Lifted Up John 12:27-36

Text: John 12:27-36                                                            11/28/2010

Thesis: Believe in Jesus lifted up for our salvation.

Last week we rejoiced over the great promise that the death of Jesus Christ, compared to a grain of wheat, will produce much fruit. Because of the glorification of Jesus Christ you and I can have life. Because Jesus was crucified, resurrected, and then ascended back to heaven we have forgiveness, hope, and purpose.  Christ is worth forgetting all that this world has to offer. The Christian life spent serving and following Jesus enjoys life forever and it is the life that will be honored by the Father himself. In short, the work of Christ will produce a multitude of good things throughout the ages.

On the flip side, in the dialogue of our passage today we see Jesus and the people grappling with the horror of the cross. We’re going to work through three important aspects of the work of Christ. Christ refers to this work, in verse 32, with the phrase “when I am lifted up from the earth.” He’s using that phrase because its loaded with meaning.  John has been big on emphasizing Jesus’ sayings that have double meanings. This double-meaning phrase is central to our passage and colors everything. Jesus used it to refer to the his physical lifting up when rough iron spikes will pierce him and pin him to that terrible cross.  And Jesus used, ‘lifted up’ to refer to the truth that through his saving work (his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension) he will be exalted or lifted up before the entire world as the savior of mankind.

Scripture makes it abundantly clear that the glory of God displayed in the work of Christ is no small matter. The burial, resurrection, and ascension of Christ is not even an important matter.  The glory of God displayed in the work of Christ is the central matter for this life and the next.  The fact that Jesus has been lifted up changes yesterday, today, and forever let’s be sure we understand exactly what is going on.

Read John 12:27-36

I. Preparing to be lifted up (27-30)

A.  The cross troubles Jesus(27-28)

Following the great promises of verse 26 comes the startling reality of verse 27. Jesus says, “Now is my soul troubled.” As Jesus stands in the shadow of the cross he confesses a great reality. He is in turmoil regarding the events that lay before him. The hour has come.  Jesus has come for this hour. So remember, the hour Jesus refers to is the hour of his great work of redemption. Jesus willing and intentionally takes our sins upon himself, God will pour out his wrath on Jesus because of those sins, the eternal Son of God will taste death, and then he will rise victorious over sin and the grave.

Here in this verse we see the perfect display of the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ. Jesus is looking toward the cross and expresses what is only natural for man: emotional turmoil. It is important to define exactly why Jesus feels this way about the cross.  And your definition will depend upon what you believe the cross accomplishes. If the cross is only a good example of love, if Jesus is only a martyr because he did good loving things, then this inner turmoil is cowardice.  He’s afraid to die.  Jesus suddenly becomes less than others who have bravely faced a martyr’s death unafraid, bold, and unshaken. If the cross does not include Jesus experiencing the guilt of our sin and the wrath of God then Jesus’ turmoil is only cowardice.

But if on the cross Jesus becomes sin for us (2 Cor 5:21), if on the cross all our sins are laid on him (Is 53:6), if on the cross the righteous will suffer for the unrighteous (1 Peter 3:18) and if on the cross Jesus will drain the cup (Mt 26:39) of God’s wrath (Is 51:17) because of those sins then the turmoil is justifiable. The One who has eternally existed will be crucified. The One who has been eternally honored and worshipped will be stripped naked and shamed. Think of the guilt you feel over one sin.  Jesus has never known that feeling but he’s facing the guilt of the sin of the world. He’s always enjoyed perfect fellowship with the Father and Spirit. That eternal perfect relationship is about to be broken and the Son be forsaken because of your sin and mine. Jesus is about to take our sins upon himself, suffer, and then die under the fullness of God’s just wrath.  The cross is troubling to Jesus because he is about to take your sins upon himself.

Now we’re going to get a glimpse into the mind of the Son of God. Verse 27 reveals Jesus’ inner dialogue as he prepares to be lifted up. In response to the coming pain of God’s wrath he asks himself a question, “what shall I say?” Should he say, “Father, save me from this hour?” This is the internal debate we all experience when facing the difficulty of obedience.  Will I trust God and walk through the difficulty or should I attempt to change God’s mind?  In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus will pray this prayer 3 times; simultaneously he graciously requests another way and faithfully trusts himself to the God who ordains extreme difficulty for the good of others. So what will Jesus say? What did Jesus say?

