat’sforthosepeople.That’snotforyoubro.You?You’retoofargone.Whatyou’vedone,whatyou’vesaid,whereyou’vebeen?That’snotforyou,that’sforthosepeople.”That’salie.Don’tbuythatjunk.Andevenafteryou’vebeensaved,evenafteryou’vebeenfollowingJesushe’sstillgoingtotrytosellthattoyou.“Yousee?Youmessedupagain.Itoldyouthatyouweren’tsaved.Itoldyouyou’reun-savable.”It’salie,don’tbuyitfortworeasons.Here’snumberone:IfGod’sgracecouldn’textendtoeveryone,ifitcouldn’tcovereverysinglepersonwho’swalkedtheplanetandIdon’tcarewhoyouare,whereyou’vebeen,orwhatyou’vedone,ifGod’sgracecan’treachyou,thenHe’snotallpowerfulandHe’snotGod.Andalsorememberthis.Hedied2,000yearsago.Jesusdidn’tgotothecrossyesterday.Hedidn’tgotothecrossyesterdaypayingforallyoursin,andthenfortodayandtherestofyourlifeyou’reonyourown.No,Hewenttothecross2,000yearsago.Hekneweverythingaboutyoufromdayonetothedayyoutakeyourdyingbreath.Heknewallyoursin,allyourpast,allyoursecrets,everyplaceyouwouldfall.Evenplacesyoudidn’tknowaboutyet.Heknewitallandstillsaid,“Youknowwhat?Istillwanthim,Istillwanther.I’mstillgoingtopayforthem.”He’sneverhadbuyer’sremorse.He’sneverhadbuyer’sremorse.Sodon’tbuytheliethatyou’reun-savable.Don’tbuyit.AndthenJesusclosestheconversationwithproofinverse17.“’ForGoddidnotsendhisSonintotheworldtocondemntheworld,butinorderthattheworldmightbesavedthroughHim.Whoeverbelievesinhimisnotcondemned,butwhoeverdoesnotbelieveiscondemnedalready,becausehehasnotbelievedinthenameoftheonlySonofGod.



“’Andthisisthejudgment:thelighthascomeintotheworld,andpeoplelovedthedarknessratherthanthelightbecausetheirworkswereevil.Foreveryonewhodoeswickedthingshatesthelightanddoesnotcometothelight,lesthisworksshouldbeexposed.Butwhoeverdoeswhatistruecomestothelight,sothatitmaybeclearlyseenthathisworkshavebeencarriedoutinGod.’”LetmesaysomethingtoChristiansfirst.IfyoufollowJesus,let’sbeclearonsomething.Jesusdidnotcomeintotheworldtocondemnit.Hejustsaidit,right?Soneithershouldwe.Hearmeonthis.Ourjobisnottocondemntheworldofsin.Ourjobistocalloutsininourownpersonallivesandthenputittodeath.Nowthatdoesn’tmeanwe’resilent,itdoesn’tmeanwedon’ttakeastand,anditdoesn’tmeanwerunandhidefromthedarkness,notatall.We’recalledtoproclaimthegospel.Thatmeanswehavetospeak.Wehavetospeakupabouttruthandwehavetospeakupaboutgraceatthesametime.Wehavetotakeastand.Wedon’tgositinacorner.Wealsodon’tgohideinabunkerwithalight.Iftheworldisdarknessandwe’vegotthelight,we’vegottogotothedarkness.Whatthismeansiswedon’tcondemntheworld.Wetakeanydarknessthat’sinus,wedragthatstuffintothelightandexposeitbecausenothinggoodgrowsinthedarkness.Healthythingsgrowinlight.That’srepentance.Repentanceisnotjustaconfession,repentanceisanaction.Repentanceisnotjustanoccurrence,repentanceisalifestyle.Whenrepentanceget’sadded,it’slikeafour-letterwordintheworld,butit’snot.It’sactuallyagift.Sothewaywehavetogoaboutdoingthingsiswehavetomodelthatgift.Wehavetomodelrepentanceasthechurchbeforewecanevertalkaboutittotheworld.Don’ttalktosomeoneaboutrepentanceunlesstheywouldimmediatelyidentifyyouwithwhatyoudescribe.That’swhatwedoasachurch.Asapastor,oneofthequestionsIgetalotis,“HeyMatt,howdoIknowifI’msaved?”Maybethat’saquestionyouwrestlewith.UltimatelyIcan’ttellyouwhetheryou’resavedornot.That’saheartissuebetweenyouandJesusalone.Beverycautiousaroundsomeonewhowouldtellyoutheyknowwhoisandwhoisn’tsaved.That’sdangerousterritory.ButtheBibleisvery,veryclearabouthowsalvationisobtainedandwhereitcomesfromthroughouttheOldTestamentandtheNewTestament—John16.Romans10talksabout,“IfanyoneconfesseswiththeirmouthandbelievesintheirheartthatJesusisLord,theywillbesaved.”Galatians2unpackssalvation.AndtheBibleisalsoveryclearandgiveslotsofevidenceastowhatsalvationlookslikeinsomeone’slife.John15talksaboutifyouareconnectedtothevine,connectedtoJesus,you’llbearfruit.Galatians5unpacksthefruitoftheSpirit,whichisevidenceofsalvationinsomeone’slife.Itdoesn’tmeanyou’vearrived.Itdoesn’tmeanyou’reperfectinit.Itjustmeansyou’reprogressinginit.Thenthere’sonemoreevidenceattheendofthisconversationwithNicodemus.Oneofthewaystotellbetweenabelieverandanunbelieverishowtheyapproachthelight,howtheyapproachJesus.Abeliever,someonewho’slookedtothecrossandbelieved,someonewho’srepentedofsin,andsomeonewho’sbeenbornagain,who’sfollowingJesuswillruntothelightbecausetheydon’thavetofearbeingexposed.Theyknowalloftheirpast,theirsecrets,theirsin,allofthat’salreadybeen



forgiven.Gracehasbeenfullyextended.Sotheydon’thavetofearbeingacceptedorrejected.Ittakesallthepoweroffearoutofexposure.Exposureisactuallyveryfreeing.Butsomeonewhohasn’tbeenbornagain,whodoesn’tknowtheywillbecompletelyforgiveninbelief,thatgracewillbefullyextendedtothem,itisterrifyingbecausetheyfearexposureandareafraidofwhattheymightlose.That’swhyreligioncanbesoappealingbecausereligionwillcoverupexposure.BeliefinChristmeansyou’renotafraidofbeingexposed.Earningacceptancethroughreligionmeansyou’reterrifiedofthelight.You’reterrifiedofbeingexposed.Oneisfreedom,itis.Oneisslavery.Letmeaskyouthreequestions.Iwantyoutojustponderthese.Maybetalkaboutthesewithyourspouseonyourwayhomethisweekend,thentalkaboutthemwithyourLifeGroupnexttimeyougettogether.Ifyou’renotaChristian,cometalktousaboutit.Chewonthis.Writethemdown.Here’sthefirstone:Howdoyourespondtothelight?Doyourunfromit?Avoidit?Doyoujustdancearoundtheedgesofthelighttogivetheappearanceyou’retracking?Afan,maybenotafolloweryet?Ordoyouruntothelight?Doyouknowthatonlyhealthythingsgrowinthelightsoyoudragyourselfandeverythingyouhaveintothelightbecauseyouwanttogrow?Youdon’thavetofearbeingexposed.Howyourespondtothelightwillbeanindicationofwhereyourbeliefreallyis.Here’sthesecondone:Areyouearningorbelieving?Areyoudependingonyourself?Yourowncleverness?Yourownself-improvement?Yourownplansofbecomingreligious?Areyoutryingtoearngrace?Areyoutryingtoearnsalvation?Areyoutryingtoearnacceptance?Orareyoulookingatthecrossandbelieving?Doyouknowandbelievethatthegospelisnotaboutwhatyouaredoing,butit’saboutwhat’salreadybeendoneforyou?Anddoyouknowthatit’senough,thatJesusisenough?Andthatleadstonumberthree:Areyoubornagain?AndIknowthatterminologycarriessomebaggageinourculture.PersonallyIkindofcringewhenIhear“bornagain”thrownaroundinthemedia.It’sjustgotsomebaggagewithit.Butforgetallofthat,forgetthebaggageitmighthavewithit.Jesususesitandit’ssomeofthebestterminologywecaneverhave.It’sablessing.It’sagift.Haveyoubeenbornagain?Hastherebeenrepentancefromsin?HaveyouputyourfaithandtrustinChristalone?Areyourunningtothelight?AreyouprogressingandgrowinginyourrelationshipwithJesus?Areyouonmissiontryingtomakedisciplesbecauseyouwanteveryoneinyourlifetoexperiencethesamegracethat’sbeengiventoyou?Andonlyyoucananswerthosequestions.Butthegoodnewsaboutthechurchiswedon’thavetodothisalone.Youdon’thavetofigurethisoutonyourown.Youdon’thavetowalkdownthispathbyyourself.Wegettodothistogetherasafamily.Soifyouhaveanydoubts,ifyouhaveanyquestions,ifyou’renotsureaboutanything,ifyouneedtotalktosomebody,ifyouneedtoprayforsomeone,iftodayisthedayyouarereadytolookatthecrossandbelieveandacceptwhatJesushasalreadydoneforyoudon’tleaveherewithouttalkingtosomeone.That’swhywe’rehere.There’llbepeopledowninfrontofthecrossandthere’llbepeopledownbythebaptistery.Cometalkwithus.Andifyou’vealreadytakenthatstepandnowyou’rewondering,“What’snextforme?HowdoIgrowinmyrelationshipwithJesus?”Thebestwaytogrowisinthelightandincommunity.That’sthebestwaytogrow.LetushelpyougetconnectedintoaLifeGroup.StopbyConnectionCentralonyourwayout.They’llhelpyoustartthatprocess.



