Transformative Belief: The Power of the Gospel
Summary
In my sermon today, I addressed the critical questions surrounding the truth of Jesus Christ and the implications of His Gospel. I began by challenging the congregation to consider their response to the truth about Jesus, emphasizing the importance of belief and the consequences of unbelief. I reminded everyone that our response to the Gospel determines whether we are under judgment or heirs of the promise given to Abraham.
I then delved into the story of Nicodemus, a Pharisee who sought Jesus out to understand His teachings. Nicodemus, despite his extensive religious knowledge and adherence to the law, was missing the fundamental truth of Jesus. I explained that Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3 highlights the necessity of being born again, not through acquiring more knowledge or following more rules, but through a fundamental, personal change brought about by the Spirit.
I further explored the concept of belief, emphasizing that it is not merely an acknowledgment of facts but a complete trust and reliance on Jesus. I clarified that there are two categories of people: those who believe and are not condemned, and those who do not believe and are already condemned.
I also touched on the role of the law as our guardian until Christ came, so that we might be justified by faith, not by the law. This led to a discussion of the inclusivity of the Gospel, as in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; we are all one in Christ Jesus.
I concluded by reflecting on the nature of God's love, as demonstrated through the sending of His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. I encouraged the congregation to love one another, as this is the commandment we have received from God, and it is through love that God's presence and completeness are made known among us.
Key Takeaways:
- True belief in Jesus is not a mere intellectual assent but involves a complete trust and reliance on Him. This belief transforms our lives, leading us to become co-heirs with Christ and freeing us from the judgment due to our sins. It is this transformative belief that Nicodemus came to understand through his encounter with Jesus. [49:33]
- The law served as a guardian until Christ came, but it could not grant life. Righteousness and justification come through faith in Jesus Christ alone. This truth liberates us from the impossible task of earning salvation through our own efforts and points us to the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice. [01:10:40]
- Our identity in Christ transcends all earthly distinctions. In Him, we find unity and equality, breaking down the barriers that often divide us. This unity is a testament to the power of the Gospel to create a new community centered on faith in Jesus. [01:13:00]
- God's love is the foundation of our faith and the motivation for our actions. It is not that we loved God first, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. This love compels us to love one another, reflecting God's love to the world. [40:37]
- The evidence of a true encounter with Jesus is a changed life. Nicodemus' journey from questioning to defending and honoring Jesus demonstrates the transformative power of the Gospel. Our lives should exhibit similar fruit as we respond to the truth of Jesus and allow it to change us fundamentally. [01:08:00]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 3:1-18 (ESV)
2. 1 John 4:7-12 (ESV)
3. Galatians 3:21-29 (ESV)
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus tell Nicodemus is necessary to see the kingdom of God? ([49:09])
2. How does Jesus describe the difference between being born of the flesh and being born of the Spirit? ([54:40])
3. According to 1 John 4:9-10, how did God show His love among us?
4. What does Galatians 3:28 say about our identity in Christ?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Nicodemus, a Pharisee with extensive religious knowledge, struggled to understand the concept of being born again? ([51:10])
2. How does the concept of being "born again" challenge the idea that salvation can be earned through knowledge or good works? ([52:32])
3. In what ways does the inclusivity of the Gospel, as described in Galatians 3:28, impact our understanding of community within the church?
4. How does the love described in 1 John 4:7-12 serve as a foundation for our faith and actions?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own belief in Jesus. Is it merely intellectual, or does it involve complete trust and reliance on Him? How can you deepen your trust in Jesus this week? ([50:29])
2. Nicodemus' journey shows a transformation from questioning to defending and honoring Jesus. Can you identify a moment in your life where you experienced a similar transformation? How did it impact your faith? ([49:33])
3. The sermon emphasized that the law served as a guardian until Christ came. How does this understanding free you from the pressure of trying to earn salvation through your own efforts? ([01:10:40])
4. In what ways can you actively break down barriers and promote unity within your church community, reflecting the truth that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female? ([01:13:00])
5. God's love is the foundation of our faith. How can you show this love to someone in your life this week, especially someone who may be difficult to love? ([40:37])
6. The evidence of a true encounter with Jesus is a changed life. What specific changes can you make in your daily routine to reflect the transformative power of the Gospel? ([01:08:00])
7. How can you ensure that Easter is not just another Sunday for you, but a meaningful celebration of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection? What steps can you take to prepare your heart and mind for this? ([45:53])
Devotional
Day 1: Transformative Trust in Christ
Belief in Jesus Christ goes beyond mere intellectual acceptance; it is a profound trust that leads to a complete transformation of one's life. This transformative belief is what Nicodemus, a learned Pharisee, struggled with until his encounter with Jesus. It is not enough to know about Jesus or to follow religious practices without experiencing a change of heart. True belief means entrusting one's entire life to Jesus, allowing His Spirit to renew and regenerate from within. This trust results in becoming co-heirs with Christ, liberating believers from the judgment their sins deserve. It is a belief that manifests in a life that is visibly changed, bearing the fruits of the Spirit and reflecting the character of Christ to the world. [49:33]
"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:26-27 ESV)
Reflection: How has your trust in Jesus Christ transformed your daily life and decisions?
