June 12,20005 Summit AM

What Did Jesus Mean When He Said – Follow Me

Introduction

A. Text – Jn.2:23-3:21

B. Lot of popular sayings about becoming Christians

1. Accept Jesus as your personal savior

2. Ask Jesus to come into your heart

3. Invite Jesus into your life

4. Make a decision for Jesus

C. Problem – none of these are biblical

1. Are sayings made up by men

2. Question need ask – What did Jesus mean when He said follow Me?

D. Pray

I. Jesus Turned Away More People Than He Accepted

A. Passages

1. Lk.14:25-27 – large crowds = how difficult be disciple

2. Mt.7:13,14 – strait is gate & narrow is the way

3. Mt.7:21-23 – not all who say Lord – Lord enter kingdom

B. Point – Jesus didn’t accept just anyone

1. Called all – Mt.11:28 – come unto Me all who are weary

2. Accepted few – only those who truly believed

3. His call – discipleship – total submission to Him as Lord

II. Examine The Text

A. Background

1. John’s message throughout the book – Jesus is divine

a. Jn.1:1-3 – word was God

b. Jn.20:30,31 – Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God

2. Jn.2:23 – Jesus knew all men

a. Not entrust Himself lightly (anyone who believed miracles)

b. Nicodemus believed Jesus from God = miracles

1) Perhaps a prophet

2) Whatever He is = He is from God

c. Background of Nicodemus

1) Pharisee – member of Sanhedrin (Jewish religious ruler)

2) Strict religious – letter of the Law

a) Over 600 strict Laws followed

b) Could swallow vinegar on Sabbath – not gargle

c) Could eat egg laid on Sabbath – kill chicken

3) Point – man who trusted in what he did = was doing

a) Was right with God because of what he did

b) No question he was entering God’s kingdom

B. Notice Jesus’ response to Nicodemus

1. You must be born again

a. Nicodemus not take words literally – enter womb

b. Knew how Rabbi’s taught – symbols

c. Knew Jesus saying – you must start all over – from beginning

1) Where you are - hopeless

2) Never get into God’s kingdom this way

3) In fact – never see His kingdom this way

(1 Cor.2:14 – spiritual things foolishness)

d. Saying – how can one start over when he is old?

2. You must be born of the water & the Spirit

a. OT = A purification that comes from God

(Ezek.36:24-28 – cleanse with water & receive Spirit)

b. Col.2:9-12 – spiritual circumcision – cleansing

3. You are Israel’s teacher & you don’t understand – all wrong

a. You are an unbeliever

1) Vs.11 – not accepting My testimony

2) Vs.12 – you do not believe

b. No one has ever gone to heaven (neither can you)

1) Only the Son of man

2) Must accept Him

3) Illustration – Moses & serpent

Num.21 – had have faith in what lifted up

4) So now you must have faith in the Son of man

Our faith must be in one God lifts up

4. God’s love is for all the world – not just Israel

a. I didn’t come to condemn – I came to save

b. Man is condemned already – only hope = accept Me

c. Man refuses to come = won’t acknowledge his sinfulness

1) All men are sinners – doomed spend eternity in hell

2) Only hope = accept Jesus as Lord (not just the facts)

III. Application – Our Response To Jesus

A. Nicodemus thought all was well – his religion was enough

1. I do more than most – look at my achievements

2. In his own eyes – he was good enough

B. Do we have the same attitude?

1. Trusting in our own goodness – our religion – what doing or have done

2. Are we religious enough to feel comfortable? Satisfied? Safe?

a. Better than most

b. Proud of our religious efforts

3. Remember the words of Jesus – Mt.7:21

C. The gospel according to Jesus

1. He is Lord – has all authority

2. He is the only way to the Father – Jn.14:6

3. We must accept Him – full & complete submission – Lk.14:33