Embracing God's Sovereignty and Our Call to Serve

This morning, we gathered as a church family to celebrate God’s faithfulness in raising up servant leaders among us, setting apart Jeff Browning and Andy Trobinger for the roles of elder and deacon. Christ alone is the source of all Christian ministry, and by His Spirit, He calls each of us to serve, to witness, and to love those around us. Elders and deacons are not just titles, but callings to lives of spiritual commitment, compassion, and sound judgment, serving the church in mercy, stewardship, and spiritual care. Their example reminds us that leadership in the church is about humble service and a desire to make Christ known.

Turning to the heart of the morning, we reflected on the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3, focusing especially on the profound truth of John 3:16. This verse, so familiar to many, is the gospel in miniature—a summary of God’s love and the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus. Nicodemus, though deeply religious and knowledgeable, struggled to grasp the necessity of being “born again”—a spiritual birth that only God can accomplish. Jesus made it clear that salvation is not about outward religion or human effort, but about an inward transformation by the Spirit.

We explored the tension between God’s absolute sovereignty in salvation and our responsibility to respond in faith. Scripture holds both truths together: God sovereignly works to open our hearts, and yet we are called to believe. This is a mystery that humbles us, reminding us that God’s ways are higher than ours. Rather than trying to resolve this tension, we are invited to embrace it and worship the God who is both sovereign and gracious.

Jesus illustrated the way of salvation by referencing the story of Moses lifting up the bronze serpent in the wilderness. Just as the Israelites were healed by looking in faith to God’s provision, so we are saved by looking to Christ lifted up on the cross. The cross is not just a symbol, but the very place where Jesus became sin for us, bearing our curse so that we might receive life. Salvation is not about working up enough faith or fixing ourselves; it is about looking to Jesus and trusting in what He has done.

Eternal life is not only a future hope, but a present reality for all who believe. It is abundant life that begins now and continues forever. The invitation is open to all: look to Christ, believe, and receive the gift of life that only He can give.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. True spiritual leadership is rooted in humble service, not in seeking position or recognition. Elders and deacons are called to model Christ’s compassion, wisdom, and commitment to the welfare of the church, reminding us that every believer is called to serve with a heart surrendered to God’s purposes. [24:30]
• 2. The new birth Jesus describes is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, not something we can achieve by religious effort or moral improvement. Our salvation begins with God’s initiative—He awakens our dead hearts and draws us to Himself, inviting us to respond in faith. [44:33]
• 3. The tension between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility is not a problem to solve, but a truth to embrace. Both are clearly taught in Scripture: God chooses and calls, and yet we must believe. This mystery should lead us to deeper worship and humility, trusting that God’s wisdom far exceeds our understanding. [49:32]
• 4. The story of the bronze serpent in Numbers 21 is a powerful picture of the gospel: we are helpless to save ourselves from the consequences of sin, but God provides a way of healing and life. Just as the Israelites were saved by looking in faith to God’s provision, so we are saved by looking to Christ on the cross, who became sin for us. [1:04:42]
• 5. Eternal life is not merely about going to heaven after we die; it is the abundant, transformed life that begins the moment we trust in Christ. This life is marked by forgiveness, healing, and a new purpose, as we live in the reality of God’s love and grace every day. [1:11:14]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [23:34] - Celebrating God’s Work in Our Church
• [24:30] - The Calling and Role of Elders and Deacons
• [25:17] - Ministry of Mercy and Spiritual Oversight
• [26:15] - Affirming Servant Leaders
• [27:24] - Commitment and Qualifications for Leadership
• [35:04] - The Importance of Spiritual Leadership
• [36:57] - The Heart of the Gospel: John 3:16
• [40:57] - Nicodemus: Religion vs. New Birth
• [42:09] - The Necessity of Spiritual Birth
• [44:33] - God’s Sovereign Work in Salvation
• [46:07] - The Tension: Sovereignty and Faith
• [53:16] - Jesus’ Authority and Testimony
• [56:31] - The Son of Man Descended from Heaven
• [58:35] - The Bronze Serpent: A Picture of the Cross
• [1:04:42] - Looking to Christ for Salvation
• [1:11:14] - Eternal Life: Abundant and Present
• [1:12:44] - Responding to God’s Grace
• [1:15:12] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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Bible Reading

John 3:1-18 (ESV)
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

Numbers 21:4-9 (ESV)
From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people. And the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole, and everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. And if a serpent bit anyone, he would look at the bronze serpent and live.

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Observation Questions

1. What does Jesus say is necessary for someone to see the kingdom of God? (John 3:3)
2. How does Jesus use the story of Moses and the bronze serpent to explain his own mission? (John 3:14-15; Numbers 21:4-9)
3. According to the sermon, what are the main responsibilities and heart attitudes expected of elders and deacons in the church? [[24:30]]
4. What is the difference between being religious and being “born again,” as seen in the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus? [[42:09]]

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Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus chose to use the image of the bronze serpent from Numbers 21 to describe his own death on the cross? What does this teach us about the nature of salvation? [[58:35]]
2. The sermon talks about the “tension” between God’s sovereignty and our responsibility to believe. How does holding both truths together affect the way we understand salvation? [[49:32]]
3. In what ways does the example of Nicodemus challenge our assumptions about who needs to be “born again”? Why is it significant that Jesus said this to a respected religious leader? [[40:57]]
4. The sermon describes eternal life as both a present reality and a future hope. How does this understanding shape the way a believer lives day to day? [[01:11:14]]

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Application Questions

1. The sermon emphasized that true spiritual leadership is about humble service, not seeking recognition. In your own life, are there ways you are tempted to serve for recognition rather than out of love? How can you shift your focus to serving like Christ? [[24:30]]
2. Jesus told Nicodemus that being “born again” is a work of the Spirit, not something we can achieve by our own effort. Are there areas where you are trying to “fix yourself” or earn God’s favor instead of trusting in His work? What would it look like to surrender those areas? [[44:33]]
3. The tension between God’s sovereignty and our responsibility to believe can be confusing. How do you respond when you encounter things about God that you can’t fully understand? Does it lead you to worship, frustration, or something else? [[49:32]]
4. The Israelites were saved by simply looking at the bronze serpent in faith. In what practical ways can you “look to Jesus” in your daily struggles, rather than trying to solve everything on your own? [[01:04:42]]
5. Eternal life is described as abundant life that starts now. What are some specific ways you can live more fully in the reality of God’s love and grace this week? [[01:11:14]]
6. The invitation to believe is open to all. Is there someone in your life who needs to hear about the hope found in Jesus? What is one step you can take to share this good news with them? [[01:13:28]]
7. The sermon mentioned that sometimes we hesitate to come to Christ because we feel we don’t have “enough faith.” Have you ever felt this way? How does the story of the bronze serpent and Jesus’ words to Nicodemus encourage you in those moments? [[01:09:19]]

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