Andifthosetwostepareterrifyingtoyou,ifyou’resaying,“Matt,there’snowayI’mreadyforeitheroneofthose.I’vegotdoubts.I’vegotquestions.Idon’tknowifIwanttobeassociatedwithJesusyet.Idon’tknow.I’mnotreadytocomeforward.I’mnotreadytotalktoanyoneyet.I’mnotreadytobeknown.”That’sokaytoo.That’sokaytoo.Justcomebacknextweek.Andthencomebacktheweekafterthat.Andthencomebacktheweekafterthat.Justcomeandsee.Whenyou’rereadytobeknown,we’rereadyforyou.Thatinvitationwillalwaysbehere.TradersPoint—wewanttobeachurchthatlooksatthecross.Wedon’twantpeopletoseeus.That’snotwhywe’rehere.Wewantpeopletoseethecrosssowe’vegottopulltheveilback.Wewantmoreandmorepeopleonourcampusesandinourcommunities,inourcity,inourcountry,andaroundtheworldtolooktothecrossandbelievesothatmoreandmorepeoplearegiveneternallifeandfewerandfewerpeopleperish.Butit’snotourresponsibilitytosavepeople.Wecan’t.Ifyoucan’tsaveyourself,yousurecan’tsavesomeoneelse.It’snotourjobtoconvince.It’snotourjobtopersuade.Ourjobistohelpliftpeoples’chinupsotheycanseethecrossandbelieve.That’swhywe’rehere.Andthatstartswithusasindividualseverysingledaylookingtothecross.Graceisstillthere.Soeverydaywelooktothecross,wereceivegrace,andwetakeittootherpeople.Welooktothecross,wereceivegrace,andwetakeittootherpeople.Welooktothecross,wereceivegrace,andwetakeittootherpeople.That’swhyweexist.“ForGodsolovedtheworld,thatHegaveHisonlySon,sothatwhoeverbelievesinHim,”whoever,“willnotperishbutwillhaveeternallife.”Iwanttoseemoreandmorepeoplerespondtothatverse.Ourchurchwantstoseemoreandmorepeoplerespondtotheverse.The1.7millioninIndianapolis,yeahwewanttogoafterthem.Thatseemsaudaciousandwaytoobig–no,notatallbecauseifpeopledon’tlaughatourvision,ourvision’snotfromGod.Solet’sgoafterit.Westarteverydaywithuslookingtothecrossasindividualsandwepointmorepeopletoit.Solet’sgo.Let’spray.Father,thankYouforbeingaGodwhosaves,andredeems,andrestores.God,thankYouforbeingaGodwhoisgenerousandgraciousenoughtosay,“I’mgoingtoreachdowntoyouwithgracebecauseyoucan’treachuphere.Iloveyoutoomuchtoleaveyou.Iloveyoutoomuchtoperish.LetMesendmySon,whoisperfect,andHe’lllivetheperfectlifeforyouandthenHe’lldiethedeathyoudeservebecauseofsin.AndI’mgoingtodothatbecauseIloveyouandIwanttoadoptyouasasonordaughter.”God,Ican’twrapmyheadaroundthat.ButItrustYou.IknowthatYouareGod.IknowYouareCreator.IknowYouaretheOnewiththeredemptionplan.That’stheoneYoulaidoutandwepraiseYouforthat,Father.Oursinwasstrong,butweknowJesuswasstronger.WewanttotrustinYou.Father,IprayYoumoverightnow.There’resomeconcernsinsomepeople’shearthere.Icansenseit.IprayYouwouldspeaktothemandnotletthemhardentheirhearttoYourvoicetoday.DrawthosewhoYouhavetoYou.Melthearts,openthem,planttheseedsofthegospel,transform,regenerate,convict,encourage.LetusbeachurchthatlivesoutJohn3:16,thatishumbleddailybyitandtakesittoothers.Jesus,weloveYou.WegiveYouallpraiseandglory.LetYournamebeliftedhighbecauseYou’vebeenliftedupsowecanbesaved.It’sinYourpreciousnamewepray.Amen.