Sermons

STARTING OVER

John 3:1-21

United States speed skater Cathy Turner waited several years for her chance to win an Olympic gold medal. She had won all of the preliminary races and now she was set for the final race, the medal run. She lined up next to three other women, each intent upon doing their best and capturing the prize. When the gun sounded, Turner raced from the starting line only to stumble and fall less than twenty feet from the beginning. Her hopes were dashed and her chance for a medal was lost.

However, the starter noticed a problem with the start. One of the skaters had had left her mark a fraction of a second before the gun sounded and it was determined to restart the contest. Turner was given a fresh start and this time she was successful. She returned home from the Olympics with her cherished gold medal.

The opportunity to start over is a great blessing. Have you ever thought about why they put erasers on pencils? The answer is obvious; we need to be able to correct our mistakes. Someone commented to me the other day if they had the opportunity to do something over they would not make the same mistakes. I thought about how successful I could be if I could start over every time I made a mistake.

Sometimes when children play a game, if it does not begin well with one of the outspoken children, he will force the others to start over.

Illus: I have a golf game on my computer. One of the advantages to playing golf on the computer is the ability to start over when things go poorly.

It is so important to have the opportunity to start over when things do not go well or if we make a mistake. It would be a hopeless existence if we were denied the opportunity of beginning with a new slate.

This idea of starting over gives us insight into salvation. Salvation is a new beginning. When we are saved it is God giving us the opportunity to begin again. He wipes the slate clean and gives us another opportunity, this time with a better outcome.

In the conversation recorded in John 3, Nicodemus made three comments to Jesus. Each of his statements uncovers an issue which must be considered before any person can be saved.

Personal Issues of Salvation

ISSUE OF PRIORITY vs.1-3

The first question addresses the matter of necessity, "Why do I need to be saved?" Before any person can experience salvation they must be aware of their need of salvation. This was the case with Nicodemus as he came to Jesus, he was not aware of his need. In the case of Nicodemus he had to understand two truths before he could see his need of salvation.

Insufficiency of Position (v.1)

We are given two important pieces of information about Nicodemus.

His Lifestyle

He "was a man of the Pharisees..." The pious Pharisees were the religious legalists of the day. They were meticulous students of the Law of God. They knew every detail and they exceeded every component in their lifestyle. When the law said, "Jump!" they developed an elaborate system to determine how high. Their whole existence centered on keeping the law of God.

The Pharisees had the most difficult time with Jesus because He preached repentance and salvation to them just as He did to obvious sinners. He had no respect for their devotion to regulations. Those who have committed themselves to being religious have a difficult time coming to Jesus. They must first become aware that salvation is not earned through lifestyle.

His Level in Society

Not only was Nicodemus a Pharisee, but he was also "a ruler of the Jews." This means that he was a member of the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was the high court, the body of men who determined religious and legal matters. It was a position of honor and prestige, probably indicating that he was also a man of wealth and education.

The Gospel has never had a strong appeal among the wealthy and influential of the world.

I Cor. 1:26 for consider your calling brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble...

The level that Nicodemus had attained in the eyes of the world was a hindrance to his salvation. Those who think they have everything see little need for Jesus. However, Jesus would confront Nicodemus with the insufficiency of his position.

Insufficiency of Knowledge (v.2)

The second truth which Nicodemus needed to learn was the insufficiency of knowledge alone for salvation. Notice his words to Jesus, "Rabbi, we know that you have come from God, as a teacher for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." There are many people who are relying upon this same information for their salvation.

However, no one is saved by knowledge alone. Salvation rests upon knowing certain facts about Jesus. Yet knowledge alone is insufficient.

Jms 2:19 you believe that God is one. You do well: the demons also believe, and shudder.

Nicodemus is presented as one who believed because of the miracles of Jesus (see Jn. 2:23). Jesus challenged his belief in order to move him on to faith.

In one of his books Mark Twain tells of how the Mississippi River cut through a narrow neck of land one night, so that a Negro who went to sleep a slave in Missouri woke up to discover that the land he lived on was now east of the river. Since that made it a part of Illinois, he was now a free man.

The slave became free, not because of something he had done but because of something which had happened. He did not earn his freedom; it was a gift which came to him in the night. It was like being reborn into a new situation, a circumstance of freedom.

In response to the question of "Why do I need to be saved?" Jesus says, "...unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Salvation is a rebirth experience and without that experience there is no salvation. To be born again means to start over, to be given another chance at life.

Times have not changed since the days of Nicodemus. People are still depending upon what they have done, or have not done for their salvation. If it was possible to be saved on the basis of position or knowledge then Nicodemus would have been safe. However, it does not matter who you are, what you have done, or what you know, without being born again you will not see heaven.

It is important that we pause and make personal application before continuing with the story of Nicodemus. Have you been born again? What are you depending upon to get you to heaven? If it is your church membership, the basic moral character of your life, your high standing in the community or even your knowledge about Jesus then it is inadequate. The reason that you need to be saved is because you must be born again before you can see the kingdom of God.

ISSUE OF POSSIBILITY vs.4-8

The second question speaks to the issue of possibility, "Is it possible for me to be saved?"

Impossibility of Men (v.4)

In his response to Jesus, Nicodemus expressed that it is impossible for a man to be born again. In order to understand his objection we need to remember something about Nicodemus. He was a well-educated, intelligent man. Jesus identified him as "the teacher of Israel" (v.10). He understood that when Jesus spoke of new birth he was talking about starting over. He knew it was not a reference to reentering the mother's womb.

