Pastor Max Wilkins
May 19, 2002 - W0220

Everyday, every single one of us has to make decisions. Some decisions will have very little impact; others will be life changing. Some can be put off to a later time; others need immediate attention. Such was the case with Nicodemus, a man who came to Jesus in the dark of the night and had to make an eternity-impacting decision.

Today we know Jesus as King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Back in the days of Nicodemus, Jesus was known just as a simple peasant carpenter from Nazareth. On the other hand, Nicodemus was a wealthy, educated pillar of the community and well respected by everyone. Yet despite all Nicodemus had, he sensed something was missing in his life. He decided to seek answers and went looking for Jesus. There was just one small thing: he didnít want to risk his reputation by being seen with Jesus. So he went to Jesus under the cloak of night.

He came to Jesus and started with small talk. Jesus took one look at him and, knowing the void in his heart, declared, ìI tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born againî (Jn. 3:3). That confused Nicodemus. He asked, ìHow can a man be born when he is old? Surely he cannot enter second time into his motherís womb to be born!î (Jn. 3:4).

The wisdom of this world often gets confounded by the things of God. The same was true of Nicodemusódespite all his education, wisdom, authority and power he was spiritually empty and still living in the dark. Yet when Jesus gave him a point-blank answer, he took a pass because he had to think about it first. Why would Nicodemus risk everything to go out into the night to speak with Jesus yet after hearing what was required, turn and walk away? Just like Nicodemus, the question for us here and now is: Why not tonight?

To understand what Jesus was telling Nicodemus we need to take a good look at John 3:16. Itís a verse weíve heard all our lives but we need to understand it deeply:

ìFor God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal lifeî (John 3:16).

I. THE GOOD NEWS: OUR GOD IS A GOD WHO LOVES AND A GOD WHO GIVES.

ìFor God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son...î (John 3:16a).

Not only is it telling us that Godís character is love and generosity, but it also shows us that He gave His only Son! We serve a God that not only loves, but He gives. Can you imagine a God who was with Jesus from the foundation of the world, to have given His Son? To have turned His head when Jesus was helplessly suffering on the cross? To have listened as His Son screamed out, ìMy God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?î (Mt. 27:46).

Do you know why He did it? He did it for me and He did it for you. He did it because the depth of His love meant He would give everything so we could have a relationship with Him. Not only did He do it, but He did it when we werenít even worthy to be considered for it. ìGod demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for usî (Rom. 5:8).

Question 1: Whatís your response when you hear the words: ìFor God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Sonî? What does this mean to you? How has it changed you?

The first part of that world famous verse shows us that we have a God who loves and who gives. Even when weíre not worthy, He gives His very bestóHis only Son. And in the course of His sacrifice, God is looking for one thingÖ

II. GOD IS LOOKING FOR BELIEVERS.

ì...that whoever believes in Him...î (John 3:16b).

When Jesus said this He wasnít talking about a simple okay. He didnít go on the cross so we can say, ìYes, Iíll buy the story that some guy named Jesus lived. Sure count me in. Itís no skin off my back anyway.î Listen, the skin came off of Jesusí back. Just believing that Jesus lived and performed miracles is not enough. If that was it then Satan would be a Christian, because he believes that. Believing is much more than simple agreement. It is a willingness to live it. Itís staking our very lives on it.

?        Heartfelt belief requires a willingness to stake your life on what you believe.

Question 2: Do people around you (especially unbelievers) know that you are a Christian? Or are you afraid or embarrassed of what they may think or say about you?

Some of us are afraid to come to Jesus in the bright light of day. Weíre afraid because we have the wrong idea about God. Oh, if we only knew a fraction of His compassion and His power! Because of His mercy, Jesus responds to us with:

?        Jesusí common response to sinners: Love and forgiveness.

Do you remember the woman who was caught in adultery? Scriptures say the woman was caught in the act; her punishment was to be stoned to death. The people dragged her in naked and bleeding, throwing her at Jesusí feet and asked Him what they should do. Jesusí response was that he with the least sin could cast the first stone. Each onlooker understood the nature of his own sin and quietly drifted away, until only the woman was left. Jesus looked up at her and said, ìëWoman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?í ëNo one, Sir,í she said. ëThen neither do I condemn you,í Jesus declared. ëGo now and leave your life of siníî (Jn. 8:10-11).

