Thinking About Life

A short weekend update as we begin today. Last week I mentioned the “3:16 on 3/16 Sunday” which we and many churches were having last week. The purpose was to focus on evangelism with the verse known as the “the Gospel in a nutshell”. That is John 3:16 using the NKJV it reads the words of Jesus Christ to Nicodemus-

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

I heard of many who celebrated and worshipped with that focus on John 3:16 in mind. We certainly did and had one public decision in the service. It was a very special time as I looked through those first 15 verses as Jesus speaks to Nicodemus. John chronicles the meeting which took place that night when Nicodemus approached Jesus to hear more of the message He brought.

Preparing and then preaching that message I entitled “Whoever Believes” was a starch reminder of the need the world has for the the good news of Jesus Christ.

On Monday morning we attended a service for a dear friend and former church member who recently passed. We had spent time over a meal with Rick and Sandy just 2 weeks before he went home to be with the Lord. I know that he heard me preach the message of salvation many times over the years as their Pastor. It wasn’t the number of times he heard the good news that made the differnce. It was that one day many years ago where he asked Jesus Christ to be His Savior and Lord. As Jesus had said to Nicodemus in John 3:5-7

5 …”Most assuredly, 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.’

We are all a Nicodemus or a Rick who are in need of a Savior. I told the church here Sunday morning in relating that idea that for me it was the day my father shared the Gospel in our living room with Karen and I. I accepted God’s free gift of eternal life. Jesus said in verse 3-

…“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Greek scholars say that to be “born again” can read with perfect correctness as born from above, born from heaven, born of and from God.

There is no way to heaven outside of being born again, that in itself causes-

-a heart change

-a repentance which is a change of direction

-a belief in Jesus

-a trust in Jesus Christ as Savior

When I write, preach and think about what I have just shared, I know it is the truth. I know that it represents God’s plan for man. I also know that there are those who disagree. Those who follow another religion. Although being a Christian is not a religion, rather it is a relationship with God the creator through a belief in His Son Jesus Christ.

The world is full of disagreement and we hear and see it every day. There are things that will be and are nonnegotiable. That is true with the Gospel. It is nonnegotiable and it is not because that is what I said but what God said.

Are you familiar with what Jesus said in verse 17-18 of John 3?

17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

If you have followed my blogs, you know I am also interested and follow political and social issues. I believe that as Christian I have to as a citizen be engaged and knowledgeable of what is happening. I don’t and can’t agree with much of what is happening today. It is another reason I know we are coming toward the end and that the Book of Revelation and its accounting are close.

So in the meantime, we have to continue being witnesses for Jesus Christ. Preacher, you need to preach it regularly. Saint, you need to share it and live it every day. There is no soul winning in heaven. It has to be done here in order to affect there.

Let me encourage you to read His Word daily. To pray and worship regularly. Be sensitive to the opportunity God gives you to be a witness for your Savior Jesus Christ.

In God’s Grace,

Elbert Nasworthy