The substance of his reply is recognition of how hard it is for a man to start over. He was saying, "It's too late, I can't start over." Once a person is set in their ways and determined the course of their life, it is impossible to change directions. The experience of salvation is a total impossibility for any person.

Possibility of God (vs.5-8)

However, Jesus answers his objection by saying that it is possible with God. Just as God is the creator of life, He is also the creator of new life. It is a result of the work of the Holy Spirit, recreating within us a new life. Salvation is a result of being "born of the Spirit" (v.6).

Charles Spurgeon was staying at an inn in one of the valleys of northern Italy where the floor was dreadfully dirty. Spurgeon recalls his thoughts. "I had it in my mind to advise the lady to scrub it, but when I perceived it was made of mud, I reflected that the more she scrubbed the worse it would be."

Attempting to clean a dirt floor with water only creates a greater problem. In the same way, trying to get ourselves saved only creates a worse situation. Salvation is an impossibility. How can a man be born again? How can a man start over once the course of his life has been set?

However, God specializes in the impossible.

Mt. 19:26 with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Lk. 18:27 THE things impossible with men are possible with God.

Therefore, the second question, "Is it possible for me to be saved?” can be answered. Yes, it is possible if you trust God and not yourself.

ISSUE OF PROCESS vs.9-21

Finally, the third question concerns the process, "How can I be saved?" There are three things which occur in the salvation process:

Proclamation (vs.14-15)

In these two verses, Jesus reminds the Old Testament scholar Nicodemus of an experience with Israel in the wilderness. The Jews were complaining about their condition and rebelling against God. In response, God sent serpents which bit the people and caused many to die. The people then came to Moses and said, "We have sinned because we have spoken against the Lord and you; intercede with the Lord, that He may remove the serpents from us" (Num. 21:7). God had Moses make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. As it was held up among the people, those who looked upon the serpent after being bitten did not die.

In the same way, Jesus, "the Son of Man must be lifted up" before their can be salvation. The meaning is obvious:

Crucifixion

Before there can be salvation, Jesus must be lifted up on the cross. Just as the bronze serpent was raised on a pole, the Son of God will also be raised on a cross. All who looked to the serpent lived, and all who look to Jesus will be saved.

Proclamation

There also seems to be a reference to preaching in this statement by Jesus. As we preach Jesus, we lift Him up as the means of salvation. Just as Moses held up the serpent then we are to hold up Jesus so He can be seen.

The first step in the process of salvation is the crucifixion of Jesus and the preaching of the cross.

Persuasion (vs.16-19)

These verses identify two kinds of people:

Those who Believe

The word "believe" is used four times in these verses. Those who are saved are those who believe in the Jesus who was lifted up on the cross. This term "believe" takes us beyond the knowledge which Nicodemus possessed at the beginning of the conversation. It is the same word which is often translated "faith." It means to act upon your knowledge of Jesus. It is the idea of trust and surrender yourself to Him. It is to be persuaded so that your life is changed.

Those who Reject

The other group of people are those "who do not believe," those who reject Jesus. We wonder how anyone could reject Jesus but we are told in v.19. Men loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. In other words, people reject Jesus because they want to continue with what they are doing. They are content to live in the darkness of ignorance.

Now, before you protest and say surely no one would reject Jesus to live in darkness, let me share with you some of the excuses I have heard people give for not accepting Jesus:

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"I don't have time for all that religion stuff, there is too much to do."

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"I'm still young, maybe when I get older."

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"I've always thought Christianity for was women and children."

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"I'm happy with my life the way it is."

These are not wicked people. Just people who reject Jesus.

Practice (vs.20-21)

The final step in the process is practice. The practice is a result of faith. It is not something we do in order to be saved, but it is something we do as a result of being saved. Jesus says that the one who practices the truth gives evidence that he has come to the light. Those who practice evil give evidence that they have rejected the light.

Quote: A.W. Tozer, "The fact is that the New Testament message embraces a great deal more than an offer of free pardon. It is a message of pardon, and for that God may be praised; but it is also a message of repentance. It is a message of temperance and righteousness and godliness in this present world. It tells us that we must accept a Savior, but it tells us also that we must deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. The gospel message includes the idea of amendment, of separation from the world, of cross-carrying and loyalty to the kingdom of God, even unto death."

Now we have the answer to the final question of salvation, "How can I be saved?" It is very simple.

Listen to the preaching that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins.

Believe the message of Jesus as He calls you to forsake the world and follow Him.

Experience the change which is produced by God in your life.

CONCLUSION

Once you have resolved the three important issues of salvation then you are given the opportunity to start life all over.

The Issue of Priority says that everyone must be saved.

The Issue of Possibility says that salvation is possible with God.

The Issue of Process says that you can be saved by putting your faith in Jesus Christ.

There are very few opportunities in life to start over. In most situations if we make a mistake we have lost the opportunity and branded as a failure.

In college I took a class in logic. One of the exams was built around a formula which helped to determine every answer. I made a small mistake in the formula and consequently every answer was slightly wrong. The work showed I knew the process but I began with the wrong premise. That afternoon I realized my mistake and went to the professor to ask for an opportunity to take the test again. However, he was unwilling to give me another test.

I had no complaint, he was simply being fair. I was not asking for fairness but for a special privilege. Such grace is not usually extended by the world.

However, that grace is given to us by God. He wants us to be able to start over. It is a special privilege which you should not overlook.