Verse 27, “But for this purpose I have come to this hour.” Jesus came to drink the cup of God’s wrath. He came to die.  The cross was always the plan. As quickly as the debate began it ended. No matter the cost Jesus will go to the cross for you. The cross is troubling to Jesus and

B.  Through the cross Jesus glorifies God (28)

Calvin says it best, “By these words [Jesus] testifies, that he prefers the glory of the Father to all things else, and even neglects and disregards his own life…the true regulation of all our desires is, to seek the glory of God in such a manner that all other things shall give way to it (Calvin, 35).

There is a two-fold reason for Jesus being lifted up. Here in verse 28 we see that Jesus is lifted up in order to glorify the name of the Father. In verse 32 we see that Jesus is lifted up in order to draw people from every tribe and tongue and nation to himself. The glory of God and the salvation of man are the two goals of the cross.

As we follow Christ we must remember the motive of Christ and seek to bring everything in line with his motive.  Our desire must be to display the greatness, love, justice, and mercy of the Father in all that we do.  And doing that, glorifying the name of the Father, will be costly. Serving Christ will cause us to enter into situations that are difficult.  What will we do? What will we say?  By God’s grace we will say with Jesus, “Father glorify your name.”

That’s Jesus’ commitment and it is His prayer. Then the Father answers, verse 29, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”

C.  We need to hear God speak concerning the cross (29-30)

While Jesus walked this earth the Father spoke audibly three times.  Once at Jesus’ baptism, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (Lk 3:22). Once at the Transfiguration, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Mt 17:5). And now as Jesus prepares for the cross, “I have glorified it and I will glorify it again.”

Each time the Father speaks he is verifying the deity or centrality of the Son. And why is the Father speaking? For whose benefit are these words uttered? Verse 30, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine.” The majority of the people were clueless. Some thought it had thundered. Some thought possibly an angel had said something to Jesus. But they missed what was going on and what was going on was very important.

Put yourself in their shoes. The bible testifies that anyone hung on a tree is cursed. Deuteronomy 21:23 and Galatians 3:13 both state that anyone hung on a tree is cursed of God. Everyone will be tempted to believe that Jesus was not sent by God on this simple ground; he was a cursed man. It was a common belief, also from Scripture, that the Messiah would not die. Everyone will be tempted to believe that Jesus could not be the Messiah because he will be lifted up on the cross.  Before Jesus’ death occurred they needed to hear that Jesus’ crucifixion was not outside of God’s will. Before Jesus is shamed and lifted up they needed to hear that this event does not degrade Jesus or deny that he is the Messiah. No, these things though apparently shameful at first will be the ultimate display of God’s glory.

The Father was glorified in Jesus’ life and the Father will be glorified in Jesus’ death.  As we unpack the things that Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension secure it will become even more evident how it is that through the shameful cross the Father is glorified.

II. What Jesus being lifted up produces (31-33)

A.  The cross produces my condemnation (31a)

Walking toward the cross Jesus states, “Now is the judgment of this world.”  Listen to Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have turned away; we have turned—every one—to his own way.”  Romans 3:10-12, “None is righteous no not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” We are a wretched lot and the cross proves it.

It is true that the cross displays the depths of God’s love. But it is also equally true that the cross proves how guilty and sinful each one of us is.  If we are going to be reconciled to God, if we are going to be righteous, understand the glory of God, seek after God, turn to God, live worthy lives, and do good it will only be through the atoning death of Jesus Christ. The cross is judgment. Do you want an honest evaluation of how bad you really are? Do you want to know God’s opinion concerning the state of the world? Look at the Son of God naked and dying under the weight of your sin.

But here also is the good news for all those who believe in the light that is Jesus Christ.  Our judgment has already occurred. The condemnation and guilt caused by our sins have been swallowed and removed by Jesus Christ.  Every sin that separates us from God and others has been judged by God and punished by God on the cross.  There is no condemnation for all those in Christ Jesus because on the cross he took it all on himself.