Question 3: Have you accepted the Lordís forgiveness for your sins, especially those you may feel are unforgivable?

The Bible tells us over and over that Jesus responds to sin with love and forgiveness. We also find it wasnít the sinners that gave Jesus a hard time, but the ones that thought they were too proud to admit they were sinners. These were the ones who wanted to be self-righteousness and lord over everyone else. Although Jesusí response to sin is mercy, His response to pride and self-righteousness is much differentóit is His wrath. This is what He said to them:

ìWoe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead menís bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickednessî (Mt. 23:27-28).

?        Jesusí common response to pride and self-righteousness: Condemnation

Jesus can forgive those who acknowledge their sins. But those who are too wise or too proud, He condemns. Jesus made it clear that the only thing that could keep us from the gift of eternal life was an unwillingness to humble ourselves and ask for what He has to bring. God has a gift for those of us who humble ourselvesÖ

III. THE GIFT GOD HAS FOR US IS LIFE.

ì...shall not perish but have eternal lifeî (Jn. 3:16c).

Jesus came to transform our lives and give us the life that only He can give. Jesus did not come to make good people out of bad people. He came to make live people out of dead people. As for myself, Iím not perfect either. In fact Iím so far from perfect that I canít see it from here. But Iím headed towards perfection because the One who called me is perfecting me day by day, and I love to walk with Him. We know this when Jesus says, ìI have come that you might have life, and have it abundantlyî (Jn. 10:10).

Question 4: How have you experienced life more abundantly because of Jesus in your life?

For me, this all started one night when I got tired of answering the question of ìWhy not tonight?î by saying ìOh, some other time!î I finally said ìIíll make it tonight.î You see, I was brought up in a good family and had friends that loved me. I had a father that taught me to be godly man early in childhood.

As I entered middle school I found it difficult to fit in and be accepted because I was a scrawny little kid. I was still going to church but I was also finding life was really tough. Then we moved to Florida and I was in a new high school. I found myself always having to start all over again. I finally got tired of being a nice guy and made a decision that I was going to be powerful and popular. I didnít care what it cost me. So I entered ninth grade with a terrible mission. Iím ashamed to tell you, but I accomplished my mission.

By the time I graduated from high school I was president of the student counsel, editor of the paper, captain of the wrestling team, captain of the band and voted one of the most popular guys in my school. Whatever group of people I was with, I became. I quickly found out there was a drug crowd that was fun to hang around with and because I had a bridge to all of these groups I became the drug dealer in my school. I then got a scholarship to go to Vanderbilt University. The only thing was that by this point I had a drug and alcohol problem. I kept going to church, but I would be high, laugh at people and thought God was a sham.

Across the street from the University was a little honky tonk bar called ìThe Speakeasy.î This place was pretty bad in and I was the life of the party. I found acceptance because I was paying for the party. But when my money started to run short, I started to gamble. When that fell out, I actually borrowed money from a loan shark. I got deeper in my addiction, I was failing out of school, and on the verge of losing my scholarship. By that point I had become filthy and lost some of my friends and my life spiraled out of control. I wanted to kill myself but I couldnít figure out a way that wouldnít hurt. Iíve always been a wimp, and I guess thatís how God saved me.

I decided to write out a plan to get my life on track, and when I opened the drawer where the pencils were, on top of the pens was a wooden cross I had gotten awhile back when I was singing in choir. I looked at that cross and remembered the things that the Lord had said through so many people in my life. I began to cry and confessed. I actually told God he could have my life cause Iíve made a wreck of it, and ìjust donít ask me to be good, ëcause I donít know how to be good.î

I got up the next morning with all my problems still there. But one thing had changed, somehow in a way I canít explain, I knew that Jesus Christ was alive in my life. All that I couldnít do myself, together with Jesus, we could do. Jesus only asks us to follow Him. And seeking to follow Him one day at a time, I went from there to where I am standing before you today.

Question 5: If youíve been seeking the Lord and havenít received Christ in your heart, what is holding you back? If you want to change, why not tonight?

Activity: Have you been able to share your testimony with your care group. This is a valuable way to get to know people and where theyíve come from, as well as where theyíre at. You can rotate and have one person share their testimony each week.

Question 6: How will you be different because of what you have learned today?

Summarized by Doreen Rabaino