Day 2: Righteousness Beyond the Law
The law was our guardian until Christ came, but it was never intended to be the source of life. Righteousness and justification are gifts that come through faith in Jesus Christ alone, not through adherence to the law. This understanding liberates individuals from the futile attempt to earn salvation through their own efforts. Instead, it points to the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The law's purpose was to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith and not by our own works. This key truth is essential for living a life that is not burdened by the impossible task of legalistic perfection but is instead filled with the joy and freedom of grace. [01:10:40]
"Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith." (Galatians 3:23-24 ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you been trying to earn God's favor through your actions, and how can you instead rest in the justification provided by faith in Christ?
Day 3: Unity in Christ's Family
Our identity in Christ transcends all earthly distinctions, creating a unity that breaks down barriers of ethnicity, social status, and gender. In Jesus, believers find equality and a new community that is centered on faith rather than worldly divisions. This unity is a powerful testament to the Gospel's ability to create a new way of living and relating to one another. It challenges believers to live out this truth, demonstrating the inclusive love of Christ in their interactions with others, regardless of their backgrounds. This new identity in Christ fosters a sense of belonging and purpose that is rooted in the shared experience of God's grace. [01:13:00]
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28 ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively promote unity and break down barriers within your own community of faith?
Day 4: The Foundation of Love
God's love is the bedrock of our faith and the driving force behind our actions. It is not based on our love for God, but on His love for us, demonstrated through the sending of His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. This profound love compels us to love one another, mirroring God's love to the world. As believers, we are called to live out this commandment, showing love in tangible ways and thereby revealing God's presence and completeness among us. This love is not a passive feeling but an active choice that influences how we interact with others and engage with the world. [40:37]
"In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him." (1 John 4:9 ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can demonstrate God's love to someone in your community this week?
Day 5: Evidence of a Changed Life
A true encounter with Jesus results in a changed life, as seen in the transformation of Nicodemus from a questioning Pharisee to a defender and honorer of Jesus. This change is the evidence of the Gospel's power at work within us. Believers are called to live lives that bear witness to this transformation, showing love, grace, and truth in their actions. The journey of faith is marked by continuous growth and change, as individuals respond to the truth of Jesus and allow His Spirit to work within them, shaping them into His likeness. The evidence of this change is not just personal; it impacts the community and the world, as the life of a believer becomes a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of the Gospel. [01:08:00]
"By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother." (1 John 3:10 ESV)
Reflection: What specific changes in your life can you point to as evidence of your encounter with Jesus, and how can you continue to grow in righteousness and love?
Quotes
1) "Nicodemus, despite his extensive religious knowledge and adherence to the law, was missing the fundamental truth of Jesus. It's not about gaining more knowledge... it's not about just hearing another sermon. What Jesus was talking about here was he was talking about change... unless you are born again and you allow the word of God to penetrate your heart... and change you not on the surface... but changing you at a fundamental personal level, you will never get to see God." [53:17]
2) "Jesus says there's two categories of people: those who believe who get no judgment when they die... no judgment. But he also says that there is another category of those that do not believe and those people have judgment... God looks at them and says depart from me for I never knew you. What does this mean for me? It all depends on your response... it all depends on how you handle Verse 18." [01:04:40]
3) "The law was our Guardian until Christ came in order that we might be justified not by the law but by faith... there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise." [01:13:00]
4) "God is love not that we first loved him but that he loved us and he sent his son to die for us... God lives in us and his love is made complete in us... whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment; in this world we are like Jesus." [41:17]
5) "Nick has only mentioned three times in all of the Bible... he came questioning, he heard the gospel, he defended him before others, and then he recognized him as the king of kings. That is true change, that is truly understanding what the gospel means... not showing up sitting in a pew... and then peace out for a week." [01:08:00]
6) "Church, how do you respond to hearing the truth about Jesus? I've laid it out for you... how are you going to respond to it? Are you going to not believe and therefore put yourself under judgment... or are you going to receive these words, ask the questions, defend Jesus, and change your life forever?" [01:14:23]
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