B.  The cross severs Satan’s power (31b)

Verse 31, “now will the ruler of this world be cast out.” All those outside of Christ, either consciously or unconsciously, are following after the ruler of this world (Eph 2:2). All of us have turned away from God and were doing our own thing. Whether we want to admit it or not doesn’t change the fact that we are slaves to sin. Bound to go our own way. Bound to turn away from God. Bound to ignore the Father and get wrapped up in the things of this world.  As such we are on the Devil’s team.  And the only way off his team is to have the power of sin broken. When Jesus took my sins upon himself and died in my place under my guilt Jesus took the power of sin.  He dethroned the ruler of this world. Jesus, according to the rules of God, took away all the devil’s ammunition.

The devil has no claims on you. He has nothing to hold against you.  When Jesus was lifted up Satan was thrown down. He is a defeated enemy running for his life; grasping at straws. Do not submit again to his selfishness and foolishness. He has been defeated by the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the world’s true ruler. The cross secured his rightful place.

C.  The cross draws us to Jesus (32-33)

Jesus said, verse 32, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” What does Jesus use to draw people to the holiness and powerful life that only he provides? Is it your testimony? Maybe it’s the idea that God loves you and had a plan for your life? What does Jesus say draws all people to him? It is his atoning work. Do you feel crushed under guilt and judgment? You need Christ crucified, resurrected, and ascended. Do you feel defeated and at the mercy of this world? You need Christ, the One who was lifted up and dethroned the ruler of this world. Do you feel that your life is meaningless? You need Christ who empowers you to fulfill his mission of glorifying the Father through the salvation of the nations.

How will souls be won? By you and I preaching Christ and him crucified. We must speak of his death. We must be clear concerning the type of death and what that death provides. The cross produces my condemnation and salvation. The cross severs Satan’s power. And the cross draws us to Jesus. If that is what the cross provides let’s look now at

III. What Jesus being lifted up demands (34-36)

A.  The cross demands that we think biblically about Jesus (34)

The temptation of that day is still a temptation of today. We latch onto one promise of God concerning Jesus and demand that it be the one defining promise of God that rules out all others. Verse 24, “So the crowd answered him, ‘We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”

They latched onto the promise of forever rule, probably Psalm 89:4 speaking off the king from David’s line, “I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.” And Psalme 110:4, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.’” So the people latched onto the promise of forever and took it to mean forever in person on the earth. So when they hear Jesus making messianic claims but also stating that he will die there is a conflict.  We think you’re the Messiah and we’re hearing you say you have to die.  But the Messiah won’t die. Who is the Son of Man? Maybe he’s not the Messiah.  We’re confused.

We must fight for biblical and systematic theology. Understand what that passage is saying in its immediate context and understand how that passage fits into the larger system of Scripture. Let that passage speak and let that truth shape the whole. We get are in grave danger when we refuse to listen to the whole of Scripture and we are in grave danger when we refuse to let each passage speak. What did Jesus demand from them? What does Jesus demand from us?

B.  The cross demands that we believe in Jesus right now (35-36)

Jesus’ answer sounds initially a bit confusing but the point is simple.  He’s telling us to listen to him and believe what he is saying. As we continue to follow him and listen to him he’ll teach us and make himself ever more clear.  As we gaze at him we’ll be transformed and look more like him (2 Cor 3:18).

So he tells the crowd that time is running out, “The light is among you for a little while longer.  Walk while you have the light.” He’s calling us to believe. We might not have everything figures out. Tomorrow might be very vague. But this much we know we are drawn to Jesus; drawn to his life that glorified God in every way. We’re drawn to his death that gives us life. If there is any desire in you to follow the Jesus you see through these pages then go.

All those that do not go after Jesus are lost. “The one who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.” He’s confused. Every effort is fruitless. Every turn brings uncertainty. No matter what he has he doesn’t have what he needs. This is the futility of your life without Christ always going but never getting anywhere.

Right now as the Spirit draws you to Christ, “While you have the light, believe in the light.” Today is the day. Now is the time. And know this: believing in Jesus is not like joining the Lion’s club.  Believing in the light makes you become a son of light. The things that characterize Jesus are to become the things that characterize you. The love of the Son for the Father will be implanted in you and begin to grow. As you see Christ through his word he will change you.  Your life will become less important and the glory of God will become more important. Serving like Christ and following Christ will become priorities and you will experience joy, humility, and purpose like never before.

This morning, while you have the light, while the good news of Jesus Christ crucified, resurrected, and ascended lies in front of you, believe in Him.  Reach out to Him. It’s simple but changes everything. Your sins which nailed Jesus to the cross, repent of them. Tell God that you are sorry that you turned away from him and put your trust in Christ alone.  Believe that his death takes away every ounce of punishment you deserve. Believe that his life provides every ounce of holiness that God requires.  Repent to God, place your faith in Jesus Christ, and you will become a son or daughter of light.  You will have life eternal in that very moment.  For those who desire Christ now is the time. Let’s pray.

Believe; John 8:21-30

Text: John 8:21-30                                                          6/13/10 a.m.

Thesis: We must be taught and we must believe.

Intro: The feeling that something is wrong is a powerful sensation. My prayer for you today is that you will not get a feeling that something is wrong but that you will be convinced by the word of God that something is wrong.

The end will be terrible if things don’t change, if life doesn’t change, and if I don’t change.

Read John 8:21-30

I) Unless I change I cannot be where Jesus is (vs. 21-23)

a)      Apart from Christ we are in a terrible state (21)

The message that Jesus repeats in verse 21 is an important one. He’s saying it to them again, “I am going away.” In John 7:33 Jesus said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me.” Jesus said in John 8:14, “You do not know where I came from or where I am going.” The repeated message involves 3 main elements.

First, Jesus will not always be accessible: he is going away; he will be with them only a little longer.  His time on this earth is coming to an end. Possibly we’re down to the 5 month mark by this time. 5 months until his death. 6 months until his ascension. The time is short.  He presses upon us all the brevity of opportunity. He’s pushing us toward a decision. Follow me and you’ll have the light of life. Or reject me and walk in darkness. I’m going away. You will not always be able to follow. Come with me now. First, Jesus will not always be accessible; he is going away.

Our second element in Jesus’ repeated message is that of fruitless seeking, “you will seek me, and you will die in your sin.” It was stated this way in John 7:34, “you will seek me and you will not find me.” The terrible truth of these verses is that there is a type of seeking after Christ that gives you nothing. There is a seeking in vain. This type of religion claims Christ but does not possess salvation. This religion seeks Christ in order to exploit him. It makes Jesus your butler, your do-boy, the means by which you accomplish your dreams. Jesus is not your treasure, no he’s the key that opens the treasure chest and then is quickly tossed aside.

We know this seeking after Christ is fruitless because Jesus said in John 8:21 you will seek him and you will die in your sin. Fruitful seeking is pursuing Christ because you know he is the only answer to your death caused by your sin. You are convinced that you are in darkness, separated from God. You do not have life. Because of sin and rebellion against God you have only death. So you seek Christ. You know that he is the light of the world. If you follow him you will have the light of life. So, you seek Christ because he is your only hope for life and salvation. Those who seek Christ this way will have eternal life. Those who seek Christ for selfish worldly gain will die in their sins. The second element to Jesus’ repeated message is to beware of fruitless seeking.

The third element of Jesus’ message is inability. Verse 21, “Where I am going you cannot come.” John 7:34, “Where I am you cannot come.” Jesus is going to the Father. Jesus is going to God in whose presence is the fullness of joy and in whose right hand are pleasures for ever more. Jesus is going to the place of eternal glory and unending joy. This is where Jesus is going and you cannot come.  You do not possess the ability to get there. You do not deserve to be there. As you are you are not welcome.

When you look at your neighbors and coworkers do you think the time is short, their religion is fruitless, and all they possess is inability? Do you look at your children and grandchildren this way? This is the way Jesus looked at the world. We must adopt his worldview if we are going to follow him. Apart from Christ we are in a terrible state

b)      Apart from Christ we are prideful and ignorant (22)

In verse 22 the Jews to whom Jesus is speaking completely miss his message, “So the Jews said, ‘Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come?’’” Let’s give credit where credit is due. They do understand that Jesus is talking about his death. But they think he’s referring to suicide which was a cardinal sin. Good Jews don’t commit suicide. Maybe that’s what he’s talking about and we certainly can’t go there. They are ignorant.

They are also prideful. It never crosses their minds that they don’t deserve to go to heaven. It never crosses their minds that of themselves they are not able to go to heaven.  Is this not where our culture is today? Everybody deserves heaven. Talk to your neighbors and coworkers. I guarantee the vast majority think they’re going to heaven although they don’t know what heaven is and they don’t know God’s requirements for entrance. Our community has rocked itself to spiritual sleep by singing its own praises. Pride and ignorance cause a person to never even consider that he is not going to heaven nor that he is not even able to go to heaven.

We must remind ourselves that

c)      We are all utterly different than Christ (23)

Jesus is from God and Jesus is going to God. But look at verse 23. “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” Compare yourself to Christ and this is true: you both start at different points and you both end at different points. All of humanity is from below which means all of humanity is of this world. We are in darkness. We are dead. We are headed toward judgment and destruction. Jesus is from above which means he is not of this world. He is light. He is life. He is headed toward glory and the presence of God. Jesus and humanity are on different tracks headed toward different destinations.

This is the reason why you must be born again or born from above. Unless you change you will not be where Jesus is. It is not Jesus who must change in order to accommodate us. We must change in order to accommodate God.

II) It is the cross that changes me (24-30)

a)      So, I must believe (24)

Look again at Jesus’ words in verse 24 and understand the requirement, “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” The phrase, die in your sins is important Jesus repeats twice in this one verse. To die in your sins means to die with your sins. Remember, John the Baptist’s message? “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” If you die in your sins it is because Jesus has not taken them away. The punishment you deserve is still on your head. This is the expected end of everyone. Because you sin and cannot atone for your own sin when you stand before you will be judged guilty and deserving of hell.

But do you see the good news in verse 24? You do not have to continue on your trajectory toward judgment, condemnation, and hell. Jesus says you will die in your sins unless you believe that I am he. Jesus is promising us that escape from hell and entrance into heaven depends solely on believing that Jesus is he.  Obviously we must get this belief right heaven and hell hang in the balance.

Our English bibles supply the word ‘he’ in an attempt to make the meaning of the Greek more obvious. Literally, Jesus says, “unless you believe I am you will die in your sins.” This can be a reference to God’s name revealed to Moses at the burning bush. But I think the better fit is the repeated us of this name by God to his people in the book of Isaiah. Let me read you some verses and listen for that name “I am” or “I am he”. Read Isaiah 41:4; 43:10-11, 13; 43:25; 46:4; 48:12; 51:12.

Jesus is promising us that when we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the promised Savior and Redeemer of God’s people, then our sins are atoned for and Jesus’ destination becomes my destination. I must believe and I should

b)      Weep for the ignorant (25-27)

Verses 25 knocks out our breath, it reveals the darkness of unbelief, and it spotlights the spiritual depravity of fallen man. The people, face to face with Jesus listening to him teach and seeing him heal ask, “Who are you?” Now Jesus has been telling them all along. In the end of verse 25 we learn that Jesus has always been telling them. He’s been telling them who he is from the beginning of his ministry. And they don’t believe. They don’t want to believe. Verse 26 is Jesus’ response to their persistent unbelief.

“I have much to say about you and much to judge.” Jesus has performed this amazing miracles of healing and feeding and walking on water yet the people don’t believe. He’s been teaching them and telling them yet the people do not believe. There is truly much that Jesus could say about the people’s refusal to follow him and this provides much evidence upon which a person can be judged or condemned but that’s not the issue.

Jesus reveals the issue in the end of verse 27, “I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” It doesn’t matter if the people do not believe Jesus or his words. Jesus knows that the Father who sent him is true and Jesus’ responsibility is to declare the Father’s words to the world. And the mission hasn’t changed. It doesn’t matter if the entire world stands against us and doesn’t believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Father has sent us to proclaim this gospel to them. He is true.

Verse 28, the people still don’t get it. “They did not understand that he had been speaking to them about the Father.” Are you convinced yet that the condition of all mankind apart from Christ is one of darkness, unbelief, ignorance, and a lack of understanding? On our own, by our own intellects, we do not understand the message of salvation in Jesus Christ.  No one, no matter how good you are at explaining the message of forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ, is going to understand it on their own. We need help.

c)      The cross of Christ is the foundation of true belief (28-29)

So Jesus says to those who are in darkness and cannot understand his message, verse 28, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he.” The clearest revelation of the divinity and power of Christ is displayed through the cross.

When the Jews lift Jesus up on the cross then they will know that Jesus is God, the Savior, and Redeemer promised through the prophet Isaiah.  There is a great blessing to be gained by thinking deep thoughts concerning Jesus’ work on the cross.  Do you want to deepen your faith in Jesus the Son of God? Meditate on the cross. Memorize Isaiah 53 and think on it often. Memorize and meditate on Colossians 1:15-23. Read the gospel accounts of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion over and over. This is the promise we cling to as we grow in the faith: as our understanding of the cross deepens so to will our understanding of Jesus the Son of God deepen.

Let’s track Jesus’ promise of a deepening faith through meditation on the cross. Verse 28, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority.” A growing appreciation for the cross leads to a growing understanding of the authority of the Father to send the Son to purchase our forgiveness. Jesus does nothing outside of the Father’s will and Jesus says nothing that he hasn’t heard from the Father.

When Jesus promises forgiveness to all those who believe it is the word of the Father who created all things. When Jesus dies on the cross to remove your sin and punishment it is the will of the Father who keeps record of sin and must punish. Jesus is more than enough for you and your sin and your guilt. He was sent by the Father, proclaimed the message of the Father, and completed the will of the Father.

Jesus is perfect and Jesus claimed to be perfect. Verse 29, “And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.” Though the world abandons Jesus, the Father doesn’t. Though the world doesn’t believe his message, the Father believes. Do you see the reason why the Father never leaves Jesus alone? Because Jesus always does the things that are pleasing to him.

Now we have two options with this verse. The first option is to say, “If you want the unending amazing presence of God then this is required of you: you must always do the things that are pleasing to him.” If you want to go where God is then you must always think, say, and do everything right. That’s one option.

The other option is to put all your trust and all your hope for attaining the presence of God in Jesus Christ who alone always does the things that are pleasing to God. The gospel is option two.  Jesus is perfect and through repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ we are given his perfection. Jesus has not only died in our place taking the punishment for our sins but Jesus has also lived in our place securing the righteousness that God requires.

III) My prayer is that verse 30 is true of us in this room as it was true of them in the temple.

“As he was saying these things, many believed in him.” This is the promise of God on which I base my life and calling. The good news of forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ has been proclaimed. The promise that all those who believe in Jesus will have their sins removed has been heard. The next step is for you to believe.

The thing that will glorify Jesus Christ the most is for all of us in this room who feel guilty to come to Jesus trusting him for forgiveness.  You know if you died today you would die in your sins and spend eternity in hell suffering for them. Hear Jesus calling out today to you, believe that Jesus is your salvation and redeemer and you will have the light of life.

John 3:14&15 The Son of Man Must be Lifted Up

Text: John 3:14&15                                                         3/29/09 a.m.

Thesis: The cross of Christ is our cure.

 

I) We must believe the hard truth that we are desperately needy

a)      We must be born again

i)        From verse 7 we learned that it is not a surprise that we need to have new spiritual life imparted to us.

ii)      We are spiritually dead; unable to please God. If we are going to see and enjoy the presence of God then we must be changed.

iii)    We must be born again. You are not okay. I am not okay. We must be changed or we will perish.

b)      We do not receive Jesus’ testimony

i)        From verse 11 we learned that Jesus knows what is true concerning this life and the next.

ii)      The bible is full of what Jesus has seen and revealed concerning the Kingdom of God.

iii)    And we don’t receive his testimony. We don’t buy it. We’ve got our own way of doing things. We’ve got our own way of thinking.

c)      We do not believe even the simplest truths

i)        Jesus told Nicodemus earthly things and Nicodemus didn’t believe. Like Nicodemus we stumble over the new birth; we just don’t understand what it is to be born again.

d)     We need Jesus

i)        We need the one of descended from heaven. We need the Word who is God to take on flesh and become a man.

ii)      We need him to tell us. We need him to show us. We need him to live for us. We need him to die for us.

iii)    The Hebrew people needed a bronze serpent on a pole. We need the Son of Man to be lifted up. Let me show you why.

iv)    Read John 3:9-15

II) Looking to the serpent brought life

a)      The bronze serpent is proof that new life is possible

i)        Jesus is now answering Nicodemus’ question from verse 9, “How can these things be?”

ii)      When Jesus wanted to explain the working and power of the Holy Spirit he used the wind as an illustration.

iii)    The Spirit, like the wind, is sovereign, discernable, and mysterious.

iv)    Now when Jesus wants to explain what it means for us to believe and experience eternal life he points to an event in Israel’s history.

v)      Turn to the book of Numbers in the Old Testament; Numbers chapter 21 verses 4-9 (read it)

vi)    The people’s problem was sin. They despised God; they hated where God had them and they hated what God had given them.

vii)  Since the wages of sin is death God sent poisonous snakes into the camp, the snakes bit a number of people, and many people died.

viii)            Then the people confessed their sin and asked Moses to be a mediator. They asked Moses to pray that God would take the snakes away.

ix)    But instead of taking the snakes away God provided a cure. Did you see that? Did you see that the people asked for the snakes to be taken away and God responded not by taking the snakes away but by providing a cure for anyone who was bitten?

x)      God is far more interested in pointing you to Jesus than he is in taking away your pain or problems.

xi)    Moses, fires up the foundry, makes a snake out of metal, puts it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten when he sees it, shall live.

xii)  Imagine yourself as one of the Hebrew people. You have buried numerous people possibly even some of your own family.

xiii)            They were bitten and died.

xiv)            You know the danger. You come home from a hard day with the sheep and goats and a 10 foot black mamba greets you at the door.

xv)  That snake nails you. You are snake bitten. You are a dead man. But wait. God has provided a cure.

xvi)            Don’t go to the doctor. Don’t suck out the poison. Don’t get your tazer and shock the skin where you were bitten.

xvii)          Go and find that bronze serpent that God told Moses to make. Just go and look at it. Find it, look at it, and the poison will be gone. You’re death will be gone.

xviii)        God in his grace and in his power will take away your death and give you new life.

xix)            Look at it and you will live.

b)      The lifting up of the serpent is an illustration for the lifting up of the Son of Man.

i)        “As Moses lifted up the serpent…so must the Son of Man be lifted up”

ii)      There is something profoundly similar between what must happen to Jesus and what happened with Moses and that bronze serpent.

iii)    Here it is: Jesus must be lifted up as the cure. It is still true that the wages of sin is death.

iv)    And John the Baptist was right.

v)      Behold! Look! Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world (Jn 1:29).

vi)    Moses put that serpent on a pole and when people looked at that serpent that would not die; they would live.

vii)  Jesus was delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God. Sinful men crucified and killed him (Acts 2:23).

viii)            Jesus was lifted up so that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

ix)    If you are going to live Jesus must die. He must be lifted up.

x)      One of the evidences of the new birth is understanding we are a people who have the poison of sin pulsing through our veins.

xi)    We are sick. We are dead in our sins. We are not able to cure ourselves. There is no doctor to which we can turn.

xii)  The cure for our sin-sickness can be found only with the gracious provision of God.

III) The Son of Man must be lifted up

a)      This is crucial. It must happen.

i)        Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection empower belief.

ii)      If Jesus isn’t nailed to a cross then believing in him doesn’t mean anything.

iii)    If he’s still in the grave then believing in him is no different than believing in Jack and the Beanstalk.

iv)    The Son of Man must be lifted up so that whoever believes may have eternal life in him.

v)      The basic meaning of the word “lifted up” is a spatial one; it means to elevate.

vi)    The bronze serpent wasn’t hidden on the ground behind a curtain. It was on a pole high and lifted up so that all who wanted to look at it could look at it.

vii)  In the same way the work and effect of Christ’s death on a cross has not been hidden.

viii)            God did it all in plain sight. God has made the cross of Christ the pivot point of all history. We need this crucified Jesus. The message is clear.

ix)    This is Jesus, this is what he has done for you, believe in him and you will live.

x)      We must never hide the gospel behind fear and we must never push the good news of Jesus Christ to the sidelines while we focus on other things.

xi)    Proclaim the message. Lift Jesus up for all to see.

xii)  As we go further into what it means to be lifted up we must understand that Jesus is referring to his crucifixion.

xiii)            This is the main point.

xiv)  In John 3 Jesus is not saying that the Son of Man needs to be on the highest point in town for everyone to see.

xv)  Jesus is saying that the Son of Man must be lifted up on the cross.

xvi)            We know this because in John 12 Jesus uses this same phrase “be lifted up” and spells out exactly what it means. Read John 12:27-33

xvii)          To say that the Son of Man must be lifted up is to say that the Son of Man must be crucified.

xviii)        Jesus must die for sins. He must be our atoning sacrifice.

xix)            You and I taste the joys of eternal life only because Jesus will be beaten, whipped, stripped naked, nailed to a cross, and lifted up for all to see.

xx)  Because of sin God’s wrath must be poured out. For us to be made well Jesus must be broken.

xxi)            The cross is a necessity.

xxii)          And if we go further into what it means to be lifted up we must understand that it is through the crucifixion that Jesus is exalted, glorified, lifted up.

xxiii)        In the passage I read from John 12 we heard Jesus praying that the Father would glorify his name and the Father replied, “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it.”

xxiv)        All this in the context of the Son of Man being lifted up.

xxv)          It is through the ultimate sacrifice of the cross that we see the glory of Jesus Christ shining brightly.

xxvi)        When the natural man who has not been born again looks at Jesus hanging on a cross it is only foolishness.

xxvii)      “What a waste of a good teacher. What a sad end to someone who loved so deeply.”

xxviii)    But seeing Jesus on the cross is a glorious thing to the person who feels the bitterness of sin.

xxix)        To the man dying of sin it is wonderful to see his cure in Jesus Christ crucified, buried, risen, and exalted to God’s right hand.

xxx)          The Son of Man must be lifted up. He must be lifted up on the cross. He must be glorified as the sin-atoning Son of God.

xxxi)        This Son of Man, this Jesus, must be proclaimed. Do not hide the cure from your family. Do not hide the cure from your neighbors. Go and tell.

xxxii)      Lift up Jesus Christ.

b)      Exalt Christ knowing that whoever believes in him may have eternal life

i)        Nothing exalts Jesus more than his people holding out his good news for the healing of the nations.

ii)      Do you want to experience the life of the age to come right now? Do you want to experience the first-fruits of the Kingdom of God? Believe

iii)    Run to Jesus crucified, buried, and raised the way a snake bit Israelite would run until he found that bronze serpent and looked upon it and was healed.

iv)    This is precisely why when I talk to people, especially children about what it means to believe in Jesus and be baptized, I ask them this question:

v)      “Is trusting in Jesus something that you feel like you have to do or do you feel like you could take it or leave it?”

vi)    Do you want him? Do you feel your need for him?

vii)  Do you receive the testimony concerning his greatness? Is he God? Is he God in the flesh? Has he come to live and die for you?

viii)            Do you believe that you need to be born again? Do you see clearly that you need to change or you will have no part in God or in his kingdom?

ix)    Do you believe that the Son of God hanging on the cross is a painfully glorious thing?

x)      Does the ascension of Jesus to God’s right hand cause you to praise the power and love of God?

c)      Whoever believes in him has eternal life.

i)        Whoever. Not just the Jews. Not just the middle class. Not just the poor. Not just those who look like me.

ii)      Whoever. That means you. That means your neighbors.

iii)    Believe in him. Believe in the perfect cure and you will have eternal life.

iv)    The work of Christ secures a global salvation; people from every tribe, tongue, and nation.

v)      Go and tell. Go and preach.

vi)    Tell them about Jesus and what he has done so that they may hear, and believe, and call on him, and be saved.

vii)  By your life and by your words exalt Jesus and all that he has done for us.

viii)            And this is what he has done: he has been lifted up. Believe in him. Give your life to his cause and trust your sin and your eternity to his power.

ix)    Believe in him and you will have eternal life. You will live forever with the glorious powerful exalted Son of Man and Son of God.

x)      In the age to come all that is good, all that is in Christ, will be given to you who believe in Christ.

xi)    You will know God and you will know Jesus Christ.

xii)  The joy and satisfaction, all that is meant to sustain us through the good times and bad, all of it. It is for us today; for us who believe.

xiii)            Do these words stir your soul? I pray that the promises of forgiveness and eternal life drive you now to want to celebrate.

xiv)            I hope right now you want to celebrate the Lord’s Supper. I pray that nothing will do but celebrating his body broken and his blood poured out for you.

xv)  If you do not see Christ as lifted up do not take the Lord’s Supper; quietly and with respect let it pass.

xvi)            But if you know he is your fundamental need then with joy and thankfulness remember who he is and what he has done.

xvii)          He lived for you, he died for you, he is now at the Father’s right hand interceding for you. Worship him.

xviii)        We’re going to sing a hymn of preparation for the Lord’s Supper. I want you to spend time examining what you believe about Jesus.

xix)            Does it match what Scripture says? Do you desire him? Do you need him? Do you long for grace?

xx)  Do you need to pray? Do you not understand? Do you have questions?

xxi)            I am here for you. Let’s get ready to celebrate.